Explore careers

Useful experience for osteopaths includes:

• any work that involves knowledge of the human body and physiology
• any work in the health sector.

Osteopaths may do some or all of the following:

• talk with patients about their problems, symptoms and general health
• carry out osteopathic examinations to decide what treatment is best
• treat patients using techniques such as stretching, massage, movement and manipulation
• advise patients about condition management and injury prevention
• give patients exercises to do
• carry out workplace assessments for patients who have Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)
• refer patients to medical specialists for treatment or procedures such as x-rays or ultrasound scans.

Strong demand for qualified osteopaths

Demand for osteopaths is expected to remain strong due to:

• the increasing popularity of alternative health therapies
• ACC are funding osteopathic treatments
• low numbers of new graduates
• the aging population means more people are using osteopathic services.

Osteopath appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled osteopaths from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand, 557 registered osteopaths worked in New Zealand in 2020.

Plenty of jobs for new graduates

There are good job opportunities for new graduates as only 20 to 30 people graduate each year and become registered as osteopaths. New graduates usually work as an associate in an osteopathic clinic or natural health care clinic.

Self-employment common among osteopaths

Most osteopaths (over 80%) are self-employed and have private practices. Osteopaths may also be employed by:

• private osteopathic clinics
• public and private hospitals
• natural health care clinics
• education institutions as teachers or researchers.

Ara Institute of Canterbury

0800 242476 - info@ara.ac.nz - www.are.ac.nz

Osteopathic Council of New Zealand

(04) 474 0747 - registrar@osteopathiccouncil.org.nz - www.osteopathiccouncil.org.nz

Osteopaths may progress to set up their own practice.

Osteopaths may specialise in:

• acupuncture
• child and adolescent health
• gerontology (health care of older people)
• pain management.

Osteopaths need to be:

• patient and understanding
• dedicated and motivated
• good listeners and communicators
• good at problem solving
• able to make good judgements.