Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia

Discovery Shiatsu Therapy

Shiatsu is a therapeutic form of body work that was developed in Japan and founded on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A treatment involves applying pressure to the body using a practitioner’s thumbs, palms, elbows, knees and feet. Find out more about Shiatsu Therapy, its benefits, what it can treat, what you can expect during a treatment as well as where you can study Shiatsu in Australia from an accredited education provider.

Learn more about Shiatsu

Find a Practitioner

STAA upholds the highest professional standards of practice. Our Registered Practitioners are fully qualified, have current insurance, first aid certificates and on-going training.

Find a Practitioner

Photo: Lilly at Body Stillness, image by Brad Harris

Join us

Whether you are a practitioner seeking to become Registered, or you simply want to be a Friend, we have a range of membership options to suit you.

Join the community

REBATES

Private Health Funds

In April 2019 the federal government passed legislation to remove natural therapy rebates from Private Health Funds. Following this decision and advocacy from Natural Therapies Peak Bodies, such as STAA, the Australian Government commissioned a Natural Therapies Review to investigate the clinical effectiveness of 16 natural therapies excluded from private health insurance rebates. The Department of Health has engaged National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to assist in its review by commissioning evidence evaluations that will assess published scientific research on the excluded therapies. NHMRC has established a Natural Therapies Working Committee to oversee the evidence evaluations. STAA has been involved in collating and submitting evidence to the Committee. We have also engaged with the regular Stakeholder Teleconferences throughout this process. The outcome of the review was due September 2024. This has been delayed and the next Stakeholder Teleconference scheduled for 30 January 2025. STAA will attend and pass on any further information regarding the outcomes of the review. Find out more: www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/public-health/complementary-medicines/natural-therapies-review

NDIS

There have been recent changes to the NDIS rules (October 2024) which might affect Shiatsu practitioners. Read the new guidelines around what the NDIS does and does not fund. Please speak to your practitioner about your NDIS plan and whether it may cover Shiatsu Therapy. STAA is dedicated to following the progress of both of these initiatives and continue to advocate for Shiatsu Therapy to be understood as an effective, evidence-based modality.