Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Natural Medicine Week is an annual event hosted by the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) to raise awareness of different types of natural therapies and the importance of visiting an accredited practitioner. Each year practitioners and partners of ATMS host online events and invite the public to learn about natural therapies and how they can support your health.

You can also read lots of practitioner blogs all about natural medicine and make some of the amazing healthy recipes on the website.

Natural Medicine Week is also a very SOCIAL event where ATMS, our practitioners and partners share lots of tips, special offers and photos of their events using hashtag #naturalmedicineweek.

Follow us on Instagram @naturalmedicineau to join the celebration.

Happy Natural Medicine Week!

Natural medicine has many benefits, for all age groups, in supporting their health and wellbeing. The practice of natural medicine involves a wide range of therapies across ingestive, bodywork & massage and Chinese medicine. Each type of natural medicine offers different benefits to the user. Learn more about each type of natural medicine by visiting our Natural Therapies page.

From an Australian healthcare perspective, incorporating natural medicine into our health system is a cost effective and clinically effective strategy that can help resolve the issues of cost, access, and quality.

As a consumer, if you use recognised natural medicine, you may be able to claim treatment under your private Health Fund depending on your provider and policy. To learn more, contact your provider.

As a practitioner, the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) is a ‘professional organisation’ within the meaning of section 10 of the Private Health Insurance (Accreditation) Rules 2008. This potentially allows ATMS accredited members to be recognised as approved providers by the various private health funds. Approved health fund provider status is, however, subject to each individual health fund’s requirements. If you’re a practitioner, learn more about Health Funds.

The Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) believes that natural medicine works as a complementary option to modern medicine. It has been shown that better results for patients occur when natural medicine is used in conjunction with modern medicine.

To ensure you are consulting with a qualified natural medicine practitioner, always check that they are accredited with a professional industry association, like the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS). Before approval as a member, every ATMS practitioner is individually assessed to ensure the high standards of ATMS are satisfied.

ATMS is committed to establishing and maintaining high professional standards across natural medicine, for the protection and benefit of consumers and the advancement of the industry.

Look out for the ATMS accredited practitioner stamp of approval.

Search and find a qualified natural medicine practitioner – click here.

Consultation with a qualified natural medicine practitioner is one place to start. We also encourage you to research the different natural medicine therapies accredited by ATMS based on your personal likes and dislikes. The Natural Therapies page is a great place to start and can assist you to locate the most appropriate natural medicine for you and your concerns, and to take the first step along the path towards a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing.

 

If you have decided on a natural therapy that is right for you, go to Find a Practitioner tool to find a qualified, trusted natural medicine practitioner near you. To safeguard the public, every ATMS practitioner is individually assessed to ensure the high standards of ATMS are satisfied before becoming accredited.

Congratulations on the first step in your journey to helping people via natural medicine. In order to become an Accredited ATMS Member, you first need to secure the correct qualifications for your modality/therapy of choice, which you can do by using the ATMS natural medicine college locator. Find a College now.

Once you have qualifications that are accredited by ATMS, or if you are a student enrolled in an accredited educational program, you may be eligible for ATMS membership and can apply following the procedure outlined here.

ATMS offers three categories of membership:

  1. Accredited Membership – This is the practitioner category of membership.
  2. Student membership (FREE) – This category is for students studying ATMS accredited courses. It is not suitable for practitioners as it does not offer all the benefits a member in practice requires.
  3. Associate membership – This category if for anyone interested in natural medicine. Again, it is not suitable for practitioners as it does not offer all the benefits a member in practice requires.

The idea that natural medicine is expensive is a myth. In many cases, natural medicine is actually a better value proposition. This is because it focuses on preventative methods of treatment to maintain overall health and wellbeing, which in the long term can save you money on hospital medical costs.

Many therapies are also covered by private health insurance which means that you can claim costs – dependent on your individual policy. For more information contact your provider.

More about Natural Therapies