The journey of Chinese Medicine in the ACT

1978 – Preparation for the International Conference on Traditional Asian Medicine (ICTAM I)

Plans for the first International Conference on Traditional Asian Medicine (ICTAM) were announced at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. The event was reported in The Canberra Times and drew attention to Canberra’s growing role in Asian medicine dialogue.

September 1979 – ICTAM I Held at ANU, Canberra

The first ICTAM conference took place at the Australian National University, attracting around 300 participants worldwide. At the closing session, the International Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicine (IASTAM) was officially founded, marking Canberra as a significant birthplace of global traditional medicine collaboration.

1995 – Establishment of Short TCM Courses at Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) introduced short courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine, marking the beginning of structured TCM education within the ACT’s vocational system. These early programs focused on fundamental TCM principles and practical therapy training.

1998 – Continuation and Expansion of TCM Short Courses at CIT

CIT continued to deliver short TCM-related courses, which gained strong popularity among local students. This initiative fostered increasing interest in systematic and professional TCM education in Canberra.

1999 – Launch of a Two-Year Advanced Diploma Program at CIT

CIT established a two-year full-time Advanced Diploma program featuring two main streams: Tuina Massage and Japanese Shiatsu Massage, both grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. The program ran for over a decade and played a foundational role in shaping TCM education and community awareness in the ACT.

2003 – Founding of the Society of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture (ACT) -SCMA-ACT

The SCMA- ACT was established as the first and only regional TCM professional association in Canberra. Also became a local branch under the Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association (FCMA) framework, marking the beginning of organised professional representation for Chinese medicine practitioners in the ACT, aligning with national and global TCM development efforts.

2004 – International Conference on the Development of Chinese Medicine Held in Canberra

The World Conference on the Development of Chinese Medicine was held in Canberra with sponsorship and support from ANU, the University of Canberra, and the ACT Government, and hosted by delegations from Liaoning University, Shandong University, and Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine. The conference served as a major academic exchange between China and Australia, highlighting Canberra’s emerging position in international TCM cooperation.

2010 – High-Level Forum on Chinese Herbal Medicine Development in Canberra

The Chinese Herbal Medicine Development Forum took place in Canberra, bringing together Chinese delegations, local educators, healthcare practitioners, and association leaders. The event strengthened academic and professional ties between Chinese and Australian TCM communities.

1 July 2012 – National Registration of Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Australia (Including ACT)

Under Australia’s National Law, all Chinese medicine practitioners became part of the national registration system administered by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) / AHPRA. This unified framework officially recognised TCM practitioners as regulated health professionals across all states and territories, including the ACT.

2015 – Implementation of the National Accreditation Framework for TCM Education

The CMBA’s Accreditation Committee began accrediting TCM education programs nationally. Graduates from accredited institutions became eligible for professional registration, ensuring consistent standards for those practising in Canberra.

2017 – Establishment of Allied Health Framework in Australia

Following federal initiatives to establish the Allied Health Framework in 2017, the ACT later became one of the few jurisdictions to actively include and support Chinese Medicine as part of the Allied Health sector. This marked a significant policy-level acknowledgment of TCM’s contribution to community health, research, and preventive care in Canberra.