Overall, the financial results reflect the sector trends of pressure on revenue due to the FY18 freeze on ACFI indexation and ACFI scoring changes; occupancy pressures; and increases in staff costs.

As in prior periods, Estia and Regis both have a net tangible liability which is due to the fact the intangible assets are greater than the net tangible assets.

The ratio of liquid cash assets as a percentage of debt has decreased for all three providers due to the lower levels of cash and cash equivalents held.

StewartBrown was invited to make a submission to the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce by the Chairman, Professor John Pollaers. The Submission includes: a summary of benchmarking survey results, commentary on the industry and an organisational analysis.

The StewartBrown March 2018 Aged Care Financial Performance Survey (ACFPS) incorporates detailed financial and supporting data from over 911 residential aged care facilities and over 21,700 home care packages (412 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.

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.