FROM BORNEO TO MELBOURNE

The Making of Dr Scott Ling

A Spark Ignited

The Making of
a Practitioner

The Search for Something More

The Birth of Sustain Health

Shaping the Future of Chinese Medicine

The Mission Continues
to This Day

FROM BORNEO TO MELBOURNE

The Making of Dr Scott Ling

A wooden stilt house in Borneo alike where Dr Scott Ling began his journey into TCM
01

A Spark Ignited

Dr Scott Ling’s story begins in a wooden stilt house in Borneo, where he spent his first 17 years immersed in the rhythms of nature and the strength of a close-knit community. Life was simple, but it was here that he witnessed something that would change his life forever.
His grandfather—once strong and full of life—had been left nearly immobile by a neurological illness. The family accepted his condition as irreversible, but fate had other plans. An acupuncturist was called in, and after several treatments, his grandfather slowly regained movement.

It was nothing short of remarkable.

Young Scott watched in awe as his grandfather reclaimed his independence—not through surgery or medication, but through something older, something deeply rooted in Eastern medicine.

That moment ignited a lifelong curiosity: What if medicine wasn’t just about treating symptoms, but about restoring the body’s balance and vitality?

Dr Scott Ling reflects on his years of study at one of China’s most prestigious medical institutions & Dr Scott learning from Dr Zhu
02

The Making of a Practitioner

Determined to understand the science behind healing, Scott pursued a Bachelor of Medicine in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of China’s most prestigious medical institutions.

Training in Shanghai’s top hospitals—Shu Guang, Yue Yang, and Long Hua—he was exposed to both the strengths of modern medicine and the depth of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He saw firsthand how acupuncture and herbal medicine were being used not just as complementary approaches but as

powerful, standalone solutions for conditions that Western medicine often struggled to address.

During those years, he didn’t just learn medicine—he learned patience, precision, and the art of truly listening to a patient’s body.

Melbourne CBD, where Dr Scott Ling migrated to pursue TCM
03

The Search for Something More

In 2006, Dr Scott Ling and his wife made a bold decision—to start fresh in Australia. But like many immigrants, their path was not easy.

Without an established network, Dr Scott Ling took on various roles in GP, chiropractic, and massage clinics to gain a foothold in the Australian healthcare space.

However, he quickly realised something was missing.

The healthcare system was fast-paced and symptom-focused, often leaving little room for the deep, restorative approach that had drawn him to medicine in the first place.

If he wanted to practise medicine the way he truly believed in, he would have to create the space for it himself.

Practitioners at Sustain Health, South Melbourne
04

The Birth of Sustain Health

With a vision to bring authentic, high-quality TCM to Australia, Dr Scott Ling founded Sustain Health—a practice where Traditional Chinese Medicine and evidence-based care intersect.

Today, Sustain Health South Melbourne is one of the leading TCM practices in the country,

attracting patients from across Australia seeking specialised care for complex and chronic conditions.

His approach remains deeply rooted in the philosophy that inspired him as a child: medicine should restore balance, not just mask symptoms.

But Dr Scott Ling’s impact extends beyond the patients he treats.

Dr Scott Ling presenting at the University of Melbourne MD Student Conference
05

Shaping the Future of Chinese Medicine

Recognising the need to elevate and professionalise Chinese medicine in Australia, Dr Scott Ling established The Academy—a training platform dedicated to shaping the next generation of TCM practitioners.

Through mentorship, education, clinical training, and national speaking engagements, he shares decades of expertise with students and professionals alike. His work ensures that the future of Chinese medicine in Australia remains strong, respected, and at the forefront of integrative healthcare.

Dr Scott Ling treating patients at Sustain Health
06

The Mission Continues to This Day

From a small stilt house in Borneo to leading one of Australia’s most recognised TCM practices, Dr Scott Ling’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and purpose.

But for him, the work is never done.

His mission remains the same as it was the day he watched his grandfather take his first steps after treatment:

To heal, to restore, and to help people reconnect with the parts of life they value most

Today, that mission lives on in every patient he supports, every practitioner he mentors, and every conversation that shifts the way we think about medicine.