AACMA Newsletter - 23 May 2025
23 May 2025
This Issue:
- Thank You All
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Information from the CMBA
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Only 2 More Sleeps Until AACMAC 2025 Early Bird Registration Closes!
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WEBINAR: Are You Making the Most of Your Superannuation Before 30 June?
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Call for Volunteers: AACMAC 2025
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Moving or Adding a New Clinic?
Thank You All
The AACMA 2025 AGM is on Sunday afternoon 25.05.25 and after 13 years as an AACMA Director, the last 8 of which were as President, I will have completed my tenure.
It has been a grand ride representing the members of THE BEST professional association for Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia and advocating for an extraordinary profession and health care system that has been recognised enough to be registered but completely undervalued by its lack of inclusion and recognition, by either side of government, of the health benefits and cost effectiveness that our medicine can deliver in the Australian health care system.
There have been so many initiatives and achievements during this time including:
- The new red AACMA logo and branding that truly reflects our acupuncture and herbal medicine roots, with Yin, Yang and the dynamic movement of Qi circling round
- 2025 sees the highest membership numbers in our 52 year history
- AACMA’s dedicated mentoring program for new and beginning practitioners, the only one of its kind and not offered by any other association
- Recognition by government worker’s compensation schemes around Australia
- The student attraction initiative that has seen our student membership increase to the highest levels we have had. AACMA staff and I have attended career expos at high schools to promote Chinese medicine as a career option. If we don’t nurture and support our student members and new graduates, we won’t have a profession
- The AACMA Research Centre- storing the most current Chinese medicine related research studies available. Constantly updated by specialist researchers who mine the various databases and journals for quality research while trying to navigate the Ahpra advertising guidelines so members can cite relevant studies in their advertising on websites
- AACMA’s increased social media presence that has seen an increasing click through rate to our practitioner search function on the AACMA website demonstrating an increased awareness of the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine with more patient traffic to AACMA members
- A specialist media and public relations team who have partnered us and elevated our online profile
- Promoting the benefits of our medicine to health consumer support groups, resulting, for example, in acupuncture being endorsed by the Cancer Council for oncology support with AACMA listed on their website
- Strong advocacy against dry needling and acuneedling at government, CMBA and insurance provider levels, unlike the multimodality associations who have more therapists doing dry needling, making it a gross conflict of interest that shows complete disregard for their Chinese medicine members. This includes an association that was offering a dry needling course to their massage therapists
- Collaborations and signed Memoranda of Understandings with overseas sister associations fostering stronger global ties for AACMA and our members
- Liaising with the NCCAOM in the US to work with the CMBA so there is a path for Australian practitioners to be recognised and accepted to practice in the US with reciprocal rights for appropriately qualified licensed acupuncturists from the US who come to Australia
- Partnerships with professional indemnity insurers and first aid providers to deliver discounted rates for AACMA members
- Recognising and celebrating our members and suppliers who have made huge contributions to the profession and AACMA directly through the Hall of Fame Awards and Key Contributor Awards
- Hugely discounted or free, quality CPD events, including our annual internationally regarded AACMAC. Quality education at bargain prices supporting our members to achieve their learning needs without a huge financial outlay
- A revamped AACMA website offering a streamlined payment portal for membership renewal and event registrations, the Research Centre, and the AACMA Hub that is designed to connect and create an AACMA community for members to share ideas and discuss issues within a secure environment without the risks often posed by social media
A national office that for the last 8 years, has seen stability, with the retention of highly functioning, dedicated and happy staff
- A secure financial position for AACMA without increasing membership fees for 8 years, the sale of a building that was to be condemned due to flooding necessitating a move to a better, more cost effective office space
- A more streamlined AACMA Board of 5 directors down from the 12 directors that constituted the Board I joined in 2012.
- The need for compulsory Board approved governance training for all AACMA directors in their first 6 months of office ensuring they understand their roles, ASIC requirements and can carry out the work of the board with knowledge and confidence
Despite ongoing lobbying with successive governments, inclusion into Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management is yet to be realised. Currently, dental care is on top of the list for Medicare inclusion, with the Government trying to find the funds to support public dental care. NDIS and Veteran’s Affairs are also areas where Chinese Medicine is on the outside of government but that doesn’t mean we can’t treat any of these cohorts, it means that they can attend for treatment and use their private health funds or self-fund.
My Appreciation and Gratitude to:
National Office Staff
Yan, our longest serving staff member of 10 years, so knowledgeable, capable and efficient at managing and growing our finances
Mia, next longest serving at just under the 10 years is our events organiser extraordinaire. AACMAC and CPD events are successful because of the amazing effort Mia puts into organising even the smallest event to make it the best possible experience for members and speakers
Elena and Chris, listed together because they were employed within a few weeks of each other. Their 10 years comes up in 2027. Our most patient, understanding and extremely competent membership team who probably handle the most one to one interactions with AACMA members, deal with private health funds and spend a lot of their time chasing members who haven’t submitted their CPD, not because AACMA needs it but because it’s a health fund requirement and practitioners are suspended for non-submission of CPD, that means no rebates for your patients.
Ethan, our receptionist of close to 7 years. Also, patient and knowledgeable, most usually the first contact person that all callers have with AACMA, Ethan has been learning the other roles in the AACMA office to provide holiday cover etc he is responsible for data entry for the research centre, maintains the AACMA website and fills in doing payroll and paying invoices with Yan’s guidance and training
Paul, the BEST CEO to work with. Commencing in October 2017, Paul has a good understanding of the staff, managing to their strengths and expertly conducting the operations aspect of AACMA with capable, ease. Not only did AACMA scored with Paul’s appointment, but I scored with a great CEO.
Thank you to the amazing, hardworking and dedicated office staff, I appreciate your support for me as Chair and the continuing great job you do for our members and the association.
Board of Directors
My appreciation and thanks to all the directors with whom I have served on the AACMA Board over the past 13 years.
As volunteers, all of those AACMA directors gave their time and expertise to make AACMA the lead association that it is today.
Of the current Board, Drew Matfin will also be finishing his tenure and special thanks to him for his leadership and oversight as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee over the last few years. Thank you to Lily Feng current Vice President, Yufan (Eva) Zhou and Rodd Sanchez for their contribution as AACMA directors.
Specialist Contractors
Amanda and Wade Kuhn our PR, social media and marketing gurus at Missy Mischief.
Many thanks for your expertise in our social media campaigns, 50th anniversary video and community service announcements that helped establish AACMA as a market leader while increasing the profile of Chinese medicine as a viable addition to manage health and wellbeing.
Our AACMA researchers for their ongoing work in establishing, improving and updating the AACMA Chinese medicine research bank which delivers an invaluable member service, a BIG thank you.
Industry Stakeholders
To all our suppliers of needles, herbs, books, clinic equipment, furniture and essentials, grateful thanks for your continuing support for AACMA and our members.
Thank you to the professional Indemnity insurers and health funds for working with us to improve and safeguard the profession.
Thank you to the Chinese medicine educators who have laid a strong foundation for clinical practice and ongoing learning, especially the universities, institutes and colleges who collaborated with AACMA in the student attraction initiative.
Most Important – Our Members
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued membership of AACMA which is a sign that the Board and office staff are on the right track to meet member needs.
I am a member first and foremost and that was the drive behind everything I did as a director. If I wasn’t meeting my needs as a member then I wouldn’t be meeting yours.
I wish the incoming Board continued success in maintaining AACMA as the lead association for our medicine in Australia and my wish for all AACMA members is to enjoy a satisfying and successful career practicing a medicine that I love and still awes me in its holistic effectiveness .
Thank you all,
Enjoy being
Waveny
Information from the CMBA
The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (the Board) has just published a new online resource to support the public’s understanding of what to expect when engaging with a registered Chinese medicine practitioner.
The ‘What is Chinese medicine?’ webpage features a series of videos produced by the Board covering what Chinese medicine is, what to expect when seeing a registered Chinese medicine practitioner and how Chinese medicine is regulated in Australia. Helpful links are also available to assist the public accessing additional resources to support their knowledge and understanding.
The ‘What is Chinese medicine?’ page was created for the Board’s public information campaign, which aims to explain what Chinese medicine is, what good practice looks like and what to do if a patient has concerns about a practitioner.
The campaign is another way the Board is promoting public safety, and we hope these resources improve the public’s knowledge and reassure people that Chinese medicine is a safe and regulated healthcare option within Australia.
You can read more about this resource on this Board news story.
Only 2 More Sleeps Until AACMAC 2025 Early Bird Registration Closes!
AACMAC 2025 will be held at Sofitel Brisbane Central and livestreamed to the worldwide audience on 25-27 July.
More than 300 practitioners have booked their tickets. Get your ticket before the early bird registration closes this Sunday May 25th, don’t be the few who missed out!
Benefits you can enjoy at this must-see one-stop educational event in 2025
✨ Earn up to 34 CPD hours – Live + recorded content packed into 3 powerful days
👋 20 interactive hours – Connect, network, and engage onsite or via our exclusive streaming platform
🎤 Learn from 24 top experts – Acclaimed international and Australian speakers, educators & researchers
📺 Replay access for 3 months – Catch up or revisit sessions anytime
📚 Downloadable resources – Slides, CPD record card tailored for AACMAC 2025, and the full conference booklet as your event guide
💡 Flexible learning – Attend in person, livestream from home, or watch on demand
🛍️ Exclusive expo deals – Access special offers from industry suppliers onsite & online
🎉 Free gala dinner – 2-day & 3-day in-person tickets include a gala dinner ticket (pre-registration required)
🍽️ Bring a guest to gala dinner for only $99 – 3-course meal, 4-hour drinks, live band & dance floor at Sofitel Brisbane Central
🥂 Celebrate 25 years of AACMAC – A special anniversary you won’t want to miss!
Unbeatable value for money and worth-exploring content
We are confident that AACMAC 2025 is one of the most value for money and cost-effective mega events on the market. With the early bird tickets saving you up to AUD$75, the 3-day conference equates to around AUD$18.50 per CPD per hour.
Topics to be discussed at AACMAC 2025 range from identifying and managing professional risks to Chinese dietetics, from channel palpation technique to moxibustion for different conditions, from mental health to cancer support, from treatments for menopause to infertility study, there is something for everyone at AACMAC 2025!
Get a Sneak Peek: Hear Directly from AACMAC 2025’s Incredible Speakers About What They’ll Be Showcasing!
Discover what awaits you at AACMAC 2025! Our speakers have recorded exclusive video messages, offering insights into their upcoming presentations. From classical Chinese medicine to integrative oncology and innovative moxibustion techniques, these brief clips provide a glimpse into the diverse topics to be explored.
WEBINAR: Are You Making the Most of Your Superannuation Before 30 June?
Join us for a one-hour live webinar tailored specifically for acupuncture and Chinese medicine practitioners — presented by Tony Lee, Principal Accountant at Lee & Lee Accountants and SMSF specialist with over 20 years’ experience advising health professionals and practice owners.
As the financial year comes to a close, now is the perfect time to implement strategic tax planning and take greater control of your retirement wealth — starting with your super.
This session is designed to give you clear, practical guidance on how to make the most of your super and minimise your tax — whether you're using an industry fund or considering an SMSF for more control and long-term growth.
In this comprehensive session, we’ll cover:
- Maximising Super Contributions – How to use concessional and non-concessional caps to your advantage before 30 June
- SMSF Advantages – Control, flexibility, and property investment opportunities
- Tax Minimisation Techniques – Strategies to defer income, accelerate deductions, and manage capital gains
- Compliance Essentials – Stay aligned with key regulatory and ATO requirements
- Common Mistakes to Avoid – Learn what costs other health professionals thousands each year
Topic: Smart Super Strategies: Maximise Wealth, Minimise Tax Before 30 June
Speaker: Tony Lee (Principal Accountant at Lee & Lee Accountants and SMSF specialist)
Date: Wednesday 11 June 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM AEST
Location: Online
Register now and set yourself up for a smarter, stronger financial year ahead.
Call for Volunteers: AACMAC 2025
We’re seeking two volunteers to join the AACMAC 2025 organising team. The conference will be held 25–27 July 2025 at Sofitel Brisbane Central.
This is a great opportunity for hands-on experience, networking, and professional growth. In exchange for your support onsite—assisting speakers and delegates—you’ll receive free full 3-day registration to attend the conference.
Eligibility:
You must be an AACMA student member or a full member within two years of graduation.
Availability required:
Full attendance from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July 2025
Preferably available from the afternoon of Thursday 24 July for setup
Note: Volunteers are responsible for their own transport and accommodation.
To apply, please email your CV and confirm your availability to:
Mia Zhang, AACMA Events Officer – events@acupuncture.org.au
Applications close: 1 June 2025
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Join us to learn from leading speakers, stay up to date with industry developments, and connect with the TCM community—all while giving back to the profession you love.
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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Medibank only: Sunday 8 June 2025
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All health funds including Medibank: Thursday 19 June 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.
