How to become a Remedial Massage Therapist

Performs remedial massage therapy to relieve pain and stress, and improve musculoskeletal function, circulation and movement.

Main tasks

• Conducts physical assessment of clients' musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions to identify functional capacity, pain and associated stress
• Consults with clients concerning remedial massage treatments and techniques
• Administers remedial manual manipulation therapies involving the deep or shallow soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments
• Administers treatments to remediate muscle tension and pain, improve circulation, reduce early onset muscle soreness, and facilitate movement and rehabilitation
• Performs joint mobilisation, myofascial release techniques, trigger point therapy, stretching therapy, taping, heat therapy and ice therapy
• Maintains detailed patient records, involving treatments, responses and progress, and provides client records for referrals to Health Practitioners
• May use cupping, acupressure and essential oils when treating patients
• May perform other techniques to assist recovery, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, dry needling and movement-based therapies

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52021); Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies (HLT52215); Certificate IV in Massage Therapy (HLT42021); Diploma of Kinesiology (HLT52415); Diploma of Reflexology (HLT52515); 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

• Massage Therapist
• Myotherapist
• 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 Remedial Massage Therapist?

Ways in include: Diploma of Remedial Massage; Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies.

Is a Remedial 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 Remedial Massage Therapist?

Not always. 26% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Diploma of Remedial Massage; Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies.

Will AI change the work of a Remedial 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