News

Dear Families and Coordinators,

I’m reaching out to share important updates regarding NDIS plan reviews and changes that may impact your access to music therapy, art therapy (including dance and drama therapy), and other allied health supports.

Recent changes to Section 46 of the NDIS Act mean that Capacity Building funding is now listed as a stated support, removing participants' flexibility to allocate funding as needed. Upon any plan review or renewal, your Capacity Building budget will be restricted to the specific supports listed in your plan. This means that if a therapy is not explicitly stated, you will not be able to use your funding for it.

What You Can Do to Ensure Continued Access to Therapy

To continue accessing music therapy or art therapy, we strongly recommend the following:

1. Request to have “Music Therapy” or “Art Therapy” STATED in your plan.

2. Alternatively, request “Allied Health Therapies” to be stated instead of specifying each type. This ensures you retain flexibility to choose the therapy most effective and suitable for your child or client.

To request a specific therapy, you will need a supporting report providing evidence. If you have a plan review coming up, please let us know as soon as possible so we can assist with the necessary report.

Unscheduled Plan Reviews – What You Need to Know

We have observed an increase in unexpected, unscheduled plan reviews initiated by NDIS. Many families have received calls months before their plan end dates and have been pressured to make decisions over the phone. In many cases, families are given unreasonably short deadlines to provide reports, and if documentation cannot be submitted in time, some planners conclude that there is "no evidence" for therapy, leading to its exclusion from the plan.

Your Rights and How to Advocate for Your Plan

1. You can lodge a complaint if you find a planner’s decision or the process unreasonable: NDIS Complaints

2. You have the right to defer phone calls if the timing is not suitable. You can request the planner to call at a time that works for you. You do NOT need to make rushed decisions over the phone.

3. If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter for meetings or bring your own. You also have the right to request your plan to be translated into your preferred language.

4. If a planner incorrectly applies policy (e.g., stating that NDIS no longer funds music or art therapy), please inform us. With your consent to share your name and NDIS participant number, the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) President can escalate the issue directly with NDIA on your behalf.

If your plan is not reasonably reviewed and you decide to appeal, we are here to help. Please reach out, and we will support you in advocating for the therapy services you or your loved one deserve.

Thank you for standing together during this challenging time. Please share this information with others—music and art therapy continue to be funded under NDIS until the Independent Review process is completed.

亲爱的家庭和协调员们，

我写信向您传达有关NDIS计划审查的重要更新，以及这些变化可能如何影响您获取音乐治疗、艺术治疗（包括舞蹈和戏剧治疗）及其他健康支持。

根据NDIS法案第46条的最新变更，能力建设（Capacity Building）资金现在被列为“指定支持”，这意味着参与者将不再具有自由分配资金的灵活性。在任何计划审查或更新时，您的能力建设资金只能用于计划中明确列出的支持。如果某种治疗未被明确列入，您将无法使用资金进行该治疗。

如何确保您能继续获得所需的治疗？

为了继续接受音乐治疗或艺术治疗，我们强烈建议您采取以下措施：

1. 要求在您的计划中明确列出“音乐治疗”或“艺术治疗”作为指定支持。

2. 或者，要求在您的计划中列出“健康类治疗（Allied Health Therapies）”，而不是具体指明每种治疗方式。这样，您仍然可以灵活选择最适合您孩子或服务对象的治疗方式。

要申请特定的治疗支持，您需要提供相关评估报告作为依据。如果您的计划即将进行审查，请尽快联系我们，以便我们协助您准备所需的文件。

关于NDIS的突发计划审查 - 您需要了解的事项

我们注意到，NDIS近年来频繁发起突发计划审查。许多家庭在计划到期前数月便收到NDIS电话，被要求在电话中立即做出决定。在许多情况下，家庭被要求在极短的时间内提交报告，如果无法及时提交，一些规划师可能会以“缺乏证据”为由，将该治疗从计划中排除。

您的权利及如何维护您的计划

1. 如果您认为规划师的决定或流程不合理，您可以提出投诉：NDIS投诉渠道

2. 您有权拒绝在不合适的时间接听电话。您可以要求NDIS规划师在适合您的时间回电。您没有义务在电话中仓促做出决定。

3. **如果英语不是您的第一语言，您有权要求提供翻译服务，或自行携带翻译人员。**您还可以要求您的NDIS计划被翻译成您的母语。

4. 如果规划师错误地应用政策（例如声称NDIS不再资助音乐治疗或艺术治疗），请告知我们。在您同意分享姓名和NDIS参与者编号的情况下，澳大利亚音乐治疗协会（AMTA）主席可以代表您直接与NDIA沟通，帮助您解决问题。

如果您的计划审查不合理，您有权提出上诉，我们将全力支持您！

如果您的计划没有得到公平的审查，并且您决定提出上诉，我们将竭诚帮助您。请联系我们，我们会支持您争取应得的治疗服务。

感谢大家在这个充满挑战的时期携手同行。请帮助我们传播这一重要信息——在NDIS独立审查完成之前，音乐治疗和艺术治疗仍然受到资助！