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"Nowhere else to go:" Cuts to music therapy to leave young NDIS participants in limbo

Children and Young People with Disability Australia

For Evie Snell, music therapy has been life-changing.

Before beginning the therapy three years ago, the seven-year-old’s family struggled to take her to public spaces.

 

Everyday sounds like barking dogs and passing cars would dysregulate Evie, who is autistic, and communication difficulties limited the effectiveness of other therapies.

 

“While we do occupational therapy, music therapy is the most successful and has helped her have gains that flow into OT,” said Evie’s mom Danielle Sheean.

 

“It has helped her gain communication skills and learn how to regulate emotions.

 

“She is much better regulated through the week which means she has fewer meltdowns and can cope better in different environments.”

 

Evie is one of over 8000 NDIS participants across Australia who count on music therapy – an allied health profession backed by 50 years of clinical evidence – to lead full and fulfilling lives. 

 

However, recent changes announced by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) leave many at risk of losing this vital support.

 

The NDIA plans to cut funding for one-on-one music therapy sessions by two-thirds, from $193.99 to $67.56 per hour, while removing music therapy from the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category.

 

These changes, set to take effect from 1 February 2025, have been made without consultation with the disability community.  

 

“They’re pulling the rug out from under our community,” said Children and Young People with Disability (CYDA) CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore.

 

“We’ve long heard from disabled young people, families, caregivers, and therapists about the incredible difference music therapy makes in their lives, helping them learn vital life skills and manage the impacts of their disability.

 

“Decisions like this ignore the evidence participants live every day and risk undoing the progress families like Evie’s have worked so hard for.”

 

According to the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA), there are about 950 registered music therapists in Australia. 

 

All hold Bachelor and Masters degrees from accredited universities, equivalent to qualifications required for speech pathologists and occupational therapists.

 

Every day, they support children and young people with disability to improve mental health and wellbeing, communication skills, physical and cognitive function, pain management, and more. 

 

But many music therapists, like Creative Therapies Tasmania Director Alexandra Morse, who works with 60 families around Devonport, say they will soon be forced to close their doors.

 

“The loss of access to music therapy will and already has caused great trauma to an already vulnerable community,” she said.

 

“Many of our parents walk into our clinic and say we’re desperate, we’ve tried everything else, [my child] is completely disengaged with school.

 

“The closure of our service will mean these families will have nowhere else to go.”

 

Ms Morse said the cuts will be felt most acutely in regional areas where allied health services are already limited and subject to “enormous waitlists”.  

 

Children and young people have been accessing NDIS funding for music therapy since the Scheme’s inception in 2013. 

Even so, the NDIA claims it does not meet the evidentiary standards to be classified as ‘therapy’ under its newly legislated definition of NDIS supports. 

 

CYDA recognises the importance of evidence standards for the sustainability of the NDIS and welcomes the Agency’s referral of music therapy to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (NDIS EAC) for assessment.

 

However, transparency around a review is equally crucial and any funding cuts should not proceed until its completion. 

“Children and young people with disability should not lose access to life-changing supports without clear, and clearly communicated, justification,” said Ms Kakoschke-Moore.

 

“The NDIA needs to pause and explain its decision-making. 

 

“It also needs to remember that the cornerstone of the NDIS is participant choice and control. These changes fly in the face of what the Scheme is all about.” 

 

In its submission to an inquiry on the recently passed NDIS Amendment Bill, CYDA called for a principled approach to NDIS supports.

 

It noted many of the services and therapies on the Scheme’s excluded list could considerably benefit some people with disability. 

 

This is clearly the case for music and art therapy.

 

The following individuals are available for interviews:

 

• Skye Kakoschke-Moore – CYDA CEO
• Alexandra Morse – Director of Creative Therapies Tasmania
• Danielle Sheean – mother of Evie Snell
• A mother of two boys accessing music therapy (inquire for details)
• A young person with disability accessing music therapy (inquire for details)

 

Key Facts:

• Music therapy is an evidence-based allied health profession that supports over 8000 NDIS participants to lead full and fulfilling lives.
• The NDIA plans to cut music therapy funding for one-on-one sessions by two-thirds from 1 February.
• This will force many providers to close their doors, leaving families with few options, especially in regional areas with already limited services.
• CYDA calls for a halt to cuts until a transparent review of music therapy is completed.

About us:

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) is a not-for-profit community organisation. We are the peak national organisation representing the rights and interests of children and young people with disability (aged 0-25) in Australia.

Contact details:

Email: media@cyda.org.au
Phone: (03) 9417 1025
Mobile: 0426 815 627 (CYDA Media Advisor David Kavanagh)