The holistic health and wellness industry is booming. According to Bloomberg, the global wellness sector is currently worth around $6.3 trillion US dollars – a $700 billion increase from just two years ago. This growth is projected to continue, with the industry expected to reach a valuation of $8.47 trillion by 2027.
More people than ever are prioritising their physical and mental health, exploring natural and integrative ways to feel their best. It’s an exciting time to step into a career in holistic health and wellness, where you can make a real difference in helping others live healthier, happier lives.
There is a diverse range of jobs in holistic wellness for people who are passionate about helping others achieve optimal health through natural methods – from traditional practices like acupuncture to modern approaches like breathwork.
Below, we’ve outlined the 5 best careers in holistic health and wellness.
In comparison to a traditional nutritionist who mainly focuses on how particular foods interact with your body, a holistic nutritionist considers how your physical health connects to your mental and emotional wellbeing, creating a more complete (holistic) picture of what your body and mind need to thrive. A holistic nutritionist also takes into account how lifestyle factors like stress, emotions, and social influences shape your food choices, and will create personalised plans and wellness routines to improve your overall health.
If you’re passionate about helping others through holistic nutrition, getting started can mean earning a degree or certification from a trusted organisation. If you already have a background in a related field you can build on that with online or in-person holistic nutrition certifications.
To truly thrive in this field you’ll need strong people skills, a solid understanding of nutrition science, and the ability to craft personalised plans that fit each person’s unique needs – these are attributes that make a great holistic nutritionist.
Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) that has been used for thousands of years to treat a range of mental and physical health issues including pain, stress, digestive issues and even infertility.
If you have a particular interest in the energy fields of the body, becoming an acupuncturist could be a great career option. The benefits of this wellness career include the opportunity to work in a field with growing demand, flexible hours and the ability to offer a holistic approach to healing.
According to Indeed, full-time acupuncturists in Australia earn an average salary of $75,000 per year, but there are opportunities to earn more by opening your own practice.
Becoming an acupuncturist in Australia typically requires a degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine, such as a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) or a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chinese Medicine).
The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACM) has a range of courses approved by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA). Once you graduate with your degree, you’ll need to apply for registration with CMBA.
Breathwork is an inspiring and fast-growing field in wellness, offering simple yet transformative techniques to improve mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As a breathwork facilitator, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, helping them manage stress, regulate their emotions, and even improve health conditions such as asthma and high blood pressure, all through the power of their own breath.
It’s a career that’s as flexible as it is rewarding – you can work online, run group breathwork classes, lead workshops, host retreats, provide one-on-one sessions, or even bring breathwork to corporate spaces. If you’re passionate about helping others feel their best, this could be your perfect path.
How much you can earn as a breathwork facilitator will depend on considerations such as whether you’re running one on one ($60 to $250 per hour) or group sessions ($25 to $110), or hosting retreats or corporate gigs (potentially thousands of dollars per retreat), as well as where you are based and a range of other factors.
To become a breathwork facilitator in Australia, you’ll need to complete a breathwork certification program that covers the fundamental principles and techniques of breathwork. You’ll also need to know how to safely guide clients through breathwork sessions, particularly trauma-informed sessions.
Successful facilitators have a strong understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of breathwork, excellent communication skills and the ability to create a safe and supportive environment for clients.
Building a successful career involves ongoing education, participating in professional networks, and promoting your services through various channels to reach potential clients.
For a comprehensive guide on this subject, you can read our guide on becoming a breathwork facilitator.
Yoga instructors (or teachers) enjoy the rewards of promoting physical and mental wellbeing through the ancient practice of yoga. They lead classes, guiding students through yoga practices, breathing exercises, and meditations. As a yoga instructor you can also choose to specialise in certain styles like Bikram, Hatha, Pre and Post-Natal or Vinyasa yoga.
The benefits of a career as a yoga instructor include flexible working hours, having a sense of purpose and community connection, as well as the opportunities to work in various settings – yoga studios, gyms, retreats, and corporate environments; and of course, helping others achieve balance and mindfulness.
According to Payscale, yoga instructors typically earn an average annual total pay ranging from $51,000 to $144,000.
To become a yoga instructor in Australia, you’ll need to complete an accredited yoga instructor course – which requires completing a 200 or 500-hour Yoga Teaching training course that’s been certified by the Yoga Alliance. These courses will train you in areas like anatomy, physiology, teaching techniques and yoga philosophy. Once you are officially certified, then you’ll need to register with Yoga Australia.
Building a successful career as a yoga instructor involves continually improving your own practice, understanding the needs of your students, and developing a unique teaching style that resonates with your audience.
Herbalists are experts in herbal medicine that use the power of plants to promote healing and wellness by treating a range of health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, asthma, eczema and digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. They use traditional botanical medicine alongside modern knowledge of nutrition, physiology, and mental wellbeing in a holistic approach.
According to Seek, the 5-year job growth projection for Herbalists is 27.9%.
The benefits of a career as a herbalist include the opportunity to work with natural remedies, the potential to develop and sell your own line of herbal products, or to work in private, group practices.
To become an herbalist, you’ll need to study herbal medicine, which can be done through various educational programs, including certificates, diplomas and degree courses. Completing a Bachelor of Health Science (Western Herbal Medicine) is one example.
These programs cover subjects such as botany, plant identification, pharmacology, and clinical practice. Once you’ve completed your studies, you will need to register with the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH), and renew this registration every 12 months.
Success as an herbalist requires a deep knowledge of medicinal plants, an understanding of how to prepare and use herbal remedies and the ability to conduct thorough consultations to determine the best treatments for your clients to prevent and treat health conditions.
Building a reputable practice involves continuous learning and staying up to date with current research and trends in herbal medicine.
Beyond the five careers highlighted above, the wellness and holistic health industry offers countless other rewarding careers, such as:
While there are a wide range of jobs in the holistic wellness industry for those dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing, breathwork is obviously our top pick.
If you’re passionate about helping others achieve their highest potential through the power of breath, we invite you to enrol in our accredited breathwork facilitator course.
Our program provides the training and certification you need to become a skilled, confident, successful breathwork facilitator.
Join us – and start your journey towards a fulfilling career in wellness and holistic healing!
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