New NDIS price cap for music & art therapy

The NDIA’s recent review confirmed what many in the sector have long known: that art and music therapies, when properly delivered, aren’t luxuries — they can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The new pricing for art and music therapy which takes effect in November 2025 has the potential to undo years of hard work, and destabilise participants for whom these therapies are critical. The outcry last year when the government made this announcement raised valid questions about this policy shift, many of which remain unanswered.

As SDA providers, our mission and responsibility go beyond bricks, mortar, and design compliance. We are custodians of environments intended to maximise independence, wellbeing, participation, and choice. But what does good actually look like in SDA when we talk about therapeutic supports? No one can answer this question better than a person with lived experience, but we know that as a minimum:
Designing and building homes with thoughtful support spaces, creative arts areas or flexible communal rooms that can be used for individual or group therapy. That is, therapy-ready environments.

Partnering with values-aligned providers; not just providers of person-to-person support such as Supported Independent Living or Onsite Shared Support, but also credentialled therapy experts who can provide guidance on what good looks like, particularly in Robust SDA.
Homes that change with people – Easier said than done of course, but creating homes that are adaptable and can be modified to suit a person’s changing needs- not just as it relates to therapeutic supports but more holistically.

Evidentiary culture is growing – the NDIA is increasingly expecting not just “good intent” but solid evidence. This is a sector-wide trend and we welcome it. For all disability supports — SDA included — being able to show what works (and what doesn’t) may soon be non-negotiable. Liverty Housing wholeheartedly supports this culture, but it must be balanced with proper regulation and funding for the additional administrative burden it creates. There continues to be inherent tension about how to balance cost, access and quality within the sector.

Providers have a responsibility (and good providers have an overwhelming willingness) to provide services that are financially and logistically accessible, ethical, sustainable, innovative and responsive to participant needs. Liverty welcomes opportunities to partner with ethical, values-aligned providers who share our vision that everyone with a disability has a home to live in comfortably – recognising that a large part of living comfortably is having access to good support – therapeutic or otherwise.

For more information on this change, check out this recent article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/ndis-pricing-review-evidence-music-art-therapy/105457844