URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Art Therapy is being removed as a therapeutic support from the NDIS

The NDIS has announced Art Therapy will be removed as a therapeutic support as of February 1st 2025. This was done with no consultation and should not happen for the following reasons:  

Art Therapists are masters-qualified Allied Health professionals

In order to be registered as a professional member of ANZACATA (the peak governing body for Art Therapists), and to use the NDIS Art Therapy line item, providers must hold an approved Masters degree. ANZACATA is an accredited member of the Allied Health Professionals Association, just like their peers Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Psychologists. 

Art Therapy is an evidence-based therapy 

In order to justify his cuts, Bill Shorten is claiming that Art Therapy is not evidenced based. 

This is factually incorrect. 

Art Therapy has a robust and proven evidence base. ANZACATA recently commissioned a comprehensive review of up-to-date findings on the efficacy of Creative Art Therapies. It outlines the most recent research, which collectively demonstrates the effectiveness of Creative Arts Therapies. It cites over 40 studies at Level I, II and III evidence, including systematic reviews of relevant randomized controlled trials, evidence from meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials and evidence developed from systematic reviews. This document can be found on ANZACATA’s website. It proves therapeutic, functional outcomes of Art Therapy for people with disability. 

Art Therapists have always provided, and will continue to provide, NDIS reports clearly outlining participant outcomes against their identified functional capacity goals. 

Bill Shorten is saying Art Therapists don’t provide evidence of the tangible, functional capacity outcomes met by their participants

It is a requirement of the NDIS scheme that all Allied Health professionals provide written reports with evidence of reasonable and necessary supports. Just like OT’s and Speech Pathologists, Art Therapists’ reports state the functional capacity goals, interventions and outcomes of their work.   

Removing Art Therapy as a therapeutic support will greatly impact vulnerable participants and take away their choice and control  

Art Therapy belongs on the NDIS as it meets the unique needs of people with disabilities.

Art Therapists will not be able to continue practicing under the circumstances proposed by the NDIS. 

The proposed changes would have Art Therapists removed as therapeutic support and practicing under “Community Participation” alongside unqualified support workers, community classes and informal group activities – and under the proposed 1:1 rate of $67.56 an hour will ensure that Art Therapists are paid less than Level II Therapy Assistants. 

Art Therapy is a therapeutic support, not a community-based art class. Art Therapists are Masters qualified, Allied Health professionals with the highest requirements for CPD and supervision hours than any other Allied Health profession in Australia. To work effectively, Art Therapists require purpose build rooms, art materials and, due to the nature of this profession, cannot see participants back-to-back for 8 hours straight. The proposed wage change is not financially viable for Art Therapists to maintain a business, earn a livable wage, and also maintain their own quality of life.