What is Naturopathy? How to Become a Naturopath in Australia [Updated 2021]
Explore Courses
What is a naturopath?
Naturopaths treat health concerns and promote long-term wellbeing. The combine natural treatments and science to treat the whole person, rather than individual symptoms.
The practice of naturopathy is based on the principle of supporting the body’s own healing processes.
They take a holistic approach to health, looking at many aspects of your life:
Physical
Mental
Lifestyle
Spiritual
Naturopaths work in both primary care and preventative health. They will often recommend a combination of therapies. These might include lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, massage, counselling and nutrition.
Tasks
How to become a naturopath
Get a qualification
There are two main naturopath qualifications in Australia:
Bachelor Degree in Health Science (Naturopathy)
Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy)
Available from universities, colleges, naturopathic medical schools, and naturopathic schools.Get your checks
Arrange a working with children check, and a first-aid certificate.
Get registered
Register yourself with the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH).
Naturopath Salary & Job Growth
for a naturopath with 5 years experience, in Sydney
$52k – $88k
salary range
source: payscale.com
there’s a higher than usual part-time working arrangements in this job. This can allow for a flexible schedule and work-life balance.
source: joboutlook.gov.au
Naturopathy industry on the rise
Natural, alternative and complementary therapies are gaining acceptance in the health world.
Though the status of some natural therapies is still in dispute, other practices have actually influenced mainstream Western medicine.
"Some other long-standing concepts that have been a part of naturopathic treatment for a long time are also gaining validity.
For example, regulating insulin levels was recommended as a standard treatment in naturopathic texts in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome long before it became convention.
And naturopaths were observing the link between Vitamin D and intestinal health in immunity before it became widely accepted in scientific circles."
Source: “Lay out the welcome mat: naturopathy has come in from the cold” on The Conversation
Naturopathy Job Growth
This industry is growing strongly, along with the entire healthcare and natural therapies sector.
source: LMIP
5 Careers in Natural Therapies
Natural therapies encompass a broad range of disciplines. Here are a few of the more popular ones for you to consider.
Where do naturopaths work in Australia?
Hover or tap the interactive map to see how many naturopaths work there.
Source: Job Outlook
So… what is naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a complete health care system. It uses a range of therapies to prevent and treat internal health issues. It is based on a set of principles rather than one particular technique or set of tools.
Some naturopaths, known as “naturopathic physicians,” have medical training as well as naturopathic knowledge. They use an evidence-based approach when possible. They may combine naturopathy with a medical practice.
Others practice less mainstream, alternative medicines. Example are homoeopathy, Ayurveda and iridology. These practices often draw on traditional knowledge.
Good naturopaths practice natural medicine to complement Western medicine. This approach is known as complementary medicine.
This means it’s quite possible to see a GP and a naturopath at the same time, depending on the nature of your concern.
The basic concepts behind naturopathy
A practitioner should not only treat their patients, they should also teach them. They aim to empower people to proactively manage their own health.
What kinds of concerns does naturopathy address?
What techniques and modalities does naturopathy include?
An typical appointment with a naturopath
Consult
An extended (45min-1hr) introductory consultation, where they ask you detailed questions about your health, mental state and lifestyle, and any problems or symptoms.
Treatment plan
They work with you to formulate a treatment plan to improve your overall health and eliminate the root cause of any problems.
Schedule follow-up
Schedule a check-up in the near future to evaluate your progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Naturopath Success Stories

Rebecca Winkler
Qualified Naturopath
Surf Coast, Torquay & Jan Juc, VIC
10+ years of clinical experience


What skills do you need to be a good naturopath?
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Active Learning
Critical Thinking
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration O*NET
Loving the idea of a holistic approach to health? Does the idea of helping people make meaningful changes to their quality of life energise you?
Don’t wait to make your next move. See what naturopathy courses are on offer now!
Check Out Courses
Latest Articles
Which Counselling Course is Right for You?
When you’re considering a career in counselling, it can be hard to know which qualification is ideal...
The Best Counselling Fields to Specialise in to Get a Job
People looking to become counsellors have a big range of course options available and can specialise...
How to Become a Counsellor in Australia
Want to read more?
Hairdressing Apprenticeship Guide | Everything you Need to Know
Do you have an interest in the health and beauty industry? Have you thought about hairdressing as a...
Which Aged Care Course Suits Your Career Goals?
Aged care is a growing industry and has thousands of courses on offer, so it’s a great time to...
Career Shifters: Meet a former ESL teacher who changed careers and never looked back
Photo source: Megan George Diving into an entirely new industry can be confronting - however, you ma...