Official ATMS Member Petition · NRAS Statutory Registration
Oppose Statutory Registration of Naturopathy & Western Herbal Medicine
ATMS has lodged a formal submission opposing the statutory registration of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine under NRAS and we need every naturopath and herbalist to make their voice heard.
ATMS hosted a member webinar explaining exactly what the ARONAH/ANC submission proposes, why ATMS does not support it, and what it would mean for your practice, your costs, and your professional freedom.
The key issues are clear:
- The legal threshold has not been met
- Self-regulation is already working
- The Dawson Review process should conclude first
The petition is open to ALL naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners regardless of the association you belong to.
| Claim | Evidence From National Law | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory registration does not necessarily mean AHPRA regulation. | National Law (s 3, s 23–25): All statutory registration of health professions occurs only through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), administered by AHPRA | Statutory registration = NRAS = AHPRA. There is no alternative statutory pathway. |
Legislative Framework Breakdown
- Section 3 (Objectives & Guiding Principles): Under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, the primary objective of the National Law is to ensure the protection of the public by verifying that only suitably trained, qualified, and ethical practitioners are registered. It also guarantees that restrictions on practice are only imposed when necessary to maintain patient safety and quality.
- Sections 23 & 24 (The National Agency): These sections establish the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) as the single, multi-professional body corporate tasked with overseeing and implementing the National Scheme.
- Section 25 (Functions): This section dictates the administrative and operational responsibilities of the agency, which include maintaining registers of practitioners, managing notifications (complaints), and partnering with 15 independent National Boards to develop professional standards.
