Why Are Music Therapists Getting A 65% Pay Cut?

Britney Evans-Mackay is a registered music therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). She has an undergraduate degree in psychological sciences and a masters of music therapy. However the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) want to remove music therapy from the 'Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living' category, meaning music therapists like Britney will go from earning $193.99 per hour to $67.56. By moving music therapy to a new funding bracket, many participants will lose access to this essential support. 

According to the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA), "no-one in the music therapy community" were even consulted about these changes. They say "this abrupt decision not only undermines the principles of the NDIS"  but it also "impacts people with disability who rely on music therapy to achieve their goals." 

"Music therapy is an evidence-based allied health profession. Registered music therapists deliver therapeutic interventions that are not only supportive and safe but also at the forefront of contemporary, evidence-based clinical practice." - Australian Music Therapy Association

Britney Evans-Mackay says there continues to be this misconception that music therapy is "just a nice music class."

"That hourly rate just doesn't reflect the work we do," says Britney, "as well as that hour we are in front of the participant we are also doing assessments and analysing data before we implement evidence based practice with the participant."  

Britney Evans-Mackay is one of the 950 registered music therapists in Australia concerned for their job.

Britney says music therapy is especially" impactful for neurodivergent kids as the "neuroaffirming practice does not require a language element." 

"It's a relationship focused therapy that puts the heart of the participant and their strengths at the forefront," says Britney, "being cut down to the lower price point just devalues us." 

Aimee* has been doing music therapy for over three years. She says "it's made a massive difference to her life" and has helped her achieve many "life goals and develop her skills as an artist and performer." But now she might lose her music therapist. 

"Because of her I was able to do karaoke, because of her I was finally able to do an audition," says Aimee, "my music therapist is worth more than $67 an hour - that amount is an insult."

The NDIA has commissioned an independent review of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for music therapy. Health economist Dr Stephen Duckett AM is expected to deliver his findings in mid April after reviewing the pricing and effectiveness of music therapy. 

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*name has been been changed

Some Of Australia's Biggest Retailers Have Significant Gender Pay Gaps

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has calculated the median gender pay gap of more than 5000 organisations in Australia.

Up until now the gender pay gaps within firms were never public in Australia.

But thanks to recent law changes and the WGEA, we can finally bust the myth that the gender pay gap doesn't actually exist.

After analysing firms with more than 100 employees, the WGEA found that the Australian workforce has on average a 14.5 per cent median base salary gender pay gap, and an average 19 per cent median total remuneration gender pay gap in Australia's work sector.

Some of the largest cooperations with gender pay gaps includes Commonwealth Bank ( with a median base salary gender pay gap of 29.8 per cent), Westpac ( at 27 per cent) and the Collingwood Football Club ( at 42 per cent ) .

Data shows Jetstar has a 53.5 per cent gender pay gap, making it the highest gender pay gap in all commercial airlines in Australia.

Aussie retailer Forever New has a a median base salary gender pay gap of 50.1 per cent.

But for many the most shocking data came from the Aussie retailers.

Many brands that primarily profit off female customers seem to have substantial gender pay gaps.

In the retail fashion space, City Chic recorded the highest median base salary gender pay gap at 57.7 per cent.

Not only does City Chic cater to predominately women, it's reported 96% of their entire workforce are women.

Similarly, 97% of employees at Lorna Jane are women, yet the activewear brand has a 36.3 per cent gender pay gap.

Despite having a gender pay gap of 36.3 per cent, Lorna Jane describes themselves as a "brand that lives to inspire women around the world." Source - Lorna Jane

In the coming days it'll be interesting to see how and if the above retailers will release statements about this controversial data.

Hopefully this gender pay gap analysis will only lead to positive change within all work sectors in Australia - and most importantly lead to more women in higher paid roles.

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