Care ethics in music therapy higher education in Australia

![CDATA[We are in a ‘new time’ within the music therapy profession, where intersectionality and transversality are being considered within the context of service provision, and henceforth within music therapy training programs (Gilbertson, 2023). International music therapy higher education leaders are imploring educators to embrace a broadly inclusive approach within teaching frameworks and program application processes (Goodman, 2023); and higher education institutions are prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as indicated across a broad range of updated university policies and procedures (Wang, 2023). As music therapy higher education programs in Australia progress towards rebuilding teaching foundations based on a more diverse, equitable and inclusive approach, assumptions of accredited programs being seen as the 'gatekeepers’ and somewhat ‘caretakers’ of the profession are being challenged. Additionally, music therapy accreditation and registration associations around the world are being prompted to address the significant challenge of equally valuing different expressions of musicking, while being called upon to provide a framework whereby validated education institutions can evolve beyond the practice of measuring applicant skills against traditional western music grading systems. As the profile of the music therapy participant broadens, so should the profile of the music therapy practitioner, and consequently, the music therapy higher education applicant. Within this presentation the program leaders from both AMTA accredited courses will jointly present on DEI considerations within their respective programs, framed within care ethics models (Noddings, 2013) and related literatures (Schultz, 2022). The ‘creative journeys’ theme of this conference will be addressed, as the presenters extend the notion of celebrating diversity in music therapy practice and research, to include a celebration of higher education post graduate training in Australia.]]