The seven MMM categories
The Modified Monash Model was developed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It classifies locations using Australian Bureau of Statistics remoteness data and population size. The NDIS 2026/27 pricing schedule uses these categories:
- MM 1: major cities (metropolitan areas)
- MM 2: regional centres
- MM 3: large rural towns
- MM 4: medium rural towns
- MM 5: small rural towns
- MM 6: remote communities
- MM 7: very remote communities
How MMM sets the price limit
Under the 2026/27 pricing schedule, the national price limit applies to supports delivered in MM 1 to 5. The remote limit applies in MM 6 and the very remote limit in MM 7. If a support item has no remote or very remote amount listed, it does not get a loading.
What counts is where the support physically takes place, not the participant's home address. If a participant from a remote town travels to a regional clinic, the clinic's location sets the limit.
Examples from the 2026/27 pricing schedule
In general, remote limits are 40% higher and very remote limits 50% higher than national limits:
- Occupational therapy: $193.99 an hour national, $271.59 remote, $290.99 very remote
- Self care support, standard, weekday daytime: $73.58 an hour national, $103.01 remote, $110.37 very remote
- Specialist support coordination: $190.54 an hour national, $266.75 remote, $285.80 very remote
- Plan management monthly fee: $104.45 in every area, with no loading
Isolated towns modification
Some towns are surrounded by remote or very remote areas but would otherwise be rated MM 5 or lower. The NDIA reclassifies these as remote or very remote for pricing, so services there attract the higher limits. The full list of reclassified towns, by postcode, is in Part 3 of the 2026/27 pricing schedule. Since 24 November 2025 the NDIS has used the 2023 version of the MMM, and some locations changed category as a result.
MMM and provider travel
MMM also sets how much travel time a provider can claim. Under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, providers can claim up to 30 minutes of travel to each participant in MM 1 to 3 and up to 60 minutes in MM 4 and 5, where travel is allowed for that item and agreed in the service agreement. There is no travel time limit in MM 6 and 7, and providers there can agree with participants to cover costs such as flights and accommodation.
For therapy, travel time is claimed at up to half the hourly limit. For example, occupational therapy provider travel is $97.00 an hour national, $135.80 remote and $145.50 very remote in 2026/27. The NDIA has said updated claiming guidance will follow the new pricing schedule, so check the current documents.
Non face to face work and telehealth
For work not done directly with the participant, such as non face to face support or NDIA requested reports, the limit is based on where the worker is when doing the work. For telehealth, it is generally based on where the practitioner is, although participants in remote or very remote areas can agree to the higher limit if they are satisfied it is value for money.
How to check a location's MMM
Use the Health Workforce Locator on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website to look up the MMM category for an address. Then check Part 3 of the NDIS pricing schedule in case the location has been reclassified. Record the category on your invoice or in your service agreement so the participant or plan manager can see why a higher limit applies.