Registration Application Form 2012
Registration Information Letter 2012
Registration gives you the status of Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association. The RMT status is desirable to employers because they know that an RMT has been fully trained to a professional level and abides by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. In fact, many organisations that employ music therapists are specifically funded to employ RMTs only.
Competency Standards in Music Therapy
The purpose of this document is to outline the competencies that must be acquired by students on graduation from courses accredited by the Australian Music Therapy Association for entry to the profession. These competencies are developed through course work and by clinical training.
Accredited courses in music therapy must provide education and training in these competencies.
Benefits and Responsibilities of Registration
Registration gives you the status of Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association. The RMT status is desirable to employers because they know that an RMT has been fully trained to a professional level and abides by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. In fact, many organisations that employ music therapists are specifically funded to employ RMTs only.
Once you are Registered you will be given access to the RMTs-only section of the AMTA Inc. website and be eligible to attend the Professional Development Seminar which is held at the same time as the annual AMTA national conference. As well, there are currently optional copyright licenses available at very favorable rates negotiated by AMTA Inc on behalf of RMTs.
Registration must be renewed annually. An invoice is sent each year, and payment is due on the 1st July. If payment is overdue by 12 months, the RMT’s membership is considered “lapsed”, and an application for re-registration (which involves a course of further study as prescribed by the National Registration Committee) is required. This is to satisfy the NRC that you are sufficiently competent to practice music therapy in Australia.
Once registered, you shall be required to participate in AMTA’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program. In addition to paying annual registration fees, your involvement in this program ensures your ongoing registration status with AMTA. This program has been established to ensure that you are an accountable practitioner maintaining professionally recognized and acceptable standards. The program supports RMTs to maintain and broaden their knowledge base as well as that of the AMTA. In summary, CPD involves accruing no less than 100 CPD points over a 5-year cycle.
Application for Registration
If you are currently enrolled in a course that is accredited by AMTA Inc, and so, on completion of your studies, you are eligible to apply for Registration. Your Course Coordinator, or Lecturer, will give you the Registration Application Form in the final weeks of your course. Make sure you ask for one if you do not receive it.
You must apply for Registration within 12 months of completing your course. If you submit your application later than this, you will be required to undertake a course of further study as prescribed by the National Registration Committee.
Applications are accepted only from current financial members of AMTA. The application fee is currently $175.00. (GST Incl.)
The application form asks you to forward the fee and the original transcript of your final results. DO NOT send photocopies (endorsed or otherwise), or copies printed from an electronic source. DO NOT apply if your final transcript is not available.
You will be formally notified of the outcome of your registration application. The application process usually takes some weeks. Once completed your original result transcript shall be returned.
Intakes of Registration Applications.
There are usually only 3 intakes of applications each year. The 2011 registration cut off dates are:
- 13 January 2012
- 16 March 2012
- 10 August 2012
Remember, you must apply for registration within 12 months of course completion.
These are absolute closing dates and failure to meet the deadlines means you must wait until the following date to apply for Registration.
When next it is time to renew membership, you will pay the RMT rate.
Annual Membership Renewal Fees
RMTs pay a membership component and a registration component. If you are not practicing at all for any reason, it is recommended that you maintain your membership as a non-practicing member.
Currently the fees for a practicing RMT are: $279.00 including GST
Currently the fees for a non-practicing RMT are: $240.00 including GST
Practicing Music Therapy BEFORE you are Registered.
Don’t. This is contrary to the constitution of AMTA Inc.
“No member of the Association may describe himself/herself as a Music Therapist, or his/her work as Music Therapy, unless current Registration granted by the Association is held.”
Practicing Music Therapy without the status of Registration is unprofessional and unfair to your employer, your clients, and yourself.
When your registration application fee is received and processed, you shall be mailed a receipt acknowledging payment and granting you provisional registration status until your registration application is formally approved by the National Registration Committee. This allows you to practice as a registered music therapist in the interim. Should your registration application be rejected by the National Registration Committee, your fees shall be reimbursed and your provisional registration status shall be rescinded.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact the National Administrator.