Music Therapy and NDIS:
Can I access Music Therapy?
You’re here because you want to learn more about music therapy and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Well hang onto your hats, you’re in for a treat!
Where it all began…
Since the inception of the NDIS in 2013, the Australian Music Therapy Association and music therapists themselves have advocated and been at the forefront of advocating for music therapy to be an available allied health and therapeutic support to people accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Registered Music therapists have provided services under NDIS funding to individuals since it was rolled out. Over time, and as there has been an increasing understanding of music therapy and how it can support people living with a disability. This has meant that the music therapy workforce has grown rapidly to meet the demand of more people wanting to access music therapy with their NDIS funding.
In fact, since 2021 there has been a specific line item for music therapy for people over 7 years of age in the NDIS pricing arrangements!
Here it is: 15_615_0128_1_3 Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training – Music Therapist.
Anyone under 7 years of age can still access music therapy using their NDIS funding, but it does not have its own line item and comes under ‘Other Therapist’
ECEI line Item number: 15_005_0118_1_3 Capacity Building For Early Childhood Interventions – Other Professional.
Under the scheme, music therapy must be delivered in a program designed by a qualified music therapist and delivered by a music therapist or therapy assistant. If it is delivered by a therapy assistant, the program must be monitored by a music therapist. Like any therapeutic intervention, a music therapy program is regarded as a capacity building support with goals and measurable outcomes.
Under the scheme, music therapy must be delivered in a program designed by a qualified music therapist and delivered by a music therapist or therapy assistant. If it is delivered by a therapy assistant, the program must be monitored by a music therapist. Like any therapeutic intervention, a music therapy program is regarded as a capacity building support with goals and measurable outcomes.
Will the NDIS fund music therapy for me or someone I care for?
Do you have a budget for Capacity Building funding allocated in your NDIS Plan to use for allied health services and therapy support?
Then, the short answer is yes, your NDIS funding can be used for music therapy.
As with everything however, there are some conditions:
- It needs to meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. Simplistically speaking, this means that music therapy needs to address one or more of your NDIS goals. For more detail, you can learn more about reasonable and necessary at the NDIS website at the link below.
- NDIS will also only pay for music therapy support provided by a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association. This registration ensures the allied health professional you are accessing services from is required to act in accordance with the registering body’s ethical and professional standards. It is important to request evidence of the professional registration your therapist holds to ensure the therapist is suitably qualified and their services will be covered by NDIS.
Ask your music therapist for evidence of their registration with the AMTA today. If they are a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association, they will be really excited to show you 🙂
Music therapy and NDIS...tell me more!
If you’re curious to explore music therapy, or you are seeking some guidance on accessing these services through NDIS, reach out to us at Creative Therapy Adelaide, we’re a registered NDIS provider located in Torrensville, South Australia. Our team of passionate therapists are dedicated to helping as many people as possible access the power of music, creative expression and to support individuals on their unique journeys.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation phone call with our Clinical Service Coordinator.
Need more information?
For your NDIS planning meeting or review visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan
To navigate through some NDIS information we’ve prepared some Easy English brochures. Find them here.
Reasonable and Necessary Supports (NDIS Website)
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post about NDIS and music therapy is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individual professional advice or guidance.
Natalie Oliveri, Director at Creative Therapy Adelaide
Natalie, the singing superhero, uses her magical music powers as a Registered Music Therapist to create harmonious homes and confident kiddos while fighting the evil forces of monotony!