How to become a Masseuse

Massage therapy is an incredibly dynamic career, and it’s no wonder that more and more Australians are looking to become trained masseuses. Becoming a masseuse can be a lengthy process and you must obtain certain qualifications and licences before you can practice legally in Australia. To help you get started, let’s look at the steps you need to take on your journey to becoming a qualified masseuse.

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‍Step 1: Complete your Certificate IV in Massage

The first step to becoming a masseuse in Australia is to complete the appropriate massage courses. A Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice (HLT42015) is the minimum educational requirement for practice in Australia. This certificate takes about 12 months to complete, and you must have conducted at least 80 hours of work as part of the course. The course covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, business practices, legal requirements, and massage techniques. You should also consider taking additional advanced massage courses if you want to focus on certain areas of massage or expand your skillset.

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‍Step 2: Secure a massage licence

In addition to completing the appropriate education requirements, you will also need to submit your registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and secure a licence from the state or territory government where you plan on practicing. The licensing process requires proof of identity and relevant qualifications; note that each state or territory may have different licensing regulations so make sure you check with your local authority for details on how to apply for a licence. Once you have been granted a licence, it will need renewing on an annual basis.

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‍Step 3: Register your business

Opening your own massage studio, or freelancing as a masseuse, can be extremely liberating. You’ll be able to choose your business name, branding, and preferred location for work. In addition, you’ll also need to take care of some of the administrative parts of setting up a business. This includes registering for an ABN, registering for GST and purchasing equipment or supplies for your business. One way you can reduce some of the burden of starting a new business from scratch is to consider opening a franchise. Endota is a large massage chain that is popular across Australia, so it’s well worth reaching out to them for more information.

Step 4: Purchase business insurance

You will also need professional indemnity insurance before starting your own massage therapy business or working as part of another practitioner’s team. Professional indemnity insurance covers you against any claims made by clients regarding negligence or errors made during sessions. It’s important that you shop around for the best policy as coverage can vary greatly between providers so make sure that what you are being offered is suitable for your needs.

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‍Step 5: Sort out accounting and tax

Thriday is a great solution for masseuses who love their job but hate running through the numbers and dealing with tax. When you open a Thriday business bank account* and debit card*, any income or expenses you generate on the business are automatically categorised, and the appropriate deductions claimed. When it comes to tax time, Thriday automatically calculates your tax position, and you can even get an expert tax agent to review your books and BAS online for extra peace of mind. Thriday was designed to eliminate time wasted on financial admin so that business owners could focus on their customers instead of doing the books. To see how much time you could save, take this quick tax quiz, to see what Thriday could do for your business.

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Completing all of these steps may seem challenging, but they are essential if you want to become a qualified masseuse in Australia. Make sure that all your qualifications are up-to-date and that your professional indemnity insurance provides adequate coverage, this will go a long way towards ensuring that your clients receive safe and effective treatments when they come to see you for their massage therapy sessions. With the right attitude, you can achieve your dream of becoming a masseuse by following these simple steps.