The NDIS Policy Changes That Threaten Creative Arts Therapy
Tegan Bailey, Cocoon (detail), paper mache, wire, fabric, acrylic paint, MDF board, 280 x 720 x 740 mm
As an autistic woman and creative arts therapist in training, I’ve experienced firsthand how creative practices can provide grounding and empowerment that traditional therapies often cannot. Art has been my lifeline—offering a language beyond words to process emotions and discover self-acceptance. Through my studies, I have confronted issues I had struggled to address through verbal therapy alone. The act of creation provided a safe, nonverbal space for deep reflection and emotional integration. The impact of the NDIS policy changes is not just a professional concern—it’s deeply personal. These changes threaten the practices that have empowered me and many others to heal, grow, and thrive. The gravity of this threat cannot be overstated.
At 6pm on Monday, 25 November, members of ANZACATA, the governing body for Creative Arts Therapy, received an email announcing that “Art Therapy will NOT be continued as a Therapy Support in future.” The art therapist community was in a tailspin. The funding that sustains much of their work—helping children and adults with disabilities through creative expression—was set to vanish in just seven days. The next day brought a sliver of relief when the NDIA extended the deadline to February 1, 2025, but the challenges remain daunting.
Key Policy Changes
Creative Arts Therapy reclassified from 'Therapy Support' to 'Community Participation,' which drastically reduces funding rates:
Individual sessions: Reduced to $67.56/hour from standard therapy rates of $194/hour.
Group sessions (4+ participants): Funded at $193.99/hour under community rates.
Restricts eligibility by requiring participants to demonstrate that creative arts therapy improves functional capacity and list it explicitly as a “reasonable and necessary” support in their plans.
Undermines professional recognition by excluding creative arts therapy from the 'Therapy Support' category, signalling a diminished value for its clinical contributions.
The agency claimed that creative arts therapy “does not currently meet the evidentiary thresholds” for classification as therapeutic support under NDIS guidelines. This decision is like cutting off a vital lifeline for participants who cannot engage with traditional therapies. It's a decision that contradicts the principles of equity and accessibility that the NDIS was built to uphold.
The NDIA’s decision reflects an outcome-driven, cost-focused approach to ensure that therapies deliver measurable benefits. This aligns with the broader NDIS goal of accountability and transparency in funding decisions. For example, focusing on measurable outcomes, like improving communication or daily living skills, can make evaluating the effectiveness of therapies easier.
However, stakeholders argue that this narrow focus on measurable outcomes overlooks the unique strengths of creative arts therapy. These therapies often address complex emotional and psychological needs that don’t fit neatly into traditional metrics but are no less transformative. As SANE Australia explains, “Creative arts therapies are evidence-based, particularly for participants who cannot engage in traditional verbal therapies.”
Over the coming weeks, I’ll explore the evidence supporting creative arts therapy, compare it with other therapies, and share stories from participants and practitioners. Together, we’ll explore why these changes matter and how we can advocate for fair funding. By understanding the stakes and taking action, we can ensure that creative arts therapy remains accessible to those who most need it. I encourage you to join me in this advocacy journey. Together, we can make a difference.
Want to understand the changes more deeply? Start by reading the NDIS policy update and ANZACATA’s response. These resources outline what’s happening and why it matters.
If you believe, as I do, that creative arts therapy is worth fighting for, sign this petition to show the NDIA that you support creative arts therapies being part of the NDIS.
Have you experienced the benefits of creative arts therapy? Your story matters. Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear how it’s impacted you or someone you know. Your experiences are a crucial part of this conversation. What do you think about these policy changes? Let’s start a conversation about why creative arts therapy matters.
