FAQ
- How do I become a member of HHAI?
- What membership is right for me?
- Do I need to be a member of an association?
- If I cannot afford membership upfront, can I pay it in installments?
- If I change my mind after becoming a member, can I get a refund of the monies paid?
- Can I upgrade my membership at any time?
- What insurance company does HHAI recommend for members?
- If I join HHAI will I be insured?
- What type of insurance is best for me and my practice?
- Can I practise without insurance?
- What happens if no insurance company will insure me?
- Can I be expelled from HHAI?
- What are CPE points?
- Why has my application for Practitioner status been rejected?
- Will HHAI recognise my qualifications from a private college not associated with HHAI?
- I do not have a qualification but I have years of experience. Can I become a Practitioner member of HHAI?
- My industry’s peak association does not recognise my qualification and therefore has denied my membership. Does this mean I cannot practise?
- Can I become member of the HHAI management committee?
- Where is HHAI based, and where are the general meetings held?
- I can’t attend a meeting but I really want to raise an issue for the management committee. Can I do this by proxy?
- I am not satisfied with the HHAI management committee. How can I go about making a complaint?
- I have misplaced my membership certificate. Can I have a new one re-issued?
- I have forgotten my membership number, how can I find it again?
Membership Information
How do I become a member of HHAI?
You can download an application form under the 'Members' section of this website, fill in the application and then either post or email it back to HHAI (see contact details).
What membership is right for me?HHAI has various membership categories designed for various stages in a holistic or natural therapist’s education and skills growth, the most popular being Associate, Student and Practitioner memberships. All memberships with HHAI provide eligibility to vote at committee meetings.
For those with an interest in holistic or natural therapies, but do not have specific qualifications in these fields, or who are not currently practising as a therapist, then the Associate Membership is ideal. This membership allows people from all walks of life who share a common passion for holistic and natural therapies (such as public speakers, teachers in a holistic or natural therapies college) membership into HHAI.
For those currently studying, but who have yet to complete their education or training, then a Student or Associate Membership is best suited for them.
For those who have completed their education or training, and who are currently practising as a therapist within the holistic or natural industry then the Practitioner Membership is recommended. This membership recognises you as an active practitioner, and unlike the previous two memberships this membership allows you to hold office on the HHAI management committee.
Do I need to be a member of an association?Although membership to an association may not be necessary for your profession, the benefits of membership, including insurability and industry support, always provides a positive advantage.
Being a member of an association provides prospective clients with peace of mind knowing your training, skills and knowledge have been recognised by an established body; it also gives you professional kudos among your clients and peers.
If I cannot afford membership upfront, can I pay it in installments?Although the membership costs remain as stated and cannot be altered to take into consideration a person’s financial situation, the HHAI does provide half-yearly membership. These half-yearly memberships are offered in January of each year.
If I change my mind after becoming a member, can I get a refund of the monies paid?There are no refunds issued if a member changes their mind about membership. As HHAI is non-profit, and membership costs cover the costs of administration and postage, any refund would be detrimental to our association.
Can I upgrade my membership at any time?You can upgrade your membership when your membership has expired and due for renewal, but if you want to upgrade it in the middle of your current membership then – as a general rule – you are unable to. With that said, HHAI’s management committee is happy to review any membership upgrade, and conditions may apply if they grant it.
Insurance Information
What insurance company does HHAI recommend for members?
At no stage does HHAI recommend one insurance company over another, however we have maintained a great relationship with AON insurance – which is the main insurance provider for most of our members.
If I join HHAI will I be insured?HHAI can never guarantee you will be insured as this is strictly at the discretion of the insurance companies. For the most part, members of HHAI are usually often insured by AON insurance.
What type of insurance is best for me and my practice?This is something you will need to discuss with the insurance company you would like to join. HHAI does not provide members with any advice on insurance as – again – it is at the discretion of the chosen insurance company.
Can I practise without insurance?It is never wise to practise any holistic or natural therapy without insurance, and you must never practise outside your scope of ability. Additionally, most workplaces require any holistic or natural therapists practicing there to be insured.
What happens if no insurance company will insure me?Very rarely will an insurance company not insure a holistic or natural therapist practitioner; you will need to clarify the reasons why they won’t insure you and then decide whether you can rectify this. For the most part insurance companies want to generate more customers, so they may be able to offer you some suggestions as to how to rectify the situation and become insurable.
Can I be expelled from HHAI?To date this has never happened to any members of HHAI, but if you were found to have seriously breached our Code of Ethics by causing harm to another, or being found guilty of an illegal crime, then that would be cause for expulsion from HHAI.
CPE Information
What are CPE points?
CPE points stand for ‘Continuing Professional Education’ points and are points which are accrued to show that you, as part of your Practitioner status requirements, are continuing your professional education and development by attending HHAI approved CPE activities. To get more information, please download our CPE information from the Resources page.
Why has my application for Practitioner status been rejected?I had been a Practitioner member the previous year and I am confused as to why HHAI no longer recognises my membership status.
Your application was probably rejected because you did not fulfill the 10 CPE points required for you to renew your Practitioner status. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes CPE points, please download CPE information from our Resources page.
Qualifications and Experience
Will HHAI recognise my qualifications from a private college not associated with HHAI?
This will depend on the college, the actual qualifications gained and the course content. Unlike other associations, HHAI is open to qualifications and training obtained from colleges not associated with HHAI - however there will need to be comprehensive evidence of the skills and knowledge you have obtained from your qualification.
I do not have a qualification but I have years of experience. Can I become a Practitioner member of HHAI?This will depend on the evidence of experience you have been able to present to HHAI. If you do not have qualifications or training then it may be difficult to obtain practitioner membership at HHAI (though you could become an Associate member) as it is paramount to our association that those who hold this specific membership are able to competently and effectively practise their form of therapy in a manner which does not place HHAI, its members or the industry into disrepute.
If you can supply us with evidence which attests to your experience – such as contact details of clients, a log book or diary, signed statuary declarations or recommendation from a practitioner peer – then HHAI is more than willing to take it into consideration before approving, or denying, membership.
My industry’s peak association does not recognise my qualification and therefore has denied my membership. Does this mean I cannot practise?Unless there are laws in which state otherwise, you can still practise your chosen therapy without being member of a peak association body. Just because you are unable to meet their requirements does not mean that you are any less of a therapist or are unable to practise.
HHAI Management Committee
Can I become member of the HHAI management committee?
All Practitioner members are eligible to become members of HHAI management committee. When there are management committee elections nomination forms are posted to all members – expressions of interest are then welcome.
Where is HHAI based, and where are the general meetings held?HHAI is a Queensland based association which is able to represent holistic and natural therapists from all over Australia, and in many cases the world. All our meetings are currently held in Brisbane, Queensland.
I can’t attend a meeting but I really want to raise an issue for the management committee. Can I do this by proxy?You are able to email or post an issue you would like to raise at the next general meeting, and this must be received by HHAI within 30 days of the scheduled meeting.
HHAI is also able to set up a teleconference or Skype interview, if necessary.
I am not satisfied with the HHAI management committee. How can I go about making a complaint?Complaints are to be specified in writing, and then sent via email or post (see contact details). On receipt of your complaint we will issue a response as soon as possible in the hopes of rectifying any problems.
Other
I have misplaced my membership certificate. Can I have a new one re-issued?
You are able to have a new membership certificate re-issued for a fee of $66.00.
I have forgotten my membership number, how can I find it again?You can email us with your full name, or phone 07 3392 0673, and request your membership number.
Submit a question
You can submit your questions by using our email address.