Measure more than billable hours

What we covered

• The NSW Thriving Kids procurement page, with funding open to not-for-profits only, and what block funding could mean for workforce and subcontracting
• Mark Butler’s NDIS speech: no mention of Allied Health, a focus on capacity assessments and a surprising amount of Aged Care
• Slowing NDIS referrals in 2026 and why this round of reform looks like a slow burn
• The case for Allied Health in Aged Care, including its shrinking presence in residential Aged Care since AN-ACC
• Billable hour targets, Trystan’s poll results and why the support around a target matters to candidates
• Part-time roles of fewer than three days a week and how many clinicians one team leader should manage

Key moments

“So it’s more about the context of what is in the billables than it is actually what the billable is.” (Chris)

“It is a KPI, but it shouldn’t be the only KPI, because again, you should be measuring other things as well.” (Trystan)

“If you’re running an allied health business, you’re essentially the coach of a team.” (Trystan)

“Basically you’re just a glorified therapist, right? You’re not actually really a team leader.” (Chris)

“…who keeps old people healthy and out of aged facilities is allied health.” (Trystan)

If you run an Allied Health business

• Audit how many of your referrals come from support coordinators and build other referral sources, as support coordination is a reform focus
• Treat billable hours as one KPI among several; Trystan suggested five and a half as a starting point for a new business, with context setting the final target
• Give team leaders room to lead: Chris suggested six to 10 direct reports and a maximum of about three billable hours a day
• Advertise leadership roles internally and externally, and give clinicians promoted into team leader roles leadership training

If you are a clinician

• At interview, ask what sits behind the billable target: admin support, scheduling, travel and how your day is structured
• Chris said moving into team leader or clinical lead roles usually means more days, probably closer to a four day week
• Keep interviewing from time to time so you can explain your skills with confidence and see what other employers offer