Natural therapies just made a comeback under private health cover and here's what it means for you

Community Announcement
16 April 2025
https://www.atms.com.au

Wouldn’t it be great if your private health insurance covered more of the wellness therapies you actually use—like yoga, Pilates or seeing a naturopath? Well, we've got some exciting news: that wish is now becoming reality.

In a big win for holistic health, the Australian Government has just announced that seven natural therapies will be reinstated for private health insurance rebates. This comes off the back of a major review led by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO, who found strong evidence to support the clinical benefits of these practices.

Here’s what’s coming back:

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Tai Chi
• Shiatsu
• Naturopathy
• Western Herbal Medicine
• Alexander Technique

This change officially reverses the 2019 decision to cut these therapies from private health coverage—and it reflects a growing recognition of just how important these practices are for our physical and mental wellbeing, especially when it comes to prevention and lifestyle-based health support.

Now, it’s worth noting that individual health insurers will decide whether or not to include these therapies in their extras policies—but with the government backing their benefits, this opens the door for much wider access. Insurers who opt in will work with the natural therapies sector to put proper provider standards in place.

What’s already covered?

Even before this announcement, some natural therapies have continued to be included under many private health extras policies. These are often used to support everything from injury recovery to stress relief:

• Acupuncture
• Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Remedial Massage
• Myotherapy
• Dietetics (including support from Accredited Practising Dietitians)
• Nutrition (varies by provider)

Rebates and eligibility vary depending on your fund and level of cover, so if you’re thinking about taking advantage of any of these services, it’s a great time to check in with your provider.

This is a big step forward in making wellness care more accessible—and we’re here for it!