WA Health is responsible for ensuring the best use of tax payer funds in the delivery of safe, high quality care to the people of Western Australia.

Activity Based Funding is a new way of funding public healthcare in WA. It means that health services are funded on the basis of their expected activity. It provides a clear and open link between the money allocated by Government and the health services delivered to patients and the community.

Activity is everything that WA Health does for, with and to patients, residents, clients and their families and carers and the community; ranging from operations in hospitals to emergency department services; community care grants; chronic disease and preventative health programs; and education, training and research.

Western Australia’s ABF system commenced operation on 1 July 2010, with the introduction of a basic system for inpatient and emergency department activity. Over time, Activity Based Funding will be extended to every aspect of the WA public health system.

Principles

• The patient, family and carers are the central focus of the care system
• Funding is transparently linked to health services and outcomes
• Evidence is available to ensure that performance can be managed
• Clinical leadership and partnership is required at all program levels
• Risks are identified, controlled and managed in a consistent manner