Chinese Medicine Melbourne
Government Policy
Traditional Chinese medicine is currently regulated in Melbourne and Victoria under the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000). This Act was introduced by the Victorian government with the intention of limiting potential risks that may arise from the practice of complementary medicine. The Victorian government conducted a review of traditional Chinese medicine in 1995 and later established a ministerial advisory committee charged with proposing changes to health care legislation to incorporate traditional Chinese medicine. The advisory committee released its report in 1998 and the government shortly after moved legislation in state Parliament.
The fundamental intention of the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000) is to ensure that public health and safety is promoted in traditional Chinese medicine practice. As such, the legislation provides that:
- High standards must be adopted in the training of traditional Chinese practitioners;
- Clinical standards be established and enforced by an independent body;
- The practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine be well qualified and easily identifiable; and
- Complains by consumers in regard to traditional Chinese medicine practitioners be directed to an industry body that adopts effective mechanisms for addressing those complains.
To meet these intentions the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000) established the Chinese Medicine Registration Board. The Chinese Medicine Registration Board is responsible for ensuring the registration and professional standards of:
- Acupuncturists;
- Practitioners of traditional Chinese herbal medicine application;
- Practitioners of traditional Chinese herbal medicine dispensing.
The Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000) allows for suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to administer potentially dangerous or toxic herbs, provided that they are prepared, prescribed, and supplied in an appropriate and correct fashion. Suitable qualifications may be gained from a number of Victorian universities located in Melbourne that provide courses on traditional Chinese medicine.
Government Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine
The government body responsible for traditional Chinese medicine in Melbourne and Victoria is the Chinese Medicine Registration Board. The Chinese Medicine Registration Board is responsible for:
- The registration of practitioners who provide acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine application, and Chinese herbal medicine dispensing; and
- Investigating professional conduct of practitioners, ensuring practitioner compliance with the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000), and investigating complains in regard to professional conduct.
The Chinese Medicine Registration Board has also established a number of study areas required for a doctor of Chinese medicine. These study areas are at the tertiary level and include the following Chinese medicine subjects:
- Principles of Chinese medicine;
- History of Chinese medicine;
- Acupuncture Microsystems;
- Dispensing Chinese medicinal substances;
- Wen Bing Xue;
- Chinese medicine traumatology;
- Chinese medicine health preservation and enhancement;
- Terminology for Chinese medicine;
- Acupuncture point theory;
- Tui Na;
- Chinese medicine internal medicine;
- Chinese medicine external medicine;
- Supervised clinical practice;
- Diagnosis in Chinese medicine;
- Needling theory and practice;
- Materia medica of Chinese medicine;
- Huang Di Nei Jing;
- Chinese medicine gynaecology;
- Chinese medicine dermatology;
- Clinical internship;
- Channel therapy;
- Moxibustion theory and practice;
- Chinese medicinal formulae;
- Shang Han Lun;
- Chinese medicine paediatrics; and
- Chinese medicine ear, eye, nose and throat disorders.
These subjects in traditional Chinese medicine are to be complemented with studies in biomedical sciences (e.g. biochemistry, clinical western medicine, physiology, and microbiology).
Graduates of the degree are expected to possess comprehensive understanding of Chinese medicine theory and practice, as well as understand the importance of professional practitioner practice standards.
National Coordination Body in Melbourne
The National Institute of Complementary Medicine has recently announced a series of initiatives in Melbourne and Victoria. The most important initiative is the establishment of a collaborative centre for traditional Chinese medicine at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, in conjunction with the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney in New South Wales. The intention of this collaborative centre is to promote scientific research into traditional Chinese medicine at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, as well as to further research and student exchange between Melbourne and China.
Advisory Committees
An advisory committee on traditional Chinese medicine is available at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The purpose of this advisory committee is to promote research on traditional Chinese medicine, as well as to provide public advice on its use and benefits. Information concerning the advisor committees and associated publications is available through the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s website.
In addition, information concerning traditional Chinese medicine in Melbourne may be acquired as part of the advisory functions of the Chinese Medicine Registration Board.
Regulation of Herbal Medicines
Traditional Chinese and herbal medicines are regulated in Melbourne and Victoria under the Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000). The Chinese Medicine Registration Act (2000) allows for suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to administer potentially dangerous or toxic herbs, provided that they are prepared, prescribed, and supplied in an appropriate and correct fashion. Suitable qualifications may be gained from a number of Victorian universities located in Melbourne that provide courses on traditional Chinese medicine.
Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Melbourne
The Chinese Medicine Registration Board acts as the association of traditional Chinese medicine in Melbourne. The Chinese Medicine Registration Board establishes industry standards for practitioners in regard to the use of herbs and other substances associated with tradition Chinese medicine. Furthermore, the Chinese Medicine Registration Board is responsible for ensuring that practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine are registered and possess the correct qualifications and experience.
Recent News
The recent news of traditional Chinese medicine in Melbourne has centred on the success of the Chinese Medicine Registration Board in promoting the industry and professional standards. It has been noted that the Chinese Medicine Registration Board has been essential to promoting the health standards of the industry and consequently drawing public attention to the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.
News reports have also indicated that traditional Chinese medicine in Melbourne and regional Victoria has benefited from the large Chinese community, particularly in the vicinity of Melbourne’s China town. The historical importance of Melbourne as a destination for Chinese immigration has meant that traditional Chinese medicine has been popular across Victoria. Even country town, such as Bendigo and Ballarat, that have historical connections with Chinese immigration stemming from the Gold Rush period have maintained strong public interest and appreciation in traditional Chinese medicine.
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