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Music Therapy for Older Adults Receiving Aged Care in Sydney

I provide music therapy for older adults across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, including people living with dementia, stroke, Parkinson's disease, social isolation, and other conditions. If you or a family member receives support through the Support at Home program, music therapy may be available as part of your allied health supports — at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

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This page explains:

  • what the Support at Home program is and how music therapy fits within it

  • who is eligible and how to get started

  • what to say to your care manager

  • options if you prefer to pay privately

What is the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's in-home aged care program, which replaced the previous Home Care Packages system on 1 November 2025. It supports older Australians to remain living at home safely and independently, with access to a range of health, wellbeing, and daily living services.

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If you previously had a Home Care Package, you were automatically transitioned into Support at Home. The program operates across eight classification levels, with annual funding ranging from approximately $11,000 (Level 1) to $78,000 (Level 8). Funding is released quarterly — in July, October, January, and April.

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From 1 July 2026, government-regulated price caps apply to all services, making costs transparent and consistent across providers.

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For official information, visit My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422.

How is Music Therapy Funded Under Support at Home?

Under the Support at Home program, services are divided into three categories: Clinical Supports, Independence Supports, and Everyday Living Supports. The government pays for the full cost of Clinical Supports — participants are not required to make a contribution.

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Music therapy is delivered by a university-qualified Registered Music Therapist (RMT) and is recognised as an allied health service in Australian aged care. As an allied health service, music therapy sits within the Clinical Supports category, alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology.

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This means:

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  • Music therapy sessions are fully funded by the Australian Government

  • There is no out-of-pocket cost to you, regardless of your income or assets

  • Music therapy funding is separate from your Everyday Living and Independence supports — it does not reduce the funds available for services like domestic assistance or personal care

 

This is a significant change from the previous Home Care Package model, where allied health services competed with other services for a share of a general package budget. Under Support at Home, Clinical Supports including allied health are fully government-funded with a single transparent price.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible to access music therapy through the Support at Home program if you:

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  • Are aged 65 or older (or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

  • Have an approved Support at Home classification (Levels 1–8)

  • Have goals that music therapy can support — such as mood, cognition, communication, movement, social connection, or general wellbeing

  • Have music therapy included in your support plan by your care manager

 

If you are not yet receiving Support at Home funding, the first step is to contact My Aged Care to request an assessment. Visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.

What Can Music Therapy Support?

Music therapy can support older adults across a wide range of health and wellbeing needs, including:

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  • Dementia — supporting mood, memory, communication, and quality of life through familiar and meaningful music. For more information visit the Dementia & Music Therapy page →

  • Stroke recovery — using Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques to support speech and movement rehabilitation

  • Parkinson's disease — rhythmic auditory stimulation to support gait, coordination, and movement

  • Social isolation and loneliness — creating meaningful connection and engagement through shared musical experiences

  • Mental health — supporting emotional wellbeing through music-based interventions, reducing depression and anxiety

  • Post-hospital recovery — supporting adjustment, mood, and rehabilitation after a hospital stay

  • Chronic pain — music-based experiences to support comfort and reduce perceived pain

  • General wellbeing — meaningful, enjoyable activity that supports quality of life and a sense of purpose

Sessions are tailored to each person's history, preferences, and goals. You do not need any musical background or ability.

The Restorative Care Pathway

The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term program aimed at helping you regain strength and independence after a health event. It provides intensive allied health support for up to 12 weeks, with a possible 4-week extension following reassessment. It is commonly accessed after a fall, injury, or surgery such as a hip replacement.

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Music therapy is well suited to the Restorative Care Pathway, particularly for:

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  • Post-stroke rehabilitation using Neurologic Music Therapy techniques

  • Recovery after hospitalisation — supporting mood, motivation, and physical activity

  • Parkinson's disease management — rhythmic auditory stimulation for gait training

  • Supporting adjustment and emotional wellbeing after a significant health event

 

Restorative Care funding of approximately $6,000 is available for the first six weeks, increasing to around $12,000 if ongoing need is assessed. This is in addition to your ongoing Support at Home classification budget.

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If you think the Restorative Care Pathway may be relevant, speak with your care manager or contact My Aged Care.

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What About the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition into the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2027. If you currently receive entry-level supports through CHSP, those arrangements continue under your existing provider for now.

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If you are unsure which program you are on, ask your provider or care manager, or contact My Aged Care.

You do not need to know all the technical details — a simple, clear request is usually best. You might say:

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"I'd like to include music therapy with a Registered Music Therapist in my Support at Home care plan, to support my [mood / memory / movement / social connection / general wellbeing]. Music therapy is an allied health service and I understand it may be fully funded as a Clinical Support. Can you help me arrange this?"

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You can also:

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  • Mention that music therapy is delivered by a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) — a university-qualified allied health professional

  • Explain why you think it would help — for example, reduced social engagement, mood changes, or a desire for meaningful activity at home

  • Share my contact details so I can speak directly with your care manager and provide a quote

I am happy to liaise with your care manager or provider directly to help arrange sessions.

What to Say to Your Care Manager

Private Music Therapy

If you are not yet receiving Support at Home funding, or prefer to arrange sessions directly, private music therapy is also available.

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Private sessions are charged at the same base rate as NDIS sessions. Please see the Music Therapy Fees page for current pricing.

How To Get Started

  1. Contact me — call 0498 467 379 or use the contact form on this website

  2. Brief phone conversation — we discuss your needs, goals, current supports, and funding

  3. Liaising with your provider — if you have Support at Home funding, I can provide a quote and speak with your care manager directly

  4. Initial session — we arrange an initial 60-minute session and plan from there

 

If you are unsure whether music therapy is the right option, you are very welcome to get in touch. A short conversation can often make the next step clearer.

About Your Music Therapist

I run Resonance Music Therapy as a sole practitioner, based in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. I am a Registered Music Therapist (RMT), registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). I hold a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Australian Institute of Music and a Master of Music Therapy from the University of Melbourne, and have additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT).

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I provide mobile music therapy in homes, retirement villages, and aged care facilities across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. I work with older adults receiving support through the Support at Home program, NDIS participants, and private clients.

 

Get in touch →

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