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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 with their relevant modality.
AACMA - Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association
- Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine
AMT – Association of Massage Therapists
- Remedial Massage
ANPA - Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association
- Naturopathy
ANTA - Australian Natural Therapists Association
- Naturopathy
- Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine
- Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine
- Remedial Massage
ATMS - Australian Traditional Medicine Society
- Naturopathy
- Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine
- Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine
- Remedial Massage
CMA - Complementary Medicine Association
- Naturopathy
- Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine
- Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine
FCMA - Federation of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Societies of Australia
- Acupuncture Therapies / Chinese Medicine
IICT - International Institute for Complementary Therapists
- Naturopathy
- Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine
- Remedial Massage
MAA - Myotherapy Association Australia
- Remedial Massage
MMA - Massage and Myotherapy Australia
- Remedial Massage
NHAA - Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia
- Naturopathy
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