Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) welcomes today's announcement by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that it is commissioning an independent review of appropriate NDIS pricing for music and art supports.
Dr Kate Dempsey, CEO of ANZACATA said, "ANZACATA welcomes the NDIA's decision to defer any price changes and we look forward to putting our evidence forward. ANZACATA also looks forward to working closely with Dr Stephen Duckett AM in his deliberations.
"We are very pleased that there will be no change for ANZACATA members on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) until the conclusion of the NDIA independent review of our evidence base by Dr Stephen Duckett AM, which we anticipate will be completed mid-March 2025.
"We extend our thanks to Minister Shorten for his intervention and to all the ANZACATA members and Allied Health Professionals who have supported our advocacy efforts to keep arts therapy accessible for people with disability," commented Dr Dempsey.
Arts therapy is a proven, evidence-based treatment modality, currently providing essential support to NDIS participants who often struggle to engage with conventional therapeutic approaches. Arts therapy has been a funded therapeutic support since the NDIS commenced in 2014.
Arts therapists in Australia complete rigorous clinical training specifically designed to support people with disability. This professional workforce has developed specialised expertise in making arts therapy accessible to vulnerable community members who may otherwise be unable to access appropriate support services.
The full report on the efficacy of arts therapy can be
