Under the COVID-19 restrictions, Remedial Massage Therapies in Queensland and Tasmania are not considered essential services and have been grouped with massage parlours and spas. Though medical massage was indicated by Scott Morrison as being essential (24th March 2020), the Queensland and Tasmanian legislation did not include Remedial Massage as one of these services, though all other states did. 

Queensland Health has stipulated that health services provided by health practitioners registered under the Health Practioner Regulation National Law, with social distancing observed to the extent possible (AHPRA). 

This has inadvertently excluded accredited and health fund rebate services delivered by Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapist who provide treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions, including the management of acute and chronic pain. This legislation is restricting the patient's choice of treatment and is inadvertently discriminating against this necessary profession. 

Patients on waitlists due to elective surgeries during this COVID-19 pandemic further disadvantaged by these restrictions. 

Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy needs to be considered as an essential health service in Queensland and Tasmania, to provide support for affected patients and service providers, as has been acknowledged in other states.