How to study naturopathy in Australia (2025)

Naturopathic doctors use natural remedies supported by clinical science to treat the whole person rather than just the symptoms.

They are experienced in treating a wide range of health concerns that have not responded to conventional medical treatments alone.

Studying to be a naturopath is an increasingly attractive proposition, given the growing acceptance of natural therapies by mainstream society and the medical profession. Employment opportunities are expanding accordingly, as the range and quality of courses and qualifications improve.

If you're looking to make naturopathy a career, read on to find out how to go about it.

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health care that relies on natural treatments and traditional healing methods as opposed to medication or surgery. This isn’t to say that medical care is irrelevant—naturopaths often work alongside GPs and other healthcare providers. But the core philosophy is about supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms through lifestyle, nutrition and natural therapies.

You might see a naturopath using counselling, dietary advice, herbal medicine or massage. Many are accredited by national associations, some with postgraduate qualifications, ensuring they’ve undergone the right training and are practising to a high professional standard.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at why naturopathy is gaining so much attention in the modern wellness world.

The benefits of naturopathic medicine

In a world where health concerns are on the rise, more people are turning to naturopathy for a gentler, more holistic approach. Here’s why:

Holistic care: Naturopaths treat the whole person—body, mind and spirit. Rather than masking symptoms, they look for root causes.

Personalised plans: No cookie-cutter solutions here. Naturopaths take your lifestyle, environment, and health history into account when building your treatment plan.

Prevention focused: They don’t just fix problems—they help you avoid them altogether through education, nutrition and lifestyle support.

Natural treatments: Naturopaths favour therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and nutrition over pharmaceuticals.

Works with conventional medicine: It’s not either-or. Many naturopaths collaborate with GPs and other practitioners to ensure clients receive comprehensive care.

Chronic condition support: Naturopathy can support people dealing with long-term health issues like digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions or hormonal imbalances.

So, if you’ve ever been drawn to a career that combines deep listening with natural healing, keep reading—this could be your calling.

The educational path to becoming a naturopath

Let’s break down the journey into five key stages to help you plan your next steps.

1. Start with your undergraduate studies

Most naturopathy courses require some background in health or science. A bachelor’s degree in biology, nutrition, chemistry or health science is a great starting point. This builds your foundational knowledge of the human body and how it functions.

Once you’ve laid your scientific groundwork, it’s time to dive into the real world of naturopathic medicine.

2. Enrol in a naturopathy program

Next, you’ll want to enrol in a recognised naturopathic program—ideally a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) or equivalent. These courses usually take 3–4 years full-time and combine theory with clinical practice.

Subjects often include:

• Herbal medicine

• Nutritional therapy

• Homeopathy

• Counselling skills

• Pathology and biochemistry

You’ll study both conventional medical sciences and natural medicine approaches.

3. Get your clinical experience

Hands-on experience is where it all comes together. Most courses include at least 400–600 hours of supervised clinic placement. This gives you the chance to:

• Observe experienced practitioners

• Treat real clients

• Develop your own therapeutic style

Clinical training builds the confidence and skills you’ll need to step into professional practice.

4. Get licensed and registered

In Australia, graduating from an accredited naturopathy course means you can apply to join a professional body like:

• Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)

• Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)

Membership is crucial for getting insured and gaining client trust.

5. Stay educated

Your learning doesn’t stop at graduation. Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for staying up to date with the latest research, techniques and industry standards.

Next, let’s look at the different areas within naturopathy you might want to explore.

Specialisations in naturopathy

You don’t have to be a generalist forever. As your experience grows, you can specialise in areas like:

Herbal medicine: Using plant-based treatments to support and balance body systems.

Nutrition and lifestyle medicine: Creating therapeutic diets and lifestyle plans to prevent and manage illness.

Homeopathy: Working with highly diluted remedies to trigger the body’s healing responses.

Acupuncture and TCM: Integrating Eastern medicine techniques for pain relief, stress and hormonal health.

Physical therapies: Think massage, hydrotherapy or movement-based healing practices.

Having a niche can help you build a strong reputation and attract a dedicated client base.

What are your study options?

You can study naturopathy in a way that fits your life:

• Full-time or part-time at a campus

• Online or blended learning options

Programs range from Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy to full Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) degrees. You can start with a diploma and later upgrade your qualification if needed.

Well-regarded schools in Australia include:

• Endeavour College of Natural Health

• Health Academy Australia

Make sure your chosen course is recognised by accrediting bodies like ANTA or ARONAH, especially if you plan to practise professionally.

Wondering if you’ve got what it takes? Let’s talk about the soft skills and qualities that really matter.

Skills every naturopath needs

Technical training is essential—but so is the human side of the job. Successful naturopaths usually have:

• Great listening and communication skills

• A curious and open mind

• Empathy and compassion

• Organisational and business skills

• A collaborative mindset

You’ll be working closely with clients from all walks of life. Being approachable and non-judgemental goes a long way.

Career paths for naturopaths

Once qualified, where can you work? Turns out, quite a few places:

• Private practice: Set up your own clinic or work from home.

• Multidisciplinary clinics: Join a team of osteopaths, massage therapists or GPs.

• Corporate health: Offer workplace wellness programs.

• Community health organisations: Help improve health outcomes in local populations.

• Education and writing: Teach, run workshops or write for health publications.

Some naturopaths even specialise further, working with fertility, fatigue, digestion, or mental health issues.

Wherever you end up, you’ll be helping people live healthier, more vibrant lives—which is pretty rewarding.

What does the research say?

You might be wondering: does naturopathy really work? Here are a few studies that shed some light:

• A study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that naturopathic care improved cardiovascular risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure.

• A meta-analysis in PLOS ONE linked naturopathic interventions with better outcomes in managing chronic illness.

• Research in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed naturopathic support helped breast cancer patients feel better and reduce fatigue during treatment.

• A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that naturopathic care improved IBS symptoms.

The evidence is growing and so is public trust in natural therapies.

Starting your own naturopathic practice

Thinking of opening your own clinic one day? Here are a few tips:

• Define your niche (e.g. hormonal health, gut health, mental wellbeing)

• Build a strong online presence (website, social media, Google listing)

• Network with local professionals for referrals

• Offer talks or workshops to share your expertise

You’ll also want to:

• Stay on top of bookkeeping and legal requirements

• Keep developing your knowledge and skills

Yes, it takes work but building your dream business is totally possible with the right support.

Questions to ask before enrolling

Before committing to a course, here are a few things to consider:

• What are the entry requirements?

• How long is the course?

• Is it government-accredited and professionally recognised?

• What are the career outcomes?

• Are there flexible learning options?

These answers will help you choose a program that truly supports your goals.

Wrapping it up

Studying to become a naturopath is more than learning about herbs and supplements—it’s about empowering people to take charge of their health and wellbeing.

If you’re ready for a career rooted in empathy, science and natural wisdom, it might be time to explore your options.

Check out accredited naturopathy courses in Australia and start your journey today.