OMT

About OMT

We’re passionate about providing the highest standard of care and education, and we continually strive to broaden awareness around oncology massage.

Our training provides tactile therapists with the awareness and expertise to safely and effectively adapt their treatments for people in frail health, especially those with a history or diagnosis of cancer.

Our nationally-standardised training program ensures that high standards of care and professionalism are met by all of our Graduates across Australia and New Zealand.

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“Cancer is no longer primarily an acute illness; it is a chronic disease that demands person centred care and long term management.” - Integrative Oncology and Wellbeing in Cancer Care. White Paper 2022

Our Mission

Oncology Massage is part of integrative and supportive care, a complement to traditional cancer care. Our mission is:

To facilitate a positive impact on the well-being of those seeking therapeutic care.
To deliver comprehensive, evidence-based training, continuing development & dedicated support to appropriately qualified Body Therapists.
To equip Body Therapists to provide massage services confidently and safely to individuals facing health challenges, particularly those with a cancer diagnosis or history.
To optimise outcomes and enhance the experience for those who have received a cancer diagnosis; at all stages of disease and treatment and for those in remission, recovery and in survivorship.
To facilitate the delivery and accessibility of safe and effective Oncology Massage for individuals with health concerns, especially those with a history of cancer, by promoting therapists through the national contact-a-therapist register and similar platforms.

Excellence

We strive for the highest standards in Oncology Massage training and service delivery, ensuring therapists are equipped to provide exceptional care.

Compassion

We approach individuals with empathy, kindness, and compassion; understanding their unique health challenges and providing support with a caring touch.

Professionalism

We uphold the highest level of professionalism in training, development, and service provision, fostering trust and confidence in therapists and the industry.

Integrity

We operate with honesty and transparency in all interactions, building trust with therapists, clients, and stakeholders.

Inclusivity and Equity

We strive to create an environment that welcomes and supports individuals of all backgrounds, ensuring that Oncology Massage is accessible to a diverse range of people.

Community and collab

We foster a sense of community among therapists, creating a network of support and collaboration to enhance the overall impact of Oncology Massage.

Safety

We prioritise the safety and well-being of clients by ensuring therapists are trained to deliver massage safely, especially to individuals in compromised health.

Positive Feedback

We focus on making a positive impact on the lives of those with a cancer diagnosis or history, contributing to their overall well-being through the power of therapeutic touch.

THE OMT Difference

In-Person Training

We believe that the positive impact of in-person training can’t be overstated; this is why we’ve chosen not to offer our training wholly online, instead prioritising in-person courses that promote connection, community, and deeper learning.

Our Facilitators work closely with each student to provide face-to-face guidance and feedback and real-time correction of body mechanics. In-person training also gives course attendees the opportunity to form friendships and professional support networks that last for years to come.

Our History

OMT is a not-for-profit training company limited by guarantee with charity and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. We were incorporated with ASIC and registered with the Australian Charities & Not-for-profit Commission in May/2013.

We encourage an integrative approach that involves all members of a person’s care and support team. Globally, we are the only Oncology Massage training organisation that can offer the same program across an entire country and demand the same standards of care and professionalism from their Graduates.

OMT's programs are renowned worldwide, and are recognised by the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), Australian and New Zealand complementary therapy professional associations, and many major oncology treatment institutions including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VIC), the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse NSW), and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research & Wellness Centre (VIC).

OMT also provides ongoing support to our Graduates and Students including:

A suite of short-course tutorials that cover specific areas of treatment and massage in detail
A publicly accessible online database of OMT qualified therapists
Opportunities for personal and professional development
Public & Private Facebook pages where they can share issues and seek advice

If you have any questions about our organisation or courses, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.

“OM1 provided a safe & nurturing learning environment, allowing time for each participant to discuss their learning experiences and how this may be integrated into their individual clinical practice. The small workshop numbers allowed each participant to receive one-to-one tuition on each massage technique, increasing confidence in my ability to apply these newly learnt skills in my clinical practice.”

— Ruth, OM1 Graduate
“Informative, practical, hands-on approach to learning from great presenters - perfect amount of content over 3 days [...] Anne-Marie was a fantastic instructor who was reassuring and helpful.”

— Danielle, OM1 Graduate
“Fantastic knowledge and examples that were shared with us to give a full picture of the oncology massage benefits [...] it's informative, and both written and practical were interactive with the group - this style promoted learning. Thank-you so much, it was a fantastic experience.”

— Karin, OM1 Graduate