🌍 Modified Monash Model and NDIS: What You Need to Know for Regional and Remote Areas

Welcome to ISM's Knowledge Hub! 👋

Today, we’re diving into how the Modified Monash Model (MMM) affects NDIS supports, particularly in regional, remote, and very remote areas. Whether you're an NDIS participant, a carer, or just curious about how location impacts pricing and services, we’ve got essential insights for you. Let’s explore how this system works and what it means for your NDIS journey:

The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is a system used to classify areas across Australia based on their remoteness and population size. The model is important for determining how services, especially healthcare and support services under the NDIS, are delivered and funded. From October 2020, the NDIS uses the 2019 version of the MMM to define where services are considered metropolitan, regional, remote, or very remote.

The MMM is broken into seven classifications, ranging from MMM 1 (metropolitan areas) to MMM 7 (very remote areas). The NDIS uses this system to adjust service delivery and pricing in different regions. Here's a quick breakdown of the zones:

• MMM 1: Metropolitan areas with populations over 1 million (e.g., Sydney).

• MMM 2-3: Regional centres or areas close to major towns (populations of 15,000–50,000).

• MMM 4-5: Smaller rural towns (populations between 5,000–15,000).

• MMM 6: Remote areas that are difficult to access.

• MMM 7: Very remote areas, with little access to services and far from major cities.

These classifications help ensure that NDIS participants in more isolated areas receive the necessary adjustments in funding and support to address accessibility challenges.

For NDIS participants living in regional, remote, or very remote areas, the MMM directly impacts pricing. Services delivered in remote areas (MMM 6) are priced 40% higher, while those in very remote areas (MMM 7) are priced 50% higher than the standard rates. This higher pricing reflects the additional challenges and costs involved in delivering services in these areas, such as travel time for providers or the limited availability of services.

Some towns classified under a lower MMM are reclassified for NDIS purposes due to their isolation. For example, towns like Broken Hill (NSW), which would typically be MMM 3, are reclassified as MMM 6 for NDIS planning and pricing, due to their remote surroundings. This reclassification ensures that these towns receive the same considerations as remote areas.

As an NDIS Plan Management provider, ISM helps participants understand how their MMM classification impacts their NDIS plan. For those in regional or remote areas, this might mean ensuring that additional allowances are factored into the budget to cover travel costs for support workers or accessing telehealth services when in-person services are unavailable.

The 2024-2025 NDIS Pricing Arrangements include important updates:

• Telehealth Support: If a support is provided via telehealth, the pricing is based on where the provider is located, unless participants in remote or very remote areas agree that their local rates should apply.

• Face-to-Face Services: The price limits are determined by the participant's location when the service is provided. For instance, if a participant living in a remote area (MMM 6) receives a service from a provider based in a metropolitan area, the remote area pricing applies.

If you're an NDIS participant in a rural or remote area, ISM is here to assist with managing your plan, ensuring that you receive the maximum benefits based on your location’s classification. We work with you to manage pricing complexities and help you access services that may be more challenging to find in your region.

• The MMM system ensures that NDIS participants in regional and remote areas receive equitable support.

• NDIS pricing is adjusted by up to 50% in very remote areas (MMM 7), reflecting the challenges of delivering services.

• The NDIS modifies some town classifications to ensure participants receive appropriate funding and support.

We hope this information has been helpful! 😊 Remember, your NDIS journey is unique, and ISM is here to support you every step of the way. Got more questions about how the MMM affects your plan? Reach out to our friendly team at ISM—we’re always ready to help! 💪