AACMA Newsletter - 10 October 2025

10 October 2025

This Issue:

• Vale Roy Kelvin Barrie Hayes

• New research Spotlight: Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

• It’s Membership Renewal Time: NO FEE INCREASE for the 8th Year in a Row!

• National Boards and Ahpra Announce Fees for 2025/26

• Meet the Board: Rodd Sanchez

• Boost Your Cyber Skills This October with Free Courses

• National Safe Work Month: Employees Call for Proactive Action to Mental Health

• Two Opportunities to Support Women’s Leadership in the Health Sector

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Reminder & Find Out Your CPD Resource on AACMA Membership Portal

• Guild Insurance Risk Advice Series

• Moving or Adding a New Clinic?

Vale Roy Kelvin Barrie Hayes

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Roy Kelvin Barrie Hayes, a cherished member since 1989. Roy passed away peacefully following a brief illness at the age of 84. Remarkably, he continued to practice until just four weeks before his passing, a testament to his dedication and passion. Roy’s presence, wisdom, and commitment will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Rosalind, and to all who knew and loved him.

NEW RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT:
Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

A new study, published September 12, 2025, found promising results when comparing standard acupuncture and extended acupuncture against usual medical care for chronic low back pain in older adults. 

The average age of participants was 73 years, with 63% being female. The standard acupuncture group involved 8-15 sessions over 12 weeks, and the extended acupuncture group had an additional 4-6 maintenance sessions over the following 12 weeks. Usual medical care involved pain relieving medications. 

The positive results of the acupuncture group were highly statistically significant, showing the benefit of acupuncture for older adults as a treatment option for chronic low back pain. The researchers hoped that these outcomes can encourage further uptake of acupuncture under insurance schemes to support the care of older adults. 

Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838793

It’s Membership Renewal Time: NO FEE INCREASE for the 8th Year in a Row!

The AACMA Board is mindful of the increases in everything else in our day to day living and working and has therefore voted to again keep membership rates at the same 2019 level AND a 10% discount is yours if you pay your full membership by November 30^th.

How to Renew Your Membership & Save 10%

Members without Annual Direct Debit
To get your 10% discount by paying in full before November 30^th 2025, please click the “Renew Membership” button on https://acupuncture.org.au/members/mymembership and start your renewal process. The 10% early bird discount has been automatically applied.

Members with Annual Direct Debit
If you had chosen the Annual Direct Debit (ADD) option for auto membership renewal. Please be advised that this year ADD will be processed on the 19 November 2025. A 10% discount off the standard rate will be applied automatically.

Please make sure your credit card details are up to date, the functionality is on the “My Invoices” page: https://acupuncture.org.au/members/invoices. For first time login, please click the “Forgotten Password” button to set up a password. Username is your email address on AACMA’s record.

Once logged in, please click “Update payment method linked to my subscription” button next to the membership invoice and an “Update Payment Method” window will pop up. You can enter the details there then confirm to save.

The credit card details will be saved at the Commonwealth Bank’s database for security purposes and AACMA will have no access to this information.

Please make sure your credit card details are up to date for the auto deduction to avoid any dishonour fees.  

Should you have questions or need any assistance regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the AACMA office on 07 3457 1800.

Financial Assistance
If you under financial stress, please talk to a team member as AACMA has options that may be of assistance. AACMA also offers post-payment plans for your consideration. Please complete the form and send it to accounts@acupuncture.org.au.

Membership Hub
You can now manage your membership, view invoices, update details and access important information by using our Membership Hub. From the AACMA website, just click on “Login” and follow the onscreen prompts. For a first time login, please click the ‘Forgotten Password’ button to set up a password. Username is your email address on AACMA’s record.

General Queries
If you like any assistance or have questions about any of the above issues, please contact us on 07 3457 1800 or email aacma@acupuncture.org.au

Important Documents
Being a member of AACMA means adhering to certain standards, codes and regulations. For your information here are some of them;

• AACMA Code of Conduct
• AACMA Constitution 
• AACMA Privacy Policy

National Boards and Ahpra Announce Fees for 2025/26

This year’s fee announcement highlights the following key points:

• The National Boards and Ahpra keep fee increases at or below indexation.
• A thirty-percent rebate on annual renewal fees for practitioners who have recently taken certain leave is now available.
• Registration fees fund the work of the National Boards and Ahpra to keep the public safe.

READ THE FULL AHPRA MEDIA RELEASES

MEET THE BOARD: Rodd Sanchez

Your role on the AACMA Board and how long you’ve been involved.
I have been serving as the Deputy Chair of the AACMA Board for the past three months. In addition, I am a member of the DC Disciplinary Committee and the ARC Audit and Risk Committee. Previously, I held positions as both chair and member of the former NSW State Committee.

Your professional background and what led you to acupuncture and/or Traditional Chinese Medicine.
My professional journey began within healthcare, where I worked as a nurse, massage therapist, and first aid medic at public events. These formative roles deepened my passion for patient care and sparked my interest in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

What you love most about being an AACMA member.
What I enjoy most is meeting all eccentric professionals and learning about their unique personalities. Interacting with diverse people, sharing ideas, and collaborating makes my job more engaging. These relationships have helped me grow, challenge and encouraged me to keep learning.

Your favourite area of practice or patient focus, and why it inspires you.
Every day, I encounter a diverse range of situations that provide ongoing opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge. This variety keeps my practice both challenging and rewarding. I particularly enjoy working in pain management, where I have the privilege of helping patients improve their quality of life through acupuncture.

One piece of advice you would give to new practitioners starting out.
My advice to new practitioners is to remain committed to learning and prioritise patient care above all else. Developing genuine relationships with your patients will sustain your passion for the profession. Always stay true to the healthcare system, to your own values, and to the people you serve.

If you could learn any new skill or treatment approach, what would it be?
If given the opportunity to develop a new skill, I would choose to focus on the cultivation of herbal plant medicine. I am particularly interested in learning about the various methods of growing herbs, as I believe in hands-on approach.

A personal insight – a hobby, interest, or fun fact people might not know about you.
I actively participate in voluntary work with Surf Life Saving and Marine Rescue, where I serve as a patrolling member. In this role, I am responsible for ensuring the safety of beachgoers and coordinating rescue operations. Additionally, I facilitate training sessions for aquatic rescue, educating team members on essential lifesaving techniques, emergency response protocols, and first aid procedures.

What excites you most about the future of AACMA and the profession.
I'm looking forward to seeing AACMA continue to grow as a leader in our field, encouraging innovation, professional development, and raising awareness of our role in healthcare. There are many opportunities ahead, and I'm glad to be part of a community shaping our profession's future.

If you weren’t an acupuncturist, what other career could you see yourself in and why?
If I were not an acupuncturist, I would probably work in education of some sort because I enjoy sharing knowledge and supporting others' in their growth. Health will always be central to my journey, whether it's through direct patient care or through my interests in physical exercise, meditation or cooking and nutrition.

Boost Your Cyber Skills This October with Free Courses

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and Cyber Wardens is marking the occasion by offering a range of free, self-paced courses designed to help individuals and small businesses boost their cyber resilience. Courses like Safe AI for Small Business and Cyber-Fit for the Supply Chain are simple, practical, and can be completed between meetings or over a coffee break—making cyber safety easier than ever to fit into your day.

As part of the celebrations, Cyber Wardens will also be exhibiting at SXSW Sydney 2025, Oct 13-19. Visit Booth 1300 at the Innovation Expo for live demos, engaging games, free resources, and a quick 10-minute Cyber Wardens Foundations course. Don’t miss the panel discussion AI Threats You Need to Know Now on Thursday, 16 October.

National Safe Work Month: Employees Call for Proactive Action to Mental Health

As Australia marks National Safe Work Month this October, new data from Beyond Blue highlights demand among employees for meaningful change in workplace mental health practices.

Australian employees are calling for more than just awareness when it comes to workplace mental health, with Beyond Blue data revealing a strong demand for real, proactive change that improves people’s day-to-day experiences at work.

Read the full media release from Beyond Blue here

Reach out for assistance if needed:

• Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service can be reached on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au/getsupport or visit Beyond Blue’s Forums
• Beyond Blue’s work and mental health page
• Beyond Blue’s Burnout Check-In Tool

Two Opportunities to Support Women’s Leadership in the Health Sector

Health Women’s Leadership Scholarships

Partial scholarships valued at $700 - $3,000 are available to support participation in one of four leadership and workplace skill development programs. These programs are designed for women at different stages of their careers who are looking to strengthen their leadership capability.

Applications close: Friday 24 October 2025.

APPLY HERE

2026 Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. The Awards are an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on a woman or gender-diverse person in your industry who is creating meaningful change for women, girls, and underrepresented groups.

Find out more or submit a nomination here: https://www.wla.edu.au/nominations/

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Reminder & Find Out Your CPD Resource on AACMA Membership Portal

What are the requirements?

• complete a minimum of 20 hours (points) consisting of;
• 5 points (minimum) in an interactive setting with other practitioners
• 4 points related to professional issues (non-clinical issues)
• Outline of your Learning Goals / Objectives and Actual Outcomes
• Reflection on each activity, how it improved your skills / practice
• New graduates must complete a minimum of five (5) points for every three (3) months registration remaining.

When does the CPD year start and when is it due?

• The CPD year is from 1^st December to 30^th November as per your CMBA/AHPRA registration year.

AACMA requires members to email their completed CPD cards by November 30^th each year to ensure compliance with CMBA and Health Funds.

To download the CPD form click on the following link CPD Record Card or email aacma@acupuncture.org.au.

For further information please refer to AHPRA’s Continuing Professional Development Guidelines  and the CMBA Registration Standards.

The deadline for CPD card submission—30th November—is fast approaching! If you haven’t completed the required 20 CPD points for the year, more CPD resources can be found on AACMA membership portal!

Simply log in the membership dashboard by:

1. visiting www.acupuncture.org.au  
2. click on ‘Login’ link at the top right-hand corner
3. ‘Member Login’ to log into the website.

For the first time login, please click the ‘Forgotten Password’ button to set up a password. Username is your email address on AACMA’s record. Once get in your membership dashboard, please click ‘CPD that may interest you – view all’.

There is a list of low-cost and free recordings of previous AACMA webinars.

Contents under professional issues are marked next to the topics.

There is no quiz or certificate for these recordings. Members are required to write down reflections on their CPD record cards upon completion of watching the recordings in order to claim the related CPD points.

1. Lithium-ion Battery Safety

From phones and laptops to e-bikes and vacuums, lithium-ion batteries power much of our daily lives, but they also pose serious fire risks if damaged, overheated or misused.

This article from Guild Insurance explains where the dangers lie, how to spot warning signs, and simple precautions to reduce fire risk in your clinic and home. Learn how to stay safe while staying powered up.

DOWNLOAD RISK GUIDE PDF

2. Maintenance of stormwater drains

Heavy rainfall can quickly turn into costly damage if nearby stormwater drains are blocked or neglected, even when your own property is well maintained.

Guild Insurance explores how blocked external drains can lead to flooding, business interruption, and unexpected repair bills, plus practical steps to reduce the risk. From identifying responsible authorities to regular visual checks, a little vigilance can go a long way in keeping your clinic dry and protected.

DOWNLOAD RISK GUIDE PDF

Moving or Adding a New Clinic?

Please contact our membership team with your new clinic details by email at aacma@acupuncture.org.au so they can apply to the health funds for new provider numbers.

Health fund deadlines to be aware of:

• Medibank only: Sunday 13 October 2025

• All health funds including Medibank: Thursday 23 October 2025

Details required when Adding an Additional Clinic:

If you miss the above deadlines, please refer to the below:

Reporting Cycle for Health Funds

Ceased practicing at a clinic, please provide the address and the ceased date so we can advise the health funds to remove your details.

To check your workplace details or membership go to our website https://www.acupuncture.org.au/ then

• Go to ‘Login’ at the top right-hand corner then
• Click ‘Member Login’ to log into the website your Username is your email address on AACMA’s record and the password you created.
• For the first time login, please click the ‘Forgotten Password’ button to set up a password.

If you have issues logging in or setting up a password, please don’t hesitate to contact the membership team 07 3457 1800 we are happy to assist you.

View AACMA Classifieds

View Upcoming Events