Consultation Paper on the Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2026–27 

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National Efficient Cost Determination

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) publishes an annual National Efficient Cost (NEC) Determination for public hospital services for each coming financial year. The NEC underpins funding for services that are not suitable for activity based funding, such as small rural hospitals. The NEC determines the Commonwealth Government contribution to block funded hospitals.

NEC cost model

The NEC cost model is determined using the in-scope activity and expenditure data for hospitals to be block funded. Hospitals are assigned to a size-locality grouping and mean expenditure is calculated for groupings.

Key publications

Current determination

Previous determinations

High cost, highly specialised therapies

For further information on our role in the reporting and funding of high cost, highly specialised therapies under the National Health Reform Agreement, please view High cost, highly specialised therapies.

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