Better health and ageing for all Australians

Flexible Aged Care

Multi-Purpose Service Program

Background information on the development of the Multi-purpose Service (MPS) program, together with its objectives and benefits.

In this section:

Information on the Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Program

The Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Program is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state/territory governments, which aims to deliver flexible and integrated health and aged care services for small rural and remote communities.

A MPS is generally established when the local population is not large enough to support separate services, such as a hospital, a residential aged care service, home and community care services and where there is poor access to essential health and aged care services.

Australian Government funding for flexible aged care is combined with state and territory Government health services funding. The MPS applies this combined funding flexibly across health and aged care services to offer more service choices specific to the needs of the local community and to be innovative in service delivery.

Whilst there is flexibility in the way these funds are distributed within an MPS, aged care legislation (Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997) sets out that a MPS must comprise of a residential aged care component and provide at least one of the following:
  • a health service provided by a State;
  • a home and community care service;
  • dental or other health care;
  • transport services;
  • community care under the Aged Care Act 1997;
  • a service for which a medicare benefit is payable under the Health Insurance Act 1973;
  • the provision of a pharmaceutical benefit under the National Health Act 1953;
  • a service that the Minister nominates, in an agreement with the responsible Minister of the State, as an appropriate service.
Within these legislative parameters a MPS may provide a wide variety of health and aged care services including but not limited to community nursing, domestic assistance, meals on wheels, respite care, acute care, emergency services, dental services, mental health services and a range of allied health services including physiotherapy and podiatry.
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The majority of MPS providers are run by state health departments, generally through a Local Health Network. Both the MPS provider and the Department of Health and Ageing enter into a payment agreement that specifies the types of health and aged care services to be provided at the MPS.

The first step in establishing a MPS is to contact the state health department to discuss the feasibility of the project. The decision to allocate flexible aged care places for the purposes of establishing a MPS is made by the Department of Health and Ageing following the consideration of all the required matters detailed in the Aged Care Act 1997. This process includes an assessment of the adequacy and capacity of existing facilities to meet the needs of the local community. As part of the approval process, the Department of Health and Ageing requires evidence that the relevant state health department has consulted extensively with the community and any existing aged care providers and health facilities.

Brief history of the MPS Program

In 1991, Australian and state government representatives came together to look at improved ways of meeting the health and aged care needs of people living in rural Australia. The group supported the development of the MPS Program.

In 1993, the MPS Program was piloted in 11 services around Australia and raised considerable interest among many rural communities. Since then, the MPS Program has expanded.

As at 30 June 2012, there are 137 MPS in operation providing 3,337 operational flexible aged care places.

MPS Locations by State/Territory

New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory

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New South Wales

MPS Name: Adelong-Batlow MPS
Primary Site: Batlow

MPS Name: Balranald MPS
Primary Site: Balranald

MPS Name: Baradine MPS
Primary Site: Baradine

MPS Name: Barraba MPS
Primary Site: Barraba

MPS Name: Berrigan MPS
Primary Site: Berrigan

MPS Name: Bingara MPS
Primary Site: Bingara

MPS Name: Blayney MPS
Primary Site: Blayney

MPS Name: Boggabri MPS
Primary Site: Boggabri

MPS Name: Bombala MPS
Primary Site: Bombala

MPS Name: Boorowa MPS
Primary Site: Boorowa

MPS Name: Bourke MPS
Primary Site: Bourke

MPS Name: Braidwood MPS
Primary Site: Braidwood

MPS Name: Brewarrina MPS
Primary Site: Brewarrina

MPS Name: Collarenebri MPS
Primary Site: Collarenebri
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MPS Name: Coolah MPS
Primary Site: Coolah

MPS Name: Coolamon-Ganmain MPS
Primary Site: Coolamon

MPS Name: Coonamble MPS
Primary Site: Coonamble

MPS Name: Culcairn MPS
Primary Site: Culcairn

MPS Name: Delegate MPS
Primary Site: Delegate

MPS Name: Denman Hospital and Community Health Service
Primary Site: Denman

MPS Name: Dorrigo MPS
Primary Site: Dorrigo

MPS Name: Dunedoo MPS
Primary Site: Dunedoo

MPS Name: Emmaville MPS
Primary Site: Emmaville

MPS Name: Eugowra MPS
Primary Site: Eugowra

MPS Name: Gilgandra MPS
Primary Site: Gilgandra

MPS Name: Grenfell MPS
Primary Site: Grenfell

MPS Name: Gulargambone MPS
Primary Site: Gulargambone

MPS Name: Guyra MPS
Primary Site: Guyra
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MPS Name: Henty MPS
Primary Site: Henty

MPS Name: Jerilderie MPS
Primary Site: Jerilderie

MPS Name: Junee MPS
Primary Site: Junee

MPS Name: Kyogle MPS
Primary Site: Kyogle

MPS Name: Lake Cargelligo MPS
Primary Site: Lake Cargelligo

MPS Name: Lightening Ridge
Primary Site: Lightening Ridge

MPS Name: Lord Howe Island MPS
Primary Site: Lord Howe Island

MPS Name: Manilla MPS
Primary Site: Manilla

MPS Name: Merriwa MPS
Primary Site: Merriwa

MPS Name: Nimbin MPS
Primary Site: Nimbin

MPS Name: Nyngan MPS
Primary Site: Nyngan

MPS Name: Oberon MPS
Primary Site: Oberon

MPS Name: Rylstone MPS
Primary Site: Rylstone

MPS Name: Tingha MPS
Primary Site: Tingha

MPS Name: Tottenham MPS
Primary Site: Tottenham
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MPS Name: Trangie MPS
Primary Site: Trangie

MPS Name: Trundle MPS
Primary Site: Trundle

MPS Name: Tullamore MPS
Primary Site: Tullamore

MPS Name: Tumbarumba MPS
Primary Site: Tumbarumba

MPS Name: Urana MPS
Primary Site: Urana

MPS Name: Urbenville MPS
Primary Site: Urbenville

MPS Name: Walcha MPS
Primary Site: Walcha

MPS Name: Warialda MPS
Primary Site: Warialda

MPS Name: Warren MPS
Primary Site: Warren

MPS Name: Werris Creek MPS
Primary Site: Werris Creek

MPS Name: Wilcannia MPS
Primary Site: Wilcannia

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Victoria

MPS Name: Alpine Health MPS
Primary Site: Myrtleford
Secondary Site(s): Bright & Mount Beauty

MPS Name: Mallee Track Health and Community Service MPS
Primary Site: Ouyen
Secondary Site(s): Sea Lake

MPS Name: Orbost Regional Health
Primary Site: Orbost

MPS Name: Otway Health and Community Services MPS
Primary Site: Apollo Bay

MPS Name: Robinvale District Health Services MPS
Primary Site: Robinvale
Secondary Site(s): Manangatang

MPS Name: Timboon & District Healthcare Service
Primary Site: Timboon

MPS Name: Upper Murray Health & Community Services MPS
Primary Site: Corryong

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Queensland

MPS Name: Alpha and Jericho Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Alpha

MPS Name: Augathella Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Augathella

MPS Name: Baralaba Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Baralaba

MPS Name: Barcaldine Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Baracaldine

MPS Name: Barcoo Living Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Blackall

MPS Name: Biggenden Hospital Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Biggenden

MPS Name: Blackwater Hospital Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Blackwater

MPS Name: Childers Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Childers

MPS Name: Clermont Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Clermont

MPS Name: Cloncurry Hospital
Primary Site: Cloncurry

MPS Name: Collinsville Hospital
Primary Site: Collinsville

MPS Name: Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Cooktown
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MPS Name: Dirranbandi Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Dirranbandi

MPS Name: Eidsvold Hospital Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Eidsvold

MPS Name: Inglewood Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Inglewood

MPS Name: Mckinlay Shire Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Julia Creek

MPS Name: Millmerran Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Millmerran

MPS Name: Mitchell Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Mitchell

MPS Name: Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Mossman

MPS Name: Mundubbera Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Mundubbera

MPS Name: Mungindi Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Mungindi

MPS Name: Quilpie Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Quilpie

MPS Name: Springsure Hospital Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Springsure

MPS Name: Texas Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Texas

MPS Name: Theodore Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Theodore

MPS Name: Weipa Hospital Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Weipa

MPS Name: Winton Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Winton

MPS Name: Woorabinda Multi-Purpose Health Service
Primary Site: Woorabinda

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South Australia

MPS Name: Ceduna/ Oak Valley Maralinga Inc MPS
Primary Site: Ceduna
Secondary Site(s): Oak Valley, Maralinga

MPS Name: Coober Pedy Hospital & Health Service Multi-Purpose Service
Primary Site: Coober Pedy

MPS Name: Eastern Eyre MPS
Primary Site: Cleve
Secondary Site(s): Cowell & Kimba

MPS Name: Flinders Ranges
Primary Site: Quorn
Secondary Site(s): Hawker

MPS Name: Kangaroo Island Health Service MPS
Primary Site: Kingscote

MPS Name: Kingston Se/ Robe MPS
Primary Site: Kingston Se
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MPS Name: Lower Eyre Health Services MPS
Primary Site: Tumby Bay
Secondary Site(s): Cummins

MPS Name: Lower North MPS
Primary Site: Snowtown
Secondary Site(s): Burra

MPS Name: Mallee Health Service
Primary Site: Lameroo
Secondary Site(s): Pinaroo & Karoonda

MPS Name: Midwest MPS
Primary Site: Wudinna
Secondary Site(s): Elliston & Streaky Bay

MPS Name: Penola War Memorial Hospital Inc MPS
Primary Site: Penola

MPS Name: Southern Flinders Health
Primary Site: Crystal Brook
Secondary Site(s): Laura

MPS Name: Coorong Health Service
Primary Site: Tailem Bend
Secondary Site(s): Meningie

MPS Name: Waikerie MPS
Primary Site: Waikerie

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Western Australia

MPS Name: Augusta MPS
Primary Site: Augusta

MPS Name: Beverley MPS
Primary Site: Beverley

MPS Name: Boyup Brook MPS
Primary Site: Boyup Brook

MPS Name: Bruce Rock MPS
Primary Site: Bruce Rock

MPS Name: Central Great Southern MPS
Primary Site: Katanning

MPS Name: Corrigin MPS
Primary Site: Corrigin

MPS Name: Cunderdin/Meckering/Tammin MPS
Primary Site: Cunderdin

MPS Name: Dalwallinu MPS
Primary Site: Dalwallinu

MPS Name: Denmark MPS
Primary Site: Denmark

MPS Name: Dongara Mingenew Eneabba MPS
Primary Site: Dongara

MPS Name: Dumbleyung MPS
Primary Site: Dumbleyung

MPS Name: Eastern Wheatbelt MPS
Primary Site: Merredin
Secondary Site(s): Koorda, Kellerberrin, Mount Marshall/Sandalwood, Mukinbudin, Narembeen, Nungarin, Trayning, Westonia, Wyalkatchem & Yilgarn

MPS Name: Exmouth MPS
Primary Site: Exmouth

MPS Name: Kondinin/Kulin MPS
Primary Site: Kondinin
Secondary Site(s): Kulin

MPS Name: Lake Grace MPS
Primary Site: Lake Grace

MPS Name: Leonora/Laverton MPS
Primary Site: Leonora
Primary Site(s): Laverton
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MPS Name: Dandaragan/Moora MPS
Primary Site: Moora

MPS Name: Morawa Perenjori
Primary Site: Morawa

MPS Name: Mortlock MPS
Primary Site: Wongan Hills
Secondary Site(s): Goomalling

MPS Name: Mullewa MPS
Primary Site: Mullewa

MPS Name: Murchison MPS
Primary Site: Meekatharra

MPS Name: Nannup MPS
Primary Site: Nannup

MPS Name: Norseman MPS
Primary Site: Norseman

MPS Name: North Midlands MPS
Primary Site: Three Springs

MPS Name: Northampton Kalbarri MPS
Primary Site: Northampton

MPS Name: Pemberton MPS
Primary Site: Permberton

MPS Name: Plantagenet MPS
Primary Site: Mount Barker
Secondary Site(s): Cranbrook

MPS Name: Quairading MPS
Primary Site: Quaraiding

MPS Name: Ravensthorpe MPS
Primary Site: Ravensthorpe

MPS Name: York MPS
Primary Site: York

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Tasmania

MPS Name: Campbell Town Health and Community Services
Primary Site: Campbell Town

MPS Name: Tasman Health & Community Service
Primary Site: Nubeena

MPS Name: West Tamar Health and Community Service MPS
Primary Site: Beaconsfield

Northern Territory

MPS Name: Gove MPS
Primary Site: Nhulunbuy

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Relevant legislation and determinations

Aged Care Act 1997

Part 3.3 of the Aged Care Act 1997 sets out the eligibility requirements and basis of payment in respect of flexible care subsidy.

Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997

Part 15.13 of the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 specifies the arrangements for the approval of flexible care services provided by approved providers of a MPS.

Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy – Multi-Purpose Services) Determination 2012

This Determination specifies the method for working out the amount of flexible care subsidy payable for a day to a MPS, with rates effective from 1 July 2012.

In addition to meeting the legislative requirements, MPS providers are also required to deliver services in accordance with the National Quality Improvement Framework for Multipurpose Services and the relevant state and territory health quality framework.

Contact for further information

General information enquiries:
Contact the Director, Allocations Management Section, Aged Care Programs Branch,
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Phone: freecall Australia wide: 1800 020 103
Email: Aged Care Programs

Specific enquiries by the state health departments:
Contact our relevant state/territory office.
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