Private Health Insurance to Cover Natural Therapies Again – What This Means for You
Posted by Leah | Naturally with Leah – 16 April 2025
I’m so happy to be sharing some incredibly positive news that directly affects many of you who visit my clinic here at Naturally with Leah. After years of uncertainty around private health rebates, the Federal Government has announced that natural therapies will be reinstated under private health insurance. That means you may soon be able to claim rebates again for appointments like ours – and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
This update follows a major review of natural therapies, led by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO, and supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Their findings confirmed what many of us have known all along: that these therapies provide real, evidence-backed benefits for people’s health and wellbeing.
What’s Being Reinstated?
Seven therapies will now be eligible for private health insurance rebates:
🌿 Naturopathy
🌿 Western Herbal Medicine
🧘♀️ Yoga
🧘 Pilates
🌀 Tai Chi
🤲 Shiatsu
🧘♂️ Alexander Technique
For my practice, the big win here is the reinstatement of naturopathy and herbal medicine – two core pillars of the work I do with you to support gut health, immune balance, hormone regulation, pain management, mental wellbeing and more.
What Does This Mean for You as a Client?
In simple terms, this change means you’ll likely be able to claim part of your 
consultation fee back from your private health fund again. While each insurer will decide how and when to reintroduce cover, the government has committed to making the process timely and smooth – so I’ll be watching closely and keeping you updated.
More importantly, it means natural therapies are being recognised as legitimate, evidence-based approaches to health. For many of you – especially those managing chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, or navigating menopause – this is a huge validation of the choices you’ve made to invest in your wellbeing.
Why This Matters
I’ve always said that true health is holistic – and sometimes, the answers we’re looking for aren’t found in quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. Natural therapies take a whole-person approach. They support healing from the inside out. They’re preventative, empowering, and often deeply transformative – and now, they’re also being acknowledged at a national level for their effectiveness.
This update brings hope for:
More affordable access to therapies that work
Wider recognition of the role natural medicine plays in long-term wellness
More choice for people wanting to combine conventional and complementary approaches
What’s Next?
Right now, we’re waiting on individual health funds to roll out their updated policies. You may wish to contact your fund and ask whether they’ll be including naturopathy and herbal medicine in their extras cover – the more they hear from clients like you, the better!
I’ll also be updating my practice info and FAQs once more details are available. If you have questions about how this might affect your treatment plan or fees, I’m more than happy to chat during your next consultation.
The full review findings, recommendations, and evidence evaluations will be published on the Department of Health and Aged Care website at www.health.gov.au, ensuring transparency for everyone.
From the Bottom of My Heart – Thank You
I want to take a moment to thank you. So many of you have continued to choose natural medicine even when it wasn’t covered by insurance. You’ve committed to your health, invested in yourself, and trusted the process – and this update is as much a win for you as it is for practitioners like me.
Here’s to more support, more access, and more recognition for the therapies that help us live well, naturally 💚
With gratitude,
Leah
Naturopath & Nutritionist – Naturally with Leah
www.naturallywith.com
