On 10 May 2018 the Australian Senate referred an Inquiry titled “the financial and tax practices of for‐profit  aged care providers” to the Economics References Committee, with a report due by 14 August 2018.   In particular, the Inquiry is to cover: 

1. the use of any tax avoidance or aggressive tax minimisation strategies; 
2. the associated impacts on the quality of service delivery, the sustainability of the sector, or value for  money for government; 
3. the adequacy of accountability and probity mechanisms for the expenditure of taxpayer money; 
4. whether current practices meet public expectations; and 
5. any other related matters.

The StewartBrown December 2017 Aged Care Financial Performance Survey (ACFPS) incorporates detailed financial and supporting data from over 915 residential aged care facilities and over 21,400 home care packages (401 home care programs) across Australia. The quarterly survey is the largest financial benchmark within the aged care sector and provides invaluable insight into the trends and drivers of financial performance at the sector level and at the facility or program level.

The listed aged care providers Estia, Regis and Japara have recently released their results for the six months to 31 December 2017. StewartBrown has reviewed the Listed Providers Financial Reports and Investor Presentations and a summary of this analysis can be found in the Listed Providers Analysis Report (December 2017).

The StewartBrown Aged Care Financial Performance Survey incorporates detailed financial and supporting data from over 830 residential aged care facilities and 420 home care programs 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.