History of IRMA

History of IRMA


The first Myotherapy course was instigated in 1989 at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) (Vic).    In that year a group of Myotherapy students and graduates saw the need for an Association to represent the growing number of students and graduates with Myotherapy qualifications. With great foresight, they formed an Association to help promote and encourage the growth of a very new Allied Health Industry.  

It was first named  Myotherapy Association of Victoria; then Australian Association of Myotherapists Inc; then National Institute of Myotherapists of Australia Inc (NRMA); and in approx 1998 changed names again to the current - Institute of Registered Myotherapists of Australia (IRMA). We remain a ‘not-for-profit’ Incorporated Association registered in Victoria and Nationally.

The Association was run by a volunteer Board and the Administration was by volunteers for a number of years. In 1998, with the membership around 130 members, the Board made the decision to employ a part-time Administrator for 1 ½ days per week. The position was advertised in the Myobserver (IRMA’s newsletter) and Iris Cass applied, was interviewed and accepted. Iris worked from home with IRMA’s computer, printer and phone with the days increasing over the years as the membership base grew.   The early days were before email and websites.  IRMA’s first website and email was set up in 1999.

In 1999 IRMA began organising workshops for members and the Professional Development Program was born. The Board recognised the need for Myotherapists to continue to educate themselves. Toni Moynihan & Samantha CouzinWood (Board members for many years), worked hard to organise workshops each year on varying subjects.  In 1992, IRMA’s Rules of Association, Code of Ethics and Code of Practice were developed.

In 2007, with the Administrator now working every day, the decision was made to move the Office where there was room for expansion and equipment. Our Office in Fitzroy (Vic) now employs 3 Office staff and a book-keeper, all working part-time to ensure the smooth operation of the Association. Membership has grown whereby students and graduates are accepted from 10 Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s).

In 2008, the Rules governing Health Funds were changed by the Government. This changed the way Health Funds recognised providers. Registration is available to members of a Professional Organisation which meet the requirements of the Private Health Insurance Accreditation Rules. To ensure that benefits are paid for our members services, IRMA underwent a strict registration process for all Funds. Part of this process was the establishment of a monthly reporting system (weekly for 1 Fund) of practicing members’ information.  

The IRMA Board meet monthly and work hard to ensure the Association is represented on many levels and continue to aim for high standards in education, strive to serve its members and the public and to help the Myotherapy industry move forward into the future.