National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

Australia’s first National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, the NCNM is focused on evidence-based practice, critical enquiry, and clinical reasoning in the field of natural medicine. With its three-pronged approach of innovation, research and education, the Centre is geared towards furthering scientific research and delivering better patient outcomes. 

“Our belief is that evidence-based practice and holistic philosophy are not in conflict and can exist simultaneously.” – NCNM Foundation Director, Jon Wardle 

An initiative of Southern Cross University, based at the Northern Rivers campus, the NCNM has dedicated research and innovation laboratories, clinical trials and training programs. The NCNM also offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Health Science, Naturopathy, Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine. 

“What I love about Southern Cross University is that they were the initiators of Lifestyle Medicine in Australia. This is the birthplace of lifestyle education, research and the movement.” – Associate Professor John Stevens

The NCNM Clinical Trials Centre initiates independent research and offers clinical research programs for industry partners.  

“Whenever someone wants to make a claim about a product it has to go through the TGA and the TGA wants to see independent research on the product, so that’s what we offer. We develop the protocol, run the trial, analyse the data and provide the reports. All of our processes follow national and international practices,” said Associate Professor Romy Lauche. 

The future vision is that the Centre’s researchers will be able to undertake trans-disciplinary research from beginning to end, and all testing from the plant to the patient, or “Harvest to Health”.   

The NCNM has an innovative three-year Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) which provides a direct pathway into a one-year Master of Naturopathic Medicine, where students will gain the clinical hours required to practice as a naturopath. The NCNM also have a number of other undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Applications are now open and some courses are available online. 

Learn more: scu.edu.au/national-centre-for-naturopathic-medicine/

See our current clinical trials: scu.edu.au/national-centre-for-naturopathic-medicine/research/clinical-trials/

National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine,
Southern Cross University, Lismore, A Block
Future Students: 1800 626 481
General Enquiries: 02 6626 9255
scu.edu.au/national-centre-for-naturopathic-medicine
ncnm@scu.edu.au