What is massage?

Who doesn't want a soothing massage in Sydney? It's an essential part of life that not only eliminates aches and pains but also promotes relaxation and lifts the spirits. This makes a massage therapist indispensable in Sydney.

Massage therapy helps maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function which subsequently enhances the wellbeing of a client. Massage therapists are responsible for guiding clients on how to improve their posture through stretching, strengthening, relaxation techniques which helps manage:

  • Anxiety
  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Neck and back pain
  • Postural strains
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Stress
  • Tendonitis

After completing your studies in Sydney will be eligible to apply for membership with these professional associations: 

  • Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
  • Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
  • Massage Association of Australia (MAA) 
  • Massage & Myotherapy Association (MMA)
  • Myotherapy Association Australia (MAA)

Should you complete a massage course?

A career in massage therapy is perfect for anyone who is passionate about helping others feel better so that they can live their life to the fullest. The qualities that you should possess if you're looking to pursue a career in massage therapy are:

  • Attentive listening in order to understand client symptoms, medical history, and desired results as well as understanding any concerns they raise during the massage in order to ensure they feel safe and comfortable.
  • Empathetic communication skills help build trust and support clients emotionally and ensure a clear understanding of proposed treatment plans.
  • Strong decision-making skills to help pinpoint tense areas of the body and plan the massage accordingly.
  • An ability to manage your time effectively since you will be managing multiple back-to-back appointments while still meeting your clientele's requests in a timely manner.

What are the course and study options for massage therapists in Sydney?

If you want to learn more about the massage industry before you commit to a long-term course, the two-day Introduction to Massage Therapy course is for you where you will learn about the basics of massage and gain an overview of the work that massage therapists do.

The minimum qualification required to work in the massage industry in Sydney is the Certificate IV in Massage Therapy which is also a nationally recognised entry-level qualification for massage therapists. Most accredited massage therapy schools in Sydney offer flexible options to accommodate your commitments. They can be completed on-campus, online or through a blended learning system.

These courses will provide you with a comprehensive insight into a broad spectrum of relaxation massage, manipulation and neuromuscular techniques. You will also gain practical experience allowing you to improve your professionalism when interacting with different clients and hone your communication skills. This will also allow you to implement the skills you learned in the classes in a clinical setting.

On this page, you will find a comprehensive list of a range of massage schools in Sydney. You can contact them to learn more about the program, syllabus and payment plans.

What happens after you complete your massage course?

Massage therapists are some of the few professionals who help people every day and assist clients in enjoying a better quality of life or recover from injuries. If you are passionate about health and wellbeing, as an up-and-coming massage therapist professional, you will not have any difficulty trying to find a job after you finish your studies, with a vast range of job opportunities available for you.

Working as a massage therapist allows you to pursue a fulfilling career in any health and wellness setting such as a massage clinic, day spa, luxury resort or rehabilitation facility. If you dream about being self-employed, working in a private practice could be for you with the costs to establish your own business are low especially if you want to work as a mobile massage provider. This would give you the opportunity to list your services on Natural Therapy Pages.

Some of the professional associations that you can join once you finish your massage therapy studies include the Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) and the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). Additionally, even though this profession is self-regulated in Australia, there are some NSW statutory codes that qualified massage therapist practitioners must comply with to ensure public safety, this includes:

  • Public Health Act 2010: to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
  • Health Care Complaints Act 1993: outlines procedures to investigate, resolve complaints and impose disciplinary action about health service or health practitioner.
  • Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002: protecting the privacy of a person's health information.
  • Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998: to ensure that the people responsible are well-equipped to provide them with a safe and nurturing environment.
  • NSW Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners: must be followed by health practitioners not subjected to regulations of a registration scheme in NSW.

Finally, lifelong learning is a core aspect of growing professionally as a massage therapist and does not stop once you complete your initial qualifications. There is a range of short courses and postgraduate studies you can enroll in to expand your skills and expertise.