2023/24 annual summary

About the Board

Chiropractic in 2023/24

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2023/24 annual report Download the
Board's data tables

Registration

6,526 chiropractors
- Up 2.9% from 2022/23
- 0.7% of all registered health practitioners
296 first-time registrants
- 252 domestic (including new graduates)
- 44 international
0.7% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Gender

Female	Male
42.0%	58.0%

42.0% Female
58.0% Male

Age

<252.5%
25-3430.5%
35-4427.1%
45-5421.9%
55-6411.9%
65-745.0%
75+1.2%

Regulation

87 notifications lodged with Ahpra about 74 chiropractors
140 notifications about 120 chiropractors made Australia-wide, including HPCA and OHO data
1.8% of the profession Australia-wide

Sources of notifications

79.3% Patient, relative or member of the public
9.2% Other practitioner
3.4% Police, government or co-regulator
2.3% Board initiated
1.1% Employer
4.6% Other

Most common types of complaints

36.8% Clinical care
10.3% Boundary violation
9.2% Breach of non-offence provision – National Law
6.9% Communication
6.9% Documentation
29.9% Other

Notifications closed

88 notifications closed

26.1% Conditions imposed on registration or an undertaking accepted
6.8% Registration suspended or cancelled or disqualified from applying
5.7% Cautioned or reprimanded
10.2% Referred to another body or retained by a health complaints organisation
51.1% No further regulatory action (including where practitioner has taken steps to address)

5 immediate actions taken
4 mandatory notifications received
- 2 about professional standards
- 1 about sexual misconduct
- 1 about impairment
34 practitioners monitored for health, performance and/or conduct
14 criminal offence complaints made
9 notifications decided by a tribunal
1 matter decided by a panel
3 appeals lodged

Highlights this year

The Chiropractic Board of Australia remains committed to ensuring that the public receive care from safe, competent and ethical chiropractors.

The Board held forums in each state and territory to inform the revised Statement on paediatric care. These forums were an opportunity to reinforce the need for parents to fully understand their rights and the evidence of treatment before it is provided to children. The Board was delighted to be able to meet with practitioners and thanks them for their willingness to contribute professional insights during the sessions.

Policy updates

The Board published its Statement on paediatric care, which provides strengthened guidance on best practice and evidence-based care; proper informed consent; practice within a chiropractor’s skills, competence and expertise; advertising that is in accordance with the National Law; communication; and good practice when treating vulnerable communities.

In reviewing the statement, the Board ensured its guidance was based on contemporary information, and commissioned Cochrane Australia to update its systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of spinal manipulation in children under 12 years, which was originally conducted for the Safer Care Victoria review in 2019.

In November, the Interim policy on spinal manipulation for infants and young children was retired. It was reinstated in June following a request from health ministers and is pending further research.

The Board continued its review of the Guidelines for clinical record keeping for chiropractors.

Stakeholder engagement

The Board met regularly with its stakeholders and regulatory partners, including professional associations, the Chiropractic Council of New South Wales and the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia. The Chair and Executive Officer met regularly with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board to exchange information and share experiences about regulating the profession.

In October, the Chair, Executive Officer and a Board member were delighted to attend the World Federation Chiropractic Congress held on the Gold Coast. They met with international chiropractic leaders and regulators and strengthened existing networks.

The Board continued its program of presentations to students, offering a great chance to engage with the next generation of chiropractors and to help them understand the expectations and requirements for registration in Australia.

Accreditation

The Board completed a review of its accreditation arrangements and has assigned accreditation functions to the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) for the next five years.

The Board continued to work closely with the CCEA and held quarterly meetings to exchange information.

Other news

In April, health ministers announced the appointment of members to the Board. The Board was pleased to welcome Dr Sam Millard (practitioner member) and Ms Emma Slaytor (community member).

The Board farewelled Professor Anna Ryan and Dr Arcady Turczynowicz (practitioner members) and thanked them for their contribution and commitment to the regulation of the chiropractic profession during their time on the Board.

Dr Wayne Minter AM, Chair

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