NDIS Update: Changes to Accessing Art and Music Therapy Support
- Care Connect Coordination
- Dec 6, 2024
- 4 min read
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has long been committed to ensuring participants receive evidence-based support tailored to their individual needs. As part of recent changes to NDIS legislation, the Australian Government has provided clearer definitions of what participants can and cannot access with their NDIS funding. This update aims to provide greater clarity, particularly around the use of art and music therapy, which remains a popular form of support for many NDIS participants.
What Has Changed?
On October 3, the new legislation was passed, and the NDIS Operational Guideline was updated to reflect these changes. Importantly, art and music therapy will remain available for NDIS participants. However, the way in which these services are accessed and funded will change, starting on February 1, 2025.
Here are the key updates:
Access to Music and Art Therapy: Participants will continue to access these therapies, but the process for receiving support will evolve.
Pricing and Funding: From February 2025, participants can access art and music therapy through their community participation budget in two distinct ways:
Individual sessions: At a rate of $67.56 per hour when delivered by a registered provider.
Group sessions: At a rate of $193.99 per hour when delivered to a group of at least four participants by a registered provider. This change aims to enhance opportunities for community inclusion and participation.
These pricing structures are part of the NDIS's broader goal to make community participation more accessible and to create a clearer pathway for accessing these therapeutic services. Importantly, current arrangements for accessing art and music therapy will remain in place until the new price guide takes effect in February 2025.
Continuing Access to Higher Rates for Some Participants
For participants who already have art or music therapy written into their NDIS plan—because it is deemed reasonable and necessary and supported by evidence in their specific case—the higher rate of support will remain available. This means that those whose plans explicitly include music or art therapy will still be able to access it at a rate higher than the community participation rate.
What’s the Evidence Behind Art and Music Therapy?
One of the most significant aspects of the NDIS updates is the clarification around the evidence base for art and music therapy. These therapies, while widely valued for their benefits, do not meet the evidentiary standards required to be classified as a “therapy” under the new definitions set by the NDIS.
As the NDIS defines it, therapy supports are typically those that help improve or maintain a participant's functional capacity in areas such as mobility, personal care, communication, psychosocial functioning, and community living. These therapies are generally delivered by registered health professionals, such as psychologists or occupational therapists, and tend to be funded at a higher rate than other supports.
The evidence base for art and music therapy is still being developed in the context of disability-related support. Recognizing this, the NDIS has decided to refer art and music therapy to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) for further review. The EAC was established as part of the NDIS Review to assess and advise on the evidence for therapeutic supports, with the aim of improving outcomes for participants.
The Role of the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee
The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of NDIS supports. It is tasked with evaluating the evidence base for therapies like art and music therapy, ensuring that the services provided are grounded in robust research, and ultimately improving the outcomes for participants. As these therapies evolve, the EAC will help guide the future funding and delivery of art and music therapy through the NDIS.
What Does This Mean for Participants?
For participants currently receiving art or music therapy, the immediate impact is minimal, as the changes to the price guide will not take effect until February 2025. However, it is important for all participants and providers to be aware of the upcoming changes to ensure they can make informed decisions about how to continue accessing these supports.
In the longer term, these changes are part of a larger effort to provide clearer guidance around the types of support funded by the NDIS. The continued involvement of the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee ensures that the NDIS remains responsive to the evolving evidence around different therapies, including art and music therapy, which play a vital role in supporting many individuals with disabilities.
Conclusion
The NDIS's recent update on art and music therapy signals an ongoing effort to refine the support options available to participants, with an emphasis on clarity and evidence-based decision-making. While the changes coming into effect in 2025 may require some adjustment, they represent an opportunity to ensure that therapies are provided in a way that best supports the inclusion and functional capacity of participants. For those currently receiving art or music therapy, there is no need to act until the new pricing guidelines are implemented in 2025, but staying informed and connected with your provider will help ensure that your support needs are met as these changes unfold.
For more information on what NDIS funds, visit the official NDIS website.
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