About Osteopathy Australia

Osteopathy Australia is the peak body representing the interests of osteopaths, osteopathy as a profession and consumer rights to access osteopathic services. 

Osteopathy Australia was founded as a Victorian state-based organisation in 1955 and became the national body in 1991 after a merger of state-based osteopathic associations. Today, Osteopathy Australia represents osteopaths in every state and territory across Australia.

The association works to raise awareness of osteopathy, through lobbying, policy development and improving clinical quality. It focuses on supporting osteopaths throughout their careers from students to experienced practitioners by providing membership services such as:

• Information, advice and support
• Clinical excellence and business guidelines and resources
• Continuing professional development

Join us today

Are you a practising osteopath and not yet a member? Join the voice for osteopaths in Australia. We back you from study to clinic, advocate for the profession and support your journey every step of the way.

Join now

Osteopathy Australia – what we do and how we do it

Our vision and purpose

Our vision: Osteopathy is a valued and visible part of primary healthcare in Australia.

Our purpose: Advancing osteopathy to support best practice and innovative care to enhance the health of all Australians.

Osteopathy Australia values

Integrity. We act in osteopaths’ best interests, offering clear and honest advice, and reliable and consistent support for our members and their needs.

Openness. We promote trust through transparent, open and consistent action and advice.

Distinction. Through leadership and service excellence, we strive to develop and advance a dynamic and progressive profession, whose distinct and unique clinical philosophy is known and benefits the community.

Belonging. We work as an osteopathic community, committed to creating an inclusive environment offering a respectful diversity of opinions. We are resilient, robust and empowering to each other and our community.

Our work

Osteopathy Australia liaises with state and federal governments, statutory bodies regarding professional, educational, legislative and regulatory issues, as well as primary healthcare practice. We work closely with the Osteopathy Board of Australia (the national registration board), the Australian and New Zealand Osteopathic Council (the university accreditor and assessor of overseas osteopaths), and other professional health bodies or associations through our collaborative work with Allied Health Professions Australia.

Our role is to increase awareness of osteopathy and what osteopaths do. Osteopathy Australia has developed a strategic plan to steer its direction over the next few years. The plan is strongly focused on providing opportunities for members through professional excellence and career success.

Osteopathy and our members

Osteopathy Australia represents the vast majority of osteopaths in Australia. Osteopathy Australia members are committed to continuing professional education (CPD) and we require all members to comply with our standards. Osteopathy Australia signifies a standard of professional and ethical behaviour over and above the requirements of registration.

Osteopathy involves the clinical care of the neuro-musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, muscles, nerves, and other tissues that support the body and control its movements. Osteopaths are university-qualified, government-registered, allied health professionals who take the time to listen and treat patients by taking a whole-person approach.

Osteopathy has been practised in Australia for over 100 years.

Osteopathy Australia policies

Osteopathy Australia strives to always show integrity and transparency in its governance and operations. If you have significant concerns about the governance or management of the company, please consult the Osteopathy Australia Whistleblower Policy. It will help you to decide what is reportable conduct under the whistleblower protection provisions of the Corporations Act, and outlines how Osteopathy Australia will deal with reportable issues.