At present the use of most complementary therapies in Australia is based on a buyer-beware principle. There is some regulation in place; for example, Victoria requires that traditional Chinese medicine practitioners must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Registration Board. The disciplines of osteopathy and chiropractic are also registered in many States and Territories. The only other regulatory requirement for practitioners of complementary therapies is for practitioners to be registered with the Australian Tax Office for Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption.

Medicines used as complementary therapies are subject to Commonwealth regulations. Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, all products in Australia for which therapeutic claims are made must be on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and must carry either an AUST L (Australian Listing) or AUST R (Australian Registration) number on their label.

Most complementary medicines are ‘listed’ (AUST L) products. Their claims are limited to ‘assist’ rather than ‘treat’ minor self-limiting conditions or for ‘maintaining health’ or reducing risk of non-serious conditions.

An AUST R number is given to both prescription and non-prescription products where ingredients pose some degree of risk and/or higher-level claims/indications are sought. Efficacy claims are generally more substantial. For a medicine to achieve an AUST R registration, data supporting its efficacy and claims is required. Many complementary medicines lack such data and while manufacturers of Listed products are required to hold evidence to support claims, this is not evaluated prior to marketing and is only called in in the event of a complaint or a safety concern with the product.

Content Updated March 2005