This is a working migration guide for Naturopaths under ANZSCO 252213 in 2026. Complementary medicine practice — VETASSESS-assessed and industry-association recognised. Not AHPRA-regulated.
For costs and timelines see the 252213 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS, see the skills assessment guide.
What 252213 covers
ANZSCO 252213 covers naturopathic practice:
- Naturopathic case-taking and assessment
- Herbal medicine (Western herbal materia medica)
- Nutritional medicine and dietary advice
- Homoeopathy (some scope overlap)
- Lifestyle medicine
- Iridology / tongue / pulse assessment (varies by training)
- Hydrotherapy and physical medicine
- Patient education and chronic disease management
- Multi-modal complementary approaches
Distinguished from:
- 252211 Acupuncturist — Chinese medicine
- 252212 Homoeopath — pure homoeopathy
- 252214 TCM Practitioner — full TCM scope
- 252299 Complementary Health Therapists NEC
Visas open to 252213
| Visa | Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 189 Independent | ✅ | Full points-tested PR |
| 190 State-nominated | ✅ | Strong demand |
| 491 Regional state-nominated | ✅ | Regional clinics |
| 186 ENS Direct Entry | ✅ | Multi-disciplinary clinic sponsors |
| 494 Regional employer-sponsored | ✅ | Regional natural health centres |
| 482 Core Skills | ✅ | 4-year stream |
See Subclass 189, 190, 491, 186, 494, and 482.
VETASSESS — what evidence wins
Naturopath is Group A at VETASSESS:
- AQF Bachelor or higher in naturopathy / complementary medicine
- Plus 1 year highly relevant employment within last 5 years
Expected evidence:
- Bachelor / Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy + transcript (Australian standard is now Bachelor minimum)
- Course curriculum mapped to NHAA / ANTA / ATMS competency frameworks
- Origin-side professional registration (NIMH UK, BCNH UK, NCNM US, equivalent)
- Recent practice — employment letters
- Continuing professional development records
- English language test for visa stage
VETASSESS fees: ~AUD 1,096.
Industry registration (post-arrival)
Post-arrival registrations:
- NHAA — Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (largest)
- ANTA — Australian Natural Therapists Association
- ATMS — Australian Traditional Medicine Society
- CMA — Complementary Medicines Australia
Required for private health rebate eligibility (where applicable) and professional indemnity insurance.
Sponsors that hire 252213
- Multi-disciplinary natural health clinics — most common employer
- Naturopathic specialty practices — gut health, women's hormonal, fertility, paediatric
- Wellness retreats / spa naturopathy — Gwinganna, Eden Health, etc.
- Compounding / dispensary work — naturopathic clinics with on-site dispensary
- Independent practices — sole-trader common
- Endeavour, Nature Care, Torrens University — Australian naturopathy training centres run student clinics
Common mistakes
- Short-course training claimed as profession. VETASSESS expects degree-level (4-year typical) qualification
- Generic herbalism without naturopathy specialism. UK BCNH herbalist may map to 252213 — confirm with VETASSESS
- Industry-only recognition. NHAA / ANTA membership alone insufficient for VETASSESS
- Confusing with TCM / acupuncture. Different codes, different scopes
Tools
- Eligibility wizard
- ANZSCO search — verify 252213 vs 252211 / 252212 / 252214 / 252299
- Document checklist
- Visa fee calculator
Where to verify
- VETASSESS — Naturopath 252213
- Home Affairs MLTSSL
- NHAA
- ANTA
- ATMS
- NIMH (UK) — origin reference
Next step
Want help mapping your naturopathy profile to 252213 + NHAA? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.
Naturopath
ANZSCO 252213
Skilled Migration
VETASSESS
NHAA
ANTA
189 Visa
190 Visa
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