Besides doctors, chiropractors as primary health care providers are the only non-drug treatment group with 5-years of university education. Furthermore, chiropractors have to adhere to strict and extensive educational requirements and standards to become registered health professionals in Australia. What many people don’t know is that Chiropractors train to the same level of anatomy, diagnosis, pathology, and clinical management as medical doctors (GPs).
Hence, Australian chiropractors are five-year university trained, government registered and regulated health professionals. In order to become a registered chiropractor in Australia you must have studied an accredited 5-year chiropractic program. Either conducted at a University within Australia or have completed an accredited program overseas that satisfies the requirements set by the Australian Chiropractic Regulating authority.
At present, there are four universities in Australia that have chiropractic degree programs.
- RMIT University in Melbourne, Victoria,
- Macquarie University in Sydney, New South Wales,
- Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia and
- Central Queensland University (Mackay, Brisbane, and Sydney).
To register as a professional chiropractor you must have completed the whole program of study. In addition, the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) maintains an open line of communication with the four educational institutions running chiropractic degree programs. Moreover, members of the profession and the Association’s chief executive attend course advisory committee meetings and regular discussions held between the universities’ academic staff and the CAA National Board. So a chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice, all chiropractors must complete continuing professional development courses and seminars to upgrade. This is to keep improving their skills and to always remain current on the latest scientific research.
