TLC Music Therapy

Welcome to our new team member Lucy Richards! Lucy has joined our team from 20th March and we're so excited. Lucy comes with over 20 years experience as a music therapist and has worked across many clinical populations. She originally studied voice but also uses guitar and piano regularly in her sessions. If you're one of Hilary's clients you'll meet Lucy over the next few weeks as we do a handover, but if you want to learn more you can click here www.tlcmusic.com.au

Did you know that music therapy is included in the Victorian Government's Schools Mental Health Menu?

Music therapy is available to all schools and students via this program and can support students to:
- connect with and regulate their emotions
- build emotional literacy
- build and sustain positive relationships
- develop positive coping resources and strategies
- improve their educational engagement and outcomes
- explore and expand self-concept and identity

We've launched a number of programs to support kids mental health in schools - you can find out more by clicking on the link.

https://www.tlcmusic.com.au/mental-health-in-schools-programs

The Schools Mental Health Menu provides a list of endorsed programs, staff and other supports that schools can use to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their students in line with the individual needs of their school.

Providers on the Menu must be:
- evidence based
- cost-effective
- aligned with department priorities
- readily available
- easy for schools to implement

The Menu provides services across 3 tiers of support:
Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
Tier 2: Early intervention and cohort specific support
Tier 3: Targeted support

Music therapy is available to schools across all tiers of support.

Our amazing Hilary is leaving us to pursue some wonderful new projects. We're so sad to see her go but wish her all the best with her travelling plans and new album (stay tuned). Over the next 2 weeks we'll be conducting a thorough handover with our new staff member Lucy who comes to us with extensive music therapy experience.

Hi everyone, here's copy of our Term 1 newsletter - Meet our new team member Lucy, find out about our groups, enjoy our kids playlists, get NDIS & Music Therapy updates, and more...

Dates, Resources & NDIS updates Term 1 is an 11 week term and will run from Monday 19th January to Thursday 2nd April.  There are 3 public holidays this term so the clinic will be closed on these dates:

We are hiring! TLC Music Therapy are looking for a Grade 2 music therapist to join us late March for 21 hours per week. DM me for a copy of the position description if you're interested and feel free to share with your music therapy network!

Here's more info...

Grade 2 Registered Music Therapist
Location: TLC Music Therapy - 156 Colby Drive, Belgrave South, Melbourne
Start Date: 23rd March 2026
Working days: 21 hours across Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
Applications Close: Sunday 1st March 2026

Are you an experienced Registered Music Therapist who loves bringing creativity, energy, and heart into every session? Do you want to work somewhere your skills are valued, your ideas are heard, and your professional growth is nurtured? If so, TLC Music Therapy would love to meet you.

About the Role
As a Grade 2 Music Therapist at TLC, you’ll work with a varied caseload of children, teens, and adults, supporting their communication, emotional regulation, social skills, and overall wellbeing through music. You’ll work will be primarily clinic-based, with a supportive team to guide and collaborate with you. Your week will balance client sessions with protected time for planning, documentation, and professional development – all within a structured and friendly environment.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us
• We are an experienced & collaborative team of Music Therapists
• Enjoy weekly supervision and monthly peer support
• In-house professional development as well as an individual PD budget
• Varied caseload that keeps your work stimulating and rewarding
• Five weeks of annual leave
• Friendly, supportive workplace culture – we genuinely care about your wellbeing

About You
We’re looking for someone who:
• Is a Registered Music Therapist with AMTA
• Has a Working With Children Check, Australian driver’s licence, car, and laptop
• Is reflective, collaborative, and committed to strengths-based, neuro-affirming practice
• Loves designing engaging, creative, and client-centred music therapy sessions

Your Opportunity
At TLC Music Therapy, your creativity is welcomed. You’ll have the space to plan, reflect, and grow, contribute ideas to programs, and explore areas of professional interest. We handle most administrative tasks, so your focus stays on what matters most – delivering high-quality music therapy that makes a difference.

Want to Join Us?
Applications close Sunday 1st March 2026, with the role commencing 23rd March 2026. Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]. For a friendly, informal chat about the role, email or call Jacinta at 0438809922.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Yes! We've finally got clarification from NDIS that music therapy can be accessed from your capacity building funding, even when music therapy is not specifically mentioned. Also, even if other therapies are listed, you can use this funding flexibly between different therapy supports.

From the Australian Music Therapy Association:
AMTA is pleased to share updated guidelines relating to Stated Supports that were published on the NDIS website recently. This can be found under ‘Why is therapy listed as a stated support in participant plans, and how is it managed?’ on the therapy supports page on the NDIS website.

The clarification states that therapy is ‘currently included as a stated support at the component level in participant plans’, meaning that it is allocated for therapy, and cannot be used to fund other categories. It also clarifies that while some plans may include extra details (such as a specific therapy type), this is to help ‘guide how the funding is used’, while ‘maintaining participant choice’.

This update is in line with what the NDIA have previously communicated to AMTA:
- Music therapy does not need to be specifically listed in a plan.
- The ‘Improved Daily Living - Therapy’ lines can be used flexibly between different therapies.

AMTA have also recently received a number of examples from members who have successfully clarified that funding can be used flexibly, even when Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch (TAPIB) have not specifically approved additional funding for music therapy.

You can find out more on the NDIS website here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/therapy-supports