Association of Massage Therapists

25/02/2026

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's consultation into the definition of an NDIS provider closes this Saturday.

AMT has made a comprehensive submission to the consultation to advocate for our profession's inclusion in the NDIS provider framework.You can read it here:

https://www.amt.org.au/downloads/submissions/AMT-Submission-NDIS-2026.pdf

11/02/2026

AMT Media Release
AMT calls for Remedial Massage Therapists to be recognised as NDIS providers

The Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) is urging the Federal Government to include qualified remedial massage therapists and myotherapists in reforms to the definition of NDIS providers, as part of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's current consultation closing 28 February 2026.

"NDIS participants are currently forced to access massage through registered allied health practitioners, when qualified remedial massage therapists could provide the same service more accessibly and affordably," said Rebecca Barnett, Chief Executive Officer of AMT. " It’s galling that the very practitioners most qualified to provide remedial massage are unable to provide the service to NDIS participants. This policy doesn't make sense and limits participant choice and access to care."

Perth NDIS participant John Lynes said he was "gutted" to discover that his regular remedial massage is not covered within the scheme. "Remedial massage is the only effective therapy that keeps me mobile. It's saving me from amputation of my foot," he said. "I can't find an allied health practitioner who can provide the treatment that works for me."

Youjung Suh, a remedial massage therapist who has worked with disabled clients, shared the impact of this restriction. “Many of my clients rely on remedial massage to manage pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. It is frustrating that they can’t use their NDIS funding to access my services. This reform is an opportunity to give people with disabilities the freedom to choose the best qualified provider for their needs.”

AMT is making a comprehensive submission and has created resources to help NDIS participants share their stories with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

https://www.amt.org.au/media-centre/NDIS-2026.html

10/02/2026

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is currently consulting on reforms to the definition of an NDIS provider.

AMT is making a comprehensive submission to advocate for our profession's inclusion in the NDIS provider framework. However, personal stories from NDIS participants are the most powerful evidence for change.

Please visit AMT's campaign page for information about how to support the case for recognition of remedial massage therapists and myotherapists within the NDIS:

https://www.amt.org.au/media-centre/NDIS-2026.html

16/11/2025

No, massage won’t "magically" detox your aura or cleanse mystery toxins … but it will do a lot of things that research actually supports. This article gives a more realistic, science-informed snapshot.

While they can be seen as a luxury, massages are often part of healthcare – here’s how they affect physical and mental health

08/09/2025

A recent randomised controlled trial of 290 US veterans found that professional therapeutic massage (twice weekly for 3 months) significantly reduced neck pain for up to 6 months after treatment ended.

Researchers from a Veterans' Administration Medical Centre and Indiana University measured neck disability and pain for one, three and six months after completion, and found that the Veterans who received therapeutic massage still had their neck disability pain scores reduced by three points after three months, and then by one point after six months.

The results published in Pain Medicine suggest that massage therapy is a practical, non-pharmacological approach to pain management.

This week, VA Research published findings on TBI and su***de risk, telehealth and rural infection control, and the benefits of massage therapy.

12/05/2025

Special shout out to our AMT members who are also registered nurses. Happy International Nurses' Day to you. We are incredibly proud of the work you do within the healthcare system.

05/05/2025

By participating in the National Pain Survey, you can help influence pain care policy across Australia, improve access to healthcare, and help to reduce stigma and isolation.

The National Pain Survey 2025 is now open.

Your participation will inform our advocacy on your behalf and help us urge politicians to make chronic pain management more equitable, affordable and accessible, by highlighting that your challenges are all of our challenges.

Use your voice to help us drive change in chronic pain. Take the survey now.

https://redcap.hmri.org.au/surveys/?s=AEM7AWMMN4KE7RTY

03/02/2025

We love a good animal massage story and this is no exception. Sharks, ducks, capybara ... and now camels. The interspecies benefits of a massage apparently know no bounds.

How do you treat arthritis in an ageing Arabian camel? Zookeepers at Werribee Open Range Zoo have found a soothing solution.

26/01/2025

Recent research has focused on the effectiveness of different types of massage, including foot massage, in various patient populations, such as those recovering from surgery, individuals with heart conditions, and pregnant women experiencing complications. The findings from these studies suggest that massage therapy can significantly alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, and improve vital signs, contributing to better health outcomes.

Learn how Nature Research Intelligence gives you complete, forward-looking and trustworthy research insights to guide your research strategy.

31/12/2024

Happy new year! May it be safe and sane and the right kind of exciting.

27/12/2024

A recent study by the University of Missouri has found that a simple and common-sense solution—giving nurses massages during their work shift—not only reduces their physical aches and pains but also leaves them feeling mentally rejuvenated to return to work. The findings can help leaders in health care and other industries with high rates of burnout consider the impact massages or other interventions can have on improving employee well-being and reducing high rates of staff turnover.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, high rates of burnout and staffing shortages plagued the nursing industry, primarily because of the stressful demands of the job. The COVID-19 pandemic only amplified these challenges, and with nearly a third of all Missouri nurses nearing retirement, improving....

05/12/2024

Do you have contact with NDIS plan managers? Please send them the AMT Information sheet and get them behind AMT's NDIS campaign.

You can access the information sheet here:

https://mobile.amt.org.au/downloads/NDIS/Information-for-NDIS-plan-managers.pdf