Understanding Transition Care Program Trends Over Time: A Review of Aged Care Data and Performance From 2006 to 2024

The Australian Transition Care Program (TCP) is a short-term rehabilitation service designed to help older adults regain function following hospitalisation. This study aimed to better understand service trends by examining client demographics, utilisation, expenditure and functional status over 18 years.

This descriptive study analysed aggregated statistics from publicly available reports spanning 2006-2007 to 2023-2024 of the Transition Care Program (TCP) across Australia.

A total of 351,981 people accessed TCP during the study period. The number of clients per annum increased 143% from 10,355 (2006-2007) to 25,202 (2016-2017), then declined to 14,388 in 2022-2023 despite increases in number of allocated places (2000-4570; +129%) and combined expenditure (A$68.0-A$519.3 million; +664%) across Australia. Admissions per 1000 of the population decreased from 6.3 in 2011-2012 to 3.6 in 2023-2024 (-43%). There was minimal change in entry modified Barthel Index (MBI) (69.7-72.1) or exit MBI scores (79.5-83). Total length of stay increased from 48 to 77 days (+60%). Average cost/episode also increased 261%, from A$9996 to A$36,093, whereas cost/occupied place day increased from A$208 to A$463 (+123%). State-based variations were also evident.

Our data suggest TCP clients are spending longer in the program and incur greater costs to state and federal government potentially without greater gains in functional status. Fewer people have access to the program despite increasing population levels. Variability between states is evident and requires further exploration. There is an opportunity to capitalise on aged care reforms to optimise the Australian Transition Care Program.