The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will review its decision to remove music therapy as a therapy support funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIA announced on 13 December 2024 that an independent review led by health economist Dr Stephen Duckett AM will address critical areas. These include:
- Evidence of effectiveness of art and music therapy for people with disability
- Qualifications and registration of music and art practitioners
- Pricing of art and music support.
Parents of Deaf Children (PODC), which previously opposed the removal of music as an NDIS funded therapeutic support, stating it would adversely affect Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, welcomed the new review. It said evidence showed music therapy in Deaf and Hard of Hearing children improved speech-in-noise perception, psychosocial benefits and listening skills.
PODC president Ms Suzanne Robertson told HPA: “We’re glad to see the NDIS reviewing its decision to exclude art therapy and music therapy as evidence-based supports.
“These therapies play a life-changing role for so many people and dismissing them created unnecessary confusion and concern. It’s a reminder of how important it is to involve the community, listen to lived experiences, and make decisions that truly reflect the value of these qualified professionals and their impact on people’s lives.”
Dr Duckett will undertake the review ahead of the operation of the Expert Advisory Committee by July 2025. Dr Duckett has occupied several leadership roles in health services, leading reform and evidence-based innovations in health care.
The NDIA said it had deferred the release of the operational guidance clarifying decision making on therapy supports, which is required under recent Government changes to the NDIS Act, and any associated price guide changes.
The review will also seek from art and music practice associations any additional peer-reviewed evidence that the supports are effective and beneficial as a disability-related support for most participants and are current good practice.
“The review’s role and responsibility is to provide expert opinion on appropriate pricing for art and music therapy, on the basis of existing evidence as to whether the music and art therapy will be, or is likely to be, effective and beneficial for participants, having regard to current good practice,” the NDIA said.
“For evidence-based therapy to be funded through the NDIS, there needs to be evidence that the therapy helps participants improve or maintain their functional capacity in areas such as language and communication, personal care, mobility and movement, interpersonal interactions, functioning (including psychosocial functioning) and community living.”
Evidence based therapy currently allows providers to charge up to $193.99 per hour (except for psychology).
The NDIA said it would release the operational guidance in 2025. Any proposed changes will not come into force until the review is completed and the relevant findings are considered, it added.
Music therapy association welcomes move
Ms Monica Zidar, Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) president and director and principal registered music therapist at Queensland Paediatric Allied Health, welcomed the review and said findings were expected in March 2025.
Zidar and other association representatives travelled to Canberra in early December to meet with NDIS Minister Mr Bill Shorten and the NDIA after the proposal was announced.
“This (review) is a pivotal step toward recognising the value of music therapy in the lives of NDIS participants,” Zidar said. “By commissioning this review, the NDIA is opening the door to deeper insights, stronger frameworks, and, ultimately, better outcomes for those we serve.
“Let’s work together to ensure this review captures the full impact of music therapy as a support for people to achieve their functional goals, fostering inclusion, growth, and well-being for people with disability.”
AMTA said the review followed extensive advocacy from its association on behalf of participants, families and members in recent weeks. It has requested that Dr Duckett provide copies of the evidence the NDIA relied on to make its original decision.
“Furthermore, we request that he meet with participants, their families and our members to hear first-hand about the positive, transformative work of music therapy professionals across Australia,” AMTA said.
It was however disappointed that, as music therapy was a sector dominated by qualified professional women, no women were appointed to the review panel alongside Dr Duckett, and changes to pricing guidelines were not substantially deferred to ease anxiety across the sector in the lead-up to the holiday season.
PODC previously urged people to sign a petition to retain music therapy as a therapy support. Music therapist and speech pathologist Ms Robyn Fernandez-Baca started the petition which has more than 58,000 signatures.
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