To meet the reporting requirements of Section 240 of the National Health Reform Act 2011, the Administrator is to include the basis of each State and Territory's National Health Reform (NHR) funding and payments.

To provide consistency in methodology and with the Addendum to the National Health Reform Agreement 2020–21 to 2024–25, the NT Funding Model has implemented the National Efficient Price (NEP21) and National Weighted Activity Unit (NWAU21) as the currency for Activity Based Funding (ABF) facilities. The National Efficient Cost (NEC21) Block funded model is used for the standalone hospitals, Non-admitted mental health services (including child and adolescent mental health services), Non-admitted home ventilation and Clinical teaching, training and research provided in hospitals.

NHR payments in the Northern Territory (NT) are based upon the activity outlined in the service plan between the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Health and the Regional Executive Directors within the NT Regional Health Services. 

Objectives of the service plan are to:

  • outline responsibilities and accountabilities of the delivery of health priorities and achievement of intended outcomes
  • establish clear service delivery and performance expectations, including processes for performance management and monitoring
  • ensure that consultation and management processes are appropriate to support the design and delivery of health services that meet local needs
  • promote accountability to Government and the community.

The annual funding allocation for the NT Regional Health Services of the Northern Territory is determined on a historical basis for both the Activity Based Funding (ABF) and Block service streams, supplemented by a level of growth based on Northern Territory Government Wage, Consumer Price Index and demand growth parameters.

Cross-border settlements received from other jurisdictions in respect to prior year’s activity are on passed to the LHN.

Further information regarding the Basis for National Health Reform payments in both 2021-22 and previous financial years is included at www.publichospitalfunding.gov.au