Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies LtdRegistered

Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies Ltd aims to improve the practice of natural therapies for optimal patient care and experience by: supporting research; promoting and enabling high standards of knowledge, competence and conduct; supporting public education; and developing a community of researchers, scholars and leaders in the natural therapies profession. Our primary partnership is with NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University, funding projects that advance research and academic leadership in complementary and integrative medicine. The Foundation also awards scholarships and project funding to other organisations through a competitive application process. Current funded initiatives include a Southern Cross University clinical trial evaluating a complementary therapy for chronic urinary tract infection prevention; and Griffith University research developing ethical alternatives to animal testing for natural remedies as part of the Mudjula project, a successful collaboration between researchers and the Nyikina Mangala people, prioritising Indigenous involvement, knowledge protection, and community benefit. The Foundation also supports community health initiatives, providing funding to Liverpool Women's Health Centre to deliver affordable natural therapy services for women experiencing disadvantage. In addition, the Foundation provided financial assistance to the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) to engage an advocate to assist with reinstatement of Private Health Insurance rebates. Sponsorship was also provided to support the National Symposium on Australian Traditional Medicine held at Western Sydney University. Through these diverse funding streams, the Foundation bridges academic research, clinical practice, and community health to strengthen the evidence base, reputation and accessibility of natural therapies.