National Health Reform

Public hospital funding

National report

March 2013

Issued by the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool

under section 240 of the National Health Reform Act 2011

Available from the Public Hospital Funding website

www.publichospitalfunding.gov.au

National report, March 2013

Print friendly version (PDF, 331 kB)

Table of Contents:

This report is issued by the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool under section 240 of the National Health Reform Act 2011.

This report is prepared on a cash basis. It shows monthly and year-to-date (YTD) National Health Reform (NHR) funding and payments at an aggregated national level for March 2013.

Participation and provision of data by states and territories

In signing the National Health Reform Agreement (the Agreement), it was the intention of all states and territories that they would have the necessary legislation in place to enable them to participate in the National Health Funding Pool from 1 July 2012. Under the legislation envisaged by the Agreement, states and territories using the Pool are required to provide data on NHR funding, payments and services to be published by the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool.

Only New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania had legislation in place to enable them to participate in the National Health Funding Pool from 1 July 2012. Legislation in other states and territories has come into effect progressively since then.

From March 2013, all states and territories had the necessary legislation in place, used the National Health Funding Pool to process NHR funding and payments, and provided the data required for the Administrator's monthly reports.

Prior to March 2013, where states or territories did not have their legislation in place to enable them to use the National Health Funding Pool, they instead received equivalent funding directly from the Commonwealth Treasury, and made payments directly to their recipients.

Hence the year-to-date data in this National report and reports for states and territories which did not use the National Health Funding Pool from 1 July 2012 to 28 February 2013 include both payments into and out of the Pool and ‘notional payments’ made outside the Pool arrangements. For further information, see the individual reports for these states and territories.

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Local hospital networks and National Health Reform

Under the National Health Reform Agreement, local hospital networks receive funding in 2012-13 for the following public hospital services:

  • All admitted and non-admitted services
  • All emergency department services provided by a recognised emergency department
  • Other outpatient, mental health, sub-acute services and other services that could reasonably be considered a public hospital service.

Note: Local hospital networks also receive funding from other sources, including the Commonwealth, states and territories, and third parties for the provision of other specific functions and services outside the scope of the National Health Reform Agreement, for example dental services, primary care, home and community care, residential aged care and pharmaceuticals. For further information on total funding to a particular local hospital network, contact the Department of Health in the relevant state or territory to view the service agreement for that local hospital network.

Note: Amounts shown in the monthly reports do not include the New South Wales contributions to Victoria for Albury Wodonga Health.

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Reference information

The financial information outlined in the following report is categorised as:

  • NHR funding – when the Commonwealth or state or territory government pays NHR funding into a state pool account or state managed fund.
  • NHR payments – when NHR funding deposited into a state pool account or state managed fund is paid out of the state pool account by the Administrator, or is paid out of the state managed fund by the state or territory.
  • Notional NHR payments – funds paid into and out of departmental bank accounts to local hospital networks that would have been transacted through the state pool account and/or state managed fund had the NHR funding arrangements been in place. Notional payments are included in 2012-13 reporting to enable national comparability for month and year-to-date reporting periods.

For the basis of state and territory NHR payments, see Basis for National Health Reform payments explanation in the relevant state or territory report for March 2013, see State or territory reports.

For the basis of the Commonwealth contribution to NHR funding, see Basis of Commonwealth funding 2012-13.

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NHR funding and payments for each state and territory

This table shows NHR funding and payments for each state and territory for March 2013.

Table 1 – NHR funding and payments for each state and territory – March 2013

State/territory NHR funding NHR payments NHR funding
YTD		 NHR payments
YTD
($) ($) ($) ($)
NSW 934,273,369 792,290,168 8,383,352,737 8,241,369,536
VIC 582,730,460 587,348,412 5,805,571,288 5,798,351,183
QLD 795,664,409 608,898,191 5,942,270,823 5,755,020,749
WA 369,873,401 369,873,401 3,663,310,906 3,663,310,906
SA 221,357,921 241,324,944 2,138,311,328 1,987,889,753
TAS 56,189,383 56,189,338 564,211,886 564,191,766
ACT 39,148,480 39,148,480 453,316,480 453,316,480
NT 56,142,005 56,140,259 475,694,267 475,684,189
Total 3,055,379,428 2,751,213,193 27,426,039,716 26,939,134,563
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Differences between NHR funding and NHR payments can occur for a state or territory for several reasons, such as having funds remaining in their state pool account at the end of the month, drawing down on available funds from previous months, or having an overdraft in their state pool account at the end of the month.

NHR funding and payments shown in this table include GST where applicable.

Commonwealth and state NHR funding components are detailed in the following tables.

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Sources of NHR funding for each state and territory

This table shows NHR funding by the source of funds for each state and territory for: March 2013.

Sources of NHR funding are separated into Commonwealth funding, Own state or territory funding (where a state or territory provides its own funding) and Funding from other state or territory (where other states or territories contribute cross-border funding towards the cost of their residents being treated in the provider state or territory).

Table 2a – Sources of NHR funding for each state and territory – March 2013

State/territory NHR funding by source
Commonwealth NHR funding Own state/territory NHR funding NHR funding
from other state/territory		 Total NHR funding
($) ($) ($) ($)
NSW 339,064,788 595,208,581 0 934,273,369
VIC 263,081,512 319,648,947 0 582,730,460
QLD 213,133,825 582,530,583 0 795,664,409
WA 115,457,062 254,416,338 0 369,873,401
SA 82,086,928 139,270,994 0 221,357,921
TAS 23,992,218 32,197,166 0 56,189,383
ACT 20,349,780 18,798,700 0 39,148,480
NT 11,710,722 44,431,282 0 56,142,005
Total 1,068,876,836 1,986,502,592 0 3,055,379,428

* See explanatory notes following table 2b.

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Following on from table 2a, this table shows year-to-date (YTD) NHR funding by the source of funds for each state and territory as at March 2013.

Table 2b – Sources of NHR funding for each state and territory YTD – March 2013

State/territory NHR funding by source
Commonwealth NHR funding
YTD		 Own state/territory NHR funding
YTD		 NHR funding
from other state/territory
YTD		 Total NHR funding
YTD
($) ($) ($) ($)
NSW 3,147,472,593 5,235,880,144 0 8,383,352,737
VIC 2,444,379,353 3,361,191,935 0 5,805,571,288
QLD 1,992,438,142 3,949,832,680 0 5,942,270,823
WA 1,047,831,254 2,615,479,652 0 3,663,310,906
SA 761,061,800 1,377,249,528 0 2,138,311,328
TAS 220,290,127 343,921,760 0 564,211,886
ACT 186,931,412 266,385,069 0 453,316,480
NT 107,684,991 368,009,276 0 475,694,267
Total 9,908,089,672 17,517,950,044 0 27,426,039,716
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Cross-border funding arrangements between states and territories are yet to be put in place for state and territory contributions.

NHR funding shown in these tables includes GST where applicable.

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Commonwealth and state or territory NHR funding, by funding type

This table shows NHR funding for each state and territory by funding type and source for March 2013.

Sources of NHR funding are separated into Commonwealth funding, Own state or territory funding (where a state or territory provides its own funding) and Funding from other state or territory (where other states or territories contribute cross-border funding towards the cost of their residents being treated in the provider state or territory).

NHR funding types are either activity based funding (ABF), block funding or other.

Table 3a – NHR funding by funding type – March 2013

State/territory NHR funding type Commonwealth NHR funding Own state/territory NHR funding NHR funding
from other state/territory		 Total NHR funding
($) ($) ($) ($)
NSW ABF 225,224,690 484,691,315 0 709,916,005
Block 105,655,010 110,309,637 0 215,964,647
Other 8,185,088 207,629 0 8,392,717
Total 339,064,788 595,208,581 0 934,273,369
VIC ABF 185,281,481 223,205,904 0 408,487,385
Block 71,589,446 96,197,247 0 167,786,693
Other 6,210,585 245,796 0 6,456,381
Total 263,081,512 319,648,947 0 582,730,460
QLD ABF 168,916,595 453,283,305 0 622,199,901
Block 39,152,823 129,204,873 0 168,357,695
Other 5,064,408 42,405 0 5,106,813
Total 213,133,825 582,530,583 0 795,664,409
WA ABF 84,567,916 214,225,338 0 298,793,254
Block 28,184,161 40,191,000 0 68,375,161
Other 2,704,986 0 0 2,704,986
Total 115,457,062 254,416,338 0 369,873,401
SA ABF 64,926,227 120,000,000 0 184,926,227
Block 15,235,757 18,900,618 0 34,136,374
Other 1,924,944 370,376 0 2,295,320
Total 82,086,928 139,270,994 0 221,357,921
TAS ABF 19,164,320 20,931,648 0 40,095,968
Block 4,263,944 11,265,473 0 15,529,417
Other 563,953 45 0 563,998
Total 23,992,218 32,197,166 0 56,189,383
ACT ABF 17,824,847 11,458,000 0 29,282,847
Block 2,134,974 7,340,700 0 9,475,674
Other 389,959 0 0 389,959
Total 20,349,780 18,798,700 0 39,148,480
NT ABF 7,760,087 21,742,799 0 29,502,886
Block 3,661,637 22,686,737 0 26,348,374
Other 288,999 1,746 0 290,745
Total 11,710,722 44,431,282 0 56,142,005
Total ABF funding 773,666,163 1,549,538,311 0 2,323,204,474
Total Block funding 269,877,751 436,096,284 0 705,974,035
Total Other funding 25,332,921 867,997 0 26,200,919
Grand Total 1,068,876,836 1,986,502,592 0 3,055,379,428

* See explanatory notes following table 3b.

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Following on from table 3a, this table shows year-to-date (YTD) NHR funding for each state and territory by funding type and source for March 2013.

NHR funding types are either activity based funding (ABF), block funding or other.

Table 3b – NHR funding by funding type YTD – March 2013

State/territory NHR funding type Commonwealth NHR funding
YTD		 Own state/territory NHR funding
YTD		 NHR funding
from other state/territory
YTD		 Total NHR funding
YTD
($) ($) ($) ($)
NSW ABF 2,091,084,242 3,591,160,034 0 5,682,244,276
Block 981,224,023 1,643,289,952 0 2,624,513,975
Other 75,164,328 1,430,159 0 76,594,487
Total 3,147,472,593 5,235,880,144 0 8,383,352,737
VIC ABF 1,721,990,276 2,469,801,408 0 4,191,791,684
Block 665,374,859 890,170,006 0 1,555,544,865
Other 57,014,218 1,220,522 0 58,234,739
Total 2,444,379,353 3,361,191,935 0 5,805,571,288
QLD ABF 1,579,664,649 3,094,549,961 0 4,674,214,610
Block 366,139,148 854,817,479 0 1,220,956,627
Other 46,634,345 465,241 0 47,099,586
Total 1,992,438,142 3,949,832,680 0 5,942,270,823
WA ABF 767,585,594 2,044,910,652 0 2,812,496,246
Block 255,799,771 570,569,000 0 826,368,771
Other 24,445,889 0 0 24,445,889
Total 1,047,831,254 2,615,479,652 0 3,663,310,906
SA ABF 602,097,210 1,169,989,326 0 1,772,086,535
Block 141,306,249 206,198,607 0 347,504,856
Other 17,658,341 1,061,595 0 18,719,936
Total 761,061,800 1,377,249,528 0 2,138,311,328
TAS ABF 175,988,721 183,345,176 0 359,333,897
Block 39,156,415 160,556,463 0 199,712,878
Other 5,144,991 20,120 0 5,165,111
Total 220,290,127 343,921,760 0 564,211,886
ACT ABF 173,121,441 226,324,862 0 399,446,303
Block 10,279,361 40,060,206 0 50,339,567
Other 3,530,610 0 0 3,530,610
Total 186,931,412 266,385,069 0 453,316,480
NT ABF 71,397,336 195,685,194 0 267,082,530
Block 33,649,695 172,314,003 0 205,963,698
Other 2,637,961 10,079 0 2,648,039
Total 107,684,991 368,009,276 0 475,694,267
Total ABF funding 7,182,929,469 12,975,766,613 0 20,158,696,081
Total Block funding 2,492,929,519 4,537,975,717 0 7,030,905,236
Total Other funding 232,230,684 4,207,715 0 236,438,398
Grand Total 9,908,089,672 17,517,950,044 0 27,426,039,716
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ABF funding represents Acute admitted public, Acute admitted private, Non-admitted, and Emergency department service categories, which are funded through the National Health Funding Pool and subsequently paid to local hospital networks.

Block funding represents Mental health, Small rural and metropolitan hospitals, Sub-acute, Teaching, training and research, and Other categories, which are funded through state managed funds and subsequently paid to local hospital networks.

Other funding represents other funding sources which are transacted through the National Health Funding Pool and subsequently paid to state or territory health departments (with the exception of cross border funding which can be paid to state or territory health departments or to local hospital networks).

NHR funding shown in these tables includes GST where applicable.

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Estimated monthly, YTD and annual NWAU by each state and territory

This table shows estimated hospital activity for each state and territory for activity-based funding services expressed as National Weighted Activity Units (NWAU) for the current month, year-to-date (YTD) and total annual estimated NWAU.

NHR funding amounts and service volumes are provided by states and territories as service estimates at the start of each financial year, and may continue to be refined during the course of the year. These estimates form the basis of monthly reporting of service volumes until actual service numbers become available.

The estimated annual NWAU was provided to the Administrator as a basis for determining the Commonwealth activity based funding. Current month NWAU estimates accumulate through the year-to-date NWAU to be equal to the annual NWAU at the end of the financial year.

Table 4 – Estimated monthly, YTD and annual NWAU by each state and territory – March 2013

State/territory Estimated NWAU
delivered/funded in
current month		 Estimated NWAU
delivered/funded YTD		 Estimated annual
NWAU 2012-13
NSW 134,707 1,314,543 1,731,562
VIC 109,504 985,536 1,314,041
QLD 105,297 947,104 1,261,855
WA 55,261 467,510 618,967
SA 41,020 324,530 486,690
TAS 8,995 82,030 108,968
ACT 9,212 82,679 115,604
NT 1,070 64,352 93,194
Total 465,067 4,268,285 5,730,881
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An NWAU is a measure of health service activity expressed as a common unit. It provides a way of comparing and valuing each public hospital service, whether they are admissions, emergency department presentations or outpatient episodes, weighted for clinical complexity. The average hospital service is worth one NWAU - the most intensive and expensive activities are worth multiple NWAU, the simplest and least expensive are worth fractions of an NWAU.

Monthly NHR payments relate to the cash needs of public hospitals and do not necessarily reflect the volume of services delivered in the month.

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