In 2014–15, delivering an average service at some major public hospitals cost 55% more than at other similar hospitals, as measured by cost per NWAU.
Across major public hospitals, the average cost per NWAU was $4,680. For individual major public hospitals, cost per NWAU ranged from $3,900 at one hospital to $6,000 at another (55% higher, based on unrounded data; see below).
The major public hospitals with the highest and lowest cost per NWAU are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Major public hospitals with the highest and lowest cost per NWAU in 2014–15
| Highest 10% |
|
| The Canberra Hospital (ACT) |
$6,000 |
| Royal Perth Hospital Wellington Street Campus (WA) |
$5,900 |
| Lowest 10% |
|
| Monash Medical Centre [Clayton] (Vic) |
$4,000 |
| The Alfred (Vic) |
$3,900 |
Note: Data for all published years is classified by a single version of the AR-DRG codes (Version 8.0) and National Efficient Pricing Determination (2017–18, NEP17).
In 2014–15
Across large metropolitan public hospitals, the average cost per NWAU was $4,460. Cost per NWAU at individual large metropolitan public hospitals ranged from $3,500 to $6,300 (80% higher*).
| Highest 10% |
|
| Fremantle Hospital (WA) |
$6,300 |
| Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital (WA) |
$6,000 |
| Calvary Public Hospital (ACT) |
$6,000 |
| Lowest 10% |
|
| Frankston Hospital (Vic) |
$3,600 |
| Maroondah Hospital (Vic) |
$3,500 |
Across large regional public hospitals, the average cost per NWAU was $4,420. Cost per NWAU at individual large regional public hospitals ranged from $3,700 to $5,600 (51% higher*).
| Highest 10% |
|
| Mackay Base Hospital (Qld) |
$5,600 |
| Bathurst Base Hospital (NSW) |
$5,400 |
| Lowest 10% |
|
| The Bendigo Hospital (Vic) |
$3,800 |
| Latrobe Regional Hospital (Traralgon) (Vic) |
$3,700 |
Across medium metropolitan public hospitals, the average cost per NWAU was $4,080. Cost per NWAU at individual medium metropolitan public hospitals ranged from $3,300 to $5,000 (53% higher*).
| Highest 10% |
|
| Swan District Hospital (WA)† |
$5,000 |
| Lowest 10% |
|
| Casey Hospital (Vic) |
$3,300 |
Note:
† Note that in November 2015, the St John of God Midland Public Hospital opened, and the Swan District Hospital closed.
Across medium regional public hospitals, the average cost per NWAU was $4,950. Cost per NWAU at individual medium regional public hospitals ranged from $3,800 to $6,400 (70% higher*).
| Highest 10% |
|
| Kalgoorlie Hospital (WA) |
$6,400 |
| Gladstone Hospital (Qld) |
$5,700 |
| Lowest 10% |
|
| Maryborough Hospital (Qld) |
$3,800 |
Note:
* Percentage difference figures are calculated based on unrounded data for individual hospitals.
Figure 1: Cost per National Weighted Activity Unit (NWAU) for acute admitted patients, major public hospitals, 2012–13 to 2014–15
| |
2012–13 |
2013–14 |
2014–15 |
| Peer average expenditure per hospital |
$308,278,700 |
$316,440,500 |
$323,596,400 |
| Peer average NWAU per hospital |
65,217 |
66,915 |
69,203 |
| Peer average Cost per NWAU |
$4,730 |
$4,730 |
$4,680 |
Notes:
- References can be found in the Technical Supplement and definitions of terms in the Glossary.
- Data for all published years is classified by a single version of the AR–DRG codes (Version 8.0) and National Efficient Pricing Determination (2017–18, NEP17).
- Data are presented for hospitals that recorded a change over time result, between 2012–13 and 2014–15.
Sources:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of results calculated using the National Hospital Cost Data Collection, the Admitted Patient Care National Minimum Data Set and the Hospital Casemix Protocol Data Collection. Data supplied 26 September 2017.