What is Modified Monash Model?
Also known as: MMM
The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is the Australian Government’s classification of how remote a location is, on a scale from MM 1 (metropolitan) to MM 7 (very remote). The NDIS uses it to set price limits: MM 1 to 5 use national prices, MM 6 uses remote prices and MM 7 uses very remote prices.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing maintains the MMM, based on remoteness and town size. An area’s MMM category decides which NDIS price limit applies there, and the provider travel time cap.
The seven categories
- MM 1: 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 the categories are defined
- MM 1 covers major cities, which hold about 70% of Australia’s population.
- MM 2 covers regional areas in, or within a 20 km drive of, a town of more than 50,000 people.
- MM 3 covers areas within 15 km by road of a town of 15,000 to 50,000 people.
- MM 6 covers remote areas and islands less than 5 km offshore.
- MM 7 covers very remote areas and populated islands more than 5 km offshore.
How the NDIS uses the MMM
- Price limits: MM 1 to 5 use national prices, MM 6 remote prices and MM 7 very remote prices. Under the 2026-27 pricing schedule, some isolated towns have been reclassified.
- Provider travel: travel time is capped at 30 minutes each way in MM 1 to 3 and 60 minutes each way in MM 4 and 5. Remote and very remote areas are not capped.
Finding a location’s category
Look up any address in the Health Workforce Locator from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It shows the 2015, 2019 and current 2023 classifications, so check you are reading the version that applies.
The MMM is not only an NDIS tool. Areas classed MM 2 to MM 7 are treated as regional, rural or remote, and other government programs use the categories to set eligibility.
How Rostery helps
Rostery checks every line of an NDIS bulk claim file against the current price limits before you upload it.
Questions people ask
What does MM 7 mean?
Very remote communities. NDIS supports delivered in MM 7 areas use the very remote price limits.
Which MMM areas use NDIS national prices?
MM 1 to MM 5. MM 6 uses remote prices and MM 7 uses very remote prices.
How do I check an address’s MMM category?
Use the Health Workforce Locator from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Checked against the official sources on 2 October 2026. Rules change: confirm the current position with the agency before you rely on it.
Related terms
More in NDIS
Rostery handles this in practice
SCHADS interpretation, NDIS price-guide validation, claiming and the evidence an audit asks for — built for Australian providers.