Govt boosts aged care beds through MPS program
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has provided an update on the Multi-Purpose Services Program (MPSP), revealing more beds and details on incoming 24/7 RN requirements.
At a 30-minute webinar on 2 March 2026, Kate Atkins (pictured above), Director, MPSP Section with the Department, revealed that Health Minister Mark Butler has determined that an additional 100 residential aged care places will be made available through the MPSP this financial year.
The places will be limited to existing MPS sites looking “to grow their footprint”, she said.
What is an MPS?
MPSs are Government owned and operated facilities that provide integrated health and aged care services in regional, rural and remote communities deemed too small to support such a facility.
24/7 RNs and direct care targets
The webinar also provided an update on the introduction of 24/7 RNs for MPS services, which will commence on 1 July 2026. Until then, the 24/7 RN trial will continue until April. Between July and October, MPS operators will be required to meet the 24/7 obligation and submit the first report through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) in November.
From 1 October 2026, a trial of direct care targets will be expanded to all 183 MPS sites, with targets set to be introduced from October 2027.
IHACPA funding review
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA)’s review of the MPSP, aimed at developing a new funding model to be introduced mid-2028, has revealed “cost pressures and operational challenges”.
IHACPA released its first report on MPS funding late last year, identifying issues such as workforce costs, location specific costs, infrastructure deficits and funding pressures are “impacting service sustainability”, said Carla Cowles-Henriquez, of Thin Markets Policy & Reforms with the Department.
Providers also raised concerns about “apportioning resources between health and aged care” and supporting residents with complex care needs.
“We heard from some sites that these challenges could be exacerbated because they were often the providers of last resort in some areas,” Cowles-Henriquez said.
The Weekly SOURCE reported this week that the Merriwa MPS is accepting residents from Gummun Place residential aged care which is set to close at the end of the month, the provider of last resort in the small northern NSW town.
