The purpose of an indicator is to be a partial or proxy measure that provides a summary overview of a specific concept, often as part of a larger system (Pencheon, 2007; QRI, 2021). Performance indicators in health are used to describe specific aspects of our health system to monitor ‘if and how a system is performing to an agreed standard' (Pencheon, 2007, p5). They are also used to understand how a system works and for accountability to consumers, governments and funders (Pencheon, 2007).
Indicators are usually reported in sets, so that collectively they can be used to show how a system, or a component of the system, is changing or progressing (AIHW, 2021).
This page reports data on performance indicators for mental health services using two particular sets: Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services and the National Health Care Agreement.
Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services
The Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services were developed to improve accountability and transparency and act as a guide to inform decision making.
A summary of the latest indicators data is provided in Figure KPI.1. More detailed data are available in the interactive Figure KPI.2 and accompanying Excel tables. Further information on these indicators can be found in the Indicator library.