Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA)

The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) was formed in 1990 after the amalgamation of the Australia Chiropractors’ Association and the United Chiropractors Association of Australasia, which had been founded in 1938 and 1961, respectively.

Organisational Structure

The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia is comprised of the national peak body, CAAN and eight state/territory bodies. CAAN is the largest representative of chiropractors in Australia (2,600 members). It coordinates the efforts of eight autonomous CAA state and territory bodies, assisted by a 10-member board and a council of representatives.

Chiropractors who are members of the CAA, are bound by the association’s code of professional conduct and practice.

Nationally, the CAA’s work relates to education, international relations and publications matters, organising and conducting conferences and conventions, and liaising with the federal government.

CAAACT

The CAA’s ACT branch (CAAACT) has 38 members. Membership matters, ethics issues and making representation to the ACT government and the media, form its main functions.

CAAACT provides guidance and further education to ensure that high clinical standards are met and maintained. It also works for patients’ rights, including lobbying government on ways to broaden the scope of consumer health-care options.

CAAACT conducts some educational campaigns and members are happy to address groups about spinal health and related topics. Each year, CAAACT sponsors National Chiropractic Care Week, and from time to time, CAA members participate in community activities.

The CAAACT contends that having chiropractic health care in some publicly-funded centres, could help to reduce the pressure on the ACT health system. CAAACT initiatives have included

• presenting submissions to the ACT government, raising the possibility of including chiropractic care in ACT government community health centres
• requesting that chiropractors be designated as practitioners to whom nurse-practitioners in the government’s Walk-in Centres (WiCs) can refer patients.

CAAACT also expects to participate in the ACT Primary Health Care Coalition to be convened by the ACT Division of General Practice.