Social Policy Research Centre

This study sought to generate evidence to enable better decisions by policy makers regarding funding and purchasing of alcohol and other drug treatment in Australia. We developed and implemented an online survey for alcohol and drug treatment providers (n=207) and linked the responses to the survey (which were about their funding, contract arrangements and workforce) with more than 70,000 episodes of care for alcohol and drug treatment. Using advanced statistics (multi-level modelling) we tested whether the ways in which services were funded (such as under competitive tendering) and their workforce characteristics mattered for treatment outcomes. The most important variable was the client-to-staff ratio – more staff makes a difference. Competitive tendering was not associated with treatment outcomes. Type of profession also did not matter. We also studied the perceptions of service providers about their funding arrangements, as well as looked at performance monitoring of services. Together, all these aspects have provided valuable information for government officials who purchase alcohol and other drug treatment across Australia.
Social Policy Research Centre
Drug Policy Modelling Program
NHMRC
Co-investigators
The project is supported by an Advisory Group, which includes the following members: