Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:38 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:38 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.
Provide shiatsu therapy treatment
Provide shiatsu therapy treatment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTSHU507C
HLTSHU507C
State Code
D8496
D8496
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
061711 - Massage Therapy
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
85
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to administer client shiatsu treatment according to the philosophy and practices of a shiatsu therapeutic framework
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Manage treatment
- 1.1 Explain factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment
- 1.2 Explain how treatment is delivered and managed to the client
- 1.3 Request client to monitor reactions and contact practitioner as required
- 1.4 Ensure consent for treatment
- 1.5 Provide shiatsu according to the treatment plan
- 1.6 Recognise reactions to treatment and respond promptly if necessary
- 1.7 Clearly explain time, location and content of future sessions to the client
- 1.8 Fully document recommendations
2. Apply therapeutic techniques
- 2.1 Apply manual perpendicular pressure directed from the hara to the body
- 2.2 Utilise the condition and response of the client as a continual feedback to the initial assessment
- 2.3 Ensure the shiatsu treatment incorporates contact with all major body regions within a reasonable time frame
- 2.4 Position the client correctly to optimise their comfort and support while allowing optimum application of techniques
- 2.5 Maintain appropriate postures to ensure a controlled distribution of body weight throughout the treatment
- 2.6 Maintain client-focused attention throughout the treatment session
- 2.7 Ensure treatment sequence, location and degree of pressure applied is determined by assessment indications
3. Advise and resource the client
- 3.1 Educate client in relevant and practical techniques for promotion and maintenance of optimum health
- 3.2 Answer client queries with clarity, using appropriate language
- 3.3 Use honesty and integrity when explaining treatment plans and recommendations to the client
- 3.4 Use appropriate interpersonal skills when explaining treatment plans and recommendations to the client
- 3.5 Promote client independence and responsibility in treatment wherever possible
4. Review treatment
- 4.1 Evaluate progress with the client
- 4.2 Identify and record effects of previous treatment
- 4.3 Review previous treatment plan
- 4.4 Evaluate need for ongoing and/or additional treatment and provide referrals where appropriate
- 4.5 Negotiate changes to the plan with the client to ensure optimal outcomes
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 which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:
Other medical treatment being undertaken
Client's physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness
Cultural and/or religious factors
Contra-indications to treatment
Post treatment activity
Overeating
Intoxication
The way treatment is delivered may include:
Requirement for feedback and interaction
Various shiatsu techniques
Variations in application intensity
Requirement of specified positioning of client
Reactions may include:
Pain and/or discomfort
Feedback - verbal, tactile, visual
Emotional
Muscular spasms
Temperature discomfort
Consent for treatment refers to:
Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines
Responses to reactions may include:
Adjusting treatment accordingly
Seeking appropriate expertise
Discussing reaction with the client
Adhering to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
Use of First Aid procedures according toSt Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training
Maintaining a senior First Aid certificate which is renewed at least every three years
Accessing local emergency services
Effective response to client feedback and/or complaints
Shiatsu treatments may include:
A range of shiatsu sequences and techniques
Tsubo/acu-point techniques
Moxibustion
Stretching, posture and exercise techniques
Elbows, feet, knees, ball of thumb, hand pressure techniques
Meridian stretching techniques
Namikoshi, barefoot, and oshashi shiatsu zen shiatsu sequences and techniques
Hara diagnosis, tonification/dispersion and whole body sequence
Lifestyle and dietary advice
Demonstration and explanation of suggested yoga postures, stretches and movements
Relaxation techniques
Meditation
Appropriate postures refers to:
Balanced distribution of body weight
Ability to apply direct perpendicular contact pressure to appropriate areas of the body
Comfort and safety
Relaxation of the body
Size, mobility and flexibility
Assessment indications include:
Meridian and point locations and indications
Namikoshi, empirical or experimental point locations and indications
Palpatory evidence or feedback responses
Masunaga meridian system and indications
Hara (abdominal) palpation diagnosis systems and indications
Anatomical or mobility/flexibility assessment and indications
Advise and resource the client refers to:
Providing relevant literature or information materials
Referring client to other information sources
Providing advice regarding self-care
Stress management resources
Environmental modifications
Advising client of suggested resources
Providing of details which help to fully inform client of relevant information
Providing referrals to other health professionals
Availability of products required or suggested for treatment
Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:
Postural improvement strategies
Discussion of causes of condition and suggestion of prevention strategies
Simple follow-up activities and/or strategies to work on between sessions
Activities and/or tasks to avoid
Self-shiatsu techniques
Environmental or lifestyle modifications
Stress management strategies
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 which interfere with the effectiveness of treatment may include:
Other medical treatment being undertaken
Client's physical and psychological readiness and/or wellness
Cultural and/or religious factors
Contra-indications to treatment
Post treatment activity
Overeating
Intoxication
The way treatment is delivered may include:
Requirement for feedback and interaction
Various shiatsu techniques
Variations in application intensity
Requirement of specified positioning of client
Reactions may include:
Pain and/or discomfort
Feedback - verbal, tactile, visual
Emotional
Muscular spasms
Temperature discomfort
Consent for treatment refers to:
Informed consent according to the local and national regulations and legal guidelines
Responses to reactions may include:
Adjusting treatment accordingly
Seeking appropriate expertise
Discussing reaction with the client
Adhering to clinic guidelines for response to accidents and emergencies
Use of First Aid procedures according toSt Johns, Australian Red Cross or other appropriate First Aid training
Maintaining a senior First Aid certificate which is renewed at least every three years
Accessing local emergency services
Effective response to client feedback and/or complaints
Shiatsu treatments may include:
A range of shiatsu sequences and techniques
Tsubo/acu-point techniques
Moxibustion
Stretching, posture and exercise techniques
Elbows, feet, knees, ball of thumb, hand pressure techniques
Meridian stretching techniques
Namikoshi, barefoot, and oshashi shiatsu zen shiatsu sequences and techniques
Hara diagnosis, tonification/dispersion and whole body sequence
Lifestyle and dietary advice
Demonstration and explanation of suggested yoga postures, stretches and movements
Relaxation techniques
Meditation
Appropriate postures refers to:
Balanced distribution of body weight
Ability to apply direct perpendicular contact pressure to appropriate areas of the body
Comfort and safety
Relaxation of the body
Size, mobility and flexibility
Assessment indications include:
Meridian and point locations and indications
Namikoshi, empirical or experimental point locations and indications
Palpatory evidence or feedback responses
Masunaga meridian system and indications
Hara (abdominal) palpation diagnosis systems and indications
Anatomical or mobility/flexibility assessment and indications
Advise and resource the client refers to:
Providing relevant literature or information materials
Referring client to other information sources
Providing advice regarding self-care
Stress management resources
Environmental modifications
Advising client of suggested resources
Providing of details which help to fully inform client of relevant information
Providing referrals to other health professionals
Availability of products required or suggested for treatment
Practical techniques that promote and maintain optimal health may include:
Postural improvement strategies
Discussion of causes of condition and suggestion of prevention strategies
Simple follow-up activities and/or strategies to work on between sessions
Activities and/or tasks to avoid
Self-shiatsu techniques
Environmental or lifestyle modifications
Stress management strategies
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) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
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 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:
A fully stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Anatomical models
Appropriate assessment environment
Demonstration model/client
Method of assessment
Practical demonstration and observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Explanations of technique
Oral questioning and discussion
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
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) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
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 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:
A fully stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Anatomical models
Appropriate assessment environment
Demonstration model/client
Method of assessment
Practical demonstration and observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Explanations of technique
Oral questioning and discussion
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9496 | HLTSHU507B | Provide shiatsu therapy treatment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ76 | HLTSHU006 | Provide Shiatsu therapy treatments | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J100 | HLT50212 | Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies | Qualification |