How to become a Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Chinese medicine practitioners treat disorders and illnesses through the application of traditional Chinese medicine practices such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and tui na (remedial massage).

Personal requirements for a Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Good communication skills
Good analytical skills
Patient, tactful and compassionate
Interest in health and well-being

Education & Training for a Chinese Medicine Practitioner

To become a Chinese medicine practitioner you usually have to complete a degree in health science with a major in Chinese medicine. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, biology, chemistry, and earth and environmental science are normally required. Institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate and immunisations, and undergo a Working with Children Check. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information. To work as a Chinese medicine practitioner, you must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. In order to gain registration, you must fulfil a variety of registration standards. Contact the board for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Chinese medicine practitioners:

Diagnose health problems through discussions with the patient, checking the patient's pulse and tongue, and observing abnormalities in sleep, appetite, perspiration and body temperature
Formulate traditional Chinese medicine treatment plans based on the patient's diagnosis
Prescribe medicinal substances derived from roots, flowers, seeds and leaves in the form of teas, capsules, tinctures or powders
Advise on dietary and lifestyle choices
Apply other therapies such as acupuncture, cupping (applying a heated cup to the skin to create suction), tui na, and exercise and breathing therapy.

Tasks

Provides dietary and lifestyle advice and guidelines.
Evaluates and documents patients' progress through treatment plans.
Develops and implements treatment plans using techniques and methods such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, diet, exercise and breathing therapy.
Assesses patients to determine the nature of the disorder, illness, problem or need by questioning, examining and observing.
Prescribes natural medicines, such as herbal, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body's capacity for self-healing.

Employment Opportunities for a Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Most Chinese medicine practitioners work in private practice, but some join other healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary centres. Some may also work in research or operate as consultants. Employment opportunities depend on the level of community awareness and acceptance of alternative healthcare practices.

Specializations

Acupuncturist

An acupuncturist treats disorders and illnesses by inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the skin to stimulate the body's defence mechanisms.

Acupuncturist

An acupuncturist treats disorders and illnesses by inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the skin to stimulate the body's defence mechanisms.

Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Average age
49 years
Future Growth
Strong
Gender Share
53% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
Unavailable
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
51% Full-Time
Employment Size
1,000 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 40.4%
NT: 0.0%
QLD: 9.1%
SA: 2.7%
TAS: 0.8%
VIC: 38.5%
WA: 6.8%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 1%
25-34: 12.4%
35-44: 25%
45-54: 26.5%
55-59: 13.9%
60-64: 12.3%
65 and Over: 9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 10.6%
Bachelor degree: 61.8%
Certificate III/IV: 0.3%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 23.7%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 2.9%