AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
 Serving the community since 1998

1. What training do naturopaths receive in Australia?
2. Can't anyone call themselves a Naturopath?
3. How can I tell if I am dealing Naturopath who has undertaken appropriate training ?
4. Can't anyone start a "professional association"?
5. How long should a consultation take with a naturopath?
6. How is a naturopath different to my GP?
7. Is there any form of statutory registration for naturopaths?
8. Isn't naturopathy totally unscientific?
9. Isn't naturopathy just reliant on a placebo effect?
10. Who should I complain to if I am concerned about a consultation or a practitioner?
11. Why bother with a naturopath in the first place?
12. Can't anyone set themselves up as a naturopathic college?
13. What is the legality of practising naturopathy?

What training do naturopaths receive in Australia?

A modern naturopath in practice in Australia is trained in medical sciences and the modalities of herbalism, homeopathy, nutrition, and massage. At some colleges counseling skills are included as part of the basic program. For more information about typical study programs in Naturopathy see the education page.

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Can't anyone call themselves a Naturopath?

At this point in time there is no legal restriction on use of the term Naturopath - so basically anyone can hang out a shingle and use the term to refer to themselves.

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How can I tell if I am dealing with a qualified Naturopath who has received appropriate training?

A good sign will be membership of a professional body such as the ATMS,  or ANTA (refer to our associations page for more information). These bodies investigate and set academic standards and will only accept members from approved colleges or courses.

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Can't anyone start a "professional association"?

Yes, but rationalism applies here. There are certain well established associations that have reached "critical mass" and actually have some kind of educational standards in place. Look at our associations page for more information.

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How long should a consultation take with a naturopath?

This is variable - typically a first consultation can take from one to two hours. Subsequent repeat sessions may last only half an hour.

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How is a naturopath different to my GP?

At this point in time your GP will have more training in the medical sciences, will give you a 6 to 15 minute consultation, prescribe drugs or minor lifestyle modification, and be able to swipe your Medicare card. They will also have a completely different philosophy and methodology of practice.

Naturopaths do not replace GPs. A naturopath offers an alternative philosophy and methodology to the treatment of illness, and will spend a lot longer understanding the patients needs. They will use substances that subtly and slowly modify the internal environment, as well as recommending lifestyle and dietary modifications.

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Is there any form of  statutory registration for naturopaths?

Naturopaths are not statutory registered practitioners in Australia.  Recently with the introduction of the GST the Federal Government has earmarked in the order of $600,000 for the investigation and establishment of statutory registration for naturopaths over the next three years.  It should be noted that membership of the ATMS and equivalent bodies is a form of self-regulation.

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Isn't naturopathy totally unscientific?

Naturopaths rely on medical science to understand the disease process and develop an approach for treating a patient. Often people criticize the modalities that naturopaths use.

Herbalism is based on scientific research and empirical data built up over hundreds of years. Today more and more traditional uses of herbs are being validated by scientific studies.

Nutrition is based on almost entirely scientific studies and research.

Homeopathy has been the subject of several hundred scientific studies - the scientific community definitely wants to give this the big thumbs down - but it can't quite yet as studies have been contradictory. (The fact that it works for the majority of people is another factor).

Massage has been well studied and developed. (Although critics of natural therapies should, on principle, never subject themselves to a massage!)

There is plenty of legitimate science underpinning the methodology and modalities used by a modern naturopath, but when it comes down to it people simply want results. If naturopathy did not work it would cease to exist and yet quite the opposite is happening. Naturopathy is gaining widespread acceptance by the public and many in mainstream medical.

This means that the public are either "gullible fools" (as the defenders of "scientific medicine" arrogantly imply) or that naturopathic treatment is bringing about results that are satisfying the health care needs of individuals to such an extent that they are prepared to recommend it to others.

With health care (oddly) how people actually feel and tangible results seem to mean more than double-blind, placebo controlled trials.

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Isn't naturopathy just a placebo?

The role of the mind in the control and cure of illness and disease is the subject of some research. It is generally accepted that the mind can definitely play a role in an individual's health. We believe that the time a naturopath takes to listen to a patient certainly aids the healing process; however, treatment using diet, herbs, and massage which have proven physiological effects cannot be said to be pure placebo.

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Who should I complain to if I am concerned about a consultation or practitioner?

Even though naturopaths are not registered there are still avenues for complaint. If the naturopath you have selected is a member of a well regarded association (we suggest you chose one who is) then you can lodge a complaint directly with that association. Obviously, any group protecting the rights of the consumer can be contacted, and in NSW the Health Care Complaints Commission has the power to investigate unregistered practitioners.

For more information please visit the ATMS web site.  

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Why bother with a naturopath in the first place?

It depends how you want to approach your own health care. Many people who see naturopaths have a condition that has not been resolved by the established medical system - alternative health care is seen as a last resort. This is not to say that a naturopathic treatment can offer a cure for these conditions, but often an individual's quality of life is improved in some way.

Others may see a naturopath for philosophical reasons - they believe that a subtle form of health care is more beneficial for them in the long term.

A naturopath will not simply be interested in the condition you present with, they will endeavor to understand you in a broader sense and provide feedback that should shed light on possible areas where things could be done differently in your life.

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Can't anyone set themselves up as a naturopathic college?

A "naturopathic college" is like any other business anyone can start one. However, there are a few indicators of the nature of the college and the quality of the education. First to be Austudy and Abstudy approved the training facilities themselves must reach a certain standard (ie have desks, chairs, audio/visual equipment classrooms etc).

Certification of the education standards of a course comes down to the various associations. Each association has a team or committee that approves courses. Students completing an association course are eligible for membership on graduation from that course. Refer to our education page and association pages for more information.

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What is the legality of practising naturopathy?

The law varies in each state and territory of Australia - please refer to our "legal information" page.

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