The Massage Association of Australia (MAA) places a strong emphasis on the ongoing education and development of its members. Recognising that the field of massage and manual therapy is ever-evolving, MAA is dedicated to ensuring that practitioners remain at the forefront of their profession. This commitment to continuous improvement not only enhances the skills and knowledge of therapists but also ensures the highest standard of care for clients and patients.

To achieve this, the MAA has established a comprehensive Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) program. This program is designed to support practitioners in their pursuit of excellence and to keep them updated with the latest advancements and best practices in the industry

All levels of membership are to maintain a minimum number of CPE/D points in accordance with their level.  

Accredited Professional Members (Therapeutic, Remedial & Myotherapy Members), agreement with MAA requires therapists to always maintain a minimum of 20 CPE/D points. Members should aim for:

• 80% from Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (CCPE/D)
• 20% from Non-Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (NCPE/D)

MAA will not check the above ratios but will assist in reminders to keep above the minimum required, however if on audit your CPE/D is found to be drastically different CPE/D remediation or repercussion maybe initiated.

Health Funds can remove members from provider lists without notice¹: 

Continuing Professional Education/Development Member Standard - Accredited Professional Members (APM)

Non-Accredited Professional Members (Health & Wellbeing), agreement with MAA requires therapists to always maintain a minimum of 10 CPE/D points. Members should aim for a mix of the following types:

• Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (CCPE/D)
• Non-Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (NCPE/D)
• Unrelated Continuing Professional Education/Development (UCPE/D)

MAA will help you stay above the minimum required points but won't specify types. Most points should come from CCPE/D events, some from NCPE/D events, and a few from UCPE/D events.

Continuing Professional Education/Development Member Standard - Non-Accredited Professional Members (NPM)

Students (Therapist in Training) are not required to maintain CPE/D points; however, we encourage students to take advantage of the free MAA webinars and educational offerings to gain practice in maintaining their CPE/D points.

Members on Leave require 0 CPD/E points in the first 12 months, members on extended leave (over 12 months) will be required to obtain some CPE/D².  

Non-Practicing Members (Affiliate Members) are required to maintain 0 CPE/D points.
 

¹ This occurs in the event your CPD/E falls below the minimum threshold. The restoration of your provider number will only begin once your CPD/E is back at the minimum threshold. It may take the Health Funds up to 13 weeks to reinstate your provider numbers. 

² Accredited Professional Members on extended leave (over 12 months) are required to obtain the minimum required level in the first 6 months of extended leave and then maintain the required level after this. All other membership levels are to complete at least one CPD/E activity each 12 months.

Clinical Continuing Professional Education / Development (CCPE/D)

Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (CCPE/D) refers to activities that directly impact client care outcomes. This includes the processes of assessment, treatment, reassessment, and maintaining comprehensive clinical notes, such as health history information. It also encompasses learning new techniques and participating in mentor programs to enhance clinical practice. Essentially, any activity that directly affects treatment and improves client/patient outcomes falls under the scope of CCPE/D.

1. Conference, Workshops and Seminars:
   • Conference or workshops on advanced massage techniques.
   • Seminars on the latest research and developments in manual therapy.
2. Certifications and Courses:
   • Certification in specialised areas such as sports massage, myofascial release, or lymphatic drainage.
   • Advanced courses in pain management and rehabilitation techniques.
3. Practical Training:
   • Hands-on training sessions to master new therapeutic techniques.
   • Clinical internships or placements to gain practical experience.
4. Mentorship Programs (needs prior approval):
   • Participating in mentor programs where experienced therapists provide guidance and support.
   • Acting as a mentor to less experienced colleagues to share knowledge and skills.
5. Clinical Case Studies (needs prior approval):
   • Engaging in case study discussions and reviews to improve diagnostic and treatment skills.
   • Presenting and analysing clinical cases to peers for feedback and learning.
6. Continuing Education Units (CEUs):
   • Attending CEU-accredited courses that focus on enhancing clinical practice.
   • Completing CEUs in areas such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology relevant to massage therapy.
7. Clinical Research Participation (needs prior approval):
   • Taking part in clinical research projects to contribute to the evidence base of massage therapy.
   • Staying informed about the latest research findings and incorporating them into practice.
8. Technical Skill Development:
   • Training sessions on the use of new massage therapy equipment or tools.
   • Learning and practicing innovative therapeutic approaches and modalities.

These activities are designed to directly improve treatment effectiveness and client/patient outcomes, ensuring therapists remain competent and effective in their practice. If you need more specific examples or additional information, please contact the MAA Office on office@maa.org.au.
 

Non-Clinical Continuing Professional Education / Development (NCPE/D)
Non-Clinical Continuing Professional Education/Development (NCPD/E) involves activities that fall outside the direct scope of client treatment and outcomes but still relate to providing Massage and Manual Therapy (MMT). This includes industry and community engagement, adhering to industry ethics and codes of practice, and participating in courses that enhance overall knowledge of the industry.

1. Industry and Community Engagement:
   • Attending industry conferences and symposiums.
   • Participating in community health fairs and wellness events to promote massage therapy.
   • Networking with other professionals in the health and wellness industry.
2. Professional Practice Support:
   • Workshops on business management and marketing for massage therapists.
   • Courses on effective communication and client relationship management.
   • Training in administrative skills such as scheduling, billing, and record-keeping.
3. Ethics and Codes of Practice:
   • Seminars on professional ethics and legal responsibilities in massage therapy.
   • Courses on the ethical considerations of client confidentiality and consent.
   • Training in upholding industry standards and best practices.
4. Broadening Industry Knowledge:
   • Enrolling in courses on health-related topics like anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology.
   • Attending lectures or webinars on emerging trends and research in the health and wellness sector.
   • Learning about complementary therapies that can enhance the scope of massage practice.

These activities contribute to the overall professionalism and effectiveness of massage and manual therapists, even though they may not directly involve client treatment. They help ensure therapists are well-rounded, knowledgeable, and capable of running a successful practice while maintaining high standards of care.
 

Unrelated Continuing Professional Education / Development (UCPE/D)
Unrelated Continuing Professional Education/Development (UCPE/D) encompasses activities that are not directly related to Massage and Manual Therapy (MMT), yet still align with the broader intent of professional development. These activities can be either directed or self-enrolled and include areas such as numeracy, literacy, bookkeeping, and other subjects that support overall professional competence and business acumen. Although these activities do not fall under the categories of Clinical or Non-Clinical CPD/E, they are valuable for enhancing the skills necessary to effectively manage and operate a professional practice, ensuring comprehensive personal and professional growth.

1. Numeracy and Literacy:
   • Courses on advanced numeracy skills to improve financial literacy.
   • Literacy courses focused on enhancing reading and writing abilities for effective communication.
2. Bookkeeping and Accounting:
   • Training in bookkeeping principles to manage financial records.
   • Courses on accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero to streamline business finances.
3. Business Management:
   • Workshops on business planning and strategy development.
   • Courses on small business management, including marketing, sales, and customer service.
4. Information Technology:
   • Training in essential IT skills, including basic computer operations, software applications, and cybersecurity.
   • Courses on using digital tools and platforms to enhance business efficiency.
5. Personal Development:
   • Time management and organizational skills workshops to improve productivity.
   • Leadership and team-building courses to enhance management capabilities.
6. Legal and Regulatory Knowledge:
   • Courses on understanding and complying with business laws and regulations.
   • Training in intellectual property, contracts, and other legal aspects relevant to running a practice.
7. Communication Skills:
   • Public speaking and presentation skills workshops.
   • Courses on effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.

These activities, although not directly related to Massage and Manual Therapy (MMT), provide valuable skills that support the broader professional development of practitioners. They help ensure comprehensive personal and professional growth, enhancing the ability to manage and operate a successful practice. If you need more specific examples or additional information, please contact the MAA Office on office@maa.org.au .

The onus of record keeping is the responsibility of each member BUT we are here to help.  

Records of all CPD/E activities should be meticulously maintained to avoid any potential repercussions. Members are to ensure evidence of training records or other documents are uploaded to the member portal. Failing to have documents on file may result in repercussions. MAA will assist with the storage of evidence on your behalf. While it is important to ensure that you are completing CPD/E, it is equally important to be storing the evidence of completion.

MAA will hold suitable evidence for all registered modalities and CPD/E for the life of your membership and at the completion of your membership in accordance with MAA’s membership data retention policy. This means that you will be able to obtain a copy of your lodged CPD/E if something happens to your copy. Records CANNOT be uploaded before the event/activity has taken place.

Evidence Relating to Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D):

Evidence of participation in Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/D) must be in the form of a certificate or letter issued by the event organiser. This documentation should clearly indicate the hours of completion or points awarded by the Massage Association of Australia (MAA). It must contain your name and the name of the host organisation or individual.

Acceptable evidence CANNOT include library book receipts, purchase receipts, or informal reviews. The certificate or letter must be awarded after the completion of the event or activity to ensure it accurately reflects the participant's engagement and achievements.

Approved initial qualification courses will provide 20 points from the date of completion. If the initial qualification course was completed more than 12 months ago, a 6-month waiver will be applied to the course, granting the 20 points. During this period, members must obtain more than your minimum CPE/D points requirement to prevent repercussions.

Courses conducted over 6 months or longer can have the nominal hours split monthly, not exceeding 10 hours per month, and applicable only for direct contact nominal hours.

MAA fast track CPE/D programs can be used to obtain 20 points in one event, and all normal restrictions do not apply. This is only to be used during periods of leave or other unexpected times with approval from MAA.

Application to conduct self-directed/paced learning, such as a book review, must be sent to the MAA Education Committee for approval. Upon approval, an event will be placed in our education portal for members to complete.

Like all things there needs to be some rules!

• All CPD/E only lasts for 12 months.
• All CPD/E events are capped at 10 Points (unless approved by the Education Committee)
• CPD/E events less than 30 Minutes are not allowed.
• No courses that are required to meet membership compliancy are eligible for CPD/E points (i.e. HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid)
• The same source document or training resource cannot be used again within 24 months of the last submission (unless approved by the Education Committee).

• Self-directed learning i.e. reading books, watching unapproved videos will no longer be accepted.
• Working or volunteering for a local sports team without supervision.
• Courses/Training directed as Compliancy Requirements (i.e., HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid)

MAA will always strive to provide enough free CPD/E activities to our members to maintain their Membership Standard. Please follow these links to check out what is available:

LOW COST & FREE CPD OPPORTUNITY