Naturopathy & Western Herbal Medicine United Associations (NATHUA)
Who is NATHUA:
The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA), Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA), Complementary Medicine Association (CMA) and Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) have determined the need for a united voice to best represent the professions of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine (WHM) in Australia.
The Naturopathy & Western Herbal Medicine United Associations (NATHUA) will lead a coordinated approach that strengthens patient safety, professional competencies and educational standards – by offering a single, credible and authoritative voice that provides clarity to government, educators and key industry stakeholders.
NATHUA is committed to supporting the growth, professionalism and resilience of Australia’s Naturopathic and WHM professions by leveraging our combined strengths, advancing the impact of its collective members, and ultimately by improving health outcomes for all Australians. As a priority, NATHUA will focus on setting high professional competency and educational standards, two key issues upon which all NATHUA associations are fully aligned.
With this in view, we invite all other Australian associations representing Naturopaths and WHM practitioners, and that equally share these interests, to consider joining NATHUA.
We also invite non-association organisations, with an interest in these outcomes, to learn more about NATHUA and to help further shape this new unified voice for the profession in 2026.
The establishment of NATHUA:
With the need and role for NATHUA now determined, its founding association members wish to acknowledge the significant contribution and leadership of ARONAH in endeavouring to advance this vision and advocating for regulation of the profession to date.
With aligned interests and shared standards of excellence, NATHUA will seek to build on the foundation set by ARONAH and will seek to further advance our profession in lock step with the needs of our collective members.
The governance of NATHUA:
An independent advisor was engaged to ensure that the process of developing a NATHUA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Governance Charter was rigorous, transparent and evidence-based. An MOU has been agreed in principle between ANPA, ANTA, CMA and NHAA (the ‘Parties’) that will establish the framework for strategic collaboration.
The NATHUA MOU is non-legally binding outlines the strategic collaboration framework and key governance principles, including: transparency and open decision-making, equitable voice and influence for each Party, democratic representation, commitment to public safety and professional standards, and respect for association autonomy.
The Charter, as an addendum to the MOU, establishes NATHUA’s agreed Priorities of Mutual Interest and clearly sets out NATHUA’s governance framework and principles.
Together with the Charter, the NATHUA MOU enables the NATHUA Parties to deploy unified approaches to establishing, promoting and protecting high educational standards, professional competencies and ethical practices for all Australian naturopathic and western herbal medicine practitioners.
Approved and endorsed by the founding NATHUA associations:
- Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
- Complementary Medicine Association (CMA)
- Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)