Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects | Good, employment growth for massage therapist to 2010 is expected to be strong. |
|---|---|
| Salary Range | $28,000 to $34,000 plus |
| Brief | People from all walks of life are discovering the beneficial effects of massage therapy as it improves their health and general wellbeing. There are currently around 770 massage therapists employed in South Australia. Employment is largely part-time and most work in the health and community services industry. Over half of persons in this occupation are female and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has an older age profile almost half of massage therapists aged 45 years or older. |
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TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for:
Massage Therapist
Diploma of Remedial Massage
Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice
Introduction
Massage therapists massage muscles and other soft tissue to promote rehabilitation, recovery, relaxation and wellbeing. A wide range of people, with an equally wide range of conditions or ailments, seek their help. Massage therapists may be asked to assist in treating parts of the body that have been injured through bad work habits such as sitting at a computer for long periods. Or it may be that someone's passion for gardening is causing them backache and pain. Age-related conditions, illness or disability are other presenting conditions.
Aside from relieving muscular tension and assisting restricted body movement, massage therapy also helps reduce anxiety, assists with stress management, enhances alertness and creates body awareness - all very useful in helping people cope better in today's increasingly busy world. Before therapy can get underway, massage therapists talk with their clients, gathering general information on lifestyle and obtaining a thorough medical history. This assists therapists to determine the possible cause(s) of people's ailments, or simply to gain a better understanding of why these people have opted to have massage therapy.
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Helping and Community Services
Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker, Aged or Disabilities Carer, Child Care Worker, Counsellor and Community Worker, Fitness Instructor, Interpreter, Kitchen hand, Librarian, Massage Therapist, Occupational Health & Safety Professional, Patient Care Assistant, Personal Assistant, Police Officer, Tourist Information Officer, Trichologist, VET in Schools Teachers, Youth Worker and Disability Worker
Education Requirements
To become a professional massage therapist, it is important to have the appropriate training. It is therefore advisable to undertake a course offered through TAFE SA. There are 42% of massage therapists who have Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas, 22% have Bachelor Degrees, 8% have Certificate III or Certificate IV, 8% have Certificate I or Certificate II, 9% have no post school qualifications.
TAFE SA offer the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation; Certificate IV Massage, Certificate IV Beauty Therapy or the Certificate II Retail Cosmetic Assistant. Still Unsure! Then enrol in a short course also offered through TAFE SA such as Reflexology & Foot Massage. For further information about these and related courses go to the TAFE SA website.
The South Australian Health Education Centre also offers a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice as well as Diplomas in Remedial Massage and Traditional Chinese Remedial Massage.
Career Path
Massage therapists may be employed in health and fitness clinics, sports clubs, gymnasiums and medical centres. They may also find employment with other health care practitioners such as chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths. Self-employment may be possible by setting up a private practice or freelancing between establishments which have a demand for applied massage therapy. There is an increase in employment opportunities in hospitals, particularly in palliative care.
Job prospects in this field have improved considerably over the past five years. There is an increasing demand for qualified massage therapists due to a general increase in the awareness and acceptance of natural therapies and the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy. Massage therapy has become a more highly regarded treatment within the health industry. They may also work with many other health professionals such as medical practitioners, chiropractors, naturopaths and physiotherapists.
Industries
Health and Community Services, Personal And Other Services
Nature of the Job
Massage therapists massage clients for relaxation and remedial purposes. They use complementary aids such as essential oils and may also advise clients on exercise, relaxation and stretching techniques as well as lifestyle needs if they are trained in complementary areas. In addition, they may be required to consult with and refer to other health care professionals, provide medical referrals and maintain thorough and accurate treatment records.
Typical Physical Working Environment
Massage therapists must be fit and healthy, have an interest in people's wellbeing, have good business acumen and don't mind standing while you work. Although the work is physically demanding, it requires stamina rather than strength. They may travel between appointments to see clients at various establishments or in their homes. Freelance and self-employed therapists may work irregular hours or evenings to fit client schedules.
Typical Occupational Example
''The idea of helping people feel better is what attracted me to massage therapy. I like knowing that I actually do something that improves people's comfort and wellbeing and I enjoy the interaction that comes from doing this. I continue to enjoy the occupation as it offers plenty of variety, both in how the work is done and in the wide range of people who seek out massage for such different reasons,'' says Debbie. Although massage therapists generally work indoors in comfortable environments, keep in mind that the work can be strenuous.
Professional massage therapists generally work in the field of stress management and health maintenance and in the treatment of soft tissue (muscle, ligaments, tendons), injury or dysfunction. Many therapists work at home but a high percentage also work in a wide variety of health care environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical centres, physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics, community health centres, health resorts, alternative health care centres such as homeopathic clinics and sports medicine environments. Work hours are usually very flexible and depend on the work setting and the amount of work therapists are capable of doing, given the physicality of this work. Self employed therapists may work evenings and weekends and/or work part time hours in several different locations. As with most small businesses, a degree of business skill is also helpful in establishing a successful practice.
For further information, contact:
Australian Association of Massage Therapists
Level 2, 85 Queen St Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: 1300 138 872
Fax: (03) 9642 2466
Email: info@aamt.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.aamt.com.au
Australian Traditional Medicine Society
PO Box 1027 Meadowbank NSW 2114
Ph: (02) 9809 6800
Fax: (02) 9809 7570
Email: info@atms.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.atms.com.au
Earning Potential
Income ranges in this occupation depend on the type of employment, location and the number of clients a massage therapist has. On average, therapists charge between $40 to $50 for an hour long massage and some massage therapists bill as many as 20 to 30 client hours a week. Thus earnings are extremely variable, ranging from $30,000 per annum up to $50,000 or more.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au
This Career Profile information was last modified: 29/10/2007 11:07:47 AM
The information was accurate at the time of publication. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary
