Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:36 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:36 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Perform remedial massage health assessment
Perform remedial massage health assessment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTREM505C
HLTREM505C
State Code
D8483
D8483
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/08/2011
Field of Education
061711 - Massage Therapy
Original Release Date
02/08/2011
Nominal Hours
280
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to observe the condition of the client and gather information relevant to the case to enable correct assessment, planning and provision of a remedial massage
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine the scope of the assessment and the client's needs
- 1.1 Establish the client's purpose for consultation and identify the symptoms experienced
- 1.2 Determine the client's eligibility for using clinic/personal policies
- 1.3 Explain the services able to be provided and the limits of available services clearly
- 1.4 Explore and clarify the client's expectation of the service/clinic
- 1.5 Identify factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment in consultation with the client and implement strategies to minimise the effects of these factors wherever possible
- 1.6 Ensure personal abilities, level of professional competence and parameters of role are defined to the client and determine practice and at all times
- 1.7 Refer client to other health care professionals where the needs of the client are identified as beyond the scope of the services able to be provided, or if in the opinion of the practitioner the needs of the client are best met by doing so
- 1.8 Identify and promote the legal rights of the client
2. Obtain and record an accurate history of the client
- 2.1 Seek information from the client for the client's history in a respectful way with all enquiries asked in a purposeful, systematic and diplomatic manner
- 2.2 Collect and record accurate, relevant and well organised information in a form which can be interpreted readily by other professionals
- 2.3 Manage information in a confidential and secure way
3. Manage the health assessment
- 3.1 Ensure informed client consent is obtained prior to conducting tests, in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations
- 3.2 Allow adequate time during consultation to gather critical information
- 3.3 Identify and minimise factors that may interfere with the information gathering process
- 3.4 Identify, establish and routinely observe essential requirements for the maintenance of clinical and practitioner hygiene
- 3.5 Anticipate potential sensitivities of the client, adapt approach accordingly to take these into account and take steps to ensure the client's dignity is maintained at all times
- 3.6 Pursue and investigate abnormal findings in a deliberate, logical and appropriate manner
- 3.7 Assess reliability of data obtained and establish appropriate clinical correlation with the client's complaint as soon as possible
- 3.8 Record all information accurately in a systematic manner in accordance with clinic guidelines
4. Prepare the client for assessment
- 4.1 Ensure the client's body is not unnecessarily exposed during assessment/treatment
- 4.2 Respect client boundaries at all times
- 4.3 Seek client feedback on comfort levels
5. Make a comprehensive assessment of the client
- 5.1 Identify signs of condition according to remedial massage therapy framework
- 5.2 Elicit specific details of signs and symptoms of the presenting complaint/s
- 5.3 Assess client through palpation, observation and sensory information gathering techniques
- 5.4 Conduct physical assessment
- 5.5 Use other appropriate assessment techniques
- 5.6 Use questions to clarify results and gain further information in a manner relevant to the client's needs and test results
- 5.7 Identify contra-indications to treatment
- 5.8 Conduct functional and special tests and make differential assessment
- 5.9 Observe and analyse static and dynamic variables of posture
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Podiatrists
Osteopaths
Energy therapists
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Medical practitioners
Registered nurses
Social workers
Alternative health practitioners
Counsellors
Other allied health care professionals
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for massage
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical/alternative health care treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Previous occurrence of presenting complaint
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Physical assessment will include attention to:
Active movements
Passive movements
Resisted movements
Functional movements
Palpatory findings
Swelling
Instability
Parasthesia
Characteristics of pain
Established assessment procedures may include:
Observation
Discussion
Temperature
Pulse
Palpation
Percussion
Range of motion tests
Muscle strength tests
Orthopaedic tests
Observation of variations of posture
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
Contra-indications to treatment may include:
Remedial massage therapists are not expected to diagnose any conditions but must be able to recognise the indications and contra-indications of conditions
Massage is contra-indicated in all infectious diseases suggested by fever, nausea and lethargy until a diagnosis is received and recommended by a medical practitioner
referral for diagnosis when symptoms do not have a logical explanation. Indications for referral include:
pain-local, sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
fatigue
inflammation
lumps and tissue changes
rashes and changes in the skin
oedema
mood alterations, eg depression, anxiety
infection
changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep
bleeding and bruising
nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
temperature - hot or cold
Endangerment sites are areas where nerves and blood vessels lie close to the skin and are not well protected
anterior triangle of the neck
posterior triangle of the neck
axillary area
medial epicondyle
lateral epicondyle
area of the sternal notch and anterior throat
umbilicus area
twelfth rib dorsal body
sciatic notch
inguinal triangle
popliteal fossa
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors
Other health care professional may include:
Podiatrists
Osteopaths
Energy therapists
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Medical practitioners
Registered nurses
Social workers
Alternative health practitioners
Counsellors
Other allied health care professionals
Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for massage
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
physical
emotional
allergies
dietary picture
sleep pattern
exercise
leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical/alternative health care treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Previous occurrence of presenting complaint
Social lifestyle including social drug usage
Family history
Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history
Physical assessment will include attention to:
Active movements
Passive movements
Resisted movements
Functional movements
Palpatory findings
Swelling
Instability
Parasthesia
Characteristics of pain
Established assessment procedures may include:
Observation
Discussion
Temperature
Pulse
Palpation
Percussion
Range of motion tests
Muscle strength tests
Orthopaedic tests
Observation of variations of posture
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements
Contra-indications to treatment may include:
Remedial massage therapists are not expected to diagnose any conditions but must be able to recognise the indications and contra-indications of conditions
Massage is contra-indicated in all infectious diseases suggested by fever, nausea and lethargy until a diagnosis is received and recommended by a medical practitioner
referral for diagnosis when symptoms do not have a logical explanation. Indications for referral include:
pain-local, sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
fatigue
inflammation
lumps and tissue changes
rashes and changes in the skin
oedema
mood alterations, eg depression, anxiety
infection
changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep
bleeding and bruising
nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
temperature - hot or cold
Endangerment sites are areas where nerves and blood vessels lie close to the skin and are not well protected
anterior triangle of the neck
posterior triangle of the neck
axillary area
medial epicondyle
lateral epicondyle
area of the sternal notch and anterior throat
umbilicus area
twelfth rib dorsal body
sciatic notch
inguinal triangle
popliteal fossa
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic)
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory) If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Examples of assessment notes
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic)
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory) If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Examples of assessment notes
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTCOM404C Communicate effectively with clients
HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5118 | HLTREM9A | Perform Massage health assessment | Unit of competency |
| C9487 | HLTREM505B | Perform remedial massage health assessment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA20 | HLTMSG003 | Perform remedial massage musculoskeletal assessments | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D087 | HLT50307 | Diploma of Remedial Massage | Qualification |