Is an Osteopath a Doctor?
Answer: Depends on who you ask.
According to the OBA (Osteopathy Board of Australia) and OC (Osteopathic Council), all registered osteopaths may use the title of doctor. However, according to the AQF (Australian Qualification Framework), it’s a little more complicated.
The AQF assigns a level of qualification to an educational institution’s course, ranging from AQF level 1 to AQF level 10:
AQF 1 = Certificate 1
AQF 2 = Certificate 2
…
AQF 9 = Master’s degree, extended master’s degree
AQF 10 = PhD, doctorate, etc.
According to the AQF, the only individuals who may use the title of “doctor” are holders of a course with AQF 10, or those who possess an extended master’s degree (AQF 9) in either dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, physiotherapy, or veterinary practice – and the wording must stipulate “Doctor of …”.
However, the AQF allows further exceptions for those with a master’s degree (not extended) which permit using the title of doctor where an institution allows it; e.g.: The OBA and OC.
It must also be noted that not all registered osteopaths possess a master’s degree. Some possess a double-bachelor’s degree (AQF 7), others have a diploma of osteopathy (AQF 5).
To make a long answer short:
A registered osteopath is a doctor, according to the OBA and OC. But according to the AQF, only registered osteopaths who possess a master’s degree may use that title, and it must be worded as: “Doctor of Osteopathy”, “DO”, or “Dr John Smith (Osteopath)”.
References:
AQF: https://www.aqf.edu.au/download/436/aqf-qualification-titles/30/aqf-qualification-titles/pdf
