2024/25 annual summary

Chinese medicine in 2024/25

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2024/25 annual report Download the
Board's data tables

Registration

4,898 Chinese medicine practitioners
- Up 0.9% from 2023/24
- 0.5% of all registered health practitioners
350 first-time registrants
- 307 domestic (including new graduates)
- 43 international
0.5% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Gender

Female	Male
60.1%	39.9%

60.1% Female
39.9% Male

Age

<250.2%
25-347.6%
35-4422.3%
45-5428.3%
55-6423.6%
65-7414.9%
75+3.0%

Divisions

Acupuncturist	98.3%
Chinese herbal medicine practitioner	64.6%
Chinese herbal dispenser	27.3%

98.3% Acupuncturist
64.6% Chinese herbal medicine practitioner
27.3% Chinese herbal dispenser

Registered in one division	Registered in two divisions	Registered in three divisions
36.1%	37.6%	26.3%

36.1% Registered in one division
37.6% Registered in two divisions
26.3% Registered in three divisions

Regulation

34 notifications lodged with Ahpra about 25 Chinese medicine practitioners
54 notifications about 42 Chinese medicine practitioners made Australia-wide, including HPCA and OHO data
- 0.9% of the profession Australia-wide

Sources of notifications

88.2%
11.8%

88.2% Patient, relative or member of the public
11.8% Other practitioner

Most common types of complaints

26.5%
17.6%
14.7%
14.7%
8.8%
17.6%

26.5% Clinical care
17.6% Boundary violation
14.7% Breach of non-offence provision in the National Law
14.7% Communication
8.8% Behaviour
17.6% Other

Notifications closed

10.0%
6.7%
3.3%
80.0%

30 notifications closed

10.0% Conditions imposed on registration
6.7% Registration suspended or cancelled or disqualified from applying
3.3% Referred to another body or retained by a health complaints organisation
80.0% No further regulatory action (including where practitioner has taken steps to address)

8 immediate actions taken
3 mandatory notifications received
- 2 about professional standards
- 1 about sexual misconduct
7 practitioners monitored for health, performance and/or conduct
15 criminal offence complaints made
2 notifications decided by a tribunal
No matters decided by a panel
1 appeal lodged

New public information campaign

The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia launched a national public information campaign aimed at helping Australians better understand Chinese medicine and know what to expect when consulting a registered Chinese medicine practitioner. It aims to empower the public by raising awareness of the regulatory framework and professional standards that underpin the practice of Chinese medicine in Australia. The campaign is accessible through a dedicated page on the Board’s website, ensuring easy access to this important information.

Highlights this year

The Board maintained its strong commitment to both local and international engagement, meeting with regulatory bodies and councils worldwide to exchange insights on emerging regulatory issues. These dialogues foster meaningful relationships and reinforce the Board’s dedication to safe, high-quality care. We look forward to deepening these partnerships and advancing international collaboration in Chinese medicine regulation. This will help to ensure the profession remains responsive, connected and future-focused for the benefit of the public.

Stakeholder engagement

Throughout the year, the Board engaged virtually with overseas counterparts including the UK’s Professional Standards Authority, Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine and the British Acupuncture Council. These discussions enriched our understanding of regulatory and educational developments affecting acupuncturists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners in the UK. Additionally, the Board held a virtual meeting with the US National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, further broadening our international perspective on professional standards and certification practices.

The Board continues to engage in productive dialogue with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, sharing insights and perspectives on regulatory practices and matters related to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangement.

In January, the Board Chair met with the Commonwealth Chief Allied Health Officer, alongside Ahpra colleagues. Following this meeting, the Board submitted profession-specific feedback to the Draft National Allied Health Workforce Strategy. The submission highlighted important statistical, regulatory and patient safety considerations specific to the Chinese medicine profession.

We also welcomed a delegation from the Singapore Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The Board’s engagement began in Sydney, where they shared insights into the international registration process and presented on the Board’s accreditation framework. The delegation continued to Melbourne, where they toured the Assessment, Learning and Examination Centre. This international collaboration provided a valuable platform for mutual learning and thoughtful discussion on shared regulatory priorities and the evolving dynamics of global healthcare.

Accreditation

The Board considered reports from the Chinese Medicine Accreditation Committee about Chinese medicine education programs in deciding whether to approve the programs of study as providing a qualification for registration in Australia. The Chairs of the Board and the committee convene regularly.

Other news

Health ministers announced the appointment of a new practitioner member to the Board. The Board was delighted to welcome Mr Simon Want.

Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Chair

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