{"id":4031,"date":"2025-05-29T14:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T04:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=4031"},"modified":"2025-05-29T14:21:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T04:21:29","slug":"refusing-treatment-understanding-your-rights-and-responsibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/refusing-treatment-understanding-your-rights-and-responsibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Refusing treatment: understanding your rights and responsibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At some point in their career, every massage therapist will face a situation where refusing a treatment to a client may be necessary. However, knowing when and how to refuse treatment professionally can be complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Australian discrimination law protects clients from unfair treatment, you still have important rights to refuse service when it&#8217;s legally, ethically, or professionally justified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AMT\u2019s new Refusal of Treatment Fact Sheet provides clear guidance on your rights and obligations as an AMT member. The resource covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>legitimate reasons for refusing treatment, from scope of practice issues to safety concerns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ethical boundaries and professional standards you must maintain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>practical steps for handling refusals professionally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>what to do if a client continues unwanted contact after refusal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your safety and professional integrity come first. It\u2019s also important to remember that clear practice policies and firm boundaries protect both you and your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download the Refusal of Treatment Fact Sheet from <a href=\"https:\/\/members.amt.org.au\/users\/10403\/resources\">the resources section of your AMT member portal<\/a> or <a href=\"mailto:info@amt.org.au\">contact AMT<\/a> for support if you&#8217;re facing a challenging client situation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this AMT micro blog, we introduce AMT&#8217;s new fact sheet on Refusal of Treatment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[110,2,174],"tags":[28,598,1011,1009,1010,930,714,1007,553],"class_list":["post-4031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-clinical-practice","category-professional-practice","category-resources","tag-amt","tag-association-of-massage-therapists","tag-clinic-policies","tag-discrimination-law","tag-fact-sheet","tag-massage-therapy-practice","tag-professional-boundaries","tag-refusing-treatment","tag-safety"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/51267020130_34a710d343_c.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3574,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2022\/03\/30\/amt-chairperson-autumn-2022-message\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":0},"title":"AMT Chairperson Autumn 2022 Message","author":"admin","date":"30\/03\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"How well written are your treatment notes? Would they stand up to scrutiny in a courtroom? AMT Chairperson Subhadra Gerard is here to spell out the importance of record keeping.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/vinyl-1595847_640.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/vinyl-1595847_640.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/vinyl-1595847_640.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3803,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2023\/09\/28\/keeping-on-top-of-client-records\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":1},"title":"Keeping on top of client records","author":"admin","date":"28\/09\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Client records are not just something required for health funds. Every treatment, regardless of the type or duration must be appropriately documented. Find out more about what is required in this blog.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"file cabinet","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cabinet-1293245_1280.png?fit=1200%2C975&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cabinet-1293245_1280.png?fit=1200%2C975&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cabinet-1293245_1280.png?fit=1200%2C975&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cabinet-1293245_1280.png?fit=1200%2C975&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cabinet-1293245_1280.png?fit=1200%2C975&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3037,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/02\/04\/the-push\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":2},"title":"The Push","author":"admin","date":"04\/02\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We're all aware of the boundaries massage therapists cannot cross but what happens when clients push at our professional boundaries?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-04-094730.jpg?fit=958%2C603&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-04-094730.jpg?fit=958%2C603&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-04-094730.jpg?fit=958%2C603&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-04-094730.jpg?fit=958%2C603&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":484,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/01\/17\/being-a-health-fund-provider-your-responsibilities-and-obligations\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":3},"title":"Being A Health Fund Provider: Your Responsibilities And Obligations","author":"admin","date":"17\/01\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"What are your responsibilities and obligations as a massage therapy provider? What records do you need to maintain and keep? And how do you avoid committing health fund fraud? Some simple guidelines and reminders to follow as a provider to private health funds.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"person writing","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/writing-828911_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/writing-828911_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/writing-828911_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/writing-828911_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/writing-828911_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1512,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/03\/21\/modality-jiggery-pokery\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":4},"title":"Modality Jiggery Pokery*","author":"admin","date":"21\/03\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"AMT recently had some dialogue with Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt regarding the April 1 changes to private health insurance rules. Rebecca Barnett reports that we might be scratching our heads even more now.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/private-health-insurance-1200x72-1.jpg?fit=750%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/private-health-insurance-1200x72-1.jpg?fit=750%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/private-health-insurance-1200x72-1.jpg?fit=750%2C442&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/private-health-insurance-1200x72-1.jpg?fit=750%2C442&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3879,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2024\/05\/20\/10-reasons-to-be-excited-about-amts-new-research-resource\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":5},"title":"10 reasons to be excited about AMT&#8217;s new research resource","author":"admin","date":"20\/05\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Drum roll please ... Unveiling the new AMT research resource: your backstage pass to the cutting-edge of massage therapy, where evidence meets innovation in one shiny, digital package.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Library.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Library.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Library.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Library.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Library.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4031"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4032,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4031\/revisions\/4032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}