Question: Regulations for Massage Therapists

The Hon. J.S. LEE: 

A report by ABC News on 25 January 2025 found that the massage therapy industry could be a breeding ground for predators due to a lack of regulation. Massage therapy is currently a self-regulated industry and, unlike other health professionals such as doctors and dentists, massage therapists are not regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Following the recent case of Jason Hagon, an Adelaide massage therapist who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault in June last year, ABC News has also identified another massage therapist who is currently facing allegations of sexual offences in South Australia, but has not been banned from practising. Because of the lack of regulation and the high number of massage therapists who have been allowed to continue practising even when facing allegations of sexual offences, victims and industry bodies have called for better regulation. The Association of Massage Therapy has indicated that it wants:

"…more stringent and coherent regulatory action…to better protect the public from [deviant] practitioners."

My questions to the Minister are:

1. What does the government propose to do to address the massage therapy industry lack of regulatory oversight, which is required from other health practitioners?
2. Will the Attorney-General commit to new measures about developing more stringent and coherent regulations to better protect the public?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:15): 

I want to thank the member for her question. It is a very good question, and I acknowledge her longstanding interest in protecting the public of South Australia. The responsibility for regulation in terms of occupations generally lies with Consumer and Business Affairs, which is the responsibility of my colleague Minister Andrea Michaels. The regulation of health treatments generally lies largely with the Minister for Health. I am happy to take that on notice and get some information from my colleague in another place so that I can bring the honourable member a comprehensive answer.

Response brought back on 2 September 2025:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State): 

I have been advised:

Massage therapy is a self-regulated profession in Australia as the profession is not regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

South Australia has implemented the Code of Conduct for Certain Health Care Workers, for unregistered and self-regulated health professionals not covered by AHPRA, requiring these health professionals to comply with the code and display certain information within their practice. The code establishes minimum standards for unregistered health professionals and provides additional powers to the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC) if an unregistered health professional is found to have breached the code.

Consumers can also report unprofessional behaviour directly to the HCSCC who acts to protect public health and safety by resolving, investigating, and prosecuting healthcare-related complaints.

Consumers concerned with potential criminal conduct are encouraged to report those matters to South Australia Police.