Hollie Morris

26/09/2025

If you didn't hear the news, music therapy has been recognised for its legitimacy and will continue to be funded as a therapeutic support in the NDIS. The 20% price cut is concerning as it may impact participants access to music therapy as businesses struggle to absorb the costs.

However, one must celebrate the wins along the way 🥳 and I am glad to see the NDIA's initial decision to remove music therapy reversed 😊

🛑 Media release: AMTA welcomes recognition of music therapy under NDIS but raises concern over price cuts

The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) welcomes the report of the Independent Review of NDIS Funded Music and Art Supports led by Dr Stephen Duckett AM, which:

- reaffirms music therapy as a recognised therapeutic support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- confirms that only AMTA-registered music therapists are eligible to deliver music therapy.

This recognition aligns music therapy with other allied health professions such as speech pathology and dietetics, underscoring the profession’s standards and clinical expertise.

However, AMTA is deeply concerned by the pricing cuts announced by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) upon publication of Dr Duckett’s report.

🔗 Read AMTA's media statement: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/20618/media-release-amta-response-to-duckett-report


📷 A woman and child sit together at a keyboard.

12/02/2025

Thank you for your advocacy Richard Colbeck and Creative Vibes Music Therapy 🤩

13/12/2024

For anyone following along, here is the latest statement from NDIA advising that an independent review of art & music therapy will take place.

No proposed changes will come into force until the review is completed and the relevant findings are considered.

This is another positive step towards reversing the decision to remove music therapy as a NDIS therapeutic support.

It’s a very uncertain time for participants and RMTs working in disability, so close to Christmas and making plans for 2025. We are hopeful Dr Stephen Duckett will do a thorough review.

🙏💫

The NDIA is commissioning an independent review of appropriate NDIS pricing for music and art supports, based on available evidence.

26/11/2024

A wonderful example of how music therapy can support people with disability. Thank you for sharing your story Kristin!

26/11/2024

Thanks to everyone who has signed the petition ~ we’re at 16,332 signatures!

We have had a small win in extending the time frame to Feb 1 2025 but the NDIS plan to exclude music therapy from therapeutic supports and it will no longer be available under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category.

This abrupt decision not only undermines the principles of the NDIS but directly threatens the health and goals of participants who rely on music therapy.

Bill Shorten has been spinning a web that the AMTA were consulted of this decision but this is NOT the case. No conversation or justification was given.

The NDIS have since released information claiming the decision is due to not meeting the evidentiary standards required to be classified as a ‘therapy’ under the definition of NDIS supports.

There is a huge amount of research and literature of the efficacy of music therapy in disability. Here is a link to the latest evidence summary -https://www.austmta.org.au/public/151/files/Website%20general/2024%20AMTA%20Disability%20evidence%20summary.pdf

We will be lobbying and fighting for this decision to be reversed.

What you can do!

▶️ Sign & share the petition https://www.change.org/p/save-music-therapy-keep-it-funded-under-ndis

▶️ If you’re a participant who has received music therapy and would like to share your story of positive outcomes please reach out

▶️ Write to your local MP

▶️ Submit a formal complaint directly to the NDIS

THANK YOU for your support 🙏

Australian Music Therapy Association

26/11/2024

I am devastated to learn of the NDIA and Department of Social Service’s decision to remove music therapy as a funded therapeutic support as of Monday 2nd December. It has been implemented without consultation with the Australian Music Therapy Association, participants or business owners.

This decision will adversely impact people with disability who rely on music therapy to achieve their goals. Without funding, most participants will lose access to music therapy, leaving many without support.

This is a huge blow to the music therapy profession and leaves many RMTs without work and without choice but to close music therapy clinics. I am feeling angry and saddened that these big government bodies can make such impactful decisions without conversation or justification. Not to mention giving the community one week notice that does not provide ethical practice of therapeutic closure for participants.

AMTA have released a response if you’re interested- https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/17772/ndis-funding-for-music-therapy-to-be-removed

You can HELP by signing this petition- https://www.change.org/p/save-music-therapy-keep-it-funded-under-ndis

We are hoping to pause this decision immediately, ask for transparency regarding the decision and protect participant choice.

I will share any further information as it unfolds. Thank you.

Australian Music Therapy Association

21/07/2024

The NDIS can be difficult to navigate - whether you're a participant, planner or provider.

That's why we've recently published a statement to help provide clarity around music therapy and the NDIS.

In short: music therapy is a therapeutic support under the NDIS. Only registered music therapists who are members of AMTA are qualified to use music as a therapeutic intervention.

AMTA has policies and procedures in place to deal with complaints about people who are not registered music therapists providing 'music therapy'.

Read the statement on our website: https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/16475/ndis-funded-music-therapists-must-be-amta-registered


📷 A girl in a wheelchair reaches for a guitar, with help from a music therapist. Text: "Explainer: music therapy and the NDIS".

07/02/2024

Hello community,

Our little family have relocated and we are now nestled in the beautiful Mary Valley.

I am looking to take on a small caseload of clients for music therapy via home visit in the Gympie Region. ✨

I work mainly with adolescents and adults supporting well-being through music experiences including songwriting, active music making and singing.

If you or someone you know would be potentially interested in this service please reach out to me. My email address is:
[email protected]

For further information on music therapy you can visit: https://www.austmta.org.au/consumers-resources/national-disability-insurance-scheme/ -NDIS

Thank you 🙏

Photo credit to Worth Photography 💕

14/12/2023

Oh my here is some new Christmas music for your ears this year 🎶✨
Some special voices on this one.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3XdliVj2Qtq5bEz4LJ5MnJ?si=W2p6hy3FTs-gnJbu4A6Y-Q

22/09/2023

🔈 For all the parents out there!

There is a free conscious parenting summit on NOW and continues this wk end. It includes discussions on poignant topics by SO many leading speakers.

Such deep and profound conversations.
Jump on board!

https://raisedgood.com/online-summit-2023?fbclid=PAAab2bAQ8VzRqOaBU82aQ-qkEGwlNZ7LyWrIQqvqF0ThOMWXNnAgZDPV974g_aem_Actrfi8gCbb8P_8d_ZeaeyaVEA3QrG0TGX5gBLU62aPv3QRXcJPUwJhYxs9v4FKY0uE #/