AACMA Newsletter - 18 July 2025
18 July 2025
This Issue:
- Last Day to Book Yourself a Ticket to AACMAC 2025!
- Guidelines for Medical Cannabis
- 1 in 2 Australians Experiencing Burnout: New Data Reveals Urgent Need for Support
- Stay Current with Professional Issues: Watch On-Demand Webinars Anytime
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Moving or Adding a New Clinic?
Last Day to Book Yourself a Ticket to AACMAC 2025!
You have only until 11:59PM TONIGHT to register for online attendance!
AACMAC 2025 is fast approaching, only 7 days to go till we all meet!
Be part of a transformative experience that will deepen your knowledge, expand your network, and inspire your practice -
AACMAC 2025 offers invaluable insights and practical tips to take back for your practice and business. Whether you are a seasoned presenter or new to the stage, you will gain the skills and confidence to help and impress your patients.
Secure your spot now and take your practice to the next level!
From a thought-provoking seminar you’ve been wanting, to a workshop of techniques we could use immediately in clinic, a conference dinner to unwind your night, or the trade exhibits of the newest books, herbs, clinic tools, and equipment, you can find them all at AACMAC 2025.
Join us from the 25th to the 27th July 2025, the whole program or selected days of your interested speakers/topics, discover here our online ticket options and find your best fit!
Top 4 Reasons to Attend AACMAC 2025:
- Learn from Experts
Gain insights from 24 renowned experts covering a wide range of clinically relevant topics to enhance your practice and patient care.
- Exceed CPD Goals
Easily surpass your annual CPD requirements with up to 34 CPD points of live and recorded content available over three days.
- Extended Access
Get three months post-conference access to all session recordings. Take control of your learning at your own pace.
- Educational Materials
Access downloadable slides, notes, and handouts from the speakers.
AACMAC 2025 really is a quality educational, professional and social event for all Chinese medicine practitioners!
Guidelines for Medical Cannabis
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) have released new guidance for medical and nurse practitioners regarding the prescribing of medicinal cannabis. This guidance aims to support ethical, informed, and responsible prescribing practices, while helping practitioners avoid inappropriate or unsafe use.
For further information, please refer to the media release and guidance documents available on the AHPRA, MBA, and NMBA websites.
As acupuncturists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners, no specific action is required in relation to this guidance. However, it is suggested to remain informed and aware, especially if you encounter patients who are using or under the influence of medicinal cannabis.
1 in 2 Australians Experiencing Burnout: New Data Reveals Urgent Need for Support
New Beyond Blue research reveals that half of Australians have experienced burnout in the past year, with young people, caregivers and small business owners among the hardest hit.
The community poll, conducted nationally in June 2025, found burnout is being fuelled by inappropriate workloads (49%), lack of management support (32%), and inflexible work conditions (21%).
“Young people are facing constant disruption, rising loneliness and economic pressure – and it’s taking a real toll,” said Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO.
Small business owners reported some of the highest burnout rates, with 35% saying they often or always felt burnt out – compared to 26% of full-time workers. The impacts extended beyond paid work, with family and parenting responsibilities emerging as a top driver of unpaid burnout.
The research also showed:
- 1 in 3 workers didn’t feel safe raising burnout concerns
- 50% of people who always feel burnt out also experience loneliness at work
- Nearly 1 in 2 never seek professional support
- Workers want change: reduced workloads, more staff and better manager support
Burnout was described by lived experience speaker Peta Sitcheff as "a complete shutdown – physical, mental and emotional". After leaving a high-pressure job in medical sales, she rebuilt a more sustainable life, now working as a coach.
“Burnout is never a personal failing,” said Ms Harman. “It’s the result of prolonged stress without enough support. We must act earlier.”
Beyond Blue recently held a national webinar, Beyond Burnout, unpacking these issues. The full session is now available to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9SZrbcEdMM
Additional Resources:
- Blue Support Service available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au/getsupport
- Beyond Blue resources re: Work and mental health: www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/work
- Before Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/before-blue
- National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 or ndh.org.au
- Small Business Debt Helpline 1800 413 828 or sbdh.org.au
- Workplace Wellbeing business.vic.gov.au/business-information/workplace-wellbeing
Stay Current with Professional Issues: Watch On-Demand Webinars Anytime
Under the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines, practitioners are required to complete at least four CPD points each year in professional issues.
Just as clinical skills need regular refinement, staying informed on professional matters is essential for maintaining a safe, ethical, and compliant practice. Topics in this area include ethics, communication, boundaries, advertising, infection control, patient confidentiality, new standards, privacy regulations, and complaint management, among others.
Since many of these areas aren't covered in TCM training, AACMA has put together and recorded several webinars focused specifically on professional issues. Whether you're just starting out or want to brush up on key concepts, these webinars are a flexible and accessible way to meet your CPD requirements - at your own pace.
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
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All health funds including Medibank: Thursday 24 July 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.
