A decision to allow a patient with multiple sclerosis to claim for sex therapy under the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be challenged in the federal courts.

Ministers have attacked a tribunal ruling, which found the woman’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing would be improved by monthly sessions with a sexual therapist costing $10,800 a year.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia, which handed down the decision earlier this month, stressed the case was unusual.

The woman, in her 40s, did not ever expect to have a sexual partner, but even if she did, the partner would not be “willing or able to provide the kind of services [she] requires in order to obtain sexual release”, the tribunal said.