Career Progression
Remuneration amounts will greatly depend on the number of days worked, the practice location, and how the patients are charged for their consultations. The typical career progressions are very different for that of a chiropractor. You will find although you follow a career path, there is no set path you have to follow.
| Female |
Median Age |
Overseas Born |
Employed Part-time |
Owner Managers |
| 32.6 % |
38 Years |
26.1 % |
43.2 % |
84.1 % |
*Based on recent data from Australian Bureau of Statistics (Aust. Social Trends 2008, Complemetary Therapies)
Many chiropractors will become owner managers over the course of their career.
Currently there are 4207 registered chiropractors in Australia, based on data sourced from Chiropractic registration boards across Australia.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
| Start own business – set up or purchase one |
Solely responsible for owning, operating and managing a business, establishing contracts, conducting marketing, managing staff, hiring staff, managing professional development requirements |
| Associate |
Responsible for managing your personal tax and superannuation requirements. Responsible for your own professional development, professional association membership subscriptions and professional insurance. Able to choose your own practice style/technique. |
| Employee of established practice |
Adherence to externally established office protocols and practice protocols. Usually responsible for your own professional association membership/ insurance/ professional development. |
| Locum |
Manage your own superannuation and tax requirements. As a locum you are accountable for your own self promotion, and need to be highly adaptable to adhering to the various office and practice protocols you will encounter during short term employment opportunities. Opportunity to travel the country /the world and choose when you work or take holidays. |
| Partner |
Shared decision making in the operations of the business. |
*The above table is to be used as a guide only
Career Path Options & Employment
As a newly licensed chiropractor you can set up a new practice, purchase an established one, or enter into partnership with an established practitioner. Or you can take a salaried position with an established chiropractor, a group practice, or a healthcare facility. Irrespective of where you start you usually remain in the occupation until you retire: few transfer to other occupations.
Job prospects are expected to be good as consumer demand for drug-free approaches to healthcare grows. As you emphasise the importance of healthy lifestyles and do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, this is appealing to many health conscious people. Your care for the spine, back, neck, extremeties, and joints has now become more accepted as a result of research and changing attitudes about alternative, non-invasive healthcare practices. The rapidly expanding older population, with its increased likelihood of mechanical and structural problems also will increase demand for your services.
Demand for chiropractic care also is related to the ability of people to pay, either directly or through health insurance. Although more insurance plans now cover chiropractic services, the extent of such coverage varies among plans. Chiropractors are also eligible for specific Medicare services, namely Enhanced Primary Care (EPC). Many chiropractors also educate communities about the benefits of chiropractic care as they attempt to establish successful practices.
About the Author
Chiropractors Association Australia
“The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National) is the peak body representing chiropractors in Australia. With over 2,500 members, the CAA is the largest chiropractic health body in Australia.
The CAA offers a strong unified voice for the chiropractic profession whenever called upon. Members of the CAA are bound by a professional code of practice based on ethical principles. They respect, care about and are committed to their patients’ wellbeing.”
Did you know nerve impulses travel at over 400km per hour?