NDIA backflips on changes to Music and Art Therapy Funding
The NDIA announced on Friday 13th December, 2024 that it will now commission an independent review of appropriate NDIS pricing for music and art supports, based on available evidence. If you weren’t aware of the original proposed changes to these two important therapies, you can read more about that here.
The NDIA has now commissioned Dr Stephen Duckett AM to undertake the review ahead of the operation of the Expert Advisory Committee by July 2025. Dr Duckett is an experienced health economist who has occupied several leadership roles in health services, leading reform and evidence-based innovations in health care. As part of his work, Dr Duckett will review the evidence of the efficacy of music and art therapy for people with disability and the pricing of supports.
As a result, the NDIA has also advised it will defer the release of the operational guidance clarifying decision making on therapy supports, which is required under recent Government changes to the NDIS Act, and any associated price guide changes. The NDIA will now release the operational guidance in 2025. Any proposed changes will not come into force until the review is completed and the relevant findings are considered. You can read the NDIA’s advice on this matter here.
The NDIA released a further update on the matter on Friday the 14th of March, 2025, advising that the independent review into NDIS pricing for music and art supports is being extended to allow time to appropriately consider all submissions.
The review, originally scheduled to conclude in March, has received approximately 600 submissions. The extension until 17 April, 2025 will enable Dr. Duckett further time to assess all the information, including that collected from relevant peak bodies.
It is important to note NDIS participants can continue to access music and art therapy through their current arrangements during this review.
Once the final report has been received, the NDIA will consider the findings and finalise its operational guidance in terms of the pricing of art and music therapy supports later this year.
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