Key Findings at a Glance
224.61 min Total care minutes delivered (PRPD), down 1.15% and now just 9.61 minutes above the mandated target
94.07% Metropolitan (MM1) occupancy, a fresh all-time high, while national occupancy paused at 93.44%
16.48 days Average reassessment turnaround, down 12.57% and the fastest processing we've seen in months
$621,072 Average advertised room price, up 0.97%, with repricing still active in the new financial year
Revenue
Average Daily Subsidy eased 38 cents to $314.08, with MM4-5 services down 58 cents from a materially higher base — and as always, expect the most recent month to firm up as backdated uplifts flow through. Claiming activity softened 0.32 percentage points to 7.15%, though voluntary claiming lifted to 5.08%. The standout was reassessment processing, which accelerated 12.57% to just 16.48 days, with regional services driving the improvement.
Occupancy
Metropolitan occupancy set another record at 94.07%, while national occupancy paused its run, easing 0.05 percentage points to 93.44%. New permanent admissions rose 2.62% to 4,618 nationally — but metropolitan admissions actually fell 1.30%, so the metro record is being held by length of stay rather than new demand. Respite bed days surged 12.49%, yet respite-to-permanent conversion dropped 4.78 points to 48.01%. Room prices rose again, up 0.97% to $621,072, with 232 services lifting their highest price — well down on July's record but still very active for the new financial year.
Workforce
Care minute delivery fell for a second consecutive month, down 1.15% to 224.61 minutes per resident per day. That leaves just 9.61 minutes above the 215-minute target — the narrowest margin we've recorded. RN minutes fell 2.45% to 46.25, only 2.25 minutes above the requirement. Allied Health (down 7.09%) and Diversional Therapy and Activities Officers (down 5.13%) saw the steepest reductions. Worth noting: case mix and occupancy both eased slightly, which lowered required minutes and gave rosters some buffer — so part of the current compliance headroom isn't coming from rostered hours.