Ethics and professionalism CPD for chiropractors

Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners. Patients can walk in without a referral, which means you carry the first responsibility for recognising serious pathology, explaining what chiropractic care can and cannot do, and referring when needed. Most chiropractors also work in private practice, where clinical recommendations and the viability of the business are closely linked. That combination is why the Chiropractic Board of Australia publishes more profession-specific statements and fact sheets than many other Boards.

Chiropractic has been nationally regulated under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law since 2010. The title 'chiropractor' is protected. The Board registers chiropractors, sets standards and statements and decides on notifications, while Ahpra administers registration, audits, the public register and prosecutions. In New South Wales, complaints go to the Health Care Complaints Commission with the Chiropractic Council of NSW; in Queensland, the Office of the Health Ombudsman receives them first.

Professional associations support and represent chiropractors, but they are not regulators. Where an association's position and the Board's differ, it is the Board's position that determines registration consequences. Philosophy and professional identity are personal; the regulatory question is whether your decisions, claims and communication meet the standard.

Children under two

The Board's position on paediatric care has moved through several stages: an interim policy in 2019 on children under 12, a revised statement in 2023, an interim policy reinstated in June 2024 at health ministers' request advising against spinal manipulation for children under two, and a consultation from late 2025 on a single combined statement. The updated Statement was published in September 2026. The age threshold is a bright line: do not use spinal manipulation on a child under two, whatever the presenting concern or the parents' request. Check the Board's website for the date of effect and read the Statement in full.

Every radiograph individually justified

Routine radiographs for every new patient are not consistent with the Board's guidance. Before imaging, ask whether the benefit outweighs the harm, whether evidence and clinical experience support it, whether it will change management, and whether the patient still consents once told about dose and limited benefit. Chiropractors who take their own radiographs need the radiation use licence required in their state or territory, registered equipment, and compliance with the ARPANSA code of practice for chiropractic radiography. You remain responsible for reading reports and acting on incidental findings.

Plans built around review points

A plan written as 'three times a week for twelve weeks' at the first visit, before any response to treatment is known, is hard to justify. The Board expects a working diagnosis, measurable outcomes using validated measures, a reasonable timeframe, review points and referral criteria. Maintenance care is the patient's choice, made after a balanced view of the evidence; the patient's agreement to unsupported care does not end your professional responsibility. Our clinical competence and patient safety course and unsatisfactory professional performance course explore how plans and assessment are judged.

Claims about treating conditions outside the musculoskeletal system, preventing disease, improving immunity, or benefiting infants and children are where chiropractic advertising has most often attracted regulatory attention. Section 133 of the National Law prohibits advertising that is misleading, uses testimonials about clinical aspects of care, offers inducements without stated terms, creates an unreasonable expectation of benefit or encourages unnecessary use. 'Every child needs regular spinal checks' and 'instant relief for migraines, colic and anxiety' are typical breaches.

• Chiropractors may use the courtesy title 'Dr', but should state their profession alongside it so the public is not misled.
• There is no specialist registration in chiropractic, so avoid any description that implies it.
• Posture screenings in public settings must be free, for public benefit, described as a general overview, and must not collect contact details, book appointments or lead to unsolicited follow-up.
• Vaccination advice is generally outside chiropractic competence. Refer questions to a GP, pharmacist or immunisation provider, and never display or promote anti-vaccination material.
• You are responsible for content written by a marketing agency or practice owner, and the Code applies on social media where you are identifiable as a practitioner.

Advertising a Regulated Health Service and Professionalism and Boundaries on Social Media give you an audit method for your website and channels.

Ethics and Professionalism for Chiropractors in Australia is an estimated three hours of self-paced learning with Australian case illustrations, scripts, checklists, a reflective account and a 20-question scenario assessment (pass mark 16 out of 20). It is written for practice owners, associates, new graduates and chiropractors returning to practice, and it covers:

• the regulatory framework, the shared Code and what notification data reveal
• ethical reasoning under commercial pressure, and the difference between professional philosophy and the regulatory standard
• evidence-based practice, red flags, co-management and honest maintenance care conversations
• justifying imaging, radiation licensing and incidental findings
• the revised Statement on paediatric care, consent for children, and care of older, pregnant and disabled patients
• section 133, titles, public health activities, vaccination and social media
• material-risk consent for manipulation, draping, chaperones and boundaries
• records, fees and health funds, CPD, first aid, recency and insurance

Under the Chiropractic Board's current CPD registration standard, you complete 20 hours of CPD each registration year, guided by a learning plan with goals relevant to your practice and reflection on how the learning improved it. Time spent planning and reflecting does not count towards the 20 hours. You must also hold a current first aid qualification at the level the Board specifies, and keep CPD records, including your plan, reflections and evidence, for five years in case of audit. During 2026, Ahpra and fourteen National Boards, including the Chiropractic Board, consulted on revised CPD and recency standards, so check the standard in force when you plan your year.

A useful test: does your learning plan include at least one goal linked to clinical care, the largest notification theme? Ethics, evidence, advertising and consent are relevant to every chiropractor's scope. Keep your plan and hours in the CPD Portfolio, or try the free course finder if you are not sure where to start.