In enquiries about part-time study or skills courses, massage courses come up quite often. Anyone who’s spent time in Australia will have picked up, to some extent, thatmassage therapistsare in high demand across Australia, and the barrier to entry doesn’t feel especially high.But practising in Australia is very much about “having the certificate” — a certificate that proves you’re qualified and that you’ve genuinely studied for it.
So when it comes to studyingproperly,what exactly do you learn? Let’s run through the key points today.
Massage
# in high demand across Australia #
In terms of public utilisation,practitioner distribution and practitioner numbers, massage is Australia’s largest complementary medicine profession, and it is increasingly being integrated into the healthcare system.Today, massage therapy is a rapidly growing industry. Over the past 10 years, long-term employment in the industry has grown by 62.3%. By around 2022, more than 20,000 people were expected to be employed in the massage industry in Australia.More than a third of massage therapists work full-time, averaging 45.6 hours a week, and almost all massage therapists hold a diploma or advanced diploma in massage therapy.
Massage therapists are a major health service provider in Australia,and Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 census data shows that in 2006 only 8,199 people listed massage therapy as their main source of income. This figure was projected to exceed 17,000 by 2017.And by 2021, the current number of practitioners is likely to have been even higher than these figures suggest.
Massage
#practitioner advantages #
Wide range of job opportunities
Massage therapists work across a wide range of settings to suit the lifestyle you prefer. You could choose to work at a massage clinic in a major city, a sports club, a day spa or luxury resort, a rehabilitation facility, an aged care facility, or set up your own business.
Flexible working hours
In Australia, only around a third of massage therapists work full-time. This means that whether you work for yourself or for an employer, there’s plenty of scope to set your own hours to fit around your other commitments.
A constantly growing industry
Massage therapy is a growing industry in Australia — particularly among Baby Boomers, as Australia’s ageing population increasingly turns to massage therapists for help preventing and recovering from injury. You could also choose to work in the fast-growing corporate massage sector.
Paving the way to running your own small business
If you’ve dreamed of being your own boss, massage therapy could suit you. The cost of setting up your own massage business is relatively low — especially if you choose to offer mobile, in-home services.
A genuine professional skill
With the right nationally recognised qualification, you’ll have the opportunity to join industry associations and play an active role in shaping the future of the profession.
Massage
#courses — what skills do you mainly learn? #
The tasks and responsibilities of a massage therapist include:
Assessing soft tissue dysfunction.
Providing massage therapy to maintain, restore or enhance physical function, or to improve overall health.
Manipulating the muscles or other soft tissue of the body.
Advising clients on how to manage or improve soft tissue conditions.
Massage courses cover a range of skills,including client assessment, relaxation massage, anatomy and physiology, and injury prevention and management. Massage therapists are trained to manipulate the body’s soft tissue to treat clients’ pain, discomfort, injuries, stress or other conditions.
Massage therapists may specialise in particular forms of massage therapy to improve clients’ mobility, pain management, injury prevention, performance and recovery — for example, remedial, sports, relaxation and pregnancy massage — as well as learning how to run their own massage business.Massage courses also enable students to register as a recognised healthcare provider, and provide valuable skills for setting up their own practice.
As a remedial massage student, you’ll have plenty of hands-on practical opportunities,which means you’ll be well placed once you finish the course. The course also gives you the skills needed to become a qualified massage therapist, and opens the door to a wide range of career options across Australia — and even globally.
How the massage therapy courses are structured
Certificate IV in Massage Therapy
This nationally recognised Certificate IV in Massage Therapy gives you the skills to perform a range of massage techniques that promote wellbeing, improve sleep, ease anxiety and tension, and enhance a range of bodily functions such as circulation.
Through a combination of theory and practical classes, you’ll learn:
Massage anatomy
Massage techniques for relaxation and healing
How to communicate with other healthcare professionals and clients
The basic business skills needed to start your own massage practice
Strong communication skills
A deeper understanding of the concept of the therapeutic relationship
Good listening skills, while asking the right questions
Problem-solving ability
Basic marketing and business skills
Achieving your goals
If you’d like to continue your studies further —
after completing Certificate IV, you can progress into the Diploma of Remedial Massage
Diploma of Remedial Massage
Through a mix of theory and practical classes, you’ll learn:
Providing, monitoring and evaluating remedial massage treatment
Adapting remedial massage treatment to meet specific needs
How to provide, monitor and evaluate remedial massage treatment
Conducting musculoskeletal assessments for remedial massage
Managing legal and ethical compliance
Providing first aid
Developing your talent
Strong communication skills
A deeper understanding of the concept of the therapeutic relationship
Good listening skills, while asking the right questions
Problem-solving ability
Basic marketing and business skills
On completing this course you’ll receivea nationally recognised Diploma of Remedial Massage
If you’d like to continue your studies further —
after completing the massage diploma, you can progress into a Diploma of Business
Both of these courses generally have monthly intakes, so the scheduling is very convenient. If you’d like to know more about course fees or other details, feel free to contact me directly!
Massage
# course graduates have a range of job opportunities to choose from #
Massage clinics
Massage clinics are an obvious starting point for job opportunities in the massage therapy industry. These might be large massage chains, small family businesses, or larger independent operators.
Aged care facilities
Aged care facilities increasingly need massage therapists to help residents prevent injury, recover from surgery and reduce stress, improving their overall wellbeing.
Sports teams
Professional sports clubs employ in-house massage therapists to help their athletes prevent and recover from injury, improve flexibility and stay in peak condition.
Health and wellness centres
Many multidisciplinary health and wellness centres have massage therapists on staff, offering clients a range of complimentary treatments.
Pregnancy centres
Pregnancy centres that offer parenting programs, antenatal resources and birthing classes are often keen to work with massage therapists to help clients enjoy a healthy pregnancy
Corporate massage
Corporate massage is a growing sector. Some large companies may employ their own in-house massage therapists, but a number of businesses have also emerged that provide on-site massage services for office workers.
Day spas and resorts
Massage therapists can also choose to work at exclusive day spas and resorts in exotic holiday destinations. Large hotel chains often employ teams of massage therapists across their properties.
Self-employment
Many massage therapists are self-employed. Setting up your own massage business is relatively low-cost — especially if you’re willing to work from a home studio or offer mobile visits.
Mobile massage providers
Mobile massage businesses that bring treatment to clients’ homes are also becoming increasingly popular. Working for a mobile massage provider generally gives you greater independence and more flexible working hours.
That wraps up our rundown on massage therapy. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me, or if you’d like a direct assessment of a suitable skills course, you can also!
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