AACMA Newsletter - 26 September 2025

26 September 2025

This Issue:

• 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: Eva Zhou

• Early Bird Pricing for Acupuncture NZ Annual Conference is On!

• Save the Date: AACMAC 2026: Returning to Melbourne!

• 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?

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 15 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: Eva Zhou

Your role on the AACMA Board and how long you’ve been involved.
I currently serve as the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee on the AACMA Board. I joined the Board in 2024.

Your professional background and what led you to acupuncture and/or Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I am a registered Chinese medicine practitioner based in Brisbane, with a focus on acupuncture and classical herbal formulas. My journey into Traditional Chinese Medicine began with my own positive treatment experiences with Chinese medicine practitioners.

What you love most about being an AACMA member.
The sense of community and shared purpose. I value being part of a professional body that supports practitioners and advocates for our profession at a national level. I also appreciate the high-quality services AACMA provides to its members.

A professional achievement you’re most proud of.
Co-editing the book Evidence-Based Study of Formulas in Shang Han Lun, which bridges classical Chinese medicine with modern research approaches.

Your favourite area of practice or patient focus, and why it inspires you.
I particularly enjoy working with patients who experience chronic conditions and stress-related health issues. Seeing how acupuncture can bring both physical relief and emotional balance inspires me every day.

One piece of advice you would give to new practitioners starting out.
Stay curious and keep learning. Building strong fundamentals in both classical theory and modern clinical practice will sustain you throughout your career.

If you could learn any new skill or treatment approach, what would it be?
I would love to further explore Tung’s acupuncture and classical pulse diagnosis methods, as they offer subtle yet powerful insights into patient care.

A personal insight – a hobby, interest, or fun fact people might not know about you.
I practise Tai Chi regularly and find it to be both a form of moving meditation and a way to stay grounded in daily life.

What excites you most about the future of AACMA and the profession.
I’m excited to see our profession gain stronger recognition within the broader healthcare system, supported by evidence-based research and a growing public appreciation for holistic care.

If you weren’t an acupuncturist, what other career could you see yourself in and why?
Probably in education or publishing. I enjoy bridging ideas, research, and practice, and helping knowledge reach a wider audience.

Early Bird Pricing for Acupuncture NZ Annual Conference is On!

Kia ora! Fancy a trip across the ditch this spring?

The Acupuncture NZ Annual Conference will be held at the Novotel Auckland Ellerslie, on the 8^th and 9^th of November.

Join us and a vibrant community of practitioners and educators, for two days of immersive learning, inspiration, and networking.

• A variety of lectures and workshops from over 16 International and local presenters.
• Trade exhibits - Access industry suppliers onsite
• Conference dinner – The 2-day in-person tickets includes a dinner ticket (pre-registration required)

Get your ticket before the Early Bird Registration ends on September 30

Did you know?

AACMA has a Memorandum of Understanding with Acupuncture NZ. AACMA Members can register at the Acupuncture NZ member rate!

Download the registration form here and return the completed form to admin@acupuncture.org.nz

Simply put your AACMA member number in the member number field on the form and we will apply the Acupuncture NZ member rates for your registration.

You can also get the register via our website.

Check out the speaker list and abstracts here

And the final programme will be out this week!

BOOK YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKET TODAY!

For enquiries, please visit https://www.acupuncture.org.nz

Email: admin@acupuncture.org.nz or contact the Acupuncture NZ Office on 0064 4 387 7672.  

REGISTER NOW

Save the Date: AACMAC 2026: Returning to Melbourne!

It’s official, AACMAC 2026 will take place at Pullman Melbourne on the Park from 7–9 August 2026!

This stunning venue hosted AACMAC back in 2019, where we saw record-high attendance and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. We’re thrilled to be returning to such a vibrant and well-loved location.

Following AACMAC’s nomination for Association Event of the Year by Association Forum this year, we’re more inspired than ever to deliver another unforgettable experience.

More details about AACMAC 2026 and ticketing information will be released early next year, so members, stay tuned and make sure you don’t miss out!

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 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. Obtaining informed consent from patients

Informed consent is more than a signature on a form, it’s an ongoing conversation with your patients. Guild Insurance has found that many practitioners fall short of the full requirements, which can leave them exposed in the event of a claim.

This article explores what informed consent really means, why documenting the discussion is essential, and how to avoid common pitfalls such as relying solely on consent forms. Stay protected by ensuring your patients fully understand their treatment, options, and risks.

DOWNLOAD RISK GUIDE PDF

2. Keeping Treatment Tables Safe

Patient safety is at the heart of every practice, yet incidents involving treatment tables are more common than many realise. From falls to sudden drops, even minor oversights can lead to serious injuries and distress for both practitioner and patient.

This article from Guild Insurance highlights real claim examples and offers practical steps to reduce risks – from assisting patients on and off tables, to ensuring regular maintenance and safe use by staff. A few simple precautions can make a big difference in keeping your clinic safe.

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 12 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.

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