Published 27 Aug 2019

Study Aromatherapy & Massage Courses in Australia

by Candlefox

The study of aromatherapy in Australia is increasing, which is in line with the global trend.

Aromatherapy is gaining traction as a valid alternative therapy which can be used to treat illness and disease, as well as psychological problems and help to restore spiritual balance and well-being. Even if you don’t buy into the spiritual side of things, aromatherapy can play a vital role in combating the side-effects of prescription medication and facilitate healing and overall health.

Aromatherapy courses in Australia are available through several holistic healing academies and various online study institutions. As with all online study options, you should always check to ensure that the aromatherapy education provider with which you register is properly licensed and accredited with the appropriate regulating bodies in Australia.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy uses natural essential oils in an holistic approach to health. Typically, aromatherapy entails massage using essential oils that are formulated to alleviate specific ailments. The aroma of the oils and the effects of the oils applied during massage are what stimulate health and wellbeing.

The essential oils used in aromatherapy come from organic sources, such as roots, leaves, flowers and bark. Most essential oils are too strong in their pure form and are used with carrier oils to ensure proper and safe absorption.

Here are some important statistics for the Personal Care sector:

THE AVERAGE SALARY

$53,051

for personal care consultants

PERCENTAGE OF FEMALE WORKERS

92.9%

PERCENTAGE OF FULL TIME WORKERS

25.6%

Cert II or III

Skill Level

Employment Size

Very Strong

Future Growth

Aromatherapy & Massage Courses

Aromatherapy and Massage courses in Australia, as with the rest of the world, have to include certain basic units of study that could also be applied to traditional health courses, including anatomy, physiology, the nervous system, psychology and first aid.
Aromatherapy and Massage courses are usually tiered according to basic, intermediate and advanced systems, and they usually culminate in a certificate. To practice as a licensed aromatherapist, however, generally requires more advanced qualifications such as an aromatherapy or alternative healing diploma.
Study modules you’re likely to encounter in a massage or aromatherapy course include theory of essential oils (how they are absorbed into the system, how they work and how to extract, produce and store them), aromatherapy’s role in holistic healing, what are carrier and base oils and how to pair them with essential oils, massage therapy and a practical aspect that includes training and case studies.
As aromatherapy and massage courses advance, they start to include things like professional guidelines and conduct in Australia, how to manage an alternative healing practice, health and safety standards, contra-indications, aromatherapy recipes for complex ailments, and even how to use aromatherapy in a traditional treatment setting, such as an aged care facility or hospital.
Practicing masseuses and aromatherapists can continue their education with specialised diplomas in specific fields, such as aromatherapy for pregnancy, aromatherapy for menopause (which includes combining natural and alternative therapy with traditional medicine) and aromatherapy for palliative care.

Employment Share By Top 4 States

NEW SOUTH WALES

44.8%

Victoria

29.2%

Queensland

12.9%

Western Australia

6.9%

Aromatherapy, Massage and Pregnancy

Pregnant women should only consult masseuses with qualifications that relate specifically to pregnancy massage. This is because certain alternative treatments can be dangerous for pregnant women and if an inexperienced practitioner uses the wrong aromatherapy oils, the effects could be disastrous for the unborn child.

That’s not to say that aromatherapy and massage should be avoided during pregnancy. Mood swings, back ache, water retention, and morning sickness: all of these can be successfully treated with aromatherapy and massage.

Courses that specialise in aromatherapy, massage and pregnancy will include study units on how to dilute essential oils for specific stage of pregnancy, which oils to use for specific complaints and, most importantly, which natural oils and products to avoid. In some cases, aromatherapy massage may not be a suitable solution, but essential oils may be placed in oil burners or diffusers for a less invasive effect.

Essential oils which can be used during pregnancy include bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, and tea tree.

Study Massage & Aromatherapy

If you want to learn more about alternative, natural and holistic therapy then Massage Therapy courses are a good place to start. Correspondence courses from online learning specialists provide a great way for you to study the world of aromatherapy massage before deciding on a dramatic career change. Distance learning is also a great way for natural healing therapists to beef up their qualifications with specialised courses and diplomas.

Explore Massage Therapy Courses