Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Skill Assessment - -252214

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Skill Assessment

Descriptions

Treats imbalances of energy flows through the body by assessing the whole person and using techniques and methods such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, diet, exercise and breathing therapy. Registration or licensing is required.

Aliases

Chinese Medicine Practitioner Skill Assessment

Oriental Medicine Practitioner Skill Assessment

Chinese Herbalist Skill Assessment

Job Description

  • Assessing patients to determine the nature of the disorder, illness, problem or need by questioning, examining and observing
  • Developing and implementing treatment plans using applications such as acupuncture, homoeopathic and herbal medicine, and dance, drama, hypnotic and music therapies
  • Evaluating and documenting patients' progress through treatment plans
  • Providing dietary and lifestyle advice and guidelines
  • Prescribing natural medicines, such as herbal, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body's capacity for self-healing

Available Visa Types

Common Visa Types

Skilled Nominated visa(subclass 190)

Skilled Nominated visa(subclass 190)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Training visa (subclass 407)

Training visa (subclass 407)

Other Visa Types

  • 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
  • 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream

Skill Assessment

Assessment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Skills

Eligibility Assessment

  • Your acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine qualification must be at least equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree. Degree certificate and academic transcript (with English translation) are required.
  • If applying for a single division (acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine), a minimum of three years of full-time study or equivalent is required.
  • If applying for both divisions (acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine), a minimum of four years of full-time study or equivalent is required.
  • Core courses for the acupuncture division must include: acupuncture techniques, anatomy, basic biological sciences, TCM diagnosis, TCM classics, infection control, meridians and acupoints, pathology, physiology, evidence-based practice, research methods, safe needling essentials, basic Western medical diagnostics, etc.; along with clinical acupuncture practice and assessment.
  • Core courses for the Chinese herbal medicine division must include: Chinese herbal formulas, Chinese materia medica, TCM theory, diagnostics, clinical specialties (internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics/traumatology, etc.), herb-drug interactions, herbal processing, history, basic Western medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, etc.); along with substantial clinical internship and assessment of learning outcomes.
  • If a statutory registration system exists in your country or region, proof of local registration or licensure is required.
  • During the period the qualification was awarded, the teaching program must have been subject to external monitoring or accreditation, with the review process involving experts with experience in TCM education and practice.
  • The institution awarding the qualification must be a legally recognized entity authorized to provide higher education in its country or region.

Assessment Steps

  1. Confirm career direction by choosing to apply as an acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner, or both pathways simultaneously.
  2. Prepare supporting documents, including academic certificates, transcripts, course syllabi, clinical internship certificates, registration licenses, educational institution accreditation documents, and necessary translations.
  3. Submit the registration application through the AHPRA/CMBA portal, selecting the overseas qualification application pathway.
  4. CMBA reviews qualifications to assess whether threshold standards are met.
  5. If qualifications are not fully equivalent, candidates will be required to take the MCQ and OSCE examinations.
  6. After passing the assessment and examinations, receive a general registration certificate.
  7. Use this registration certificate as the skills assessment result for migration and submit it to the immigration department for visa application.

Assessment Requirements

  • Academic certificates and transcripts (with English translation).
  • Course syllabus, demonstrating that core courses meet requirements.
  • Clinical internship proof and evaluation reports.
  • Legal registration or license proof (if applicable).
  • Educational institution accreditation documents.
  • Necessary document translations.
  • Pass the MCQ examination (if required).
  • Pass the OSCE examination (must pass MCQ first).

Threshold Requirements

  1. Academic Qualification Your acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine qualification must be equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor's degree. You need to provide your degree certificate and academic transcript (with English translation).

  2. Duration of Study For a single discipline application (acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine), a minimum of three years of full-time study or equivalent is required. For a dual discipline application (acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine), a minimum of four years of full-time study or equivalent is required.

  3. Core Curriculum

    • Acupuncture Discipline: Includes acupuncture techniques, anatomy, basic biological sciences, TCM diagnosis, TCM classics, infection control, meridians and acupoints, pathology, physiology, evidence-based practice, research methods, safe needling practices, basic Western medical diagnosis, etc., incorporating clinical acupuncture practice and assessment.
    • Chinese Herbal Medicine Discipline: Includes Chinese herbal formulas, Chinese materia medica, TCM theory, diagnostics, clinical specialties (internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics/traumatology, etc.), herb-drug interactions, herbal processing, history, basic Western medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, etc.), incorporating sufficient clinical internship and assessment of learning outcomes.

  4. Registration or Licensing If a statutory registration system exists in your country or region, provide proof of corresponding registration or licensure.

  5. Educational Quality Assurance During the period the qualification was obtained, the teaching program must have been externally monitored or accredited, reviewed by experts with experience in TCM education and practice.

  6. Educational Institution Eligibility The institution awarding the qualification must be a legally recognized entity authorized by the national or regional authority to provide higher education.

法规考试（Regulatory Examinations）

  • MCQ Exam: Computer-based multiple-choice exam covering professional knowledge, clinical reasoning, biomedical science, TCM diagnosis, and ethical and regulatory requirements. The exam is held in Australia and at multiple international test centers.
  • OSCE Exam: Clinical skills station-based exam involving patient communication, clinical diagnosis, acupuncture manipulation, or herbal prescription. Held only in Australia, and candidates must pass the MCQ exam first to be eligible.

Immigration Skills Assessment Requirements

The Immigration Department accepts the following documents issued by CMBA as skills assessment results: General Registration Certificate, with the registration category being Acupuncturist or Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

Costs and Time

  • The MCQ exam fee is approximately AUD 700–900, varying based on single or dual-stream application.
  • The OSCE exam fee is separate and is only held in Australia.
  • The review and exam timeline varies by individual, generally requiring several months of preparation and waiting.

Assessing Authorities

  1. CMBA

Information Source

https://www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au/Registration/Internationally-qualified-Chinese-medicine-practitioners/Immigration.aspx#

Skill Shortages

YearAUSNSWVICQLDSAWATASNTACT
2025
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
2024
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
2023
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
2022
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
2021
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
Swipe left to see more

Legend:

S
S-Shortage
NS
NS-No Shortage
R
R-Regional Shortage
M
M-Metropolitan Shortage