United Associations (UA)

   United Associations (UA) for Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage and Myotherapy

WHAT IS THE UNITED ASSOCIATIONS

The United Associations (UA) is a professional working group of Australian industry associations representing Massage Therapists, Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists.  Through a united voice, the UA seeks to set exemplary industry standards, provide a united voice on key industry issues, support industry practitioners and protect the public.

WHO ARE THE UNITED ASSOCIATION PARTICIPANTS

  • Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)

  • Massage Association of Australia (MAA)

  • Massage & Myotherapy Australia    

  • Myotherapy Association of Australia (MA)

UA participation is open to any industry association that shares the UA Mission and Vision.

     MISSION

Through consultation with industry, private health funds, insurers, accrediting bodies, government and other stakeholders, the UA works together to:

  • Establish and uphold exemplary standards in the Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy industries

  • Collaboratively pursue key advocacy projects of mutual benefit to all its members.

VISION

Through its shared Purpose, mutual respect and collaboration, the UA aspires to create a robust and unified framework for enhancing the competencies, professionalism and industry recognition of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Technical and Further Education institutes (TAFEs), for the benefit of their students and graduate practitioners in providing the public with safe and effective treatment.

AIM

As a collaborative association working group, the UA aims to:

  1. Support Students and Graduate Practitioners of education programs in the Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and myotherapy professions - by setting suitable, association-agreed quality standards for registered training providers that meet industry, employer, accredited association and health fund requirements.

  2. Support Training Organisations – primarily by assisting RTOs and TAFEs to achieve training excellence and enhanced graduate outcomes for their students.

  3. Support the Community - by enhancing their confidence in being treated safely and effectively by Massage Therapists, Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists.

  4. Provide a united advocacy voice on key issues affecting the Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy industries.

WHAT THE UA IS CURRENTLY DOING

The UA is currently focused on a collaborative project for the Enhancement of Industry Education Standards for Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy, aimed at:

  • Ensuring the training provided by the RTOs and TAFEs meets Association membership requirements, Private Health Fund criteria and industry standards including ASQA.

  • elevating the quality of RTO and TAFE education and training by developing comprehensive guidelines and best practices that ensure industry training and educational programs produce highly skilled and knowledgeable massage, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy practitioners.

  • fostering a culture of excellence for enhancing the credibility of the profession and ultimately improving the quality of Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy treatment provided by association member practitioners to the public.

UA APPROACH TO ENHANCING INDUSTRY EDUCATION STANDARDS

RTOs and TAFEs in the Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy industry deliver qualifications based on their unique teaching and assessment strategies.   The UA is committed to working collaboratively with RTOs and TAFEs to support and guide them in meeting and exceeding the industry standard.   These standards align with training package and regulatory bodies requirements and industry best practice.

These standards have also been developed by the UA collaboratively, based on key metrics and evidence from all bodies.    Though subject matter expert involvement in training package development and re-accreditation, consultation with industry, private health funds, insurers, accrediting bodies, and other stakeholders, the UA have developed a robust      framework for evaluating the likely graduate outcomes from nationally accredited training programs in Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy delivered by RTOs and TAFEs.

This framework is used to assess the training and course assessment processes and associated graduate outcomes for massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy industry education and training organisations, primarily being RTOs and TAFEs, to determine recognition and endorsement by the UA.

By fostering open communication and providing resources and support, the project aims to      assist RTOs and TAFEs to enhance their delivery of high quality education and graduate outcomes - and in particular - to ensure that all graduates are equipped with the right level of skills, knowledge and experience to excel in their profession.

SUCCESSFUL RTO APPLICANTS – UA COURSE APPROVAL SUBMISSIONS

The following RTOs and TAFEs in the Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy industry have all successfully completed the due diligence process      and meet Association membership requirements, Private Health Fund criteria and industry standards including ASQA: