Australian Government, 2012‑13 Budget
Budget

Part 2:
Australian Government Financial Statements

The financial statements consist of an operating statement, including other economic flows, a balance sheet, and a cash flow statement for the Australian Government general government sector (GGS), the public non‑financial corporations (PNFC) sector, the total non‑financial public sector (NFPS) and the public financial corporations (PFC) sector. This part also contains notes showing disaggregated information for the GGS.

The Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 (the Charter) requires that the final budget outcome be based on external reporting standards and that departures from applicable external reporting standards be identified.

The Government has produced a single set of financial statements that comply with both the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) accrual Government Finance Statistics (GFS) and Australian Accounting Standards (AAS), meeting the requirement of the Charter, with departures disclosed. The financial statements for the Final Budget Outcome 2012‑13 have been prepared on a basis consistent with the 2013‑14 Budget. This enables comparison of the 2012‑13 revised estimates published at the 2013‑14 Budget and the outcome. The statements reflect the Government's accounting policy that ABS GFS remains the basis of budget accounting policy, except where the Government applies AAS because it provides a better conceptual basis for presenting information of relevance to users of public sector financial reports.

The Australian, State and Territory governments have an agreed framework — the Uniform Presentation Framework (UPF) — for the presentation of government financial information on a basis broadly consistent with the Australian Accounting Standards Board standard AASB 1049. The financial statements are consistent with the requirements of the UPF.

In accordance with the UPF requirements, this part also contains an update of the Australian Government's Loan Council Allocation.

Australian Government Financial Statements

Table 8: Australian Government general government sector operating statement
  Note 2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
Month of June
2013(d)


$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Revenue          
Taxation revenue 3 338,727 20,278 337,323 -1,403
Sales of goods and services 4 8,757 1,042 8,886 129
Interest income 5 3,764 458 3,646 -119
Dividend income 5 2,429 733 3,079 650
Other 6 6,284 173 7,226 942
Total revenue   359,961 22,685 360,160 198
Expenses          
Gross operating expenses          
Wages and salaries(a) 7 19,355 1,528 18,486 -869
Superannuation 7 8,102 2,553 8,402 300
Depreciation and amortisation 8 6,022 507 6,398 376
Supply of goods and services 9 72,019 6,381 71,616 -403
Other operating expenses(a) 7 5,411 830 5,705 293
Total gross operating expenses   110,910 11,799 110,607 -302
Superannuation interest expense 7 6,778 393 6,729 -49
Interest expenses 10 13,281 1,778 13,768 488
Current transfers          
Current grants 11 109,950 13,894 110,535 585
Subsidy expenses   13,201 2,250 13,733 532
Personal benefits 12 117,397 8,342 117,221 -176
Total current transfers   240,548 24,485 241,489 941
Capital transfers 11        
Mutually agreed write-downs   1,997 139 2,162 166
Other capital grants   7,926 550 7,888 -38
Total capital transfers   9,923 689 10,051 128
Total expenses   381,439 39,144 382,644 1,205
Net operating balance   -21,478 -16,459 -22,485 -1,007
Other economic flows - included in operating result        
Net write-downs of assets (including bad and doubtful debts) -7,092 -334 -8,006 -914
Assets recognised for the first time   535 40 344 -191
Liabilities recognised for the first time   0 0 0 0
Actuarial revaluations   -798 -64 -64 734
Net foreign exchange gains   82 298 -2,283 -2,365
Net swap interest received   256 -175 15 -241
Market valuation of debt   3,467 5,087 11,498 8,032
Other gains/(losses)   12,709 -1,150 14,278 1,569
Total other economic flows - included in operating result 9,159 3,703 15,782 6,623
Operating result(b)   -12,319 -12,756 -6,703 5,617
Non-owner movements in equity          
Revaluation of equity investments   -2,201 3,852 3,835 6,036
Actuarial revaluations   -745 50,122 50,122 50,867
Other economic revaluations   661 -2,882 -2,697 -3,358
Total other economic flows - included in equity   -2,284 51,093 51,261 53,545
Comprehensive result - Total change in net worth -14,604 38,337 44,558 59,161
Net operating balance   -21,478 -16,459 -22,485 -1,007
Net acquisition of non-financial assets          
Purchases of non-financial assets   7,528 1,114 8,046 518
less Sales of non-financial assets   3,661 1,507 1,729 -1,932
less Depreciation   6,022 507 6,398 376
plus Change in inventories   371 348 1,007 636
plus Other movements in non-financial assets 573 -38 62 -511
Total net acquisition of non-financial assets   -1,212 -591 987 2,199
Fiscal balance (Net lending/borrowing)(c)   -20,266 -15,868 -23,472 -3,205

(a) Consistent with ABS GFS classification, other employee related expenses are reported under other operating expenses. Total employee expenses equal wages and salaries plus other operating expenses.

(b) Operating result under AAS.

(c) The term fiscal balance is not used by the ABS.

(d) The month of June is derived by deducting May year‑to‑date published data from the annual outcome. Statistically, June movements in some series relate to earlier published months that are not reissued; this can result in negative movements.

Table 9: Australian Government general government sector balance sheet
Note 2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome
$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget
$m
Assets        
Financial assets        
Cash and deposits 19(a) 2,470 2,094 -376
Advances paid 13 35,409 34,472 -937
Investments, loans and placements 14 103,278 111,098 7,820
Other receivables 13 44,464 44,080 -384
Equity investments        
Investments in other public sector entities   22,803 25,072 2,269
Equity accounted investments   330 300 -31
Investments - shares   33,431 33,661 231
Total financial assets   242,184 250,777 8,592
Non-financial assets 15      
Land   8,680 8,918 237
Buildings   23,433 23,500 67
Plant, equipment and infrastructure   53,705 52,916 -788
Inventories   7,317 7,928 610
Intangibles   5,602 5,635 34
Investment property   182 195 14
Biological assets   37 33 -4
Heritage and cultural assets   10,451 10,547 96
Assets held for sale   83 110 28
Other non-financial assets   795 292 -503
Total non-financial assets   110,284 110,074 -210
Total assets   352,469 360,851 8,382
Liabilities        
Interest bearing liabilities        
Deposits held   192 182 -10
Government securities   292,845 285,748 -7,097
Loans 16 8,588 13,567 4,979
Other borrowing   1,134 1,149 15
Total interest bearing liabilities   302,760 300,647 -2,113
Provisions and payables        
Superannuation liability 17 143,509 193,314 49,804
Other employee liabilities 17 14,600 14,798 198
Suppliers payable 18 4,264 6,409 2,145
Personal benefits provisions and payable 18 14,240 14,161 -79
Subsidies provisions and payable 18 3,216 3,557 342
Grants provisions and payable 18 17,030 16,233 -797
Other provisions and payables 18 13,961 14,383 422
Total provisions and payables   210,820 262,855 52,034
Total liabilities   513,580 563,501 49,921
Net worth(a)   -161,112 -202,650 -41,539
Net financial worth(b)   -271,396 -312,724 -41,329
Net financial liabilities(c)   294,198 337,796 43,598
Net debt(d)   161,603 152,982 -8,621

(a) Net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities.

(b) Net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities.

(c) Net financial liabilities equals total liabilities less financial assets other than investments in other public sector entities.

(d) Net debt equals the sum of deposits held, government securities, loans and other borrowing, minus the sum of cash and deposits, advances paid and investments, loans and placements.

Table 10: Australian Government general government sector cash flow statement(a)
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
Month of June 2013(d)



$m
2012‑13
Outcome



$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Cash receipts from operating activities        
Taxes received 326,297 27,175 326,426 129
Receipts from sales of goods and services 9,043 1,041 9,071 28
Interest receipts 3,674 375 3,561 -112
Dividends and income tax equivalents 3,186 296 3,420 234
Other receipts 6,574 193 6,846 272
Total operating receipts 348,773 29,079 349,323 550
Cash payments for operating activities        
Payments for employees -26,156 -1,343 -25,001 1,155
Payments for goods and services -72,855 -7,618 -72,114 742
Grants and subsidies paid -126,872 -13,979 -127,754 -882
Interest paid -11,912 -1,170 -11,846 66
Personal benefit payments -116,257 -7,823 -116,629 -373
Other payments -5,288 -1,365 -5,902 -615
Total operating payments -359,339 -33,297 -359,247 92
Net cash flows from operating activities -10,566 -4,218 -9,924 643
Cash flows from investments in non-financial assets        
Sales of non-financial assets 1,637 1,507 1,729 92
Purchases of non-financial assets -7,542 -1,025 -7,644 -101
Net cash flows from investments in non-financial assets -5,905 482 -5,915 -9
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes -5,288 62 -4,802 486
Cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes        
Increase in investments -3,733 943 -6,197 -2,463
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes -3,733 943 -6,197 -2,463
Cash receipts from financing activities        
Borrowing 27,022 1,797 27,985 963
Other financing 0 -67 -39 -39
Total cash receipts from financing activities 27,022 1,731 27,946 924
Cash payments for financing activities        
Borrowing 0 0 0 0
Other financing -1,583 113 -1,538 45
Total cash payments for financing activities -1,583 113 -1,538 45
Net cash flows from financing activities 25,439 1,844 26,407 969
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held -54 -885 -429 -376
Net cash flows from operating activities and investments in non‑financial assets (Surplus(+)/deficit(-)) -16,471 -3,735 -15,838 633
Finance leases and similar arrangements(b) -404 -271 -314 90
GFS cash surplus(+)/deficit(-) -16,876 -4,006 -16,152 724
less Net Future Fund earnings 2,501 -118 2,682 181
Equals underlying cash balance(c) -19,377 -3,888 -18,834 543
plus Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes -5,288 62 -4,802 486
plus Net Future Fund earnings 2,501 -118 2,682 181
Equals headline cash balance -22,163 -3,944 -20,954 1,209

(a) A positive number denotes a cash inflow; a negative number denotes a cash outflow.

(b) The acquisition of assets under finance leases decreases the underlying cash balance. The disposal of assets previously held under finance leases increases the underlying cash balance.

(c) The term underlying cash balance is not used by the ABS.

(d) The month of June is derived by deducting May year‑to‑date published data from the annual outcome. Statistically, June movements in some series relate to earlier published months that are not reissued; this can result in negative movements.

Table 11: Australian Government public non‑financial corporations sector operating statement
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome



$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Revenue      
Current grants and subsidies 28 46 18
Sales of goods and services 8,951 8,692 -259
Interest income 75 84 9
Other 1 41 40
Total revenue 9,055 8,863 -192
Expenses      
Gross operating expenses      
Wages and salaries(a) 3,378 3,232 -146
Superannuation 275 260 -14
Depreciation and amortisation 714 635 -79
Supply of goods and services 4,403 4,251 -152
Other operating expenses(a) 472 545 73
Total gross operating expenses 9,241 8,923 -319
Interest expenses 168 166 -2
Other property expenses 284 289 6
Current transfers      
Tax expenses 135 37 -99
Total current transfers 135 37 -99
Total expenses 9,828 9,415 -414
Net operating balance -773 -551 222
Other economic flows -540 -205 335
Comprehensive result - Total change in net worth excluding contribution from owners -1,314 -757 557
Net acquisition of non-financial assets      
Purchases of non-financial assets 2,485 3,787 1,302
less Sales of non-financial assets 33 109 76
less Depreciation 714 635 -79
plus Change in inventories 15 11 -5
plus Other movements in non-financial assets 617 585 -32
Total net acquisition of non-financial assets 2,370 3,638 1,269
Fiscal balance (Net lending/borrowing)(b) -3,143 -4,189 -1,047

(a) Consistent with ABS GFS classification, other employee related expenses are reported under other operating expenses. Total employee expenses equal wages and salaries plus other operating expenses.

(b) The term fiscal balance is not used by the ABS.

Table 12: Australian Government public non‑financial corporations sector balance sheet
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Assets      
Financial assets      
Cash and deposits 1,409 891 -518
Investments, loans and placements 98 100 2
Other receivables 1,869 2,411 542
Equity investments 11 11 0
Total financial assets 3,386 3,412 26
Non-financial assets      
Land and fixed assets 12,553 12,538 -15
Other non-financial assets(a) 1,629 1,634 5
Total non-financial assets 14,182 14,173 -9
Total assets 17,568 17,585 17
Liabilities      
Interest bearing liabilities      
Loans(b) 0 2,508 2,508
Other borrowing(b) 3,694 1,341 -2,353
Total interest bearing liabilities 3,694 3,849 155
Provisions and payables      
Superannuation liability 0 59 59
Other employee liabilities 1,795 1,239 -556
Other provisions and payables(a) 2,462 2,514 52
Total provisions and payables 4,257 3,812 -445
Total liabilities 7,951 7,662 -290
Shares and other contributed capital 9,617 9,923 307
Net worth(c) 9,617 9,923 307
Net financial worth(d) -4,565 -4,249 316
Net debt(e) 2,187 2,858 671

(a) Excludes the impact of commercial taxation adjustments.

(b) From 2012‑13 FBO, loans are separated from other borrowing consistent with the General Government Sector.

(c) Under AASB 1049, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(d) Under AASB 1049, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(e) Net debt equals the sum of interest bearing liabilities (deposits held, advances received, loans and other borrowing), minus the sum of cash and deposits and investments, loans and placements.

Table 13: Australian Government public non‑financial corporations sector cash flow statement(a)
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome



$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget


$m
Cash receipts from operating activities      
Receipts from sales of goods and services 9,901 9,556 -346
Grants and subsidies received 0 4 4
GST input credit receipts 235 56 -179
Other receipts 77 101 25
Total operating receipts 10,213 9,716 -497
Cash payments for operating activities      
Payments to employees -4,040 -3,914 126
Payments for goods and services -5,053 -5,323 -270
Interest paid -60 -72 -12
GST payments to taxation authority -501 -104 397
Other payments -93 -71 22
Total operating payments -9,746 -9,484 263
Net cash flows from operating activities 467 233 -234
Cash flows from investments in non-financial assets      
Sales of non-financial assets 34 50 15
Purchases of non-financial assets -3,099 -3,284 -184
Net cash flows from investments in non-financial assets -3,065 -3,234 -169
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes 138 0 -138
Cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes      
Increase in investments -1,044 -902 142
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes -1,044 -902 142
Net cash flows from financing activities      
Borrowing (net) 462 681 219
Other financing (net) 2,913 2,574 -339
Distributions paid (net) -294 -293 0
Net cash flows from financing activities 3,081 2,961 -119
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held -424 -941 -518
Cash at the beginning of the year 1,832 1,832 0
Cash at the end of the year 1,409 891 -518
Net cash from operating activities and investments in non-financial assets -2,599 -3,001 -402
Distributions paid -294 -293 0
Equals surplus(+)/deficit(-) -2,892 -3,294 -402
Finance leases and similar arrangements(b) 0 -1,074 -1,074
GFS cash surplus(+)/deficit(-) -2,892 -4,369 -1,476

(a) A positive number denotes a cash inflow; a negative number denotes a cash outflow.

(b) The acquisition of assets under finance leases decreases the surplus or increases the deficit. The disposal of assets previously held under finance leases increases the surplus or decreases the deficit.

Table 14: Australian Government total non‑financial public sector operating statement
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Revenue      
Taxation revenue 338,591 337,287 -1,305
Sales of goods and services 16,391 16,252 -139
Interest income 3,820 3,710 -110
Dividend income 2,146 2,790 644
Other 6,285 7,267 982
Total revenue 367,233 367,306 73
Expenses      
Gross operating expenses      
Wages and salaries(a) 22,733 21,718 -1,015
Superannuation 8,377 8,663 286
Depreciation and amortisation 6,736 7,033 297
Supply of goods and services 75,105 74,542 -564
Other operating expenses(a) 5,883 6,250 367
Total gross operating expenses 118,834 118,205 -630
Superannuation interest expense 6,778 6,729 -49
Interest expenses 13,428 13,915 486
Current transfers      
Current grants 109,950 110,535 585
Subsidy expenses 13,174 13,687 513
Personal benefits 117,397 117,221 -176
Total current transfers 240,521 241,443 922
Capital transfers 9,923 10,051 128
Total expenses 389,484 390,342 858
Net operating balance -22,251 -23,036 -785
Other economic flows 7,485 69,281 61,796
Comprehensive result - Total change in net worth -14,766 46,245 61,011
Net acquisition of non-financial assets      
Purchases of non-financial assets 10,013 11,832 1,820
less Sales of non-financial assets 3,694 1,838 -1,856
less Depreciation 6,736 7,033 297
plus Change in inventories 386 1,017 631
plus Other movements in non-financial assets 1,190 647 -543
Total net acquisition of non-financial assets 1,158 4,625 3,467
Fiscal balance (Net lending/borrowing)(b) -23,409 -27,661 -4,252

(a) Consistent with ABS GFS classification, other employee related expenses are reported under other operating expenses. Total employee expenses equal wages and salaries plus other operating expenses.

(b) The term fiscal balance is not used by the ABS.

Table 15: Australian Government total non‑financial public sector balance sheet
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Assets      
Financial assets      
Cash and deposits 3,879 2,985 -893
Advances paid 35,409 34,472 -937
Investments, loans and placements 103,092 110,894 7,803
Other receivables 46,206 45,472 -735
Equity investments 44,622 48,634 4,012
Total financial assets 233,207 242,458 9,250
Non-financial assets      
Land and fixed assets 116,139 116,347 208
Other non-financial assets 8,327 7,900 -427
Total non-financial assets 124,466 124,247 -219
Total assets 357,673 366,704 9,031
Liabilities      
Interest bearing liabilities      
Deposits held 192 182 -10
Government securities 292,845 285,748 -7,097
Loans 8,304 15,772 7,468
Other borrowing 4,828 2,490 -2,338
Total interest bearing liabilities 306,170 304,193 -1,977
Provisions and payables      
Superannuation liability 143,509 193,372 49,863
Other employee liabilities 16,395 16,037 -358
Other provisions and payables 55,047 56,239 1,192
Total provisions and payables 214,951 265,648 50,697
Total liabilities 521,121 569,841 48,720
Shares and other contributed capital 9,617 9,923 307
Net worth(a) -163,448 -203,136 -39,689
Net financial worth(b) -287,913 -327,383 -39,470
Net debt(c) 163,790 155,841 -7,950

(a) Under AASB 1049, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(b) Under AASB 1049, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(c) Net debt equals the sum of deposits held, government securities, loans and other borrowing, minus the sum of cash and deposits, advances paid and investments, loans and placements.

Table 16: Australian Government total non‑financial public sector cash flow statement(a)
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Cash receipts from operating activities      
Taxes received 326,206 326,195 -11
Receipts from sales of goods and services 17,292 16,500 -793
Interest receipts 3,729 3,627 -102
Dividends and income tax equivalents 2,892 3,126 234
Other receipts 6,575 6,861 286
Total operating receipts 356,694 356,309 -385
Cash payments for operating activities      
Payments to employees -30,196 -28,915 1,281
Payments for goods and services -76,522 -75,198 1,324
Grants and subsidies paid -126,872 -127,750 -879
Interest paid -11,952 -11,898 54
Personal benefit payments -116,257 -116,629 -373
Other payments -5,289 -5,903 -614
Total operating payments -367,087 -366,293 794
Net cash flows from operating activities -10,393 -9,984 409
Cash flows from investments in non-financial assets      
Sales of non-financial assets 1,672 1,779 107
Purchases of non-financial assets -10,642 -10,928 -286
Net cash flows from investments in non-financial assets -8,970 -9,149 -178
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes -2,286 -2,189 97
Cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes      
Increase in investments -4,777 -7,099 -2,321
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes -4,777 -7,099 -2,321
Net cash flows from financing activities      
Borrowing (net) 27,483 28,666 1,182
Other financing (net) -1,534 -1,617 -83
Net cash flows from financing activities 25,949 27,049 1,100
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held -477 -1,371 -893
Cash at the beginning of the year 4,356 4,356 0
Cash at the end of the year 3,879 2,985 -893
Net cash from operating activities and investments in non-financial assets -19,363 -19,132 231
Distributions paid 0 0 0
Equals surplus(+)/deficit(-) -19,363 -19,132 231
Finance leases and similar arrangements(b) -404 -1,388 -984
GFS cash surplus(+)/deficit(-) -19,768 -20,521 -753

(a) A positive number denotes a cash inflow; a negative number denotes a cash outflow.

(b) The acquisition of assets under finance leases decreases the surplus or increases the deficit. The disposal of assets previously held under finance leases increases the surplus or decreases the deficit.

Table 17: Australian Government public financial corporations sector operating statement
2012‑13
Outcome
$m
Revenue  
Current grants and subsidies 170
Sales of goods and services 6,140
Interest income 1,842
Other 90
Total revenue 8,242
Expenses  
Gross operating expenses  
Wages and salaries(a) 874
Superannuation 129
Depreciation and amortisation 66
Other operating expenses(a) 5,438
Total gross operating expenses 6,507
Interest expenses 782
Other property expenses 677
Current transfers  
Tax expenses 73
Total current transfers 73
Total expenses 8,039
Net operating balance 202
Other economic flows 3,162
Comprehensive result - Total change in net worth excluding contribution from owners 3,364
Net acquisition of non-financial assets  
Purchases of non-financial assets 25
less Sales of non-financial assets 1
less Depreciation 66
plus Change in inventories -12
plus Other movements in non-financial assets 3
Total net acquisition of non-financial assets -51
Fiscal balance (Net lending/borrowing)(b) 253

(a) Consistent with ABS GFS classification, other employee related expenses are reported under other operating expenses. Total employee expenses equal wages and salaries plus other operating expenses.

(b) The term fiscal balance is not used by the ABS.

Table 18: Australian Government public financial corporations sector balance sheet
2012‑13
Outcome
$m
Assets  
Financial assets  
Cash and deposits 1,095
Investments, loans and placements 102,796
Other receivables 571
Equity investments 740
Total financial assets 105,201
Non-financial assets  
Land and other fixed assets 999
Other non-financial assets(a) 54
Total non-financial assets 1,053
Total assets 106,255
Liabilities  
Interest bearing liabilities  
Deposits held 83,126
Borrowing 7,596
Total interest bearing liabilities 90,723
Provisions and payables  
Superannuation liability 30
Other employee liabilities 1,311
Other provisions and payables(a) 2,059
Total provisions and payables 3,400
Total liabilities 94,122
Shares and other contributed capital 12,132
Net worth(b) 12,132
Net financial worth(c) 11,079
Net debt(d) -13,168

(a) Excludes the impact of commercial taxation adjustments.

(b) Under AASB 1049, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net worth is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(c) Under AASB 1049, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities. Under ABS GFS, net financial worth equals total financial assets minus total liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital. The AASB 1049 method is used in this table.

(d) Net debt equals the sum of deposits held, advances received and borrowing, minus the sum of cash and deposits, advances paid and investments, loans and placements.

Table 19: Australian Government public financial corporations sector cash flow statement(a)
2012‑13
Outcome
$m
Cash receipts from operating activities  
Receipts from sales of goods and services 5,893
Grants and subsidies received 170
GST input credit receipts 18
Interest receipts 1,898
Other receipts 76
Total operating receipts 8,055
Cash payments for operating activities  
Payments to employees -669
Payments for goods and services -4,796
Interest paid -838
GST payments to taxation authority 0
Other payments -1,002
Total operating payments -7,305
Net cash flows from operating activities 749
Cash flows from investments in non-financial assets  
Sales of non-financial assets 1
Purchases of non-financial assets -26
Net cash flows from investments in non-financial assets -24
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes 0
Cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes  
Increase in investments -10,757
Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for liquidity purposes -10,757
Net cash flows from financing activities  
Advances received (net) 0
Borrowing (net) 7,966
Deposits received (net) 0
Other financing (net) 3,341
Distributions paid (net) -1,082
Net cash flows from financing activities 10,224
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held 192
Cash at the beginning of the year 903
Cash at the end of the year 1,095
Net cash from operating activities and investments in non-financial assets 725
Distributions paid -1,082
Equals surplus(+)/deficit(-) -357
Finance leases and similar arrangements(b) 0
GFS cash surplus(+)/deficit(-) -357

(a) A positive number denotes a cash inflow; a negative number denotes a cash outflow.

(b) The acquisition of assets under finance leases decreases the surplus or increases the deficit. The disposal of assets previously held under finance leases increases the surplus or decreases the deficit.

Table 20: Australian Government general government sector purchases of non‑financial assets by function
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
General public services 445 969 524
Defence 4,920 5,068 148
Public order and safety 439 377 -62
Education 38 40 2
Health 103 62 -41
Social security and welfare 277 369 93
Housing and community amenities 160 56 -103
Recreation and culture 326 261 -65
Fuel and energy -4 6 10
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 150 310 161
Mining, manufacturing and construction 29 8 -21
Transport and communication 77 64 -13
Other economic affairs 574 455 -119
Other purposes -6 0 6
Total Government purchases of non-financial assets 7,528 8,046 518

Notes to the general government sector financial statements

Note 1: External reporting standards and accounting policies

The Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 (the Charter) requires that the final budget outcome be based on external reporting standards and that departures from applicable external reporting standards be identified.

The external standards used for final budget outcome reporting purposes are:

  • the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) accrual Government Finance Statistics (GFS) publication, Australian System of Government Finance Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, (cat. no. 5514.0), which in turn is based on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) accrual GFS framework; and
  • the Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), which includes International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted in Australia and the public sector specific standard AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis that complies with both ABS GFS and AAS, except for departures disclosed at Note 2.

A more detailed description of the AAS and ABS GFS frameworks, in addition to definitions of key terms used in these frameworks, can be found in Attachment A. Table 22 in Attachment A explains the key differences between the two frameworks. Detailed accounting policies, as required by AAS, are disclosed in the annual consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal reporting focuses on the general government sector (GGS). The GGS provides public services that are mainly non‑market in nature and for the collective consumption of the community, or involve the transfer or redistribution of income. These services are largely financed through taxes and other compulsory levies, user charging and external funding. This sector comprises all government departments, offices and some other bodies. In preparing financial statements for the GGS, all material transactions and balances between entities within the GGS have been eliminated. A list of entities within the GGS, as well as entities within and a description of the public non‑financial corporations (PNFC) sector and the public financial corporations (PFC) sector, are disclosed in Table 21 of Attachment A.

The statements for the GGS are based on audit‑cleared financial statements for the material agencies, with the exception of the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The Government's key fiscal aggregates are based on ABS GFS concepts and definitions, including the ABS GFS cash surplus/deficit and the derivation of the underlying cash balance and net financial worth. AASB 1049 requires the disclosure of other ABS GFS fiscal aggregates, including net operating balance, net lending/borrowing (fiscal balance) and net worth. In addition to these ABS GFS aggregates, the Uniform Presentation Framework (UPF) requires disclosure of net debt, net financial worth and net financial liabilities.

Note 2: Departures from external reporting standards

The Charter requires that departures from applicable external reporting standards be identified. The financial statements depart from the external reporting standards as follows.

General government sector
Departures from ABS GFS

ABS GFS requires that provisions for bad and doubtful debts be excluded from the balance sheet. This treatment has not been adopted in the financial statements because excluding such provisions would overstate the value of Australian Government assets in the balance sheet. The financial statements currently adopt AAS treatment for provisions for bad and doubtful debts.

ABS GFS treats coins on issue as a liability and no revenue is recognised. The ABS GFS treatment of circulating coins as a liability has not been adopted in the financial statements. Instead, the financial statements adopt AAS treatment for circulating coins (seigniorage). Under this treatment, seigniorage revenue is recognised upon the issue of coins and no liability is recorded.

ABS GFS records defence weapons platforms (DWP) as a non‑financial asset on a market value basis (fair value), rather than expensing at time of acquisition. The value used by the ABS is consistent with the National Accounts statistical methodology, and represents an early adoption of changes to the System of National Accounts 2008. ABS GFS treatment of DWP is consistent with AAS, as non‑financial assets can be valued at fair value as long as they can be reliably measured, otherwise cost is permissible. DWP will be valued at cost in the financial statements, as they have in previous budgets, while the Australian Government ascertains if a relevant and reliable fair value can be sourced.

Under ABS GFS, concessional loans are recognised at their nominal value, that is, they are not discounted to fair (market) value as there is not considered to be a secondary market. This treatment has not been adopted for the financial statements. Consistent with AAS, loans issued at below market interest rates or with long repayment periods are recorded at fair value (by discounting them by market interest rates). The difference between the nominal value and the fair value of the loan is recorded as an expense that is written back over the life of the loan.

ABS GFS requires investments in unlisted public sector entities to be valued based on their net assets. Under AAS, investments in public sector entities can be valued at fair value as long as a fair value can be reliably measured, otherwise net assets is permissible. The AAS treatment has been adopted in the financial statements.

Movements in the provision for restoration, decommissioning and make‑good of assets have been included in the calculation of the fiscal balance capital adjustment because in many cases they involve legal obligations to expend resources. ABS GFS does not recognise adjustments for such provisions because they are considered a constructive obligation that may not materialise for many years.

ABS GFS treats the issuance and registration of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the Renewable Energy Target and Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under the Carbon Farming Initiative as government financial transactions resulting in the recognition of assets, liabilities, tax revenue and expenses.

Under the interpretation of the AAS, issuance and registration of such certificates is considered to be an administrative function and does not result in the recognition of an asset or liability and therefore no tax revenue or expense is recognised. The AAS treatment has been adopted in the financial statements.

Departures from AAS

AAS requires the advances paid to the International Development Association, African Development Fund and Asian Development Fund to be recognised at fair value. Under ABS GFS these advances are recorded at nominal value. The ABS GFS treatment is adopted in the financial statements.

Under AAS, prepayments are classified as non‑financial assets. In accordance with ABS GFS, prepayments have been classified as financial assets in the financial statements. This treatment is consistent with the exclusion of prepayments from net acquisition of non‑financial assets in the calculation of the fiscal balance.

In 2012‑13, during the first year of the fixed price period, the price of carbon units was set under the Clean Energy Act 2011. A preliminary interpretation based on the AASB issued staff paper recognises transactions under the carbon pricing mechanism in the financial statements where they are expected to result in a receipt or payment of cash by the government at the amount of the expected cash settlement. The issuance and surrender of free carbon units and ACCUs used in the settlement of emissions liabilities do not qualify for recognition by the government as assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses. The audited accounts of the Clean Energy Regulator apply the AAS treatment.

The published outcome for carbon pricing mechanism revenue adopts the ABS GFS treatment as used in the 2013‑14 Budget. Under ABS GFS, the issuance of free carbon units that are expected to be used to settle an emitter's obligation are treated as an expense on issue and revenue when emissions occur. The ABS GFS outcome was derived by adjusting the AAS revenue and expense from the audited accounts of the Clean Energy Regulator, which includes AAS revenue of $5,047 million, for free carbon units. This adjustment had no net impact on the fiscal balance.

AASB 1049 requires disaggregated information, by ABS GFS function, for expenses and total assets to be disclosed where they are reliably attributable. ABS GFS does not require total assets to be attributed to functions. In accordance with ABS GFS, disaggregated information for expenses and net acquisition of non‑financial assets by function is disclosed in Part 1. In accordance with the UPF, purchases of non‑financial assets by function are also disclosed.

AASB 1049 requires AAS measurement of items to be disclosed on the face of the financial statements with reconciliation to ABS GFS measurement of items, where different, in notes to the financial statements. Differences from the AAS measurement of items outlined above and reconciliation have not been included as they would effectively create different measures of the same aggregate.

AASB 1049 requires major variances between original budget estimates and outcomes to be explained in the financial statements. Explanations of major variances for the 2012‑13 year from the 2012‑13 Budget to the 2012‑13 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) are discussed in Part 3 of the 2012‑13 MYEFO. Explanations of variances for the 2012‑13 year from MYEFO to the 2013‑14 Budget are disclosed in Statement 3 of 2013‑14 Budget Paper No. 1, Budget Strategy and Outlook. Explanations of variances from the 2013‑14 Budget to the Final Budget Outcome 2012‑13 are disclosed in Part 1.

All decisions taken between the original budget and MYEFO are disclosed in Appendix A of the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2012‑13. Decisions taken from MYEFO to the 2013‑14 Budget are disclosed in 2013‑14 Budget Paper No. 2, Budget Measures. In addition, 2013‑14 Budget Paper No. 1, Budget Strategy and Outlook contains detailed discussion on the estimates of revenue (Statement 5), expenses (Statement 6) and assets and liabilities (Statement 7).

AASB 1049 also requires the Final Budget Outcome (FBO) and Consolidated Financial Statements (CFS) to be released at the same time. The Charter requires the FBO to be released before the end of three months after the end of the financial year, whereas the CFS is not released until it is audit‑cleared, generally around November each year.

In addition to above adjustments, there are specific adjustments made to the corporations sectors as outlined below.

Public non‑financial corporations (PNFC) sector, public financial corporations (PFC) sector and total non‑financial public sector (NFPS)
Departures from ABS GFS

AASB 1049 defines net worth for the PNFC sector, PFC sector and NFPS as total assets less total liabilities; however, ABS GFS defines net worth as total assets less total liabilities less shares and contributed capital (which is equal to zero for the PNFC and PFC sectors). Similarly, AASB 1049 defines net financial worth for these sectors as financial assets less total liabilities, whereas under ABS GFS it is equal to financial assets less total liabilities less shares and contributed capital. The AASB 1049 treatment has been adopted in the PNFC sector, PFC sector and NFPS financial statements.

Departures from AAS

The financial statements for the PNFC sector, PFC sector and NFPS comply with the UPF but do not include all the line item disclosures required by AASB 1049. Disaggregated outcome notes for the PFC and PNFC sectors will be disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

AAS requires dividends paid to be classified as a distribution of equity. Under ABS GFS, dividends paid are classified as an expense. The ABS GFS treatment has been adopted for use in the financial statements.

Australian Government public corporations use commercial tax effect accounting to determine their net tax liability while the ATO determines their tax liability on a due and payable basis. To ensure symmetry in treatment between Australian Government sectors, the ABS removes tax effect adjustments. The ABS GFS treatment has been adopted in the financial statements.

Note 3: Taxation revenue by type
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Individuals' and other withholding taxes      
Gross income tax withholding 151,660 151,069 -591
Gross other individuals 35,940 36,283 343
less: Refunds 26,750 26,801 51
Total individuals' and other withholding taxation 160,850 160,551 -299
Fringe benefits tax 3,890 3,971 81
Company tax 68,132 68,208 75
Superannuation funds 7,800 7,581 -219
Resource rent taxes(a) 1,740 1,927 187
Income taxation revenue 242,412 242,238 -174
Sales taxes      
Goods and services tax 50,220 50,313 93
Wine equalisation tax 730 716 -14
Luxury car tax 430 432 2
Total sales taxes 51,380 51,462 82
Excise duty      
Petrol 6,000 6,079 79
Diesel 8,610 8,640 30
Beer 1,950 1,958 8
Other excisable products(b) 9,030 9,033 3
Of which: Other excisable beverages(c) 900 914 14
Total excise duty revenue 25,590 25,710 120
Customs duty      
Textiles, clothing and footwear 680 676 -4
Passenger motor vehicles 920 892 -28
Excise-like goods 5,660 5,458 -202
Other imports 1,540 1,500 -40
less: Refunds and drawbacks 330 354 24
Total customs duty revenue 8,470 8,172 -298
Carbon pricing mechanism(d) 7,540 6,535 -1,005
Other indirect taxation      
Agricultural levies 463 476 12
Other taxes 2,871 2,730 -141
Total other indirect taxation revenue 3,335 3,206 -129
Mirror taxes 485 484 0
less Transfers to States in relation to mirror tax revenue 485 484 0
Mirror tax revenue 0 0 0
Indirect taxation revenue 96,315 95,085 -1,229
Taxation revenue 338,727 337,323 -1,403
Memorandum:      
Medicare levy revenue 9,720 9,788 68

(a) Comprises gross revenue from the PRRT and MRRT. Net revenue from the MRRT was $0.2 billion in 2012‑13 which represents the net impact across different revenue heads. These include offsetting reductions in company tax (through deductibility) and interactions with other taxes.

(b) Tobacco figures are not separately reported because of taxpayer confidentiality. Since the 2013‑14 Budget was published, legislation has been passed that allows for separate reporting of tobacco figures. As the legislation was not retrospective, this does not apply to the 2012‑13 outcome.

(c) Other excisable beverages are those not exceeding 10 per cent by volume of alcohol (excluding beer, brandy and wine).

(d) Tax revenue includes carbon accrual revenue measured at the legislated price, with details of the accounting treatment of carbon revenue set out in Note 2 to the General Government Sector Financial Statements.

Note 3(a): Taxation revenue by source
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Taxes on income, profits and capital gains      
Income and capital gains levied on individuals 164,740 164,529 -211
Income and capital gains levied on enterprises 77,672 77,709 37
Total taxes on income, profits and capital gains 242,412 242,238 -174
Taxes on employers' payroll and labour force 529 646 117
Taxes on the provision of goods and services      
Sales/goods and services tax 51,380 51,462 82
Excises and levies 26,053 26,186 133
Taxes on international trade 8,470 8,172 -298
Total taxes on the provision of goods and services 85,903 85,820 -83
Other sale of goods and services 9,882 8,618 -1,264
Total taxation revenue 338,727 337,323 -1,403
Memorandum:      
Medicare levy revenue 9,720 9,788 68
Note 4: Sales of goods and services revenue
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Sales of goods 1,492 1,283 -209
Rendering of services 4,031 3,878 -153
Operating lease rental 53 46 -6
Fees from regulatory services 3,182 3,679 497
Total sales of goods and services revenue 8,757 8,886 129
Note 5: Interest and dividend revenue
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Interest from other governments      
State and Territory debt 10 10 1
Local Government 0 1 1
Housing agreements 160 139 -21
Total interest from other governments 170 150 -20
Interest from other sources      
Advances 44 42 -2
Deposits 100 131 31
Bank deposits 157 181 24
Indexation of HELP receivable and other student loans 503 377 -126
Other 2,790 2,763 -27
Total interest from other sources 3,594 3,495 -99
Total interest 3,764 3,646 -119
Dividends      
Dividends from other public sector entities 691 972 281
Other dividends 1,739 2,107 369
Total dividends 2,429 3,079 650
Total interest and dividend revenue 6,194 6,725 531
Note 6: Other sources of non‑taxation revenue
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Industry contributions 39 56 17
Royalties 1,785 1,798 13
Seigniorage 136 134 -2
Other 4,324 5,238 914
Total other sources of non-taxation revenue 6,284 7,226 942
Note 7: Employee and superannuation expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Wages and salaries expenses 19,355 18,486 -869
Other operating expenses      
Leave and other entitlements 2,514 2,624 109
Separations and redundancies 126 261 135
Workers compensation premiums and claims 700 843 143
Other 2,072 1,977 -95
Total other operating expenses 5,411 5,705 293
Superannuation expenses      
Superannuation 8,102 8,402 300
Superannuation interest cost 6,778 6,729 -49
Total superannuation expenses 14,880 15,131 251
Total employee and superannuation expense 39,646 39,322 -324
Note 8: Depreciation and amortisation expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Depreciation      
Specialist military equipment 2,579 2,688 109
Buildings 1,273 1,351 78
Other infrastructure, plant and equipment 1,320 1,430 111
Heritage and cultural assets 36 50 14
Total depreciation 5,208 5,520 312
Total amortisation 815 879 64
Total depreciation and amortisation expense 6,022 6,398 376
Note 9: Supply of goods and services expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Supply of goods and services 22,931 22,277 -654
Operating lease rental expenses 2,518 2,626 108
Personal benefits - indirect 39,671 39,283 -388
Health care payments 5,391 5,214 -177
Other 1,509 2,216 707
Total supply of goods and services expense 72,019 71,616 -403
Note 10: Interest expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Interest on debt      
Government securities 12,200 12,225 25
Loans 9 10 1
Other 550 533 -17
Total interest on debt 12,759 12,769 9
Other financing costs 521 1,000 478
Total interest expense 13,281 13,768 488
Note 11: Current and capital grants expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Current grants expense      
State and Territory governments 84,585 84,869 284
Local governments 34 16 -18
Private sector 1,752 1,799 46
Overseas 4,115 4,086 -30
Non-profit organisations(a)(b) 1,740 3,132 1,392
Multi-jurisdictional sector(a) 9,408 9,108 -299
Other(b) 8,316 7,524 -791
Total current grants expense 109,950 110,535 585
Capital grants expense      
Mutually agreed write-downs 1,997 2,162 166
Other capital grants      
State and Territory governments 6,931 7,032 101
Local governments 407 406 -1
Private sector 150 48 -102
Multi-jurisdictional sector 95 92 -3
Other 344 311 -33
Total capital grants expense 9,923 10,051 128
Total grants expense 119,873 120,586 713

(a) Includes reallocation of some programs between grants to non‑profit organisations and grants to the multi‑jurisdictional sector since the 2013‑14 Budget.

(b) Includes reallocation of some programs between grants to non‑profit organisations and grants to other since the 2013‑14 Budget.

Note 12: Personal benefits expense
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Social welfare - assistance to the aged 37,282 37,164 -118
Assistance to veterans and dependants 6,202 6,085 -116
Assistance to people with disabilities 21,204 21,386 182
Assistance to families with children 34,328 34,176 -152
Assistance to the unemployed 8,559 8,518 -42
Student assistance 3,349 3,460 111
Other welfare programs 1,396 1,311 -85
Financial and fiscal affairs 359 352 -7
Vocational and industry training 274 277 3
Other 4,444 4,492 49
Total personal benefits expense 117,397 117,221 -176
Note 13: Advances paid and other receivables
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Advances paid      
Loans to State and Territory governments 2,805 2,486 -319
Higher Education Loan Program 22,349 21,575 -774
Student Financial Supplement Scheme 653 677 24
Other 9,628 9,759 130
less Provision for doubtful debts 26 24 -2
Total advances paid 35,409 34,472 -937
Other receivables      
Goods and services receivable 976 782 -194
Recoveries of benefit payments 2,940 3,242 302
Taxes receivable 22,344 20,491 -1,852
Prepayments 2,439 2,463 24
Other 19,131 20,291 1,160
less Provision for doubtful debts 3,366 3,189 -177
Total other receivables 44,464 44,080 -384
Note 14: Investments, loans and placements
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Investments - deposits 30,103 32,455 2,352
IMF quota 4,830 5,247 417
Other 68,345 73,395 5,051
Total investments, loans and placements 103,278 111,098 7,820
Note 15: Non‑financial assets
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Land and buildings      
Land 8,680 8,918 237
Buildings 23,433 23,500 67
Total land and buildings 32,113 32,418 305
Plant, equipment and infrastructure      
Specialist military equipment 40,794 40,306 -488
Other 12,911 12,610 -301
Total plant, equipment and infrastructure 53,705 52,916 -788
Inventories      
Inventories held for sale 1,144 1,183 39
Inventories not held for sale 6,173 6,745 571
Total inventories 7,318 7,928 610
Intangibles      
Computer software 3,402 3,579 176
Other 2,199 2,056 -143
Total intangibles 5,602 5,635 34
Total investment properties 182 195 14
Total biological assets 37 33 -4
Total heritage and cultural assets 10,451 10,547 96
Total assets held for sale 83 110 28
Total other non-financial assets 795 292 -503
Total non-financial assets 110,284 110,074 -210
Note 16: Loans
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Promissory notes 3,176 3,167 -9
Special drawing rights 4,586 4,999 413
Other 827 5,401 4,574
Total loans 8,588 13,567 4,979
Note 17: Employee and superannuation liabilities
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Total superannuation liability(a) 143,509 193,314 49,804
Other employee liabilities      
Leave and other entitlements 7,378 7,397 19
Accrued salaries and wages 628 654 27
Workers compensation claims 2,594 3,087 493
Separations and redundancies 63 100 37
Other 3,936 3,558 -378
Total other employee liabilities 14,600 14,798 198
Total employee and superannuation liabilities 158,109 208,111 50,002

(a) For budget reporting purposes, a discount rate applied by actuaries in preparing Long‑Term Cost Reports is used to value the superannuation liability. This reduces the volatility in reported liabilities that would occur from year to year if the long‑term government bond rate were used. Consistent with AAS, the long‑term government bond rate as at 30 June is used to calculate the superannuation liability for the purpose of actuals reporting.

Note 18: Provisions and payables
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Suppliers payable      
Trade creditors 3,744 4,009 265
Operating lease rental payable 202 209 8
Other creditors 318 2,191 1,873
Total suppliers payable 4,264 6,409 2,145
Total personal benefits provisions and payable 14,240 14,161 -79
Total subsidies provisions and payable 3,216 3,557 342
Grants provisions and payable      
State and Territory governments 339 807 468
Non-profit organisations 218 112 -106
Private sector 488 393 -96
Overseas 1,502 1,390 -112
Local governments 7 12 5
Other 14,476 13,519 -957
Total grants provisions and payable 17,030 16,233 -797
Other provisions and payables      
Provisions for tax refunds 2,970 3,391 420
Other 10,991 10,992 2
Total other provisions and payables 13,961 14,383 422
Note 19: Reconciliation of cash
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Operating balance (revenues less expenses) -21,478 -22,485 -1,007
less Revenues not providing cash      
Other 735 559 -176
Total revenues not providing cash 735 559 -176
plus Expenses not requiring cash      
Increase / (decrease) in employee entitlements 8,184 7,882 -302
Depreciation / amortisation expense 6,046 6,429 383
Mutually agreed write-downs 1,997 2,162 166
Other 90 361 271
Total expenses not requiring cash 16,317 16,834 517
plus Cash provided / (used) by working capital items      
Decrease / (increase) in inventories -260 -797 -537
Decrease / (increase) in receivables -8,501 -8,317 185
Decrease / (increase) in other financial assets 1,280 921 -358
Decrease / (increase) in other non-financial assets 64 32 -31
Increase / (decrease) in benefits, subsidies and grants payable 4,212 4,786 574
Increase / (decrease) in suppliers' liabilities -757 107 865
Increase / (decrease) in other provisions and payables -706 -447 259
Net cash provided / (used) by working capital -4,670 -3,714 956
equals (Net cash from / (to) operating activities) -10,566 -9,924 643
plus (Net cash from / (to) investing activities) -14,926 -16,913 -1,987
Net cash from operating activities and investment -25,492 -26,837 -1,344
plus (Net cash from / (to) financing activities) 25,439 26,407 969
equals Net increase / (decrease) in cash -54 -429 -376
Cash at the beginning of the year 2,523 2,523 0
Net increase / (decrease) in cash -54 -429 -376
Cash at the end of the year 2,470 2,094 -376
Note 19(a): Consolidated Revenue Fund
2012‑13
Estimate at
2013‑14
Budget
$m
2012‑13
Outcome


$m
Change on
2013‑14
Budget

$m
Total general government sector cash 2,470 2,094 -376
less CAC Agency cash balances 1,800 1,952 152
plus Special public monies 382 311 -71
Balance of Consolidated Revenue Fund at 30 June 1,052 453 -599

The cash balances reflected in the balance sheet for the Australian Government GGS (Table 9) include the reported cash balances controlled and administered by Australian Government agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, and the reported cash balances controlled and administered by entities subject to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act), that implement public policy through the provision of primarily non‑market services.

Revenues or monies raised by the Executive Government automatically form part of the Consolidated Revenue Fund by force of section 81 of the Australian Constitution. For practical purposes, total Australian Government GGS cash, less cash controlled and administered by CAC Act entities, plus special public monies, represents the Consolidated Revenue Fund referred to in section 81 of the Australian Constitution. On this basis, the balance of the Consolidated Revenue Fund is shown above.

Attachment A

Financial reporting standards and budget concepts

The Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 (the Charter) requires the Final Budget Outcome (FBO) to be based on external reporting standards.

The Government has produced a single set of financial statements that comply with both ABS GFS and AAS, meeting the requirement of the Charter, with departures disclosed. The financial statements for the Final Budget Outcome 2012‑13 have been prepared on a basis consistent with the 2013‑14 Budget. This enables comparison of the 2012‑13 revised estimates published at the 2013‑14 Budget and the outcome. The statements reflect the Government's accounting policy that ABS GFS remains the basis of budget accounting policy, except where the Government applies AAS because it provides a better conceptual basis for presenting information of relevance to users of public sector financial reports.

AASB 1049 and the Uniform Presentation Framework (UPF) also provide a basis for reporting of the public non‑financial corporations (PNFC) and public financial corporations (PFC) sectors and the total non‑financial public sector (NFPS).

General Government Sector Financial Reporting (AASB 1049)

The FBO primarily focuses on the financial performance and position of the general government sector (GGS). The ABS defines the GGS as providing public services which are mainly non‑market in nature, mainly for the collective consumption of the community, involving the transfer or redistribution of income and financed mainly through taxes and other compulsory levies. AASB 1049 recognises the GGS as a reporting entity.

AASB 1049 history and conceptual framework

The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) released AASB 1049 for application from the 2008‑09 financial year. AASB 1049 seeks to 'harmonise' ABS GFS and AAS.

The reporting framework for AASB 1049 requires the preparation of accrual‑based general purpose financial reports, showing government assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows. GGS reporting under AASB 1049 aims to provide users with information about the stewardship of each government in relation to its GGS and accountability for the resources entrusted to it; information about the financial position, performance and cash flows of each government's GGS; and information that facilitates assessments of the macroeconomic impact. While AASB 1049 provides a basis for whole‑of‑government and GGS outcome reporting (including the PNFC and PFC sectors), budget reporting and budget outcome reporting focuses on the GGS.

There are three main general purpose statements that must be prepared in accordance with ABS GFS and AASB 1049. These are:

  • an operating statement, including other economic flows, which shows net operating balance and net lending/borrowing (fiscal balance);
    • to allow the presentation of a single set of financial statements in accordance with AASB 1049, the ABS GFS statement of other economic flows has been incorporated into the operating statement;
  • a balance sheet, which also shows net worth, net financial worth, net financial liabilities and net debt; and
  • a cash flow statement, which includes the calculation of the underlying cash balance.

In addition to these general purpose statements, notes to the financial statements are required. These notes include a summary of accounting policies, disaggregated information and other disclosures required by AAS. A full set of notes and other disclosures required by AAS are included in the annual consolidated financial statements.

All financial data presented in the financial statements are recorded as either stocks (assets and liabilities) or flows (classified as either transactions or other economic flows). Transactions result from a mutually agreed interaction between economic entities. Despite their compulsory nature, taxes are transactions deemed to occur by mutual agreement between the government and the taxpayer. Transactions that increase or decrease net worth (assets less liabilities) are reported as revenues and expenses respectively in the operating statement.1

A change to the value or volume of an asset or liability that does not result from a transaction is an 'other economic flow'. This can include changes in values from market prices, most actuarial valuations and exchange rates, and changes in volumes from discoveries, depletion and destruction. All other economic flows are reported in the operating statement.

Consistent with the ABS GFS framework, and in general AAS, the financial statements record flows in the period in which they occur. As a result, prior period outcomes may be revised for classification changes relating to information that could reasonably have been expected to be known in the past, is material in at least one of the affected periods and can be reliably assigned to the relevant period(s).

Operating statement

The operating statement presents details of transactions in revenues, expenses, the net acquisition of non‑financial assets (net capital investment) and other economic flows for an accounting period.

Revenues arise from transactions that increase net worth and expenses arise from transactions that decrease net worth. Revenues less expenses gives the net operating balance. The net operating balance is similar to the National Accounts concept of government saving plus capital transfers.

The net acquisition of non‑financial assets (net capital investment) measures the change in the Australian Government's stock of non‑financial assets owing to transactions. As such, it measures the net effect of purchases, sales and consumption (for example, depreciation of fixed assets and use of inventory) of non‑financial assets during an accounting period.

Net acquisition of non‑financial assets equals gross fixed capital formation, less depreciation, plus changes (investment) in inventories, plus other transactions in non‑financial assets.

Other economic flows are presented in the operating statement and outline changes in net worth that are driven by economic flows other than revenues and expenses. Revenues, expenses and other economic flows sum to the total change in net worth during a period. The majority of other economic flows for the Australian Government GGS arise from price movements in its assets and liabilities.

Fiscal balance

The fiscal balance (or net lending/borrowing) is the net operating balance less net capital investment. Thus, the fiscal balance includes the impact of net expenditure (effectively purchases less sales) on non‑financial assets rather than consumption (depreciation) of non‑financial assets.2

The fiscal balance measures the Australian Government's investment‑saving balance. It measures in accrual terms the gap between government savings plus net capital transfers, and investment in non‑financial assets. As such, it approximates the contribution of the Australian Government GGS to the balance on the current account in the balance of payments.

Balance sheet

The balance sheet shows stocks of assets, liabilities and net worth. In accordance with the UPF, net debt, net financial worth and net financial liabilities are also reported in the balance sheet.

Net worth

The net worth of the GGS, PNFC and PFC sectors is defined as assets less liabilities. This differs from the ABS GFS definition for the PNFC and PFC sectors, where net worth is defined as assets less liabilities less shares and other contributed capital. Net worth is an economic measure of wealth, reflecting the Australian Government's contribution to the wealth of Australia.

Net financial worth

Net financial worth measures a government's net holdings of financial assets. It is calculated from the balance sheet as financial assets minus liabilities. This differs from the ABS GFS definition of net financial worth for the PNFC and PFC sectors, defined as financial assets, less liabilities, less shares less other contributed capital. Net financial worth is a broader measure than net debt, in that it incorporates provisions made (such as superannuation) as well as holdings of equity. Net financial worth includes all classes of financial assets and all liabilities, only some of which are included in net debt. As non‑financial assets are excluded from net financial worth, this is a narrower measure than net worth. However, it avoids the concerns inherent with the net worth measure relating to the valuation of non‑financial assets and their availability to offset liabilities.

Net financial liabilities

Net financial liabilities comprises total liabilities less financial assets but excludes equity investments in the other sectors of the jurisdiction. Net financial liabilities is a more accurate indicator than net debt of a jurisdiction's fiscal position as it includes substantial non‑debt liabilities such as accrued superannuation and long service leave entitlements. Excluding the net worth of other sectors of government results in a purer measure of financial worth than net financial worth, as, in general, the net worth of other sectors of government, in particular the PNFC sector, is backed up by physical assets.

Net debt

Net debt is the sum of selected financial liabilities (deposits held, advances received, government securities, loans and other borrowing) less the sum of selected financial assets3 (cash and deposits, advances paid, and investments, loans and placements). This includes financial assets held by the Future Fund which are invested in these asset classes, including term deposits and investments in collective investment vehicles. Net debt does not include superannuation related liabilities. Net debt is a common measure of the strength of a government's financial position. High levels of net debt impose a call on future revenue flows to service that debt.

Cash flow statement

The cash flow statement identifies how cash is generated and applied in a single accounting period. The cash flow statement reflects a cash basis of recording (rather than an accrual basis) where information is derived indirectly from underlying accrual transactions and movements in balances. This, in effect, means that transactions are captured when cash is received or when cash payments are made. Cash transactions are specifically identified because cash management is considered an integral function of accrual budgeting.

Underlying cash balance

The underlying cash balance plus net Future Fund earnings (ABS GFS cash surplus/deficit) is the cash counterpart of the fiscal balance, reflecting the Australian Government's cash investment-saving balance. For the GGS, the underlying cash balance is calculated as shown below.

Net cash flows from operating activities
plus
Net cash flows from investments in non‑financial assets
less
Net acquisitions of assets acquired under finance leases and similar arrangements4
equals
ABS GFS cash surplus/deficit
less
Net Future Fund earnings
equals
Underlying cash balance

The Government has excluded net Future Fund earnings from the calculations of the underlying cash balance. Previously, the underlying cash balance only excluded the gross earnings of the Future Fund. Under the Future Fund Act 2006, earnings are required to be reinvested to meet the Government's future public sector superannuation liabilities. The Future Fund becomes available to meet the Government's superannuation liabilities from 2020.

In contrast, net Future Fund earnings are included in the fiscal balance because superannuation expenses relating to future cash payments are recorded in the fiscal balance.

Net Future Fund earnings are separately identified in the Australian Government GGS cash flow statement in Table 10 of this statement and the historical tables in Appendix B.

Headline cash balance

The headline cash balance is calculated by adding net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes and Future Fund earnings to the underlying cash balance.

Cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes include equity transactions and net advances.5 Equity transactions include equity injections into controlled businesses and privatisations of government businesses. Net advances include net loans to the States, net loans to students under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), and contributions to international organisations that increase the Australian Government's financial assets.

Sectoral classifications

To assist in analysing the public sector, data is presented by institutional sector as shown in Figure 1. ABS GFS defines the GGS and the PNFC and PFC sectors. AASB 1049 has also adopted this sectoral reporting.

Figure 1: Institutional structure of the public sector

Figure 1: Institutional structure of the public sector

Table 21: Entities within the sectoral classifications
General government sector entities
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio

Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Sugar Research and Development Corporation, Wine Australia Corporation

Attorney‑General's Portfolio

Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Attorney‑General's Department, Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, Australian Crime Commission, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Federal Police, Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Institute of Criminology, Australian Law Reform Commission, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, CrimTrac Agency, Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, Federal Court of Australia, High Court of Australia, Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia, National Native Title Tribunal, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of Parliamentary Counsel

Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio

Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Communications and Media Authority, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Special Broadcasting Service Corporation, Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency

Defence Portfolio

AAF Company, Army and Air Force Canteen Service, Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Limited, Australian War Memorial, Defence Housing Australia, Defence Materiel Organisation, Department of Defence, Department of Veterans' Affairs, RAAF Welfare Recreational Company, Royal Australian Air Force Veterans' Residences Trust Fund, Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund, Royal Australian Navy Central Canteens Board, Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Portfolio

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited, Comcare, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Fair Work Commission, Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (Fair Work Building and Construction), Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Safe Work Australia, Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare Authority)

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Portfolio

Aboriginal Hostels Limited, Anindilyakwa Land Council, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Central Land Council, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, DisabilityCare Australia (National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch Transition Agency), Indigenous Business Australia, Indigenous Land Corporation, Northern Land Council, Outback Stores Pty Ltd, Tiwi Land Council, Torres Strait Regional Authority, Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council

Finance and Deregulation Portfolio

Australian Electoral Commission, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, ComSuper, Department of Finance and Deregulation, Future Fund Management Agency

Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio

AusAID, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Australian Trade Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation National Interest Account

Health and Ageing Portfolio

Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian National Preventative Health Agency, Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Cancer Australia, Department of Health and Ageing, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, General Practice Education and Training Limited, Health Workforce Australia, Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, National Blood Authority, National Health Funding Body, National Health and Medical Research Council, National Health Performance Authority, Private Health Insurance Administration Council, Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, Professional Services Review

Human Services Portfolio

Department of Human Services

Immigration and Citizenship Portfolio

Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal

Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education Portfolio

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Australian Research Council, Australian Skills Quality Authority (National Vocational Education and Training Regulator), Clean Energy Regulator, Climate Change Authority, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science Research and Tertiary Education, IIF Investments Pty Limited, IP Australia, Low Carbon Australia Limited, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

Infrastructure and Transport Portfolio

Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, National Transport Commission

Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio

Australian National Audit Office, Australian Public Service Commission, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, National Australia Day Council Limited, National Mental Health Commission, Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Office of the Inspector‑General of Intelligence and Security, Office of National Assessments, Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor‑General

Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Portfolio

Australia Business Arts Foundation Ltd, Australia Council, Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Australian National Maritime Museum, Australian Sports Anti‑Doping Authority, Australian Sports Commission, Australian Sports Foundation Limited, Bundanon Trust, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, National Archives of Australia, National Capital Authority, National Film and Sound Archive, National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Old Parliament House, Screen Australia

Resources, Energy and Tourism Portfolio

Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Geoscience Australia, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, Tourism Australia

Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Portfolio

Bureau of Meteorology, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Director of National Parks, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, National Water Commission, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Treasury Portfolio

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Office of Financial Management, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Australian Taxation Office, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Commonwealth Grants Commission, Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee, Department of the Treasury, Inspector‑General of Taxation, National Competition Council, Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Productivity Commission, Royal Australian Mint

Parliamentary Departments

Department of Parliamentary Services, Department of the House of Representatives, Department of the Senate, Parliamentary Budget Office

Public financial corporations
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Portfolio

Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation

Finance and Deregulation Portfolio

Medibank Private Ltd

Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation

Treasury Portfolio

Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, Reserve Bank of Australia

Public non‑financial corporations
Attorney General's Portfolio

Australian Government Solicitor

Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio

Australian Postal Corporation, NBN Co Ltd

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Portfolio

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Pty Ltd

Finance and Deregulation Portfolio

Albury‑Wodonga Development Corporation, Australian River Co. Ltd, ASC Pty Ltd

Human Services Portfolio

Australian Hearing Services

Infrastructure and Transport Portfolio

Airservices Australia, Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd, Moorebank Intermodal Company Ltd

Differences between ABS GFS and AAS framework (including AASB 1049)

AASB 1049 has adopted the AAS conceptual framework and principles for the recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and their presentation, measurement and disclosure. In addition, AASB 1049 has broadly adopted the ABS GFS conceptual framework for presenting government financial statements. In particular, AASB 1049 requires the GGS to prepare a separate set of financial statements, over‑riding AASB 127 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. AASB 1049 also follows ABS GFS by requiring changes in net worth to be split into either transactions or 'other economic flows' and for this to be presented in a single operating statement. AASB 1049 is therefore broadly consistent with international statistical standards and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001.6

Some of the major differences between AAS and the ABS GFS treatments of transactions are outlined in Table 22. Further information on the differences between the two systems is provided in the ABS publication Australian System of Government Finance Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2005 (cat. no. 5514.0).

Table 22: Major differences between AAS and ABS GFS
Issue AAS treatment ABS GFS treatment Treatment adopted
Acquisition of defence weapons platforms

(DWP)

Treated as capital expenditure. DWP appear as a non‑financial asset on the balance sheet. Depreciation expense on assets is recorded in the operating statement. AASB 1049 requires cost to be used where fair value of assets cannot be reliably measured. ABS has updated its treatment in its GFS reports to record DWP as a non‑financial asset on a market value basis. This represents an early adoption of changes to the System of National accounts. AAS
Circulating coins — seigniorage The profit between the cost and sale of circulating coins (seigniorage) is treated as revenue. Circulating coins are treated as a liability, and the cost of producing the coins is treated as an expense. AAS
Provisions for bad and doubtful debts Reported in the balance sheet as an offset to assets. Under AASB 1049, it is included in the operating statement as other economic flows. Creating provisions for bad and doubtful debts is not considered an economic event and therefore not considered to be an expense or reflected in the balance sheet. AAS
Advances to the International Development Association, and Asian Development Fund Recorded at fair value in the balance sheet. Recorded at nominal value in balance sheet. ABS GFS
Concessional loans Discounts concessional loans by a market rate of a similar instrument. Does not discount concessional loans as no secondary market is considered to exist. AAS
Investment in Other Public Sector Entities Valued at fair value in the balance sheet as long as it can be reliably measured, otherwise net assets is permissible. Unlisted entities valued based on their net assets in the balance sheet. AAS
Provision for restoration, decommission‑ing and make‑good Included in the Fiscal Balance capital adjustment. Excluded from the calculation of net lending capital adjustment. AAS
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) The issuance and registration of such certificates are considered to be an administrative function and does not result in the recognition of an asset or liability and therefore no tax revenue or expense is recognised. The issuance and registration of such certificates are considered to be government financial transactions resulting in the recognition of assets, liabilities, tax revenue and expenses. AAS
Carbon pricing mechanism The interpretation of the AAS framework indicates that the transactions are recognised in the financial statements where they are expected to result in a receipt or payment of cash by the government at the amount of the expected cash settlement. The issuance and surrender of free carbon units and ACCUs used in the settlement of emissions liabilities do not qualify for recognition by the government as assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses. Transactions are recognised at the expected market value at the time of the transaction. In the fixed price period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014, the price of carbon units that the government will pay under the buy‑back arrangements and sell to liable emitters to settle their obligations is set by the government at the prevailing fixed price and is regarded as the market value. ABS GFS
Dividends paid by public corporations Treated as an equity distribution. Equity distributions are treated as a distribution of profits, as opposed to an expense. Dividends are treated as an expense. ABS GFS
Commercial tax effect accounting assets and liabilities Corporations in the PNFC and PFC sectors record tax expenses on a commercial basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reversed so that corporations record tax expenses on a consistent basis to the Australian Taxation Office. ABS GFS
Fiscal aggregates differences
Finance leases Does not deduct finance leases in the derivation of the cash surplus/deficit. Deducts finance leases in the derivation of the cash surplus/deficit. Both are disclosed
Net worth of PNFC and PFC sectors Calculated as assets less liabilities. Calculated as assets less liabilities less shares and other contributed capital. AAS
Classification difference
Prepayments Treated as a non‑financial asset. Treated as a financial asset. ABS GFS

Attachment B

Australian Loan Council Allocation

Under Loan Council arrangements, every year the Commonwealth and each State and Territory government nominate a Loan Council Allocation (LCA). A jurisdiction's LCA incorporates:

  • the estimated non‑financial public sector ABS GFS cash surplus/deficit (made up from the balances of the general government and public non‑financial corporations sectors and total non‑financial public sector acquisitions under finance leases and similar arrangements);
  • net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes; and
  • memorandum items, which involve transactions that are not formally borrowings but nevertheless have many of the characteristics of borrowings.

LCA nominations are considered by the Loan Council, having regard to each jurisdiction's fiscal position and infrastructure requirements, as well as the macroeconomic implications of the aggregate figure.

As set out in Table 23, the Commonwealth's 2012‑13 LCA final budget outcome is a $25.4 billion deficit. This compares with the Australian Government's 2012‑13 LCA Budget estimate of a $13.6 billion deficit.

A tolerance limit of 2 per cent of non‑financial public sector receipts applies between the LCA Budget estimate and the outcome. Tolerance limits recognise that LCAs are nominated at an early stage of the Budget process and may change as a result of policy and parameter changes. The Australian Government's 2012‑13 LCA final budget outcome exceeds the 2 per cent tolerance limit. This primarily reflects weaker than expected cash receipts.

Table 23: Australian Government Loan Council Allocation
        2012‑13
Estimate
$m
2012‑13
Outcome
$m
  GGS cash surplus(-)/deficit(+) -4,971 15,838
  PNFC sector cash surplus(-)/deficit(+) 5,137 3,294
  NFPS cash surplus(-)/deficit(+)(a) 394 19,132
plus Acquisitions under finance leases and similar arrangements 412 1,388
equals ABS GFS cash surplus(-)/deficit(+) 805 20,521
minus Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes(b) -13,281 -4,802
plus Memorandum items(c) -440 70
  Loan Council Allocation 13,646 25,393

(a) May not directly equate to the sum of the GGS and the PNFC sector due to intersectoral transfers which are netted out.

(b) Net cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes are displayed with the same sign as they are reported in cash flow statements. Such transactions involve the transfer or exchange of a financial asset and are not included within the cash surplus/deficit. However, the cash flow from investments in financial assets for policy purposes has implications for a government's call on financial markets.

(c) For the Commonwealth's LCA outcome, memorandum items include the change in net present value (NPV) of operating leases (with NPV greater than $5 million), the over‑funding of superannuation and the net financing requirement of the Australian National University.


1 Not all transactions impact on net worth. For example, transactions in financial assets and liabilities do not impact on net worth as they represent the swapping of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.

2 The net operating balance includes consumption of non-financial assets because depreciation is an expense. Depreciation also forms part of net capital investment, which (in the calculation of fiscal balance) offsets the inclusion of depreciation in the net operating balance.

3 Financial assets are defined as cash, an equity instrument of another entity, a contractual right to receive cash or financial asset, and a contract that will or may be settled in the entity's own equity instruments.

4 The underlying cash balance treats the acquisition and disposal of non-financial assets in the same manner regardless of whether they occur by purchase/sale or finance lease — acquisitions reduce the underlying cash balance and disposals increase the underlying cash balance. However, finance leases do not generate cash flows at the time of acquisition or disposal equivalent to the value of the asset. As such, net acquisitions of assets under finance leases are not shown in the body of the cash flow statement but are reported as a supplementary item for the calculation of the underlying cash balance.

5 Cash flows from investments in financial assets for policy purposes were called net advances under the cash budgeting framework.

6 Additional information on the Australian accrual GFS framework is available in the ABS publication Australian System of Government Finance Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods 2005 (cat. no. 5514.0).

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