Become a lymphoedema therapist

Learn practical skills from leading experts, gaining a qualification recognised by the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA).

Our ALERT Lymphoedema Accreditation Training Program includes a mixed-methods approach of lymphoedema education incorporating the two mandatory foundational units and optional regional unit/s health professionals select in line with their scope of practice:

Foundational units (mandatory)

  • Principles of Lymphoedema Management
  • Contemporary Evidence in Lymphoedema Management

Regional units (health professional choose units in line with their scope of practice)

  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Upper Limb and Breast
  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Lower Limb and Genital Region
  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Head and Neck Region

This training program incorporates online interactive and face-to-face comprehensive practical learning and assessment. All units have been designed to be interactive and multimodal enhancing the student’s experience. They include embedded readings, knowledge checks and forum activities.

We estimate students need to set aside up to 75 hours for each of the online foundational units and up to 55 hours for each of the regional units to complete the online learning and assessments. Successful completion of the online units is a mandatory requirement prior to attending the face-to-face days. Each regional unit includes 20 hours of face-to-face practical learning and assessment.

This training program is accredited by the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) in accordance with the ALA Competency Standards for Lymphoedema Practitioners and meets the application requirements for the ALA Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner Program. Please see the ALA website for more information.

While ALERT welcomes and encourages interdisciplinary learning, individual health professionals need to practice within their scope of practice. Please seek guidance from your professional board and from your insurance company to determine which modalities you are covered to deliver.

2024 programs

Macquarie University

  • April face-to-face practical learning and assessment
    • Upper Limb and Breast - 16-17 April
    • Lower Limb and Genital Region – 18-19 April
    • Head and Neck Region – 22-23 April
    • Closed
  • July face-to-face practical learning and assessment
    • Upper Limb and Breast - 16-17 July
    • Lower Limb and Genital Region – 18-19 July
    • Head and Neck Region – 11-12 July
    • Register here
  • November/December face-to-face practical learning and assessment
    • Upper Limb and Breast – 26-27 November
    • Lower Limb and Genital Region – 28-29 November
    • Head and Neck Region – 2-3 December
    • Register here

New Zealand

Venue: Four Points by Sheraton, Auckland

  • June face-to-face practical learning and assessment
    • Upper Limb and Breast – 11-12 June
    • Lower Limb and Genital Region – 13-14 June
    • Head and Neck Region – 13-14 June
    • Register here

Western Australia

Venue: Pagoda Resort & Spa, Como, Perth

  • August face-to-face practical learning and assessment
    • Upper Limb and Breast – 13-14 August
    • Lower Limb and Genital Region – 15-16 August
    • Head and Neck Region – 19-20 August
    • Register here

The ALERT program was amazing hands-on training program. The educators were extremely knowledgeable and guided us exceptionally. I left feeling confident to commence assessing and treating patients knowing I am well supported.

Katie Commins, Physiotherapist February 2023

Lymphoedema accreditation training program details

Please see below for more information.

  1. Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 bachelor's qualification in a health degree or recognised equivalent.
  2. Current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or international equivalent.
  3. Current Professional Indemnity Certificate of Currency (held personally or by the student’s place of work) or a letter from current employer confirming insurance coverage.
  4. These units are taught in English, so all students must be proficient in English. For more information, students can visit Macquarie University’s guidelines on English Language Requirements.
  5. Successfully complete the online foundational units prior to attending the face-to-face practical learning and assessment regional unit/s).

At the successful completion of this training program you will be an accredited lymphoedema practitioner and you will be able to:

  1. explain the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system including principles of microcirculation
  2. define and differentiate between types of oedemas
  3. apply knowledge and skills to plan a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for a person at risk of or living with lymphoedema and chronic oedemas using latest evidence
  4. interpret assessment findings and use clinical reasoning to develop an evidence-based person-centred intervention plan
  5. explain the revised anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and teachings from ICG lymphography
  6. define the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care in cancer rehabilitation and how this can be integrated into healthcare settings
  7. discuss individual and societal impact of lymphoedema and chronic oedema models of care and how latest imaging assessments can change clinical practice
  8. demonstrate evidenced based best practice management skills for the assessment and management of treating lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, and lower limb and genital region
  9. demonstrate safe, effective, patient-centred skills and competencies in delivering high standard of lymphoedema assessment and management strategies for treating lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, and lower limb and genital region
  10. adapt assessment and intervention plans to meet needs of individuals from distinct social and/or cultural groups to ensure culturally respectful care for people with lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, and lower limb and genital region
  11. use feedback from teachers, clinicians, peers and patients to inform self-evaluation and critical reflection of knowledge and skill development.

For content on the head and neck region please go here.

A/Prof Louise Koelmeyer

BAppSc(OT) Usyd, PhD Macq

Louise is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private settings specialising in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management. As Director of the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program. Louise has lead the ALERT Education Program’s redesign and development of their educational offerings to conform the ALA’s Competency Standards and Macquarie University’s microcredentialling and curriculum architecture frameworks.

Louise was awarded her doctorate at Macquarie University in April 2021 in “Enhancing the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care for women at high risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphoedema.”

Louise has been leading and teaching in the ALERT Education Program since its inception including offering ALA accredited programs under the ALERT banner. She develops and presents education workshops and advanced skill-based units on all aspects of assessment and management of lymphoedema locally, nationally and internationally.

Louise is a current member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), Australian Society of Breast Diseases (ASBD), the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and the NSW Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

Robbie Blackwell

BAppSc(OT) USyd

Robbie is an occupational therapist and lymphoedema practitioner and is a team leader in the ALERT Lymphoedema Treatment Clinic, where she has worked since 2017. Along with providing conservative management recommendations to patient with lymphoedema, lipedema and other chronic oedemas, Robbie performs ICG lymphography imaging and has coordinated the ALERT ICG Diagnostic Assessment Clinic since 2020.

Robbie continues to contribute to the expanding body of research describing common patterns of morphological change observed in the lymphatic system, when lymphatic impairment is identified.

Robbie forms part of the ALERT Education teaching staff and is also the lead trainer delivering the Contemporary Evidence in Lymphoedema Management unit via zoom.

In 2020 Robbie was appointed an Honorary Conjoint Associate Lecturer at Macquarie University. Robbie is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association, Occupational Therapy Australia and the NSW Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

Fiona Tisdall Blake

BAppSc(Phty) LaTrobe

Fiona is a physiotherapist with more than 30 years of experience in a broad range of clinical settings including private practice, occupational health and hospital settings in Australia and the United Kingdom. As an accredited lymphoedema practitioner, Fiona brings extensive experience in orthopaedic, neurological and spinal surgery rehabilitation to her management of lymphoedema.

Fiona joined the ALERT Program in 2017 after becoming an accredited lymphoedema practitioner in 2016 through the ALERT Level 1 Lymphoedema Accreditation Training Program. Fiona’s role involves the conservative management of all types of lymphoedema and chronic oedema. Fiona works in the Diagnostic Assessment Clinic, performing ICG imaging of lymphoedema. This role has been particularly important in informing her management of lymphoedema and more importantly in educating her clients how to best self-manage their lymphoedema.

Fiona forms part of the ALERT teaching staff and is also the lead trainer delivering the face-to-face practical learning and assessment of the Lymphoedema Practice for the Head and Neck Region unit.

In 2020 Fiona was appointed an Honorary Conjoint Associate Lecturer at Macquarie University. Fiona is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, the Australasian Lymphology Association and the NSW Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

Dr Belinda Thompson

BExSpSc UON, MClinExPhys CSU, PhD UON

Belinda Thompson joined the ALERT program in 2019. In her role as lecturer, Belinda forms part of the ALERT education teaching staff and has led the development of the new online interactive content. She also conducts and supports research into methods for early detection, diagnosis and intervention for lymphoedema and lipedema. In 2020 Belinda became an accredited lymphoedema practitioner having completed the ALERT Level 1 Lymphoedema Accreditation Training Program.

Belinda has been involved in research since 2012 and has completed a PhD in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Newcastle. She has also completed Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation) and is an accredited exercise physiologist with more than six years of experience providing exercise interventions in a clinical setting. Belinda combines her research experience and clinical skills to provide evidence to support best practice to improve outcomes in patients with lymphoedema.

Belinda is a member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Australasian Lymphology Association, International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, and Sports Medicine Australia.

Dr Vincent Singh Paramanadam

BPT TNMGRMU, MSc (Psychology) UOM, MPT CCSU, MSc in Cancer Care OBU, PhD USYD

Vincent Paramanandam joined the ALERT program as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2023. Vincent is part of the research team at the ALERT. Before joining the ALERT Program, he was a lecturer at the University of Sydney. Vincent is an accomplished physiotherapist in the field of oncology, with over 20 years of experience as a clinical physiotherapist. Vincent received training in Leduc and FG-MLD methods of lymphoedema management from the Lymphoedema Academy, UK. He established an evidence-based course in oncological physiotherapy that continues to be offered at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. He is a founding member and the president-elect of the Society of Onco-Physiotherapists of India.

Vincent's research focuses on physiotherapy for cancer sequelae, particularly lymphoedema after breast cancer, and clinimetrics, specifically patient-reported outcome measures. His recent randomised trial on the prophylactic use of compression sleeves to reduce the incidence of arm swelling in women at high risk of breast cancer-related lymphoedema was published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology and received the Best of the Best Oral Presentation award at the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia scientific meeting - 2022. This trial is in the top 5% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric, indicating its significant impact and importance. Vincent’s outstanding contributions to the field of physiotherapy and cancer rehabilitation have been recognised with numerous awards and honours, including a prestigious USydIS Strategic Scholarship from the University of Sydney for his PhD, a Distinction from the Oxford Brookes University in the UK and the Paper of the Year award from the Journal of Physiotherapy.

Vincent is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association, an associate member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Indian Association of Physiotherapists. Vincent also holds a casual academic position (lecturer) at the University of Sydney.

Yvonne Ferguson

Dip(Phty)

Yvonne Ferguson is a registered physiotherapist in New Zealand and has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of lymphoedema management. Yvonne delivered Level 1 and 2 accreditation training programs through her company, Lymphoedema Consulting and Training, prior to joining the ALERT Program.

Yvonne is an Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) member and has been registered on the ALA National Lymphology Practitioners Register (NLPR) since its inception. She also sits on the ALA Equity Committee, working to see change in services offered and funding for compression garments.

Yvonne has worked for many years for the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board, specialising in women’s health since 1995, after completing a Physiotherapy Diploma in Women’s Health.  After completing Level 1 Management and Treatment of Lymphoedema in 2003, and later Level 2, she commenced running a lymphoedema clinic for the region. She also completed the Certified Lymphoedema Therapist Training in Colorado USA with Klose Lymphoedema Training.

Each unit has been designed as a standalone unit at a cost of $1,100 per unit plus GST.

Please note it is mandatory for a student to successfully complete the online foundational units and the online content for the regional unit/s prior to attending the face-to-face practical learning and assessment days.

Fees must be paid in Australian dollars by credit card or by invoice on request to alerteducation@mq.edu.au.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when you complete the registration survey.

  1. Click on the 'register here' link to pay the deposit/full payment.
  2. The deposit of $2,200 plus GST covers the two foundational units. The balance for each regional unit selected is $1,100 plus GST which is due one month prior to the commencement of the face-to-face practical learning and assessment days.
  3. Once we have received the payment students will receive a registration survey email. Students are required to upload  their current AHPRA Certificate and Professional Indemnity Certificate of Currency (held personally or by the student’s place of work) as part of this process.
  4. Once we have received the completed registration survey, students will receive their official registration letter and their ProLearn login instructions to commence the online learning.

Cancellations more than three weeks before the face-to-face practical learning and assessment days, when a student has not yet begun their online learning units, will incur a non-refundable administration fee of $250 plus GST, which will be deducted from the student’s refund. No refund will be given if cancellation is made within three weeks of the start date of the face-to-face practical learning and assessment days. Requests for refund will exclude any online units which have been commenced.

If a student has not successfully completed the required online learning prior to the face-to-face practical learning and assessment days, and wish to transfer to another program, the student will incur a transfer fee of $250 plus GST.

This training program will be conducted in the Department of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University.

New Zealand and Western Australia Program venues TBA.

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