13/12/2024
Aussie musicians join chorus of support for music therapy professionals after NDIS leak
Friday 13, Dec 2024
An NDIS decision affecting thousands of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, their families and music therapy professionals, is reaching fever-pitch.
Star Aussie musicians from across the country have joined in unison to show support for music therapy professionals who are looking down the barrel of having to cut staff and being made redundant less than two weeks from Christmas.
This comes after the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) were notified via a leak in November that music therapy would not be considered a ‘therapy’ under NDIS support – a decision that will affect thousands of participants and their families by preventing vital access to the therapeutic supports they need.
Peak body President Monica Zidar RMT of the Australian Music Therapy Association has expressed her disappointment at the lack of consultation from the National Disability Insurance Agency prior to the decision being made and the uncertainty following a meeting with the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme of Australia, Hon. Bill Shorten MP:
“We met with the Minister last Friday to explain the evidence base of music therapy and the functional outcomes it achieves as an allied health profession. He acknowledged the need to revisit this and review the benefits of music therapy for participants – but we’re still in limbo until details are confirmed, and a lot of people are understandably feeling very anxious about getting laid off – let’s remember we’re talking about people’s wellbeing, businesses and livelihoods."
Following the leak, the NDIS in late November released a statement on removing music therapy from NDIS supports. Scores of NDIS participants, their families and music therapy professionals have called on the government to take action and reverse the decision so that music therapy professionals can have certainty around their jobs going into Christmas and the new year, and can continue to support participants until a review is completed.
