The Albanese Government has unveiled an expansion of its Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) program to support aged care in rural and remote communities across Australia. Under the initiative, 102 new residential care places have been allocated to providers in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia—allowing ten existing MPS sites to grow and establishing three new ones.
Recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the MPS program integrates health and aged care services in regions that cannot support separate facilities for hospitals and aged care homes. This move is expected to benefit thousands of older Australians who prefer to remain close to their communities and families.
Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, welcomed the expansion, saying: “We know older people in rural and remote Australia want to stay in their local communities and this is another way the Albanese Government is helping people remain close to family and friends.
“Combined health and aged care services are integral to providing quality aged care in rural and remote communities. The additional 102 places will make it easier for older people in rural and remote Australia to access care when they need it.”
Currently, around 5,000 people rely on MPS services each year. With the new funding, the total number of residential care places under this program will rise to 3,796, serving 183 sites across the country. The initiative aims to improve safe, quality care for seniors by addressing the unique challenges faced by geographically isolated communities.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
