About Us | CMASA

The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA) is a leading professional organization for Chinese medicine in Australia. It is committed to promoting Chinese medicine culture, enhancing the professional standards of Chinese medicine practitioners, and providing high-quality Chinese medicine health services to the public. We bring together numerous experienced Chinese medicine doctors, acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists, and health experts to collaboratively advance the standardization and scientific development of Chinese medicine in Australia.

Timeline of Major Events

Big milestone for CMASA

2015-2016

Chen Shuyi was elected President of ATCMA. Based on years of cooperation and consultation between the two associations, Chen Shuyi made a decisive decision and announced the merger with CMASA in May 2016. The merged association retained the English name CMASA, while the Chinese name was changed to the Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia.

Resource integration for further advancement

2012

The Australian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Orthopedics, formerly part of FCMA, sought to join CMASA. Although the Victoria Branch wasn't due for elections, former presidents Wu Jinfeng and Liu Chenglin prioritized CMASA's growth by offering to step down, creating a favorable environment for unification with the Australian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Orthopedics.

To advance the TCM industry in Australia and in response to the 2012 national registration, the Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA) and the Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA) established a Joint Liaison Working Group on July 2, 2010, in Sydney, led by Dr. Lin Qien. This group coordinated academic research and outreach efforts. On January 19, 2012, they announced the formation of the Australian Registered Chinese Medicine Federation, with board members including Dr. Lin Qien, Dr. Wei Guoqing (CMASA President), Dr. Guan Bin (ATCMA President), Dr. Zeng Shizong, Dr. Chen Shuyi, and Dr. Ivanov.

Member Interests, Society Mission

2003-2018

2003

In early 2003, the Society received approval from the Federal Tax Office, allowing its members to enjoy GST-FREE benefits for TCM and acupuncture services.

Negotiate with the Chinese Medicine Registration Board and relevant government departments to include acupuncture in the Medicare chronic disease services list.

2008

In 2008, Australian private health insurance companies ceased recognizing TCM practitioners and acupuncturists as individual providers, requiring membership in a nationally approved professional association. In response, CMASA President Wei Guoqing led a negotiation team with Zheng Jianhua and Luo Xuwei to engage major insurers. Their efforts secured qualification recognition from all private health insurance providers in Australia. Following the merger of the Australian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Orthopedics into CMASA's Victoria branch, they also aided negotiations with the last insurer, BUPA.

The road is winding, and progress is difficult

1993-1999

1993

The Victorian Acupuncture Society faced internal conflicts, leading some members to form a new TCM society and fragmenting its power. In response, President Liang Fengzhi, Vice President Xuan Renda, and Secretary General Qiu Yiqi worked to resolve the issues. Dr. Wang Shuyi was elected President, and with the addition of Dr. Chen Bingzhong and his wife Tian Yingfang to the board, the society shifted its focus back to academic excellence.

1998

The original 'Australian-Chinese Medicine Society' split into two societies, leading to Zheng Jianhua being appointed as President during this critical period. He officially renamed it the 'Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA)' in 1999. Zheng served two terms, followed by Zeng Shizong and Wei Guoqing, who served four consecutive terms. Their leadership significantly contributed to CMASA's growth, which now boasts over 4,000 members.

Dare to lead, laying the foundation and building the platform

1981-1989

Over forty years ago in Australia, herbal medicine shops and TCM practitioners were rare. As the 1980s approached, the number of practitioners grew with an influx of immigrants from China and Southeast Asia.

However, TCM had not yet formed a cohesive industry and resembled scattered individuals. Recognizing the need for organization, the pioneers of the Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia established the first professional TCM organizations: the 'Victorian Acupuncture Society' in Melbourne in 1981, the 'Australian National Chinese Medicine Association' in Sydney in 1985, and the 'New South Wales Chinese Medicine Research Society' in 1989. These organizations aimed to build a foundation for TCM and future generations.

Branch Introduction

NSW Branch Establishment

35 Years

The Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA) originated from the New South Wales Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association, founded in 1989 by 13 experienced practitioners, with Liu Taishu as the first president. After Liu's departure, Chen Tongcheng became president for over a year, followed by Yang Yifan. The organization was renamed the Australian Chinese Medicine Society during its third session. It split into two during the fifth council due to financial issues, with one group retaining the Australian Chinese Medicine Society name. In March 1999, key members Zheng Jianhua, Zeng Shizong, and Wei Guoqing registered it as a limited public company under federal law, leading to the current name, CMASA. Zheng served as the first three presidents post-renaming, followed by Zeng for two terms and Wei for six terms.

Magazine Editor

Australian Chinese Medicine is the first academic journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the Southern Hemisphere, published by the Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA) since 1986. It exchanges journals annually with the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, featuring TCM news from Australia and China, along with high-quality academic articles, clinical experiences, and case studies. The journal is housed in the National Library of Australia, the State Library of New South Wales, and the University of Technology Sydney Library.

Since 2000, the Chinese Medicine Society of Australia (CMASA) has published an annual TCM journal that includes the scholarly Australian Chinese Medicine Journal and the popular science magazine Chinese Medicine and Health. With print runs of 3,000 to 5,000 copies, these journals are distributed across Australia and internationally, including the US, UK, Japan, France, Russia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Initially funded by board members, the journal has been edited by Sun Weihua, Wang Shu, and currently Wei Guoqing, with past society presidents serving as the journal's leaders. The journal aims to facilitate academic exchange and guide clinical practice.

List of key members of the Australian CMASA's Board of Directors over the years.

NSW Branch Establishment

35 Years

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