Recent announcements, media reports, and independent reviews have led to understandable confusion about music therapy and the NDIS. To address this, the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) released a clear fact sheet explaining how music therapy continues to operate under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Below is a plain-English breakdown of what participants, families, carers, plan managers, and support coordinators need to know right now.
Music therapy has not been removed from the NDIS. It remains an approved therapeutic support when delivered by a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) and funded under Capacity Building supports, including:
Early Childhood Intervention – Music Therapist
Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy or Training – Music Therapist
An independent review of art and music therapies confirmed that music therapy should continue to be available under the NDIS where there is evidence it provides beneficial outcomes for people with disability.
One key change is the national NDIS price cap, which is now $156.16 per hour (GST inclusive) for music therapy sessions.
Using NDIS funding for music therapy follows the same principles as other therapy supports. To be eligible:
The support must be reasonable and necessary
Funding must be available under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
Music therapy must relate directly to your NDIS goals
The therapy must address your functional impairment
Supports must not duplicate other therapies you receive
Services must be delivered by an AMTA-registered music therapist
Music therapy does not need to be explicitly listed in your plan unless your plan includes stated supports. If your plan allows flexibility across therapy supports, music therapy can be chosen when appropriate.
Music therapy is a standalone therapy. It does not require a referral from another allied health professional and does not need to be delivered alongside other therapies.
However, when requesting music therapy funding—especially for the first time or during a plan review—the NDIA may ask for supporting evidence. This can include:
A report or assessment from a registered music therapist
Clear explanations of how music therapy supports your goals
Collaboration between therapists to show supports are not duplicated
Currently, all requests for music therapy are reviewed by the NDIA’s Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch (TAPIB). These reviews are designed to ensure requests meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria and do not delay the rest of your plan.
If a request for music therapy is not approved, participants can:
Request a plan review, particularly if they believe their needs meet reasonable and necessary criteria
Ask their registered music therapist to seek guidance from AMTA’s Disability Advisor
Strengthen evidence showing how music therapy supports functional goals
A declined request does not mean music therapy is no longer recognised by the NDIS.
Under NDIS rules, only Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) accredited with AMTA can deliver music therapy as a therapeutic support.
Participants and families can verify a provider by:
Checking for an AMTA registration number or badge
Searching the AMTA online directory
Contacting AMTA directly
This ensures therapy is delivered safely, ethically, and in line with national professional standards.
Music therapy is not recreational music or music lessons. It is a goal-directed, evidence-based therapy delivered by qualified professionals.
Registered music therapists design individualised interventions to support:
Communication and social interaction
Emotional regulation
Behavioural support
Sensory processing
Cognitive, physical, and daily living skills
When aligned with a participant’s goals and delivered by an AMTA-registered therapist, music therapy can be a meaningful and effective NDIS support.
At Support Agency, we help participants and families navigate NDIS changes with clarity and confidence. Our team can support you to:
Understand whether music therapy fits within your NDIS plan
Align therapy supports with your goals and reasonable and necessary criteria
Prepare documentation for plan reviews
Explore services including Music Therapy, Behaviour Support, Psychology, and Support Coordination
If you have questions about music therapy under the NDIS or want guidance tailored to your plan, our team is here to help. Contact us today.