How to become a Natural Therapist
Natural therapists specialise in a range of complementary and alternative medical techniques and remedies (including homeopathy, herbalism and aromatherapy), which they use to diagnose, treat and prevent physical illness or dysfunction.
Personal requirements for a Natural Therapist
- Desire to help people achieve good health
- Committed to promoting complementary and alternative medicine as a complement to conventional medical treatments
- A mature and confident personality
- Good communication skills
Education & Training for a Natural Therapist
To become a natural therapist you usually have to complete a VET qualification. You may be required to attend an interview. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.
Additional information
Natural therapy is not a registered health profession. However, national professional bodies such as the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the Australian Natural Therapists Association set standards for membership.
Duties & Tasks of a Natural Therapist
Natural therapists:
- Analyse patients' eating habits and develop personalised nutrition plans
- Prescribe natural medicines such as herbal remedies, vitamin compounds and mineral supplements
- Use organic techniques to stimulate the body's capacity for self-healing
- Examine the iris (the coloured part of the eye) to analyse and treat illness in various organs of the body (known as iridology).
Tasks
- Evaluating and documenting patients' progress through treatment plans
- Developing and implementing treatment plans using applications such as acupuncture, homoeopathic and herbal medicine, and dance, drama, hypnotic and music therapies
- Providing dietary and lifestyle advice and guidelines
- Assessing patients to determine the nature of the disorder, illness, problem or need by questioning, examining and observing
- Prescribing natural medicines, such as herbal, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body's capacity for self-healing
Employment Opportunities for a Natural Therapist
Natural therapists usually work in private practice, and success depends largely on the local community's willingness to receive complementary and alternative medical treatments. Other career options include employment in group practices, research, consultancy, government agencies or in industries such as health food and natural products.
Specializations
Naturopath
A naturopath provides holistic remedies for physical ailments by assessing the client's lifestyle, including mental, emotional, nutritional and physical habits. They prescribe necessary changes (as well as herbal and natural medicines) to encourage the maintenance of a lifestyle that supports health and wellbeing.
Herbalist
A herbalist prescribes and prepares natural remedies specific to their clients' health profiles, using plants and plant parts. These remedies can take the form of tablets, capsules, teas, tinctures, extracts, essential oils (aromatherapy) and other herbal preparations.
Homeopath
A homeopath prescribes medicines and therapeutic measures to assist the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. A homeopath takes into account the individual's whole physical and emotional environment as well as the specific symptoms of illness.
Aromatherapist
An aromatherapist blends therapeutic plant oils, including essential oils, and uses methods such as topical application, massage and inhalation to promote psychological and physical wellbeing.
Kinesiologist
A kinesiologist uses non-invasive muscle monitoring to evaluate imbalances in the body's nervous system and energy systems and employs muscle-testing techniques to restore and promote overall health and wellbeing.
Aromatherapist
An aromatherapist blends therapeutic plant oils, including essential oils, and uses methods such as topical application, massage and inhalation to promote psychological and physical wellbeing.
Herbalist
A herbalist prescribes and prepares natural remedies specific to their clients' health profiles, using plants and plant parts. These remedies can take the form of tablets, capsules, teas, tinctures, extracts, essential oils (aromatherapy) and other herbal preparations.
Homeopath
A homeopath prescribes medicines and therapeutic measures to assist the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. A homeopath takes into account the individual's whole physical and emotional environment as well as the specific symptoms of illness.
Kinesiologist
A kinesiologist uses non-invasive muscle monitoring to evaluate imbalances in the body's nervous system and energy systems and employs muscle-testing techniques to restore and promote overall health and wellbeing.
Natural Therapist
Natural therapists specialise in a range of complementary and alternative medical techniques and remedies (including homeopathy, herbalism and aromatherapy), which they use to diagnose, treat and prevent physical illness or dysfunction.
Naturopath
A naturopath provides holistic remedies for physical ailments by assessing the client's lifestyle, including mental, emotional, nutritional and physical habits. They prescribe necessary changes (as well as herbal and natural medicines) to encourage the maintenance of a lifestyle that supports health and wellbeing.
Average age
46
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
65% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
46%
Employment Size
10,200
Employment by state
ACT: 1.3%
NSW: 33.9%
NT: 0.5%
QLD: 22.0%
SA: 5.5%
TAS: 1.4%
VIC: 26.9%
WA: 8.5%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 1%
25-34: 14.2%
35-44: 27.9%
45-54: 26.8%
55-59: 11.7%
60-64: 10.3%
65 and Over: 8%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 27.5%
Bachelor degree: 49.9%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 2.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 17.5%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0.1%
Year 12: 2.4%
Years 11 & 10: 0%
