About the MPS Program
The MPS Program provides integrated health and aged care services for older people living in small communities in regional and remote areas.
It is available in all states, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island.
Why it is important
The MPS Program services areas that cannot support both a hospital and separate aged care home. This means older people can stay in their own communities and closer to family and friends.
Goals of the program
The MPS Program aims to give regional and remote communities:
- improved access to a mix of health and aged care services that meet community needs
- more innovative, flexible and integrated service delivery
- flexible use of funding and/or resource infrastructure within integrated service planning
- improved quality of care for clients
- improved cost-effectiveness and long-term viability of services.
Who can access the program
If you are an older person living in a small regional or remote community, you can access aged care services from an MPS.
Before you enter an MPS, you can have an assessment. This can be done by the MPS staff, an Aged Care Assessment Team or another assessor so that:
- your needs are properly evaluated
- the MPS can better plan your care.
To find your nearest MPS, use Find a provider on the My Aged Care website.
The services MPS can deliver
MPS deliver a range of health and aged care services in regional and remote areas, including residential and home care.
Learn how MPS providers can deliver services flexibly.
Charging for MPS program services
Older people accessing aged care services from an MPS provider are expected to help with the cost by paying fees, if they can afford to do so.
Find out what fees approved MPS providers can charge.
Allocating places to MPS
There is an annual allocation round to allocate flexible aged care places to MPS.
View the results of the 2022–23 allocation round.
Reforms and reviews of the program
The final report by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety acknowledges the role of MPS in delivering flexible, integrated health and aged care for smaller and dispersed populations.
Recommendation 55 calls for the MPS Program to be expanded and improved.
We are working on aged care reforms, including Recommendation 55, with state and territory governments. This is done through the Intergovernmental Senior Officials Group, which reports to the Health Chief Executives Forum.
Who we work with
The MPS Program is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
We fund the delivery of aged care services, while state and territory governments fund the program’s health services.
Infrastructure funding
The Aged Care Capital Assistance Program funds infrastructure projects that improve access to quality aged care services, including for older people living in regional, rural and remote areas.
Eligibility to apply and receive grant funding, including for MPS providers, will be determined on a round-by-round basis and clarified through grant opportunity guidelines.
Learn more
View our list of guides, fact sheets and publications to learn more about the MPS program.
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