What is the qualification I receive?

Is the UTS course accredited with registration bodies and how will this impact on my future practice?

Is the UTS course accredited with professional associations?

What are the job prospects for TCM practitioners?

Would I be able to practice overseas and, if so, in what countries?

What is the qualification I receive?

Your testamur will read "Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine". This will qualify you to practice in acupuncture and its associated modalities such as moxibustion and cupping, and Chinese herbal medicine. Tui Na (Chinese Massage) is also taught as part of the degree.

Is the UTS course accredited with registration bodies and how will this impact on my future practice?

Statutory registration of TCM practitioners is State based. As of 2001, the only statutory registration board is in Victoria. As such, the Victorian registration board primarily accredits Victorian based courses. This means there is currently no automatic recognition of the UTS qualification by the Victorian Chinese Medicine Registration Board. UTS graduates may, however, seek registration in Victoria through other processes established by the board.

In all other states of Australia, you are not required to be registered to practice TCM and there are no restrictions based on qualifications. The NSW government is currently investigating the prospect of statutory registration in NSW and is suggesting that such registration may come into place in the near future. Should registration occur in NSW, UTS will move to have its course accredited by the appropriate NSW authority for purposes of automatic recognition.

As more state based statutory registration boards come online, it is expected that mechanisms for mutual recognition of practitioners will be put into place between state registration boards, allowing for the free movement of practitioners between states.

Is the UTS course accredited with professional associations?

The UTS TCM course is accredited by several professional associations. These associations provide services such as access to professional indemnity insurance and health fund provider status. These associations also act the primary self-regulatory authority in states without statutory registration.

What are the job prospects for TCM practitioners?

Most graduates go into private practice and the UTS course is structured in a way that will maximise a graduate’s success in private practice. Small business training is provided as part of the course as well as basic skills in communication. A graduate’s success in private practice is dependant on factors such as the location of their practice, their practitioner skills, ability to market themselves, general communication skills, personality and competency in running a small business. Patient fees range between $35 and $120, so your income is dependant on the number of patients you see.

Many graduates move into more traditional positions including jobs with herbal/pharmaceutical companies, government departments including the departments responsible for health, community health services, and drug and alcohol centres.

Other graduates carry on to complete research degrees and follow career pathways in research, including private and university based research employment.

Would I be able to practice overseas and, if so, in what countries?

The UTS degree is highly regarded overseas and we have a large proportion of overseas students undertaking TCM at UTS. Your ability to practice overseas is dependant on the country in which you choose to practice. For example, to practice in Europe (except England), you must have a medical degree. Your ability to practice in the United States depends on the state in which you choose to practice, with some states requiring medical degrees, others having no restrictions, and others requiring all practitioners to sit board licensing exams. You are thus advised to contact the professional associations in the relevant country to seek such information.