What’s Happening to Creative Arts Therapy Under the NDIS?
Creative arts therapy (CAT) offers a unique, nonverbal way to process emotions, build self-acceptance, and address challenges that traditional therapies often cannot resolve. As an autistic woman and creative arts therapist in training, I’ve seen how this practice changes lives—not just mine but those of countless participants who rely on it for emotional and psychological well-being. CAT provides a safe, creative space for healing, growth, and connection, particularly for individuals who struggle with verbal therapies.
Recent NDIS policy changes threaten to dismantle this vital support. Reclassifying CAT from 'Therapy Support' to 'Community Participation' significantly reduces funding and imposes stricter eligibility criteria. These shifts risk devaluing the profession, limiting access to qualified therapists, and disrupting the lives of participants who depend on CAT for their progress. Stakeholders like ANZACATA have raised concerns that these changes contradict the principles of equity and accessibility that the NDIS was created to uphold.
Positive Progress:
Since 26 November, the Change.org petition has received 28,487 signatures in support of Creative and Experiential Therapies being in the NDIS, an amazing feat! If you haven't already done so, please sign this petition now!
On December 2, ANZACATA leaders met with NDIS Minister Bill Shorten to discuss these concerns. The Minister agreed to initiate a further review of arts therapy under the NDIS—a significant positive development for the arts therapy community. ANZACATA has committed to keeping members updated on the review, with further details expected next week.
This progress underscores the importance of collective advocacy. Together, we can ensure creative arts therapy remains a viable, accessible support for those who need it most. Stay informed (follow ANZACATA on Instagram), spread the word, and join the movement to protect this vital practice.
Policy Changes: What You Need to Know
The upcoming shift from Therapy Support to Community Participation poses significant challenges for creative arts therapy. These changes, effective 1 February 2025, include funding reductions, stricter eligibility criteria, and relaxed professional standards, threatening both accessibility and quality of care.
This post breaks down the NDIS policy changes affecting creative arts therapy, explaining what has changed, why, and the potential consequences for practitioners and participants. I will outline the key changes, NDIA rationale, and stakeholder concerns.
Reclassification: From Therapy Support to Community Participation
What’s changing: Creative arts therapy moves from Therapy Support to Community Participation.
Implications:
Services focus less on therapeutic outcomes and more on social participation.
Non-accredited providers will be allowed to offer creative arts therapy, potentially compromising quality and safety.
Funding Cuts: The Financial Strain on Providers will Impact Participants
What’s changing: Significant funding reductions for individual and group sessions.
Key differences:
Individual sessions: $194/hour → $67.56/hour (unless explicitly approved).
Group sessions (4+ participants): Funded at $193.99/hour (per group, not participant) under community rates.
Implications:
Practitioners may struggle to cover overheads and consumables and sustain services at these reduced rates.
Participants may have reduced access to experienced providers.
Stricter Eligibility: Never Approved
What’s changing: Participants must prove therapy improves functional capacity and have it explicitly listed in their NDIS plans. This means indicating how the participant's functional capacity will be measured and progressed towards their therapy outcomes and NDIS goals.
Implications:
Providers have reported to me any of their participants who have attempted to have CAT in their plans have consistently been knocked back.
Professional Impact: Undermining Credibility and Access
What’s changing: Reduced funding and relaxed standards undermine the clinical credibility of creative arts therapy.
Implications:
Risks of job losses and small practice closures for accredited professionals.
Devaluation of evidence-based methodology and participant safety.
By allowing non-accredited providers to deliver services, participants may encounter inconsistent or even harmful practices, further eroding trust in the profession.
These changes jeopardise access for participants who rely on creative arts therapy while placing additional financial strain on practitioners. The devaluation of professional standards and evidence-based methodology risks undermining the profession’s credibility and participant safety.
Balancing Evidence and Equity: ANZACATA’s Concerns and the NDIA’s Rationale
The NDIA justifies its policy changes by prioritising measurable outcomes and affordability. However, ANZACATA and other stakeholders argue that this approach overlooks the unique strengths of creative arts therapy (CAT), threatening equity, accessibility, and professional standards.
Lack of Consultation: A Missed Opportunity for Dialogue
ANZACATA’s Perspective:
ANZACATA has raised concerns about the lack of consultation with practitioners and participants regarding these changes. In a November 25 email, they expressed being “shocked and dismayed at the lack of transparency, poor process, and lack of fairness.” The following day, a media release highlighted the need for clearer communication and written justification from the NDIA.
NDIA’s Response:
The NDIA has not formally addressed these criticisms but defended the changes by emphasising “evidence-based practices” and equitable access. Following a December 2 meeting with ANZACATA, Minister Shorten acknowledged the need for further review, calling for a more robust evaluation of art therapy under NDIS guidelines.
Equity and Accessibility at Risk
NDIA’s Argument:
The NDIA claims the reclassification will make CAT more affordable and accessible, particularly for participants with smaller plans or children. Group sessions under community participation rates are highlighted as a cost-effective way to expand access.
ANZACATA’s Counterpoint:
ANZACATA has expressed concern that reduced funding rates may unintentionally devalue professional expertise and limit access to qualified therapists, particularly in underserved areas. While lower rates may appear more affordable, ANZACATA warns this undermines the rigour of CAT by categorising it as recreational rather than clinical.
"This decision undermines the professionalism of university-trained art therapists and mischaracterises their work as recreational rather than clinical," ANZACATA argues.
Threats to Professional Standards and Participant Safety
NDIA’s Goal:
The NDIA claims that broadening the pool of providers will increase availability and reduce costs. Minister Shorten has stated, "The changes aim to make therapies like art and music more affordable for families and participants."
ANZACATA’s Concern:
ANZACATA cautions that expanding the pool of providers to include those without formal qualifications could impact therapeutic integrity and participant safety.
"Arts Therapy is not an 'art class.' ANZACATA-registered members are university-trained clinicians," they explain, highlighting the risks of lower standards.
Functional vs. Holistic Outcomes: A Narrow Lens?
NDIA’s Focus:
The NDIA places emphasis on therapies that demonstrate measurable outcomes in functional capacity, such as mobility, communication, or daily living skills. They claim that art and music therapy fail to meet the evidentiary thresholds required for classification as Therapy Support.
ANZACATA’s Perspective:
While ANZACATA acknowledges the importance of functional outcomes, they emphasise that CAT offers clinically proven benefits in areas like emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and motor skill development. Creative arts therapy is uniquely positioned to uphold the NDIS’s principles of participant choice and control by offering:
Flexible, participant-centred approaches.
Nonverbal and multimodal therapeutic opportunities tailored to individual preferences.
Holistic benefits that empower participants to achieve emotional, cognitive, and social goals.
By tailoring interventions to individual needs, CAT fosters participant-centred therapeutic relationships and “emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, motor skill development, and self-awareness, addressing a wide range of therapeutic goals,” reinforcing choice and control.
Disruption to Participants’ Lives: Real Stories, Real Impact
NDIA’s Assurances:
The NDIA asserts that CAT will remain available under the new model, particularly for group-based sessions focused on community and social participation.
The Reality:
ANZACATA has raised concerns that vulnerable participants may face reduced access to vital services under the new model. For individuals who cannot engage with traditional talk-based therapies, such as non-speaking Autistic children, these changes risk stagnation or regression in their progress.
Kai Wall’s story, shared by ABC News, illustrates the transformative power of CAT. Through music therapy, Kai achieved developmental milestones after traditional therapies failed. His mother shared:
"He speaks more at music therapy. It wasn’t until we started going to music 12 months ago that we started to see him move forward."
ANZACATA cautions that without adequate funding and access to qualified therapists, participants like Kai could lose opportunities for the therapeutic progress they have achieved, risking developmental or emotional stagnation.
Summary: Balancing Costs with Compassion
While the NDIA seeks to reduce costs and improve access, ANZACATA and other stakeholders have voiced concerns that these changes could inadvertently devalue CAT’s clinical contributions, compromise professional standards, and limit support for vulnerable participants. The debate highlights a critical question: how can we balance affordability with the integrity and accessibility of vital therapeutic services?
Key Takeaways:
Importance of Creative Arts Therapy (CAT)
CAT provides a nonverbal outlet for emotional processing, self-acceptance, and personal growth, especially for individuals who struggle with verbal therapies.
The therapy is critical for participants with unique needs, such as non-speaking autistic individuals, offering life-changing support.
Overview of Policy Changes
Reclassification: CAT has been moved from 'Therapy Support' to 'Community Participation.'
Funding Cuts:
Individual sessions reduced from $194/hour to $67.56/hour.
Group sessions funded at $193.99/hour per group.
Eligibility Restrictions: Participants must prove CAT improves functional capacity and have it listed as “reasonable and necessary” in their plans.
Professional Impact: Non-accredited providers can now offer CAT, potentially compromising quality and participant safety.
Stakeholders' Concerns
Lack of Consultation: ANZACATA criticises the NDIA for insufficient dialogue with practitioners and participants before implementing the changes.
Equity Risks: Reduced funding rates and reliance on non-accredited providers may undermine access to qualified therapists and compromise service quality.
Mischaracterisation: CAT is at risk of being viewed as recreational rather than clinical, devaluing the expertise of university-trained professionals.
Participant Disruption: Vulnerable individuals may lose access to services, risking stagnation or regression in therapeutic progress.
NDIA’s Rationale
The NDIA justifies the changes by focusing on affordability, expanding access, and prioritising measurable functional outcomes.
Emphasises group-based CAT sessions as a cost-effective way to promote social participation.
Positive Developments
ANZACATA’s meeting with NDIS Minister Bill Shorten resulted in a commitment to review the inclusion of CAT as a 'Therapy Support' under the NDIS.
A Change.org petition supporting CAT in the NDIS has garnered 28,487 signatures, showing strong public support.
If you haven’t done so, please sign the petition to show the NDIA that you support creative arts therapies as part of the NDIS. Every signature counts!
Follow ANZACATA on Instagram to stay up-to-date as they provide ongoing updates.
How has creative arts therapy made a difference in your or a loved one's life? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
The sources used in this article include:
Email sent to ANZACATA members at 6pm on Monday 25 November
Bill Shorten flags NDIS changes to music and art therapy funding
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