I completed my massage training in Australia in 1999. The course was a full time, 2 year Diploma of Health Science - Massage. In Western Australia, where I am from, this was pretty much the only recognized qualification in the state, and most of the general public that I spoke to knew very little about the effectiveness of massage and likened it to something that beauty therapists did, or simply as pure indulgence. There was also a lot of misconceptions with new age healers and massage. However, my teachers were very respected massage professionals who have worked very hard to educate the general public and build an image of massage as a respected profession and an effective treatment
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Over the past ten years as the industry has grown we have seen a greater awareness of massage therapy and this has prompted changes in laws and quality assurance packages have been developed to ensure that any who calls themselves a Massage Therapist has met the specific training requirements. the Continuing Professional Education (CPE's) has been a fantastic initiative. Being in WA, we dont get as many courses and workshops as the eastern states, so, you save and plan, and have a little working holiday.

We have some great professional associations, Massage Australia, Association of Remedial Masseurs and Australian Association of Massage Therapists, and there are many many more schools and colleges providing a wide range of massage and bodywork training.

My massage career so far has seen me working in workplace massage for Corporate Touch, sports massage for the Subiaco Sports Massage Clinic (who's MT's have provided massage for basketball, football, tennis and major athletic events), remedial massage for Massageworks and community based care for parents and pregnant wpmen at Mother Nurture. For the past 6 years since having children I have worked for myself as a mobile therapist in a variety of settings.

One of the main differences between the US and Australia that I have noticed, is that as well as having your qualification, you then have to become licensed. I would like to see this happening in Aus, as there are still too many people who complete a weekend or 8 week course and call themselves a Massage Therapist and start up business. This is detrimental to our industry as it undermines those of us who have worked hard for our qualification. This also brings down the value of our service.

On a whole I am feeling very excited about the future direction of Massage Therapy in Australia and the growth of the industry.

So, come on all you Aussie Massage Therapists out there, share your thoughts.