Natural therapy, alternative medicine, and complementary medicine are huge industries that can offer profitable, rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in myotherapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, or another natural therapy, you can embark on a career that allows you to create healthier, happier people, while being paid for the pleasure.

Natural therapies are focused on holistic treatment—understanding that the systems in a person’s body are connected, stepping back and looking at their entire health before recommending treatment. It’s about treating the complete person—physically, psychologically, and spiritually—by stimulating their natural self-healing and self-regulating abilities, to improve their overall health. If this sounds like something that interests you, completing an accredited holistic health program may turn into a fruitful career for you.

To find a career pathway for natural therapy, you can browse the ANTA-recognised courses.

As a natural therapist, you will be constantly working with people to help them achieve good health. This makes communication a vital skill, which includes the ability to listen and be understood, and to empathise.

To diagnose issues and recommend treatment, you will need good problem-solving skills and a sound memory. You must also have the drive to keep up with the latest developments in your field through continuing professional education (CPE), which will enable you to provide the best healthcare for your patients. This also helps to enhance your professional standing in the natural therapy community.

Natural therapists usually work in private practices, but they can also be employed for research, consultancy, or by government agencies.

Yes, natural therapy is also known as alternative healing, and includes modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and homeopathy to name a few.

Natural therapists work in the health and wellness industry, which is estimated to be worth about $4 billion a year in Australia. The sheer size of the industry provides a treasure of opportunity for anyone thinking about becoming a natural therapist, and with only around 6,000 naturopaths nationwide, demand is likely to increase over the next few years.