The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has announced changes to music and art therapy funding, effective from February 1 next year, with concerns among practitioners and families that it will make these therapies harder to access.
Changes to NDIS Funding for Music and Art Therapy
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has announced changes to the way music and art therapies are funded, effective from February 1 next year.
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Previously, music therapy was fully covered at a rate of $194 an hour under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living category.
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Under the new funding structure, clients will only be able to bill the scheme a “community rate” of $68 an hour, unless they can show that the therapies improve or maintain their “functional capacity”.
Concerns Among Practitioners and Families
Practitioners are concerned that the changes will make it harder for people with disability to access music and art therapy, which they say is an evidence-based treatment that can significantly improve outcomes.
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Music therapists are worried that the decision was made without consultation or justification.
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The changes threaten the livelihoods of 950 registered music therapists in Australia, many of whom work as NDIS providers.
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Families of people with disability who rely on music and art therapy say that the changes will increase costs for them and make it harder to access the support they need.
NDIS Response
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) stated that the changes start on February 1 next year and providers can still charge a higher rate when they work with groups of four. However, practitioners say that this is not sufficient to address their concerns.
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The NDIA has referred art and music therapy to be assessed by the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee.
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Practitioners are calling on the NDIS to pause the changes and review its decision.
