Advocacy

Dear Members,

In partnership with Massage & Myotherapy Australia, ANTA has made a joint submission to the NDIS Support Rules consultation, calling for the reinstatement of funding for our members’ essential professional services.

This joint submission to the NDIS Support Rules consultation opposes the October 2024 policy changes that exclude qualified Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists from providing funded care.  It highlights ANTA member concerns that these restrictions are diminishing health outcomes, limiting participant choice and undermining a proven and essential sector of the healthcare workforce.

Key points from the submission include:

• Qualified Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists meet rigorous professional standards similar to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration, including recognised training, ongoing professional development, insurance and ethical compliance.
• Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy play a vital role in managing pain, stress, mobility and function, which are core needs for many NDIS participants.
• Multiple government schemes including WorkSafe, SIRA NSW and aged care programs already fund Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy – highlighting inconsistent and conflicting policy and regulation across governments.
• Exclusion contradicts both current medical guidelines and the lived experience of NDIS client carers and healthcare professionals.
• Recent member survey data – including 10,000+ responses across three leading massage/complementary health associations – revealed 73% of practitioners treated NDIS clients and 67% have already seen negative impacts on NDIS clients following the policy shift.

ANTA and MMA are thus urging the NDIS to adopt a more inclusive and collaborative approach by recognising accredited Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists as eligible providers under the Support Rules.

Thank you for your continued professionalism, feedback and support as we continue to advocate on your behalf.  We will keep you updated as this consultation progresses.