16/04/2025
A Historic Moment for Shiatsu in Australia!
Dear Students, Graduates, and Shiatsu Community,
We are thrilled to announce that Shiatsu therapy will be reinstated under private health insurance coverage following the acceptance of recommendations from the recent Natural Therapies Review.
This decision formally recognizes Shiatsu's value in supporting Australians' health and wellbeing and validates the rigorous training standards at the Australian Shiatsu College.
The review, led by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO and supported by the NHMRC, found sufficient evidence to include Shiatsu in private health insurance benefits. The government has accepted these recommendations and is working on timely re-inclusion.
While this doesn't guarantee all insurers will cover Shiatsu, it lifts regulatory barriers, opening important doors for practitioners and clients.
As Australia's leading Shiatsu education provider, we are committed to maintaining high training standards. This development enhances recognition of our qualifications and career opportunities for graduates.
For students, this means entering a profession with improved recognition and broader client access. For graduates, it offers new possibilities for practice growth and client support.
The Australian Shiatsu College will work closely with professional associations like STAA and ATMS to ensure clear pathways for those with older qualifications to upgrade and reinstate association membership, enabling them to receive provider numbers.
We thank every association, practitioner, and advocate who contributed to this outcome. This milestone belongs to our entire community.
This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Shiatsu in Australia.
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Official Government Announcement -https://www.markbutler.net.au/news/media-releases/yf7nvwdw52bzu2sirzmk27pmdmw609
