How to become a Massage Therapist

Performs therapeutic massage and administers body treatments for relaxation, health and general wellbeing.

Main tasks

• Assesses clients' needs and preferences for massage therapy
• Consults with clients to determine the most appropriate massage therapies
• Massages the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, tendons and ligaments, to assist healing
• Applies therapeutic massages to the soft tissues of the body to promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension and improve circulation
• Provides advice to clients on relaxation techniques and stretching exercises
• May perform other techniques to augment therapies, such as acupressure, infrared therapy, wet and heat compresses, essential oils, and herbal and mineral therapies
• May administer body treatments such as exfoliation, wraps and hydrotherapy

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Massage Therapy (HLT42021); Advanced Diploma of Ayurveda (HLT62615); Diploma of Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation (HLT52615); Diploma of Kinesiology (HLT52415); Diploma of Reflexology (HLT52515); Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52021); Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies (HLT52215); Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Remedial Massage (HLT52115)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 19,500 people work in this job group now, and about 23,700 are projected by 2035. (+21.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Myotherapist
• Remedial Massage Therapist
• Enrolled Nurse
• Mental Health Worker
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Massage Therapist?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Massage Therapy; Advanced Diploma of Ayurveda.

Is a Massage Therapist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 22% by 2035, from about 19,500 to about 23,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Massage Therapist?

Not always. 26% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Massage Therapy; Advanced Diploma of Ayurveda.

Will AI change the work of a Massage Therapist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04