Professional Associations

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It is extremely important and beneficial for students to become student members of professional associations while they are studying. It is recommended for students to become student members in their first year of study.

Professional Associations

The benefits of becoming a student member of a professional association include:

  • Student memberships are often free
  • Receive networking opportunities with practitioners, graduates and industry leaders
  • You are kept up-to-date with relevant information regarding your chosen modality
  • Access to online resources, seminars and webinars
  • Gives you the ability to use your time as a student to identify the best association for you
  • Student members may have their full membership fast-tracked upon graduation

To assist you in deciding which Professional Association to join as a student each professional association is listed below under their relevant modality and include a short video introduction and link to their website. 

Naturopathy

  • ANTA - Australian Natural Therapists Association
  • ANPA - Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association
  • ATMS - Australian Traditional Medicine Society
  • CMA - Complementary Medicine Association
  • IICT - International Institute for Complementary Therapists
  • NHAA - Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia

Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine

  • AACMA - Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association
  • ANTA - Australian Natural Therapists Association
  • ATMS - Australian Traditional Medicine Society
  • CMA - Complementary Medicine Association
  • FCMA - Federation of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Societies of Australia

Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine

  • ANTA - Australian Natural Therapists Association
  • ATMS - Australian Traditional Medicine Society
  • CMA - Complementary Medicine Association
  • IICT - International Institute for Complementary Therapists

Remedial Massage

  • ANTA - Australian Natural Therapists Association
  • ATMS - Australian Traditional Medicine Society
  • IICT - International Institute for Complementary Therapists
  • MMA - Massage and Myotherapy Australia
  • MAA - Myotherapy Association Australia
  • AMT – Association of Massage Therapists

Which association to join?

Some questions to consider in making your decision:

  • How long has the association been established?
  • How large is the membership base of the association?
  • Who are the Board members of the association?
  • What resources does the association offer its members:
    • Access to Code of Ethics, Policies and Guidelines on Professional Practice & Clinical Standards
    • Links to Health Fund and Government policy information and regulation
    • Government advocacy and lobbying
    • Free Student Membership
    • Continuing Professional Education
    • Practitioner register
    • Social Media community
    • Listing on online Practitioner search
    • Online access to Research, Webinars and Resources
    • National Seminars & Symposiums
    • Student Bursaries & Awards
    • Research Grants
    • Discounts
    • eNews and/or Journal