FED: Aust spends $230 mln a year on chiropractors

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-1999
FED: Aust spends $230 mln a year on chiropractors

CANBERRA, Aug 20 AAP - Australians are spending $230 million a year to have their backs
fixed.

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that nearly half of the
nation's chiropractors see more than 100 patients each week.

In all, the industry took in $230 million in 1997/98 accrued from fee-for-service.

On a normal working week, the nation's 1,758 chiropractic practices carried out just over
180,000 consultations between them.

The ABS found that on average, each had 88 consultations each week, with 22 per cent having
more than 125 consultations and 19 per cent between 100 and 124 consultations.

Most were single chiropractic practices and most chiropractors were male, the ABS said.

"While the number of chiropractors per person was equal to the national average for New
South Wales, Victoria and South Australia were above the average," the ABS said.

Meanwhile, the bureau found the nation's 374 osteopathic practices generated $30 million in
total income.

In an average working week, osteopaths had 17,011 patient consultations, which was 43
consultations for each osteopath per week.

AAP rmm/jnb

KEYWORD: CHIROPRACTORS

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.