Herbalist in a rented clinic room

Adults looking for natural support for everyday concerns such as stress, sleep, digestion or women's health, usually alongside their GP's care.

A fee for each initial and follow-up consultation, plus a charge for the herbal remedies you dispense. Repeat clients and referrals from other practitioners build the income over time.

• Recognised herbal medicine training
• Careful listening and record keeping
• Clear, honest communication about what herbs can and cannot do

• Western herbal medicine is generally not nationally registered, but Chinese medicine practitioners are registered through AHPRA, so check which titles you can legally use
• Check TGA rules on supplying and compounding herbal medicines for individual clients, and on what health claims you can make
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether your insurer covers herbal dispensing
• Herbs can interact with prescription medicines, so know when to refer clients back to their doctor
• Council or centre rules, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your remedies and equipment, insurance, and how much clinic room time you rent. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on your client numbers.

Things to check: Western herbal medicine is generally not nationally registered, but Chinese medicine practitioners are registered through AHPRA, so check which titles you can legally use. Also check TGA rules on supplying and compounding herbal medicines and on health claims.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether your insurer covers herbal dispensing. You'll need recognised herbal medicine training and careful record keeping. Herbs can interact with prescription medicines, so know when to refer clients back to their doctor.