In October 2020, the Australian Naturopathic Council (ANC) initiated a research project on the risks, the benefits, and the regulatory requirements for the profession of naturopathy (including Western herbal medicine). Known as the Naturopaths Regulation Research Project (the NRR Project), the aim of the research is to gather information to support a submission from the ANC member organisations to State, Territory, and Commonwealth Governments, seeking the inclusion of naturopaths in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the health professions (NRAS).
The NRR Project has been financed by members of the naturopathy profession following a successful crowd funding campaign. A matched grant of $20,000 generously has been provided by Marcus Blackmore AM. Substantial volunteer resources are being provided by ANC member organisations and naturopathic academics.
The research is nearing completion and we expect to publish the full research report early in 2023. Drawing on the research, a submission to government has already been drafted and we have decided to release this draft for consultation with the profession. Please download the draft submission here (PDF) (updated)
Why release the draft submission at this time? Consultation on the draft submission has been timed to coincide with the opportunity presented by the launch at Parliament House in Canberra of the World Naturopathic Federation’s report titled Naturopathy, practice, effectiveness, economics & safety. Known as the WNF Health Technology Assessment (HTA), this 750-page report provides an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics, and effectiveness of naturopathic care.
We decided to use this opportunity to engage with politicians on the need to strengthen regulation of naturopaths. Therefore, to ensure we represent the full range of views of members of the profession and other stakeholders, we have decided to invite your input on the draft submission. We want to better understand what YOU think and what we should be saying to governments on regulation of naturopaths.
Whether or not you support national registration of naturopaths under the NRAS, WE ARE KEEN TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS.
To make it easy for you to tell us what you think, we have prepared a Quick Response Form (word document) Or you can drop us an email.
The consultation will open from 1 December, 2022. Due to the overwhelming response we have had to this process, the ANC has decided to keep the submission period open until the draft is finalised. This web page will be updated when submissions are closed. During this time we will also be contacting professional associations that represent naturopaths, to seek their views on the draft submission and test their interest in supporting the submission once it is finalised. We will be seeking letters of support from other organisations and individuals, and will be asking you to make representations to your local members of parliament. If you’d like further information on the submission or like to sign up for updates on the project please email the ANC
We look forward to hearing your views.