Since 1 July 2025 the Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules (the Rules) have re-included seven natural therapies in the definition of general treatment. This means that insurers can pay benefits for these therapies under a complying health insurance policy.
The re-included natural therapies are:
Alexander Technique, naturopathy, Pilates, shiatsu, tai chi, western herbal medicine and yoga.
Nine ‘excluded natural therapies’ remain excluded from eligibility for private health insurance benefits.
The remaining excluded natural therapies are:
Aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology, reflexology and Rolfing.
However the provision of eligible natural therapies can include elements of excluded natural therapies provided the overall service is clearly an eligible natural therapy, and the inclusion of such elements is within the provider’s training and clinical scope of practice. For example, one of the identified scenarios is a naturopath incorporating aspects of aromatherapy, homeopathy, iridology or kinesiology as part of a broader naturopathy consultation.
If a naturopath (or any other health professional) provides aromatherapy, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology or reflexology treatment – either advertised or promoted as such, or a session where the only service provided is aromatherapy, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology, or reflexology – then health insurance benefits cannot lawfully be paid. However, the provider may be able to deliver the service as one that does not attract a health insurance benefit.
The same principle applies to any other excluded natural therapy. For the list of excluded natural therapies see the Rules.
Note this circular replaces PHI 69/18 which is out of date due to re-inclusion of Pilates as eligible for private health insurance benefits.
If you have any questions regarding PHI Circular 98/25 please contact the department at PHI@health.gov.au.