Mental health
Mental health performance indicators
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The purpose of an indicator is to be a partial or proxy measure that provides a summary overview of a specific concept, often as part of a larger system (Pencheon, 2007; QRI, 2021). Performance indicators in health are used to describe specific aspects of our health system to monitor ‘if and how a system is performing to an agreed standard' (Pencheon, 2007, p5). They are also used to understand how a system works and for accountability to consumers, governments and funders (Pencheon, 2007).
Indicators are usually reported in sets, so that collectively they can be used to show how a system, or a component of the system, is changing or progressing (AIHW, 2021).
This page reports data on performance indicators for mental health services using two particular sets:
- Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services
- National Health Care Agreement.
Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services
The Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services were developed to improve accountability and transparency and act as a guide to inform decision making.
A summary of the latest indicators data is provided in Figure KPI.1. More detailed data are available in the interactive Figure KPI.2 and accompanying Excel tables. Further information on these indicators can be found in the Indicator library.
A key performance indicator (KPI) is a measure that describes a situation concisely, helps track progress and performance and acts as a guide to inform decision making. In the public mental health sector, these indicators cover different aspects of services. They can inform consumers', service providers' and funders' impressions of service and service performance.
Australian Governments have collaborated to improve the collection and use of mental health service information, resulting in the development of both the National Mental Health Performance Framework and the Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services (PDF 3.1MB) in 2005.
The KPIs were developed to measure performance in a way that supported quality improvement activities for mental health services (NMHPSC 2013). The KPIs address the health system dimension of the National Mental Health Performance Framework. Further information can be found in the Indicator library.
Figure KPI.1 Summary data for Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services, 2020–21
An infographic showing performance nationally and for each state and territory key performance indicators for Australian public mental health services.
Figure KPI.2 Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services, 2020–21
A series of interactive graphs showing performance against key performance indicators for Australian public mental health services.
National Healthcare Agreement Indicators
The National Healthcare Agreement (NHA) indicators provide an integrated approach to improving health outcomes for Australians and the sustainability of the health system.
The NHA defines the objectives, outcomes, outputs and performance measures, and clarifies the roles and responsibilities that guide the Australian Government and states and territories in delivery of services across the health sector.
Under this Agreement, reporting occurs against the following mental health-related indicators:
- proportion of adults with very high levels of psychological distress
- treatment rates for mental illness
- rate of community follow up within first seven days of discharge from a psychiatric admission.
The proportion of adults with high or very high levels of psychological distress is also included in the Australian Health Performance Framework and reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Data for the indicators on treatment rates and rate of community follow up are reported in the data download National Healthcare Agreement Indicators tables.
Specifications for the National Healthcare Agreement Indicators are available on the AIHW online metadata registry, METEOR.
Indicator library
A number of different mental health indicator sets have been developed over time to measure the performance of the mental health system. Performance indicators are generally developed for a specific purpose, for example, measuring changes after commitment to a national strategy. The indicator sets can be viewed in terms of what aspects of health performance they measure using the National Mental Health Performance Framework which includes broad domains spanning areas such as safety and accessibility.
Mental health indicator sets include:
- Mental Health Services Key Performance Indicators 3rd Edition (3.1MB PDF) (MHS KPIs 3rd Edition): Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee; ongoing publication; 2017 data
- Indicator framework: Productivity Commission (RoGS); ongoing publication; 2020 data
- National Healthcare Agreement (NHA): Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) Inter-governmental Agreement(†); ongoing publication; 2017 data
- National Targets and Indicators for Mental Health Reform, National Mental Health Commission Expert Reference Group (ERG). National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) Review National Mental Health Commission; 2015; data not published
- Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (5NMHSPP): CoAG; 2017–2022
- CoAG Action Plan (AP); Council of Australian Governments Health Council; 2006–2011; Final progress report.
Overall health and the impact on life
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of mental illness* | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Prevalence of mental illness among prisoners | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Prevalence of developmentally vulnerable children | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy of people with severe mental illness | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Adults with a very high level of psychological distress | – | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – |
| People with satisfactory levels of social and emotional wellbeing | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Screening for physical and dental health issues | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – |
| Physical health of people with mental illness | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Attempted suicide rates | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Factors that have an impact on health
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – |
| Drugs- alcohol and illegal drugs* | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community stigma about mental illness* | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Community understanding of mental health problems | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Housing conditions* | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Primary and secondary schools with mental health literacy component included in curriculum | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Front-line workers (e.g. police, ambulance) who have mental health education and training | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Community participation by people with mental illness | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Connectedness and meaning in life | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in education, training or employment*; consumers and/or carers | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Health system performance
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Workforce planning | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Training investment | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Research investment | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Consumer safety | |||||||
| Involuntary Treatment Orders | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Use of seclusion | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Use of restraint | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Safety incidents involving severe harm or death | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Sub-domain: Carer safety | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Provider safety | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Community safety | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Provider knowledge and skill | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Outcomes orientation | |||||||
| Outcome readiness | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Consumer and carer experience of care | |||||||
| Consumers and carers with positive experiences of service delivery | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Sub-domain: Consumer and carer participation | |||||||
| Consumer participation in outcome measures | ✔ Data not available | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Recovery-focused plans developed with consumers and carers | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Continuity between providers | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Cross-setting continuity | |||||||
| Community care and support prior to a hospital stay | ✔ | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Community care and support after a hospital stay | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Consumers with nominated GP | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Consumers leaving prisons with a recovery plan | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Sub-domain: Continuity over time | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Access for those in need | |||||||
| People receiving mental health care and support* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Timely access to mental health services | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – |
| Mental health care and support programs for children and young people | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| New client index | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Local access | |||||||
| Comparative area resources | ✔ Data not available | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Emergency response | |||||||
| Wait times for consumers with mental health problems presenting to emergency departments | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Inpatient care | |||||||
| Length of acute inpatient stay | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cost per acute inpatient day | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Community care | |||||||
| Treatment days per three-month community care and support period | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cost per community treatment day | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| No assigned sub-domain | |||||||
| Cost per residential care day | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Public reporting of performance data | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Compliance with standards | |||||||
| Services meeting the national mental health service standards | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Relevant to consumer and carer needs | |||||||
| Employment of Consumers and Carers, including designated peer roles* | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Emergency Department presentations for attempted suicide with a recovery discharge plan | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Indicator set | MHS KPIs 3rd Edition | Indicator Framework | NHA | NMHC Review | 5NMHSPP | ERG | COAG AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-domain: Consumer outcomes | |||||||
| Change in consumer mental health | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Sub-domain: Carer outcomes | |||||||
| Nil | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sub-domain: Community tenure | |||||||
| Readmission to hospital | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
MHS PI 16: Aspects of recovery for children and adolescents according to parents/carers (141KB DOC)
† Since 2013, this indicator has been reported by the Productivity Commission.
* Indicates where several indicators with different technical definitions, including a range of sub-groups (for example, by Indigenous status, child and adolescents) have been grouped into a single indicator title.
Where do I go for more information?
You may also be interested in:
AIHW 2021. Indicators of Australia’s welfare. Australia's Welfare 2021. Viewed 18 November 2022.
CoAG (Council of Australian Governments) 2012. National Healthcare Agreement. CoAG, Canberra.
NMHPSC (National Mental Health Performance Subcommittee) 2013. Key Performance Indicators for Australian Public Mental Health Services, Third Edition, AIHW, Canberra. Viewed 18 November 2022.
Pencheon 2007. The Good Indicators Guide: Understanding How to Use and Choose Indicators. NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. Viewed 18 November 2022.
QRI (Quality Research International) 2021. Social Research Glossary. Viewed 18 November 2022.