Natural Therapies Review 2024

Why we had this review

Since1 April 2019, private health insurers have not been able to offer cover for these natural therapies:

• Alexander technique
• aromatherapy
• Bowen therapy
• Buteyko
• Feldenkrais
• homeopathy
• iridology
• kinesiology
• naturopathy
• Pilates
• reflexology
• Rolfing
• shiatsu
• tai chi
• western herbalism
• yoga.

Following the previous review in 2015, additional evidence on the clinical effectiveness of these therapies had been identified.

What we reviewed

The 2024 review:

• looked at the additional evidence
• advised if private health insurance should cover any of the therapies.

How we reviewed it

See the Natural Therapies Review process and governance infographic for an overview of the review process.

We held regular teleconferences to provide updates for stakeholders.

Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel

The Australian Government's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy AC, set up the Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel to help with the review. Following Professor Murphy becoming Secretary of the Department of Health in 2020, Professor Michael Kidd AO, led the review until completion at the end of 2024.

The Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel held its final meeting on 10 December 2024.

The advisory panel included members with experience in:

• researching or assessing scientific evidence of clinical effectiveness
• the practice of natural therapies.

Learn more about the advisory panel.

Natural Therapies Working Committee

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) supported the review.

The council set up the Natural Therapies Working Committee to oversee the evidence evaluations for the review. For information about the committee, see all entries on the NHMRC's previous committees and advisory groups page.

See the NHMRC’s review webpage for information on the evidence evaluations including:

• descriptions of the natural therapies under review as used for the evidence evaluations; and
• research protocols used in the evidence evaluations.

Calls for evidence

The review included the opportunity for natural therapy organisations and members of the public to submit scientific evidence of the clinical effectiveness of the natural therapies under review.

This opportunity was provided through the:

• Tranche 1 call for evidence for Western herbalism, naturopathy, Pilates, Rolfing, shiatsu, tai chi, and yoga
• Tranche 2 call for evidence for Alexander technique, aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology and reflexology.

Submitted evidence

These documents provide the details of the scientific research citations (excluding submitter details) submitted through both the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 calls for evidence.

Evidence was published progressively as the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence reviewers published the final research protocols. This avoided potential bias in development of the research protocols.

Outcomes of the review process

We have received the final report and recommendations from the review.

Read the final review report, recommendations of the panel chair and evaluations of individual therapies.

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