Overview: A new chapter for Medicare Mental Health Centres
The Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has opened a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting organisations with demonstrated capability and capacity to deliver high-quality mental health care. The objective is to establish and operate new Medicare Mental Health Centre (MMHC) services on the Central Coast and in the Tamworth/Armidale region. This is a significant expansion of accessible, locally tailored mental health support funded through Medicare, designed to improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health challenges.
What is a Medicare Mental Health Centre (MMHC)?
Medicare Mental Health Centres are specialised service hubs that coordinate and provide evidence-based mental health care. They connect patients with multidisciplinary teams—including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other allied health professionals—under separate and sustainable funding streams. MMHCs focus on early intervention, ongoing support, and seamless care transitions, aiming to reduce hospital admissions and improve community-based outcomes.
Where and when
The new MMHC sites will serve two geographic clusters: the Central Coast and the Tamworth/Armidale region. Tender documentation outlines timelines for submission, evaluation, and anticipated implementation. Prospective organisations should prepare to demonstrate their track record in service delivery, governance, workforce planning, risk management, data reporting, and collaboration with local health networks and community groups.
What the RFP seeks
Successful proposals will show how applicants will:
– Establish or expand a Medicare-funded mental health hub capable of delivering integrated care across the service continuum.
– Demonstrate capacity to recruit and retain a skilled multidisciplinary team, including clinicians and support staff who reflect local communities.
– Align with local health priorities and clinical governance standards, ensuring safe, high-quality care and outcomes measurement.
– Build partnerships with General Practitioners (GPs), hospitals, community services, and consumer representatives to create a seamless care pathway.
– Provide robust reporting, data collection, and evaluation to meet funding and accountability requirements.
Eligibility and how to respond
Organisations must demonstrate relevant experience in delivering complex mental health services within Australian primary health settings or equivalent. The RFP package will detail minimum eligibility criteria, required documentation, and submission formats. Applicants should allocate time for preparing a comprehensive proposal that addresses clinical governance, workforce strategy, patient access, cultural safety, and sustainability.
Why participate?
Being selected to operate an MMHC offers the opportunity to influence mental health care delivery at a regional level. Benefits include access to Medicare funding streams, enhanced collaboration with local health networks, and the ability to implement innovative models of care that prioritise patients’ needs. For communities on the Central Coast and in Tamworth/Armidale, these centres aim to improve access to timely, evidence-based care and reduce barriers to mental health support.
Next steps for bidders
Interested organisations should review the RFP documentation in full, prepare evidence of capability and capacity, and submit per the RFP timetable. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to present responses and discuss implementation plans. Prospective bidders are encouraged to ensure alignment with local health priorities and community needs while highlighting governance, risk management, and quality assurance processes.
What this means for patients
Ultimately, the MMHC program is about delivering person-centred care that is easy to access, coordinated, and based on best-practice guidelines. For people living with mental health conditions on the Central Coast and in Tamworth/Armidale, the new centres aim to provide timely support, reduce fragmentation of care, and improve overall well-being through integrated services and ongoing follow-up.
