On 17 December 2018 the Government provided its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook update for the 2018/19 year. In making the announcement it also included several measures that impacts directly on the aged care sector.

The StewartBrown June 2018 Aged Care Financial Performance Survey (ACFPS) incorporates detailed financial and supporting data from over 974 residential aged care facilities and over 24,952 home care packages across Australia. The quarterly survey is the largest benchmark within the aged care sector and provides an invaluable insight into the trends and drivers of financial performance at the sector level and at the facility or program level.

On 16 September the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a Royal Commission into the aged care sector. Consultation is underway until 25 September to develop the Terms of Reference, which the Government anticipates will include:

Overall, the financial results reflect the sector trends of pressure on revenue due to the FY18 freeze on ACFI indexation and ACFI scoring changes; occupancy pressures; and increases in staff costs.

As in prior periods, Estia and Regis both have a net tangible liability which is due to the fact the intangible assets are greater than the net tangible assets.

The ratio of liquid cash assets as a percentage of debt has decreased for all three providers due to the lower levels of cash and cash equivalents held.