How to become an Osteopath

Prevents, diagnoses and treats tissue strains, stresses and dysfunctions of the neuromusculoskeletal system, and provides advice on preventing these disorders.

Main tasks

• Diagnoses, manages and treats neuromusculoskeletal disorders through a biopsychosocial approach
• Employs a variety of medical testing procedures, including neuromusculoskeletal, functional and mobility tests, to identify and assess physical problems
• Designs, reviews, monitors, assesses and evaluates treatment plans and programs
• Records patients' medical histories, treatments and management plans, and creates progress reports
• Communicates and liaises with other Health Professionals in relation to patients' management and progress
• Provides advice and instructions to patients, families and carers in a range of therapeutic management techniques

Ways in

• University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 8,900 people work in this job group now, and about 12,200 are projected by 2035. (+36%)
• 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

• Orthotist / Prosthetist
• Chiropractor
• Exercise Physiologist
• Exercise and Sports Scientist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Osteopath?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees.

Is an Osteopath a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 36% by 2035, from about 8,900 to about 12,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Osteopath?

Usually. 96% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Osteopath?

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