AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DISABILITY AND AGEING
HEALTH INSURANCE ACT 1973
Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program) Direction (No. 1) 2025
I, Nigel Murray, Assistant Secretary, MBS Policy and Specialist Programs Branch, Medicare Benefits and Digital Health Division, Health Resourcing Group, delegate for the Minister for Health and Aged Care, acting under section 19 of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) hereby:
- REPEAL the Health Insurance (Medicare Benefits Payable in Respect of Professional Services – First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program) Direction 2024; and
- DIRECT that under subsection 19(2) of the Act Medicare benefits shall be payable in respect of:
- a professional service (as defined in section 3 of the Act) which has been provided in accordance with the First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program managed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (ABN: 83 605 426 759) and at, or from, a practice location specified in subparagraph (2)(c)(iii) of this direction for which:
- item 73813 of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – Point-of-Care Testing Services) Determination 2024 or item 73825 of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Services) Determination 2020 relate; and
- where the professional service is provided to:
- an eligible person (as defined in section 3 of the Act) who is;
- not receiving a service which attracts a payment through Schedule K of the 2020-2025 Addendum to the National Health Reform Agreement for a service rendered to a public patient; and
- an eligible person (as defined in section 3 of the Act) who is;
- the professional services referred to in paragraph (2)(a) must be provided:
- by, or on behalf of, a salaried medical practitioner or participating nurse practitioner, where the professional service meets all relevant item requirements, or
- where the service is performed on behalf of a medical practitioner, by a practice nurse, eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner or eligible Aboriginal health worker, where the professional service meets all relevant item requirements; and
- at, or from, a practice location in a Modified Monash 6 area or Modified Monash 7 area (as defined in Section 7.1.1 of the general medical services table) specified in Schedule A of this Direction.
- DIRECT that under subsection 19(5) of the Act Medicare benefits shall be payable in respect of:
(a) a professional service (as defined in section 3 of the Act) which has been provided in accordance with the First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program managed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (ABN: 83 605 426 759) and at, or from, a practice location specified in subparagraph 2(c)(iii) of this Direction for which:
(i) item 73813 of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – Point-of-Care Testing Services) Determination 2024 or item 73825 of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Services) Determination 2020 relate; and |
(b) where the professional service meets all the requirements as set out in paragraphs (2)(b) and (2)(c) of this direction.
- DECLARE that this Direction commences on the day after registration and ceases to have effect at the end of 31 October 2026 unless earlier repealed.
Note, a number of expressions used in this direction are defined in the below instruments:
- Health Insurance Act 1973: the meaning of medical practitioner, participating nurse practitioner, practice nurse and professional service;
- Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021: the meaning of Modified Monash 6 area and Modified Monash 7 area; and
- Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services – Allied Health Services) Determination 2024: the meaning of eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner and eligible Aboriginal health worker.
Date: 17 October 2025
Nigel MurrayAssistant SecretaryMBS Policy and Specialist Programs BranchMedicare Benefits and Digital Health DivisionHealth Resourcing Group Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
SCHEDULE A
Approved Aboriginal Community controlled health Services (ACCHS) for the provision of services under the First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Service Name | Legal Entity Name | Street Address |
Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation | Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation | 64 South Street, Alice Springs, NT 0872 |
Anyinginyi Health Centre | Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation | 73 Schmidt Street, Tennant Creek NT 0860 |
Bulman Health Centre | Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 68, Bulman (Weemol) NT 0852 |
Gap Clinic | Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation | 25 Gap Road, The Gap NT 0870 |
Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island) Clinic |
Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 600 Burmala Rd, Galiwin’ku NT 0822 |
Gapuwiyak Clinic | Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 96, 1 Babawuynagumi St, Gapuwiyak NT 0880 |
Kalkaringi Health Centre | Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 125, Libanangu Street, Kalkaringi NT 0852 |
Lajamanu Health Centre | Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 446 Lajamanu Street, Lajamanu NT 0852 |
Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 480, 6 Parap Place Maningrida Community, Maningrida NT 0822 |
Malmaldharra (Milingimbi) Health Centre | Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 37 Madmungun Road, Milingimbi NT 0822 |
Minyerri Health Centre | Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 3, Minyerri NT 0852 |
Ngukurr Health Centre | Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 316, Ngukurr Road, Ngukurr NT 0852 |
Pintupi Homelands Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Pintupi Homelands Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | 194 Kintore Road Kintore NT 0872 |
Ramingining Clinic
| Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 19, 17 Milbrim Road, Ramingining NT 0822 |
Timber Creek Health Centre
| Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 93 Wilson St, Timber Creek NT 0852 |
Urapuntja Health Service | Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Amengernternenh (Utopia) Sandover Highway, Sandover, NT 0872 |
Yarralin Health Centre | Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 53, Yarralin NT 0852 |
Yulara Clinic | Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation | Lot 233 Yulara Drive, Yulara NT 0872 |
QUEENSLAND
Service Name | Legal Entity Name | Street Address |
Child and Family Centre (aka Bwgcolman Healing Service) | Palm Island Community Company
| 4 Main Street, Palm Island Qld 4816 |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Service Name | Legal Entity Name | Street Address |
Amata Clinic | Nganampa Health Council | 9-11 Ngari Place, Amata SA 0872 |
Pukatja (Ernabella)) Clinic | Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation | 1 Main Street Ernabella (Pukatja) SA 0872 |
Fregon Clinic | Nganampa Health Council | 1 Main Street, KALTJITI, SA 0872 |
Iwantja Clinic | Nganampa Health Council | Maku Street, Indulkana SA 5724 |
Mimili clinic | Nganampa Health Council | 6-8 Puti Ilykuwara Road Mimili Community, Mimili SA 0872 |
Oak Valley Health Service | Oak Valley (Maralinga) Aboriginal Corporation | 43 McKenzie Street, Ceduna SA 5690 |
Pipalyatjara Clinic | Nganampa Health Council | 3-5 Ilykuwara Street, Pipalytjara SA 0872 |
Tullawon Health Service Incorporated | Tullawon Health Service Incorporated | 303 Tullawon Square, Yalata SA 5690 |
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Inc | Lot 8, Umoona Road, Coober Pedy SA 5723 |
Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service | Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation | 1 Eyre Highway, Ceduna SA 5690 |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Service Name | Legal Entity Name | Street Address |
Balgo (Wirrimanu) Health Centre | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited | 1 Tanami Road, Balgo WA 6770 |
Beagle Bay Health Centre | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited | Lot 53 Beagle Bay Road, Beagle Bay WA 6725 |
Bidyadanga Health Centre | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited | Lot 86 Wangkaja Road, Bidyadanga Community (Lagrange) WA 6725 |
Billiluna Health Centre | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited | Billiluna Community, Halls Creek WA 6770 |
Blackstone Clinic | Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Blackstone Community, Blackstone WA 0872 |
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service | Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | 2 Dora Street, Broome WA 6725 |
Carnarvon Gascoyne Outreach Service | Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service | 14-16 Rusthon Street, Carnarvon WA 6701 |
Derby Aboriginal Health Service | Derby Aboriginal Health Service Council Aboriginal Corporation | 1 Stanley Street, Derby WA 6728 |
Jigalong Clinic | Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service | Jigalong Community, Corner of Walyagunya Boulevard & Daisy Street, Newman WA 6753 |
Kiwirrkurra Clinic | Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Gibson Desert North WA 0872 |
Mawarnkarra Health Service | Mawarnkarra Health Service | 20 Sholl Street, Roebourne WA 6718 |
Murchison Outreach Service | Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service | 56 Attwood Street, Mount Magnet WA 6638 |
Mulan Clinic | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited | Mulan Community via Halls Creek, WA 6770 |
Newman Clinic | Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service | 65 Mindarra Drive, Newman WA 6753 |
Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health Service | Ngangganawili Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Medical Services Aboriginal Corporation | 44 Scotia Street, Wiluna WA 6646 |
Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service | Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | 1125 Ironwood Drive, Kununurra WA 6743 |
Spinifex Health Service | Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation | Tjuntjuntjara Community, Tjuntjuntjara WA 6436 |
Warakurna Clinic | Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Fifteenth Street, Warakurna Community, Warakurna WA 6642 |
Warburton Clinic | Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Fourth Street, Warburton Community, Warburton WA 6431 |
Wingellina Clinic | Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Wingellina Community, Ngaanyatjarra-Giles WA 0872 |
Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | 17 Hamilton Road, South Hedland WA 6722 |
Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Centre | Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | 342 Terone Street, Halls Creek WA 6770 |
Approved ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) for the provision of services under the First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Service Name | Practice Name | Street Address |
NT Health | Ali-Curung / Primary Health Centre | 159 Jangala St, Ali-Curung NT 0861 |
QUEENSLAND
Service Name | Practice Name | Street Address |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Aurukun Primary Health Care Centre | 810 Kang Kang Road, Aurukun QLD 4892 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Bamaga Primary Health Care Centre | 175 Adidi Street, Bamaga QLD 4876 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Kowanyama Primary Health Care Centre | Carrington Street, Kowanyama QLD 4892 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Lockhart River Primary Health Care Centre | 2 Paytam Street, Lockhart River QLD 4892 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre | 8 Korka Street, Pormpuraaw QLD 4892 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Saibai Island Primary Health Care Centre | 29A Main Riad, Saibai Island QLD 4875 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Sibuwani Ngurpai Meta/ Thursday Island Primary Health Care Centre | 74 Douglas Street, Thursday Island QLD 4875 |
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service | Weipa Integrated Health Service | 407 John Evans Dr, Trunding Weipa QLD 4874 |
North West Hospital and Health Service | Cloncurry Multipurpose Health Service | 1 Musgrave Street, Cloncurry QLD 4824 |
North West Hospital and Health Service | Yellagundgimarra Hospital Doomadgee and Community Health Cenre | 19 Sharpe Street, Doomadgee QLD 4830 |
North West Hospital and Health Service | Mornington Island Hospital and Aboriginal Community Health Service | Lardyl Street, Mornington Island QLD 4871 |
North West Hospital and Health Service | Mt Isa Sexual Health Service | 1 Barkly Highway, Miles End QLD 4825 |
North West Hospital and Health Service | Normanton Hospital and Community Health | 199 Brown Street, Normanton QLD 4890 |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Service Name | Practice Name | Street Address |
Western Australia Country Health Service | Fitzroy Crossing Hospital and Community Health | 82 Fallon Road, Fitzroy Crossing WA 6765 |