Art and music therapies under the NDIS will continue, after an independent review by Dr Stephen Duckett.
The review recognised the benefits of these therapies for participants and made 19 recommendations, with 15 directed at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
The NDIA said it supports all 15 recommendations.
What did the report recommend?
Importantly for participants, the report recommended a new national price limit of $156.16 an hour for art and music therapy. This would bring these therapies into line with the maximum payment rate for counselling.
Other recommendations include:
- Art and music therapies should be delivered by a qualified therapist who is registered with a recognised professional association.
- Making a clearer distinction between art and music as a therapeutic support, and art and music as a non-therapeutic support.
- NDIS funding cannot directly be used to cover the cost of art and music activities, however funding can be used for supports to enable participation in art or music activities, just not the cost of the activity itself.
- The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee should assess the evidence base of music and art therapy interventions for specific groups of people in its 2025-26 work plan.
- That the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee develop a process for making decisions where there is a poorly developed evidence base.
The updated pricing will take effect from 24 November 2025.
What’s next for art and music therapy?
The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) welcomed the Duckett Review’s recognition of art therapy as an evidence-based therapeutic support that can significantly benefit NDIS participants.
But ANZACATA is concerned about the reduction in the recommended price for art therapy.
The organisation said the current rate of $193.99 reflects the true cost of delivering quality art therapy, including postgraduate training, clinical supervision and therapeutic-grade materials.
It said te proposed reduction to $156.16 undermines this and creates inconsistency across the allied health sector, particularly when psychology is funded at $232.99 and occupational therapy at $193.99.
“Art therapy is a distinct allied health profession requiring a master’s qualification and rigorous clinical training,” said ANZACATA CEO, Dr Kate Dempsey.
“While we respect all therapeutic disciplines, art therapy involves specialised techniques, materials and clinical approaches that warrant appropriate recognition in pricing.”
ANZACATA is particularly concerned that the recommendation:
- threatens the viability of practices, especially in rural and remote areas
- may deter highly trained therapists from working within the NDIS, and
- risks reducing access to quality therapy for participants with complex needs.
“We support evidence-based funding and accountability, but pricing must reflect the unique value and sustainability of the profession. We urge the NDIA to reconsider and consult with the sector to develop a fairer model,” Dempsey said.
Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) president Monica Zidar RMT said it too is “deeply concerned by the pricing cuts”.
“The recent pricing adjustment to $156 per hour makes it very difficult for many services to remain viable. Participants and their families risk losing access when clinics are forced to close and registered music therapists are pushed out of the sector,” she said.
”Music therapy is a nationally regulated, evidence-based allied health practice akin to speech pathology and dietetics – it should remain accessible and sustainable.”
The organisation said the pricing change risks NDIS participants’ access to music therapy, even as the review confirms its value as an effective, proven therapeutic intervention that can be life-changing for some NDIS participants.