The Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS, EA1) explained
Facts checked 18 Oct 2026. Written by our editors from the official sources below; not yet reviewed by a social worker or nurse. Not medical, legal or financial advice.
Since 1998 SWD has bought places from private homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme, on condition that the homes meet higher staffing and space standards, known as EA1. 192 homes take part now (EBPS home list). SWD's statistics show no EA2 homes, so every home in the scheme today is EA1.
The EA1 standard
- 9.5 m² of floor space per resident
- Staff per 100 care-and-attention places: 1 home manager, 5 registered or enrolled nurses, 1 physiotherapist or occupational therapist, 4 health workers, 20 care workers and 11 ancillary staff, 42 in all
Fees and admission
An EA1 bought place costs $1,763 a month and, like other subsidised places, is allocated through the Central Waiting List; eligibility is the same as for subvented care-and-attention homes. Other places in the same home are non-subsidised, at the home's own fees.
SWD's latest figures (as at 2026-09-30) put the average wait over the past three months at 6 months for an EBPS care-and-attention place, against 23 months in subvented and contract homes. See waiting times.
Respite
Every EBPS home provides residential respite using casual vacancies in its subsidised places, and most also have designated respite places.