In 2021, the Australian Naturopathic Council (ANC) commissioned Dr Anne-Louise Carlton, a research fellow from RMIT University, to gather a group of researchers to undertake a study of the regulatory requirements for the professions of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine (WHM).
The purpose of this study was to investigate and understand the practice of naturopathy and WHM in Australia and to make recommendations on the need, if any, for measures to strengthen regulation, to better protect public health and safety and improve the health of the population. The brief was to build on an earlier government-commissioned study published in 2005 (Lin et al., 2005) (the Lin Report).
The results of the present study are expected to inform the preparation of a submission from ANC member organisations to state, territory, and federal Health Ministers, seeking the inclusion of naturopaths and herbalists in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the health professions (NRAS) – the statutory scheme under which the members of many health professions are registered and regulated.
Authors
Dr Anne-Louise Carlton
Jenny Carè PhD Candidate
Professor Emeritus Stephen P. Myers
Dr Angela Doolan
Sophia Gerontakos PhD Candidate
Associate Professor Amie Stee
Dedication:
This report is dedicated to our dear friend, colleague and co-author Professor Emeritus Stephen P. Myers. Stephen’s visionary leadership, intellect, passion and commitment to naturopathy is sorely missed. Stephen continues to inspire us all to step up and fill the gap.