The aim of the Aged Care Access Initiative (ACAI) introduced in 2008 is to improve access to primary care (GP and allied health services) for residents of aged care facilities.

The ACAI supports improving access to GP and allied health services for residents of aged care facilities through two separate components as follows:

• An incentive payment through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to encourage GPs to provide more services in RACFs. The PIP payments is administered through Medicare Australia; and
• A payment for clinical care provided by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in RACFs, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements. This component is being funded through GPGC, a variety of allied health services are being offered to RACFs. RACFs and/or GPs should complete the request for service delivery or contact Vicki at

Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI)                

From 20 March 2008, there was a new funding model for residential aged care introduced, the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).  ACFI will replace the old RCS system.  The new ACFI system will be more reliant on documentation of diagnoses and management of residents conditions.  DoHA, the AMA and the NEVDGP have developed the following information sheets on ACFI on how this new funding model will impact on GPs.