What music therapy is
Music therapy uses singing, playing instruments, listening, moving to music and songwriting to work towards goals that are not about music itself. A therapist might use rhythm to help with walking, songs to build speech and turn taking, or improvisation to help someone express feelings they cannot put into words.
It is used with children and adults, including people with autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, dementia and psychosocial disability. No musical skill is needed.
Who can deliver it
The NDIS Pricing Schedule says music therapy supports must be delivered by an active Registered Music Therapist (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Someone who teaches music, or uses music in their work without that registration, cannot claim music therapy items.
Agency managed participants need a provider registered with the NDIS Commission. Plan managed and self managed participants can also use unregistered music therapists who are RMTs.
Price limits for 2026/27
The NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026/27, effective 24 September 2026, sets the music therapy limit at $156.16 an hour in most of Australia, with higher limits in remote and very remote areas. The same limit applies to telehealth sessions, NDIA requested reports and non face to face work, while provider travel has a lower hourly limit.
Group music therapy is common. In a group, the limit for each person is the hourly limit divided by the number of people, which can make sessions go further.
Which budget pays
Music therapy is a therapeutic support. For most adults and older children it is paid from improved daily living skills in your Capacity Building budget. For children younger than 9 it is usually claimed under a separate early childhood supports item.
Since 1 October 2026, improved daily living skills funding is reduced by 10% when a plan is created, reassessed or renewed, under a support determination. If music therapy is an important part of your plan, ask your therapist for reports that show progress against your goals before your next reassessment.
Music therapy or music lessons?
Music lessons, choirs and bands are recreation, and musical instruments are on the list of things that are not NDIS supports. Fees for lessons and the instrument itself are generally your own cost.
The NDIS may fund a support worker to help you take part in a music group as community participation, and adapted equipment for recreation can be assistive technology. Music therapy is different because it is therapy led by an RMT, aimed at goals linked to your disability.
How to ask for music therapy
- Connect it to a plan goal, such as communication, movement, managing distress or joining in with others
- Ask a treating professional to explain why music therapy suits you, especially if other therapy has not worked as well
- Check the therapist is a current RMT with the Australian Music Therapy Association
- Ask for a quote covering sessions, reports, travel and cancellations