Public Protection
Formal Complaints
If you have a complaint or concern about a naturopath or Western herbal medicine practitioner, you can contact ARONAH. We will listen to your concern, consider the information you provide and help you understand what happens next.
Raise a concern →Raising a concern
You can
contact us
Anyone can contact ARONAH about a concern involving a naturopath or Western herbal medicine practitioner.
You do not need to understand the rules or know how your concern should be handled before contacting us. Patients, members of the public, family members, carers, health professionals and others can all raise a concern.
Contact ARONAH
Tell us what happened.
You do not need to determine the right complaints pathway before contacting us. Tell us about your concern and we can help you understand the appropriate next step.
info@aronah.orgEmail ARONAH →
What happens next
The complaints process
We consider the information provided and identify the appropriate next steps.
We review the information you provide and may contact you if clarification is needed.
We identify the professional standards and responsibilities relevant to the concern.
We consider ARONAH’s role and whether another complaints body may also be relevant.
We explain what happens from here and any further information that may be required.
Supporting regulation
Why hearing from you matters
Please contact ARONAH about your concern or complaint, even if you are unsure where it should be directed. We can help you understand the available pathways and identify the most appropriate place for your concern.
Hearing about concerns involving naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners also provides important information that supports ARONAH’s regulatory work. Complaint information helps us identify emerging issues and patterns, better understand areas of professional risk, and inform the ongoing development of professional standards across the sector.
Public protection
Code of Conduct for unregistered health care workers
Naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners are not currently registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. Codes of Conduct for unregistered health care workers establish minimum standards of conduct and practice and form an important part of the public protection framework.
These requirements are implemented through state and territory legislation. The Code and complaints process that apply to a concern therefore depend on where the health service was provided.
Find your state or territory ↓Independent complaints
Government complaint pathways
State and territory health complaints bodies provide an independent pathway for concerns about health services, including services provided by naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners.
These bodies operate independently of ARONAH. You can contact ARONAH, the relevant government complaints body, or both.
Information about Australia’s National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and nationally registered health professions.
Contacting ARONAH does not prevent you from contacting the relevant state or territory health complaints authority. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. Suspected criminal conduct should be reported to police.