Our History

History of Australian Reiki Connection

The Australian Reiki Connection Inc. has become a valuable resource for the many who practice Reiki in Australia today, whether professionally or just for self, family and friends.

It has always and will continue to, represent the best interests of both members and the Usui system of Reiki.

How it Started

In 1996 WendyJoy Smith - founder and first President of the Australian Reiki Connection (ARC), placed an advertisement in a local newspaper, seeking out ‘friends in Reiki.’ There was little response, so WendyJoy carried out more research and started to organize a meeting of like minded people. A flyer was made up and sent to all of the Reiki masters and practitioners who advertised at that time in the Living Now magazine, a Melbourne based publication. All were invited to attend a public meeting on the 30th May in Melbourne. This time, the word spread fast and the response far exceeded expectation. Expressions of interest were received from all over Australia.

Many people came along to the meeting and participated in a, sometimes heated, discussion about the future of Reiki in Australia. From the discussion came the suggestion of the possible formation of an independent Usui-based Reiki association.

A follow up date was arranged for July, and Australian Reiki Connection was born. Incorporation was applied for and accepted in December 1997, and this date was decided upon as ARC’s birthday, which is celebrated at the last gathering of members in each year.

Throughout the years the Australian Reiki Connection has gone from strength to strength while some Reiki associations have presented themselves and then faded away. There are a variety of reasons for ARC’s unbridled success.

Some of our Accomplishments

The Australian Reiki Connection is an association that welcomes ‘Independent’ practitioners and master teachers of the Usui system of Reiki and, at the same time, those affiliated with other Usui system of Reiki schools. It is from this whole-of-membership approach that unity was built. Diversity is, therefore, another of ARC's strengths. Not only is there diversity among members, but all are valued and welcome to share their views in the spirit of fellowship. The all-important consultative process is followed in the formulation or review of policies and procedures.

From the very beginning, ARC has been involved in the development of Codes of Ethics and Professional Practice for members. Standards of practice were developed initially by the Reiki Masters in ARC then reviewed and in 1999 ratified by all members. This gradually developed into a Personal and Professional Development Booklet that all professional members annually complete to ensure exemplary standards.

Submission of an annual P and PD booklet is no longer a requirement for professional members due to provider numbers being removed for Reiki practitioners.

A directory referral system on the ARC website, allows these professional members to be reached with ease by the general public.

Accomplishments of the Australian Reiki Connection

National Reiki Association, the Australian Reiki Connection

Over the years the Australian Reiki Connection, has, through it's committee of management worked steadfastly and quietly on many major issues, for the benefit of its members and Reiki.

In 1997 founding president, WendyJoy Smith was responsible for a major insurance company providing cover for Reiki practitioners. A few years later, other insurance companies followed this lead.
ARC was responsible for having a major health fund issue rebates for Reiki treatments for the first time in Australia (unfortunately at this time, health funds are no longer offering this cover).
ARC and its members were responsible, for Yellow Pages including a separate sub heading for Reiki.

There have been many other firsts instigated by ARC that now benefit the Reiki community.

Through the ARC INK magazine, and in-person gatherings ARC has given Reiki practitioners the opportunity to raise and address concerns such as, the cost of learning Reiki in Australia, the regulation of Reiki, feelings of isolation and, perhaps more importantly for many, opportunities to share and learn more about Reiki with like-minded people.

The Australian Reiki Connection has members in every Australian state and territory. ARC is registered as a National Reiki Association with the Australian Securities & Investment Commission.

ARC has played a large role in providing membership feedback regarding the viability and suitability of regulation to relevant bodies interested in Australian Reiki regulation. In 2006 ARC Committee of Management introduced the Association of Australian Reiki Professionals (AARP) a professional branch for practitioners and master teachers.

The primary aims and functions of the Association of Australian Reiki Professionals are to:

To raise the profile of Professional Reiki practitioners and Master teachers
To encourage professional Reiki practitioners and teachers to pursue ongoing professional and personal development and perform to a high standard of Reiki training.
To maintain an Australia wide directory of professional Reiki Practitioners and Master teachers.
To work alongside other professional bodies for the promulgation of the Usui System of Reiki
To work towards the integration of Reiki as a stand alone modality, in the Mainstream Healthcare system

Note:

In August 2017, as a follow on from the introduction of legally binding National and State Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers, the Committee of Management agreed, that there was no longer a need for the separate professional branch of the Association (AARP). It was further agreed to change the status of membership categories. Member categories changed to Non Professional Member: thus ensuring that those who only use Reiki for self use were recognised and included in the Association.

Practitioner category changed to Professional Reiki Treatment Practitioner: to ensure ARC members in this category comply with the legally binding National and State Code of Conduct

In 2006 during negotiations on a proposed Certificate IV in Reiki Treatment Practice in Community Services and Healthcare Settings ARC was instrumental in the formation of the Council of Australian Reiki Organisations (CARO) a not for profit national Usui System of Reiki (USR) body that aimed to represent the interests of Usui Reiki organisations in Australia. This was the first time in Australia that Reiki Organisations came together, not to support the aims of a single organisation, but to work together as equals - to speak with a united voice. As that particular proposed Cert IV did not go ahead the need for CARO has ceased.

Since 2007 ARC has been an active participant with State Health departments, in the formulation of Codes of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners and more recently the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers.

ARC has made a number of submissions to relevant Government departments and Mainstream Health Facilities advocating for the integration of Reiki as a stand alone modality.