Here it is!

You can now copy this letter and take it to your private health fund. By encouraging them to consider reinstating Shiatsu as a rebatable therapy, you are not only saving money, you are supporting others to benefit too!

Hop on it!

Date:

To: __________________________________, (health fund),

I ___________________________________(your name) am requesting that Shiatsu be

reinstated by this Health Fund for private health rebates. My member

number is ___________________________________

As a loyal member of this fund, I request that you reinstate the rebate for

shiatsu therapy as per recent Federal Government legislation (1 July 2025).

“The Amendment Rules also make a change to the Private Health Insurance

(Health Insurance Business) Rules 2018 definition of ‘excluded natural

therapy treatment’ to re-include seven natural therapies as eligible for

private health insurance coverage from 1 July 2025. The seven therapies

are: Alexander Technique, naturopathy, Pilates, shiatsu, tai chi, western

herbalism and yoga.”

(PHI 51/25 Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 5)

2025.

Further information on the re-inclusion is available on Minister Butler’s

website. https://www.markbutler.net.au/news/media-releases

Shiatsu treatments are an integral part of my healthcare so I am very keen

for this modality to be reinstated as part of your suite of rebate-eligible

services. In making Shiatsu treatments more affordable your fund will

indirectly assist preventative medicine to take some of the current load off

general medical practices as well as emergency departments.

Please refer to the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia for any queries

regarding stakeholder information, professional standards and required

documentation. STAA President, Belinda McIntosh, is currently liaising with

other Private Health Funds and would welcome your communications. You

can contact her via email on president@staa.org.au.

Regards,

(Name)

STAA - Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia

PO Box 22

Chirnside Park, VIc 3116 enquiries@staa.org.au www.staa.org.au