Welcome! We provide Music Therapy services in Brisbane or via Telehealth. Please submit an enquiry by clicking here.
NDIS REMOVE MUSIC THERAPY
IMPORTANT!!! I received some upsetting news late Friday afternoon that was further confirmed Monday night 25/11, advising the NDIS will be removing music therapy as an NDIS-funded therapeutic support, effective next Monday 2nd December. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a reason or context for this decision. Our national association, the AMTA, continue to hold discussions with, and reach out to, decision-makers and stakeholders. They have also engaged a crisis support specialist to manage the situation and strengthen advocacy efforts. Their hope is to at least obtain a pause on the implementation date as it doesn't allow for any contingencies or supports to be put in place for participants.
Music Therapy is an evidenced-based allied health service and our clients value this as a therapeutic support. Unfortunately, the decision makers fail to observe this. We understand at the moment there are a couple of exceptions to this service cut (however AMTA are seeking further clarification):
1. If you have music therapy mentioned in your plan, you will continue to be able to access the service until your next plan review
2. Music therapy will continue to be funded under 'social and community participation'. This means if you are part of a group for example, billing to this line item, you will be able to continue receiving a service
For me this feels hugely personal. It affects my livelihood but more-so impacts the genuine care I strive to provide to all of my clients, the connection we establish, the gains we make. Clients are not just 'participants' to me, they matter. It is upsetting that the NDIS can, in one fell swoop, decide this is of little value.
Now for some positivity! I refuse to believe this is the end for music therapy and the NDIS. They have made cuts before and later reinstated these supports. They are capable of recognising they don't always get it right. So this gives me hope. I'm hopeful that with some education and advocacy, they will realise they've made the wrong decision. This may take time, but I'm prepared to fight and make noise and advocate for all of my clients, all of those living with a disability, as well as for music therapy. Additionally, our association is engaged in a series of crisis meetings with the NDIS and key stakeholders so there is a chance they will make some headway. Let's remain hopeful if we can. Further updates to follow.
With a heavy (but hopeful) heart,
Sarah
Music Therapy is an evidenced-based allied health service and our clients value this as a therapeutic support. Unfortunately, the decision makers fail to observe this. We understand at the moment there are a couple of exceptions to this service cut (however AMTA are seeking further clarification):
1. If you have music therapy mentioned in your plan, you will continue to be able to access the service until your next plan review
2. Music therapy will continue to be funded under 'social and community participation'. This means if you are part of a group for example, billing to this line item, you will be able to continue receiving a service
For me this feels hugely personal. It affects my livelihood but more-so impacts the genuine care I strive to provide to all of my clients, the connection we establish, the gains we make. Clients are not just 'participants' to me, they matter. It is upsetting that the NDIS can, in one fell swoop, decide this is of little value.
Now for some positivity! I refuse to believe this is the end for music therapy and the NDIS. They have made cuts before and later reinstated these supports. They are capable of recognising they don't always get it right. So this gives me hope. I'm hopeful that with some education and advocacy, they will realise they've made the wrong decision. This may take time, but I'm prepared to fight and make noise and advocate for all of my clients, all of those living with a disability, as well as for music therapy. Additionally, our association is engaged in a series of crisis meetings with the NDIS and key stakeholders so there is a chance they will make some headway. Let's remain hopeful if we can. Further updates to follow.
With a heavy (but hopeful) heart,
Sarah
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Online Mental Health Music Group
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Online SessionsSarah is fully equipped to provide a high quality music therapy service online. Our predominant demographic for Telehealth are adults with an intellectual or psychosocial disability, however clients of all ages benefit from this platform with kids as young as 3 participating. Those accessing this service currently reside all over Australia as well as overseas.
Click here to find out more |
Music Therapy FundingMusic Therapy is an allied health profession. Despite not currently being covered by medicare, there are several organisations who do fund sessions, including the NDIS. Please scroll down to see 2023-2024 Pricing Arrangement and Price Limits information for the NDIS.
For further information on how to navigate the NDIS to access music therapy, please visit our FAQ page and scroll to the NDIS section. |
Learn MoreMusic Therapy can support you or your loved one on their journey towards improved health, wellbeing or functionality. It's suitable for people with a range of needs from birth to end stage life. Sarah works from a strengths-based approach to support those who are neurodivergent. Are you looking for a music therapist in Brisbane or online but not sure how it might help?
Click here to find out more |
MTW NEWS
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2024-2025 NDIS UPDATE:
Here are the general details you need to know related to claiming music therapy through the NIDS:
SUPPORT CATEGORY: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living SUPPORT ITEM NAME: Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training - Music Therapist SUPPORT ITEM NUMBER: 15_615_0128_1_3 This is current as per the 2024-2025 NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits pp89 If you think you, your child or loved one would benefit from Music Therapy and you'd like to use NDIS funding, you will need to demonstrate that music therapy is reasonable and necessary for supporting this person in achieving their NDIS goals. Our profession has experienced mis-information issues (i.e. participants being advised music therapy is not funded). This is incorrect. If you have been advised music therapy is not funded by the NDIS, please visit out FAQ page and scroll to the bottom section. If you'd like more information about music therapy and the NDIS, please complete the contact form and we'll be in touch. BLOG POST: CORTICAL VISION IMPAIRMENT (CVI)
This is Luka, one of my gorgeous little clients. His mum Heidi invited me to contribute to a blog post sharing hers and my experience of music therapy with her son. Luka has Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) and adores music! He is very clever and 'in tune' with his auditory environment; and he learned to say his first word in context through music therapy (see clip above). Read Heidi and my firsthand account of Luka's music therapy and learn more about CVI here: "Music Therapy: Luka and Sarah's story - By Heidi Zec & Sarah Punch" FUNDING
We get a lot of enquiries about funding opportunities for music therapy so will continue to research options for those who need it most. What we would advise you to do if you require funding is to be proactive and persistent. There are many wonderful organisations who are willing to help you engage in therapies that will make a difference for your child/loved one, but it may take some effort to find these and then complete the application process. As mentioned above, the NDIS does fund music therapy for those who qualify for it. If music therapy is helping you, your child or loved one achieve their therapeutic goals, make sure you have evidence to support its inclusion in your plan (i.e. support letter). The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation provide in-home music therapy to people aged 0-25 diagnosed with a brain tumour via their Music Matters Grants program. Clients residing in aged care facilities are often able to access music therapy through their funding packages, so it is worth asking exploring this if you have a loved one in care. If your child/loved one is palliative, there are government organisations that will support music therapy (i.e. VPPCP). For those on the autism spectrum, FaHCSIA/HCWA funding can be used for music therapy provided your RMT is linked in with another of your therapists (i.e. OT, SLP or Psych). Please note: MTW is not registered for this. We'll update you as we learn more! |
Read More
For more information on Music Therapy please visit the Australian Music Therapy Association website. For useful peer reviewed articles visit Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. |