All complaints about non-compliance with the ESCS should be directed in the first instance to the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd (AACMA).
AACMA will forward details of the complaint to relevant personnel in DEWHA for investigation and legal action if appropriate. Should criminal charges be found proven against a person certified or representing a business certified under the scheme, DEWHA will notify AACMA in writing and AACMA will be required to revoke the certification.
AACMA may run a parallel investigation. The principles of natural justice shall apply to the AACMA investigation. If a finding is duly made by the AACMA Disciplinary Committee that the certified person/business has breached the conditions for certification, the following actions may result:
- counselling in relation to the alleged conduct;
- written warning about future conduct; and
- revocation of the ESCS certification of that person or business.
DEWHA will be notified of the findings/outcome of a complaint related to the scheme that was investigated by the AACMA Disciplinary Committee.
Ginseng photo credit: Allan Crawford, Traffic International; Musk photo credit: Sue Earl & Greg Miles