What art therapy is
Art therapy uses the process of making art, not artistic skill, as a way to communicate and work through feelings and experiences. Sessions are led by a trained therapist who helps you explore what comes up and builds goals with you over time.
It can suit people who find talking hard, including people with intellectual disability, autism, acquired brain injury, communication disability or psychosocial disability. Sessions can be one to one or in a small group.
Who can deliver it under the NDIS
The NDIS Pricing Schedule sets a qualification for each kind of therapist. Art therapy supports must be delivered by a Professional Member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
If you are agency managed, the provider must also be registered with the NDIS Commission. Plan managed and self managed participants can use unregistered art therapists who hold that membership.
What it costs
The 2026/27 price limit for art therapy is $156.16 an hour in most of Australia, effective 24 September 2026, with higher limits in remote and very remote areas. The same limit applies to telehealth, non face to face work such as reports, and short notice cancellations under the Pricing Arrangements rules. Provider travel has its own lower hourly limit.
There is a separate art therapy item for early childhood supports for children younger than 9. In a group, the limit for each person is the hourly limit divided by the number of people, so groups can stretch your budget.
Which budget pays and the 2026 reset
Art therapy is a therapeutic support, usually paid from improved daily living skills in your Capacity Building budget. Since 1 October 2026, a support determination reduces that budget by 10% when your plan is created, reassessed or renewed. Your current plan keeps working until then.
Plan your sessions with that in mind, and ask your therapist for progress reports you can use as evidence at your next reassessment.
Art therapy compared with art classes
An art class or community art group is a social or recreational activity, not therapy. The NDIS may fund a support worker to help you take part, often from social, economic and community participation, which is reduced by 50% at reassessment or renewal since 1 October 2026. Class fees and standard art materials for recreation are generally your own cost.
Art therapy is different because a qualified therapist uses the art making to work on goals linked to your disability.
How to ask for art therapy
- Link it to a plan goal, such as managing emotions, communicating needs or building confidence with others
- Ask your psychologist, occupational therapist or GP to explain in writing why it suits you
- If you have tried other therapy, explain what did and did not work
- Get a quote and service agreement that list session length, reports and cancellation terms
- Check the therapist's ANZACATA membership before you start