Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only. Every participant’s needs are unique. Please consult your therapy team and support coordinator when considering therapeutic supports under the NDIS.
A Personal Reflection on Music Therapy and the NDIS
Since the end of last year, many of us in the music therapy community have felt the shock and uncertainty of changes within the NDIS. The thought that music therapy sometimes being the only support that truly works for certain participants might no longer be funded has left both families and therapists deeply concerned.
For participants who rely on music therapy as their primary way to connect, regulate, and grow, the possibility of losing access felt like losing a lifeline. It reminded me just how necessary music therapy is not as an “extra,” but as an essential therapeutic support that changes lives. We breathed a sigh of relief when we received the news through the Duckette review that music therapy remains a funded therapeutic support under the NDIS, allowing us to continue serving our clients. At the same time, the recent update has also brought new changes and challenges to navigate.
It is also important to understand that music therapy is not the same as community music facilitation. While community music-making is valuable and enriching, NDIS-funded music therapy must be delivered by an AMTA-registered music therapist (RMT) to ensure it is clinical, goal-oriented, and evidence-based. This distinction is vital because it is what allows the NDIS to continue funding music therapy as a therapeutic support.
This blog is written not just as information, but as a reflection of that journey, and as an explanation of why music therapy is a necessary therapeutic support under the NDIS.
What is Music Therapy in the NDIS?
Music Therapy is a registered allied health profession, delivered by an accredited music therapist (RMT). Under the NDIS, it can be funded as a therapeutic support when it helps a participant achieve their goals and improve everyday functioning.
Unlike music lessons, NDIS music therapy is clinical and goal-oriented. It uses evidence-based approaches such as rhythm, singing, drumming, and guided music experiences to support:
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Communication
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Emotional regulation
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Motor skills
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Cognitive development
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Social connection
Important: For music therapy to be recognised and funded under the NDIS, it must be delivered by an AMTA-registered music therapist (RMT).
Is Music Therapy Covered by the NDIS?
Yes. Music therapy can be funded through the NDIS under:
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Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
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Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation
It is considered a necessary therapeutic support when it directly addresses the impact of a person’s disability on daily life and participation. To continue receiving funding, the therapy must be provided by an AMTA-registered music therapist.
When is Music Therapy a Necessary Support for NDIS Participants?
Music therapy becomes essential for many participants when:
1. Communication Needs Are Significant
For participants who are non-verbal or have limited speech, music therapy provides alternative communication pathways through rhythm, instruments, and vocal play.
2. Emotional Regulation Is a Struggle
For those experiencing anxiety, meltdowns, or difficulty calming, structured rhythm and melody can help regulate the nervous system.
3. Social Skills Are Hard to Build
Music therapy offers a safe, motivating space to practice turn-taking, listening, and sharing joy—skills vital for friendships and community participation.
4. Motor or Cognitive Skills Need Support
Instrument play, drumming, and movement activities can strengthen coordination, memory, and attention.
5. Traditional Therapies Are Not Engaging
When participants disengage from talk therapy, OT, or speech therapy, music therapy provides a creative, enjoyable alternative that still works toward the same therapeutic goals.
How Does Music Therapy Help Participants with Autism?
For children and teens on the autism spectrum, music therapy can be particularly powerful. It supports:
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Communication (when words are limited or unavailable)
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Routine and predictability through rhythm and structured sessions
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Emotional expression in ways that feel safe and non-verbal
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Building friendships by practicing social reciprocity through shared music-making
Real Stories: How Music Therapy Changes Lives
Over the years, I have seen countless participants children, teens, and adults find their voice through music.
One teenage boy, once told he would “never amount to much,” brought his grandmother to tears when he performed in his first piano concert after years of therapy. The confidence and joy that music unlocked in him became a turning point for his whole family.
A teenage girl on the autism spectrum, through Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and specifically the Music, Drawing, Narrative (MDN) process, was able to express emotions and experiences that words alone could not capture. Her drawings and stories continue to amaze me, offering a rare glimpse into her inner world—one that words alone could never fully capture.
These stories remind us that music therapy is not an “extra” for many, it is a necessary therapeutic support under the NDIS.
Why Choose Music Therapy as a Therapeutic Support?
Music therapy is not just about playing instruments. It is about:
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Unlocking communication where words are not enough
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Building confidence and independence
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Supporting NDIS goals in daily living and social participation
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Bringing joy, healing, and connection into therapy
FAQs About NDIS and Music Therapy
Does the NDIS pay for music therapy?
Yes. The NDIS funds music therapy under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living or Increased Social and Community Participation, as long as it is delivered by an AMTA-registered music therapist (RMT).
How do I access music therapy through the NDIS?
You can request music therapy to be added to your NDIS plan if it supports your goals. This usually involves an assessment session and a supporting report from a registered music therapist.
Is music therapy only for children on the autism spectrum?
No. While many children and teens with autism benefit greatly, music therapy also supports participants with intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, mental health challenges, neurological conditions, and acquired brain injuries.
How is music therapy different from music lessons?
Music lessons teach skills to play an instrument. Music therapy is a clinical intervention, focused on achieving therapeutic outcomes such as improved communication, emotional regulation, or motor skills not performance.
Do I need a referral to start music therapy with the NDIS?
No. You can self-refer if you are a NDIS participant, or a support coordinator can help you connect with an accredited therapist.
NDIS Music Therapy Price Cut – A Personal Reflection
I recently came across this thought-provoking article on LinkedIn: NDIS Music Therapy Price Cut – A System That’s Lost Its Way?
I want to share it here because it raises important issues around quality assurance, compliance, and professional standards in music therapy.
Please note: This article represents the personal views of its author. While I encourage you to consider the points raised, I also want to be clear about where Voices of Heaven™ stands.
At Voices of Heaven, our focus is not on price cuts or funding shifts, but on continuing to deliver safe, professional, and high-quality music therapy services. We remain committed to best practice, ethical care, and client-centred support that truly helps individuals and families thrive.
For us, quality and professional integrity will always come first.
Final Thoughts
Music therapy is not a luxury. For many NDIS participants, it is a necessary therapeutic support that helps them achieve goals, develop essential life skills, and feel connected.
And to ensure ongoing NDIS funding, it must always be provided by an AMTA-registered music therapist (RMT).
At Voices of Heaven™, we continue to provide quality, compliant, NDIS-funded music therapy tailored to each participant’s needs, with measurable progress reports and a compassionate, evidence-based approach.
Learn more about our NDIS music therapy services here
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