Workforce
Workforce size, growth, and distribution of massage therapists across Australia. Massage therapy is not AHPRA-regulated.
~24,000
Estimated Massage Therapists in Australia
Based on ABS Labour Force Survey 4-quarter average. Not AHPRA-regulated — no single registration body.
19,900
Massage Therapists Recorded at May 2018
Baseline figure from ABS. Projected to reach 23,900 by 2023 with 20.2% growth.
21.5%
Projected 10-Year Employment Growth (to May 2033)
Very strong growth outlook compared to other occupations.
81.7%
Practitioners Who Are Self-Employed
Sole traders (64%) and subcontractors (24%). Much higher self-employment rate than most health professions.
73.8%
Practitioners Working 20 Hours/Week or Less
Only 14.6% work a full-time load of 30+ hours per week. Massage therapy is the sole income source for 55% of practitioners.
8,600+
Massage & Myotherapy Australia (AAMT) Members
Largest professional association for massage therapists in Australia. Multiple associations exist — no single mandatory registration body.
Massage Therapist Distribution by State/Territory
| State/Territory | Share of Workforce |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 35.6% |
| Victoria | 24.9% |
| Queensland | 20.9% |
| Western Australia | 9.1% |
| South Australia | 6.2% |
| Tasmania | 1.7% |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1.0% |
| Northern Territory | 0.6% |
Industry & Services
Revenue, insurance claims, and service delivery data for massage therapy in Australia.
$4.2B
Alternative Health Therapies Industry Revenue (Includes Massage)
Broader industry category including chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, and therapeutic massage.
21,238
Alternative Health Therapy Businesses in Australia
Includes massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture and other complementary therapies.
88.5%
Health Fund Extras Policies Covering Remedial Massage
Remedial massage retained extras cover status during the 2019 natural therapies exclusion.
$90–$120
Typical Fee for a 60-Minute Remedial Massage Session
Ranges from $60 (30 min) to $150+ (90 min). Varies by location and therapist experience.
$1,472
Median Weekly Earnings for Massage Therapists
Equivalent to ~$76,500 annually for full-time workers.
Demographics
Age, gender, and qualification data for massage therapists in Australia.
70–77%
Female Practitioners
Consistently female-dominated profession.
50%+
Practitioners Aged 45 Years or Older
Older age profile compared to many other health professions.
48%
Practitioners Holding Advanced Diploma or Diploma
14% hold a Bachelor degree or higher, 20% hold Certificate III/IV. Diploma is the most common qualification level.
42.4%
Young Australian Women Who Consulted a Massage Therapist (Past 12 Months)
Compared to 25.2% of middle-aged women and 7.7% of older women.
55%
Practitioners Located in Metropolitan Areas
34% in regional areas, 11% in rural Australia. Better regional/rural representation than many allied health professions.
Sources
Verified directly from source| Awaiting verification