Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014

made under the

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013

Compilation No. 36

Compilation date:                              1 December 2020

Includes amendments up to:            F2020L00923

Registered:                                        1 December 2020

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 December 2020 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

  

  

  

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction                                                                                                                 1

Part 1‑1—Introduction                                                                                                                                  1

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                                                        1

1............ Name of rule.................................................................................................................. 1

3............ Authority....................................................................................................................... 1

Division 2—Definitions                                                                                                                           2

4............ Definitions..................................................................................................................... 2

4A......... Meaning of threshold remuneration amount................................................................ 5

Part 1‑2—Provisions relating to the Dictionary in the Act                                                      6

5............ Government business enterprise.................................................................................... 6

6............ Listed entities................................................................................................................. 6

7............ Listed law enforcement agency...................................................................................... 7

7AA...... Reporting period—Snowy Hydro Limited.................................................................... 7

7AB...... Reporting period—National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation................. 7

Chapter 2—Commonwealth entities and the Commonwealth                8

Part 2‑1—Core provisions about Commonwealth entities and the Commonwealth        8

7A......... Commonwealth entities and their accountable authorities—bodies corporate established under a law of the Commonwealth............................................................................................................. 8

8............ Accountable authorities—listed entities......................................................................... 9

9............ Officials......................................................................................................................... 9

Part 2‑2—Accountable authorities and officials                                                                          11

Division 1—Requirements applying to accountable authorities                                    11

10.......... Preventing, detecting and dealing with fraud............................................................... 11

11.......... Recovery of debts........................................................................................................ 11

Division 2—Officials’ duty to disclose interests                                                                      13

Subdivision A—When duty does not apply                                                                                  13

12.......... When duty does not apply........................................................................................... 13

Subdivision B—Officials who are the accountable authority                                                 14

13.......... Officials who are the accountable authority—how and when to disclose interests...... 14

Subdivision C—Officials who are members of the accountable authority                          15

14.......... Officials who are members of the accountable authority—how and when to disclose interests               15

15.......... Officials who are members of the accountable authority—consequences of disclosing interests             16

Subdivision D—Other requirements to disclose material personal interests                      17

16.......... Officials who are not the accountable authority or a member of the accountable authority       17

16A....... Certain officials appointed under a law to a body—how and when to disclose interests 17

16B....... Certain officials appointed under a law to a body—consequences of disclosing interests        18

16C....... Application of sections 16A and 16B to accountable authorities or members of accountable authorities who are also ex officio members of a body........................................................................................... 19

Subdivision E—Effect of contravention of duty to disclose interests                                   20

16D....... Effect of contravention of duty to disclose interests.................................................... 20

Division 3—Inspection of books of corporate Commonwealth entities                     21

16DA.... Inspection of books of corporate Commonwealth entities........................................... 21

Part 2‑3—Planning, performance and accountability                                                             22

Division 1—Planning and budgeting                                                                                             22

16E........ Corporate plan for Commonwealth entities................................................................. 22

16EA..... Performance measures for Commonwealth entities..................................................... 24

Division 2—Performance of Commonwealth entities                                                          25

16F........ Annual performance statements for Commonwealth entities....................................... 25

Division 3—Audit Committee for Commonwealth entities                                               27

17.......... Audit committee for Commonwealth entities............................................................... 27

Division 3A—Annual report for Commonwealth entities                                                 29

Subdivision A—Annual report for non‑corporate Commonwealth entities                        29

17AA.... Guide to this Subdivision............................................................................................ 29

17AB.... Parliamentary standards of presentation...................................................................... 29

17ABA. Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool........................................... 29

17AC.... Plain English and clear design..................................................................................... 29

17AD.... Specific requirements for annual reports..................................................................... 29

17AE..... Overview of the entity................................................................................................. 30

17AF..... Report on financial performance.................................................................................. 31

17AG.... Information on management and accountability........................................................... 31

17AGA. Additional information about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy or reportable non‑consultancy contracts........................................................................................... 35

17AH.... Other mandatory information...................................................................................... 36

17AI...... Letter of transmittal...................................................................................................... 37

17AJ..... Aids to access.............................................................................................................. 37

Subdivision B—Annual report for corporate Commonwealth entities                                38

17BA.... Guide to this Subdivision............................................................................................ 38

17BB..... Approval of annual report by accountable authority.................................................... 38

17BC..... Parliamentary standards of presentation...................................................................... 38

17BCA.. Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool........................................... 38

17BD.... Plain English and clear design..................................................................................... 38

17BE..... Contents of annual report............................................................................................ 39

17BF..... Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises.................................... 41

Subdivision C—Information about executive remuneration                                                  41

17CA.... Information about remuneration for key management personnel................................. 41

17CB..... Information about remuneration for senior executives................................................. 42

17CC..... Information about remuneration for other highly paid staff......................................... 43

17CD.... Other information about executive remuneration......................................................... 43

17CE..... General rules for reporting information about executive remuneration........................ 44

Division 4—Special reporting requirements when Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist or functions have been transferred                                                                                                45

Subdivision A—Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist                                                      45

17A....... Guide to this Subdivision............................................................................................ 45

17B....... Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—none of its functions has been transferred 45

17C....... Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—some, but not all, of its functions have been transferred      45

17D....... Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—all of its functions have been transferred. 46

Subdivision B—Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist, but some or all of its functions have been transferred                                                                                                                                   47

17E........ Guide to this Subdivision............................................................................................ 47

17F........ Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist—some, but not all, of its functions have been transferred and it is not practicable for it to report............................................................................................. 47

17G....... Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist—all of its functions have been transferred        48

Subdivision C—Reporting in relation to transferred functions                                             48

17H....... Guide to this Subdivision............................................................................................ 48

17J........ Reporting in relation to transferred functions.............................................................. 49

Subdivision D—Miscellaneous                                                                                                        50

17K....... Determinations by Finance Minister............................................................................ 50

Part 2‑4—Use and management of public resources                                                                51

Division 1—Commitments of relevant money                                                                         51

18.......... Approving commitments of relevant money................................................................ 51

Division 2—Banking                                                                                                                              53

Subdivision A—Banking by corporate Commonwealth entities                                            53

18A....... Banking by CSC......................................................................................................... 53

Subdivision B—Banking or dealing with relevant money received by officials                54

19.......... Banking of bankable money received by officials....................................................... 54

20.......... Otherwise dealing with bankable money received by officials.................................... 54

21.......... Dealing with unbankable money received by officials................................................. 55

Division 3—Borrowing                                                                                                                        56

21A....... Borrowing by corporate Commonwealth entities........................................................ 56

Division 4—Investment                                                                                                                        57

22.......... Investment by the Commonwealth.............................................................................. 57

22A....... Investment by corporate Commonwealth entities........................................................ 57

Division 4A—Indemnities and exemptions by corporate Commonwealth entities 58

22B....... Indemnities and exemptions by corporate Commonwealth entities.............................. 58

Division 5—Insurance                                                                                                                          60

23.......... Insurance obtained by corporate Commonwealth entities............................................ 60

Division 6—Authorisations and payments by the Finance Minister                            61

24.......... Authorisations of waivers, modifications of payment terms, set‑offs and act of grace payments             61

25.......... Payment of amount owed to person at time of death................................................... 62

Division 6A—CCE grants made by or on behalf of corporate Commonwealth entities              63

25A....... Guide to this Division................................................................................................. 63

25B....... Requirements for making CCE grants where Minister involved................................. 63

25C....... Requirements for advising Ministers involved in making CCE grants........................ 64

25D....... Reporting requirements for Minister where Minister approves CCE grant in Minister’s electorate         65

25E........ Reporting requirements for Minister where Minister approves CCE grant despite recommendation of corporate Commonwealth entity.................................................................................................. 66

25F........ Publication requirements for CCE grants made with Minister’s approval................... 66

25G....... Additional record‑keeping requirement where information not published................... 67

25H....... Other matters............................................................................................................... 67

Division 7—Special provisions applying to Ministers only                                               68

26.......... Minister to inform Parliament of certain events........................................................... 68

Part 2‑5—Appropriations                                                                                                                         70

27.......... Receipts of amounts by non‑corporate Commonwealth entities.................................. 70

Chapter 3—Commonwealth companies                                                                        72

Part 3‑1—Planning and budgeting                                                                                                      72

27A....... Corporate plan for Commonwealth companies............................................................ 72

Part 3‑2—Audit committee for Commonwealth companies                                                73

28.......... Audit committee for wholly‑owned Commonwealth companies................................. 73

Part 3‑3—Annual report for Commonwealth companies                                                     74

28A....... Guide to this Part......................................................................................................... 74

28B....... Approval of annual report by directors........................................................................ 74

28C....... Parliamentary standards of presentation...................................................................... 74

28CA.... Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool........................................... 74

28D....... Plain English and clear design..................................................................................... 74

28E........ Contents of annual report............................................................................................ 74

28EA..... Information about executive remuneration—key management personnel.................... 76

28EB..... Other information about executive remuneration......................................................... 77

28EC..... General rules for reporting information about executive remuneration........................ 77

28F........ Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises.................................... 78

Chapter 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                                            79

29AA.... Modifications of the Act and instruments for CSC..................................................... 79

29.......... Other CRF money....................................................................................................... 80

29A....... Money that is prescribed not to be other CRF money................................................. 81

30.......... Procurement by corporate Commonwealth entities...................................................... 81

30A....... Publishing annual reports............................................................................................ 82

Chapter 5—Transitional and application provisions                                      83

Part 1—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Non‑corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016    83

31.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Non‑corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016........................ 83

Part 2—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016              84

32.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016.................................................. 84

Part 3—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Commonwealth Company Annual Reporting) Rule 2016                               85

33.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Commonwealth Company Annual Reporting) Rule 2016.......................................... 85

Part 4—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Reporting Executive Remuneration) Rules 2019                                                   86

34.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Reporting Executive Remuneration) Rules 2019.......................................................................... 86

Part 5—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Annual Reporting) Rules 2019                                                                                          87

35.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Annual Reporting) Rules 2019................................................................................................. 87

Part 6—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020                                                                                    88

36.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020....................................................................................... 88

Part 7—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020                                                                                    89

37.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020....................................................................................... 89

38.......... Transitional provision—nominations.......................................................................... 89

Part 8—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Consultancy and Non‑Consultancy Contract Expenditure Reporting) Rules 2020    90

39.......... Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Consultancy and Non‑Consultancy Contract Expenditure Reporting) Rules 2020.......................... 90

Part 9—Publication deadline for 2020‑21 corporate plans                                                   91

40.......... Publication deadline for 2020‑21 corporate plans........................................................ 91

Schedule 1—Listed entities                                                                                                           92

1............ Guide to this Schedule................................................................................................. 92

2............ Australian Office of Financial Management................................................................ 92

4............ Australian National Preventive Health Agency........................................................... 92

5............ Australian Public Service Commission....................................................................... 93

6............ Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.............................................................. 93

7............ Australian Taxation Office.......................................................................................... 94

10.......... Digital Transformation Agency................................................................................... 95

10A....... Fair Work Ombudsman and Registered Organisations Commission Entity................ 95

11.......... Geoscience Australia................................................................................................... 96

11A....... Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency.............................................................. 96

12.......... IP Australia................................................................................................................. 97

13.......... National Faster Rail Agency........................................................................................ 97

14.......... National Indigenous Australians Agency.................................................................... 98

15.......... National Mental Health Commission........................................................................... 99

15A....... National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency... 100

15B....... North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority.................................................... 101

16.......... Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board............................................ 102

17.......... Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board.............................................. 102

20.......... Royal Australian Mint............................................................................................... 103

21.......... Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority.................................. 103

22.......... Services Australia...................................................................................................... 104

Schedule 2—List of requirements—non‑corporate Commonwealth entities      105

1............ Guide to this Schedule............................................................................................... 105

Schedule 2A—List of requirements—corporate Commonwealth entities              113

Schedule 2B—List of requirements—Commonwealth companies   117

Schedule 3—Information about executive remuneration                          121

1............ Information about remuneration for key management personnel............................... 121

2............ Information about remuneration for senior executives............................................... 122

3............ Information about remuneration for other highly paid staff....................................... 122

Endnotes                                                                                                                                                             123

Endnote 1—About the endnotes                                                                                                    123

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key                                                                                                        124

Endnote 3—Legislation history                                                                                                     125

Endnote 4—Amendment history                                                                                                   129

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 1‑1—Introduction

Division 1—Preliminary

1  Name of rule

                   This rule is the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014.

3  Authority

                   This rule is made under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

Division 2—Definitions

4  Definitions

                   In this rule:

Act means the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

annual report for a Commonwealth company means the report that includes the reports referred to in paragraph 97(1)(a) of the Act.

banking day: see subsection 19(2).

books includes:

                     (a)  a register; and

                     (b)  financial reports or financial records, however compiled, recorded or stored; and

                     (c)  a document.

CCE grant means an arrangement for the provision of financial assistance by or on behalf of a corporate Commonwealth entity under which relevant money is to be paid to a person, or body, that is not a Commonwealth entity but does not include an arrangement for any of the following:

                     (a)  a payment for the acquisition of goods or services by the corporate Commonwealth entity for its own use or the use of another entity or third party;

                     (b)  a payment of compensation:

                              (i)  relating to defective administration; or

                             (ii)  relating to employment conditions; or

                            (iii)  established by a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory;

                     (c)  a payment of a benefit or entitlement under a law of the Commonwealth;

                     (d)  a payment of a charitable donation by the entity from money received from individuals for that purpose;

                     (e)  an investment or loan.

Commonwealth Procurement Rules means the instrument of that name made under subsection 105B(1) of the Act, as in force on 20 April 2019.

Note:          The Commonwealth Procurement Rules could in 2020 be viewed on the Department’s website (www.finance.gov.au).

CSC (short for Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation) has the meaning given by section 4 of the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011.

dematerialised security: see subsection 22(2).

Department of Defence means the Department of State administered by the Minister administering section 1 of the Defence Act 1903.

Department of Home Affairs means the Department of State administered by the Minister administering the Australian Border Force Act 2015.

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet means the Department of State administered by the Prime Minister.

enterprise agreement has the meaning given by the Fair Work Act 2009.

individual flexibility arrangement has the meaning given by the Fair Work Act 2009.

instructions of an accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity means instructions given by the accountable authority under section 20A of the Act.

key management personnel has the same meaning as in AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures.

non‑ongoing APS employee has the meaning given by the Public Service Act 1999.

ongoing APS employee has the meaning given by the Public Service Act 1999.

other highly paid staff, of a Commonwealth entity for a reporting period, means officials of the entity:

                     (a)  who are neither key management personnel nor senior executives; and

                     (b)  whose total remuneration exceeds the threshold remuneration amount for the reporting period.

proper, when used in relation to the use and management of other CRF money: see subsection 29(3).

related entity: a Commonwealth entity or a company (a body) is a related entity of a Commonwealth entity or a company (also a body) if:

                     (a)  an individual is the accountable authority of both bodies; or

                     (b)  an individual is a member of the accountable authority, or a director of the board, of both bodies; or

                     (c)  an individual is a member of the accountable authority of one body and a director of the board of the other body; or

                     (d)  an individual is the accountable authority of one body and a member of the accountable authority, or director of the board, of the other body.

reportable consultancy contract means an arrangement that is published in AusTender as a consultancy.

Note:          AusTender could in 2020 be viewed on AusTender’s website (www.tenders.gov.au).

reportable non‑consultancy contract means an arrangement that:

                     (a)  is published in AusTender; and

                     (b)  is not a reportable consultancy contract.

Note:          AusTender could in 2020 be viewed on AusTender’s website (www.tenders.gov.au).

reporting entity: see subsection 17J(2).

senior executives means the following officials of a Commonwealth entity who are not key management personnel:

                     (a)  officials with classifications in Groups 9 to 11 of the table in Schedule 1 to the Public Service Classification Rules 2000;

                     (b)  officials with positions equivalent to officials covered by paragraph (a);

                     (c)  officers of the Australian Defence Force with ranks equivalent to classifications covered by paragraph (a).

superannuation scheme administered by CSC has the meaning given by section 4 of the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011.

threshold remuneration amount, for a reporting period, has the meaning given by subsection 4A(1).

total remuneration:

                     (a)  means the sum of the following (calculated on an accrual basis):

                              (i)  base salary;

                             (ii)  bonuses;

                            (iii)  other benefits and allowances;

                            (iv)  superannuation contributions (made by the employer);

                             (v)  long service leave;

                            (vi)  other long‑term benefits;

                           (vii)  termination benefits; but

                     (b)  does not include any allowance paid because a person is deployed (but not posted) overseas.

total remuneration band:

                     (a)  in relation to senior executives of a Commonwealth entity, has the meaning given by subsection 17CB(3); or

                     (b)  in relation to other highly paid staff of a Commonwealth entity, has the meaning given by subsection 17CC(3).

4A  Meaning of threshold remuneration amount

             (1)  The threshold remuneration amount for a reporting period is:

                     (a)  for a reporting period that begins on or after 29 June 2018 and ends on or before 30 June 2019—$220,000; or

                     (b)  for a reporting period that begins in a financial year that begins on or after 1 July 2019—the amount worked out using the following formula rounded to the nearest multiple of $5,000:

                           

             (2)  The indexation factor for a financial year is the number worked out using the following formula:

where:

base June quarter means the June quarter ending on 30 June 2018.

index number, for a quarter, means the Wage Price Index (total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses/public sector/all Australia/original) number published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter.

June quarter means a 3‑month period ending on 30 June.

reference June quarter means the June quarter immediately before the financial year.

             (3)  The indexation factor is to be calculated to 3 decimal places (rounding up if the fourth decimal place is 5 or more).

             (4)  The indexation factor is to be worked out:

                     (a)  using only the index numbers published in terms of the most recently published index reference period for the Wage Price Index; and

                     (b)  disregarding index numbers published in substitution for previously published index numbers (except where the substituted numbers are published to take account of changes in the index reference period).

Part 1‑2—Provisions relating to the Dictionary in the Act

  

5  Government business enterprise

             (1)  Each of the following Commonwealth entities is a government business enterprise:

                     (b)  the Australian Postal Corporation;

                     (c)  Defence Housing Australia.

             (2)  Each of the following Commonwealth companies is a government business enterprise:

                     (a)  ASC Pty Limited (ACN 008 605 034);

                     (b)  Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited (ACN 081 455 754);

                     (d)  Moorebank Intermodal Company Limited (ACN 161 635 105);

                     (e)  NBN Co Limited (ACN 136 533 741);

                      (f)  Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ACN 051 762 639);

                     (g)  WSA Co Limited (ACN 618 989 272);

                     (h)  Snowy Hydro Limited (ACN 090 574 431);

even if the company changes its name.

6  Listed entities

                   Schedule 1 prescribes:

                     (a)  a body, person, group of persons or organisation; or

                     (b)  a combination of bodies, persons, groups of persons or organisations;

to be a listed entity.

7  Listed law enforcement agency

                   Each of the following is a listed law enforcement agency:

                     (a)  the Australian Federal Police;

                     (b)  the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity;

                     (c)  the Australian Crime Commission;

                     (d)  the Department of Home Affairs.

7AA  Reporting period—Snowy Hydro Limited

                   The first reporting period for Snowy Hydro Limited (ACN 090 574 431) is the period that:

                     (a)  begins on 29 June 2018; and

                     (b)  ends on 30 June 2019.

7AB  Reporting period—National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation

                   The first reporting period for the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation is the period that:

                     (a)  begins on 30 June 2018; and

                     (b)  ends on 30 June 2019.

Chapter 2—Commonwealth entities and the Commonwealth

Part 2‑1—Core provisions about Commonwealth entities and the Commonwealth

  

7A  Commonwealth entities and their accountable authorities—bodies corporate established under a law of the Commonwealth

                   The following table has effect as follows:

                     (a)  each body corporate referred to in column 1 of an item is a Commonwealth entity;

                     (b)  the accountable authority of the entity is the person or group of persons referred to in column 2 of the item.

 

Bodies corporate established under a law of the Commonwealth
	Column 1	Column 2
Item	Commonwealth entity	Accountable authority
1	Anindilyakwa Land Council	The group of persons made up of: (a) the Chair of the Land Council; and (b) the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Council.
2	Central Land Council	The group of persons made up of: (a) the Chair of the Land Council; and (b) the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Council.
3	Northern Land Council	The group of persons made up of: (a) the Chair of the Land Council; and (b) the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Council.
4	Tiwi Land Council	The group of persons made up of: (a) the Chair of the Land Council; and (b) the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Council.

8  Accountable authorities—listed entities

                   Schedule 1 prescribes a person or a group of persons to be the accountable authority of a particular listed entity.

9  Officials

             (1)  A person, or a person in a class, referred to in column 2 of an item in the following table is an official of the Commonwealth entity referred to in column 1 of that item.

 

Persons who are officials of Commonwealth entities
	Column 1	Column 2
Item	Commonwealth entity	Persons who are officials
1	A Commonwealth entity (other than a listed entity)	Any of the following persons whose services are made available to the entity in connection with the performance of any of the entity’s functions: (a) an official of another Commonwealth entity; (b) an employee of a Commonwealth company; (c) an officer or employee of a State or Territory; (d) an officer or employee of an authority of a State or Territory.
1A	A non‑corporate Commonwealth entity	A person in relation to whom all of the following apply: (a) the person is an individual who is: (i) engaged as a consultant or independent contractor to provide services to the entity; or (ii) an employee of a person engaged as a consultant or independent contractor to provide services to the entity;
		(b) the services require the exercise of a particular power, the performance of a particular function, or the discharge of a particular duty, conferred on any person by: (i) the Act or a rule made under it; or (ii) the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997; (c) the individual is capable of being identified by name by the accountable authority of the entity in relation to the exercise of the power, the performance of the function or the discharge of the duty.
2	The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	A person performing, or assisting in the performance of, the functions of the Independent Auditor under Part 7 of the Auditor‑General Act 1997.
3	The Department of Defence	A member of the Australian Defence Force.
4	The Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation	A person engaged as a consultant or independent contractor to the Corporation who: (a) makes, or participates in making, decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part, or the operations of the Corporation; or (b) has the capacity to affect significantly the Corporation’s financial standing.

             (2)  A person, or a person in a class, referred to in column 2 of an item in the following table is not an official of the Commonwealth entity referred to in column 1 of that item.

 

Persons who are not officials of Commonwealth entities
	Column 1	Column 2
Item	Commonwealth entity	Persons who are not officials
1	The Australian Broadcasting Corporation	A person appointed to an Advisory Council or advisory committee under section 11 of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983.
2	The Department of Defence	An officer, instructor or cadet in the Australian Air Force Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets, or the Australian Navy Cadets.

Part 2‑2—Accountable authorities and officials

Division 1—Requirements applying to accountable authorities

10  Preventing, detecting and dealing with fraud

                   The accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity must take all reasonable measures to prevent, detect and deal with fraud relating to the entity, including by:

                     (a)  conducting fraud risk assessments regularly and when there is a substantial change in the structure, functions or activities of the entity; and

                     (b)  developing and implementing a fraud control plan that deals with identified risks as soon as practicable after conducting a risk assessment; and

                     (c)  having an appropriate mechanism for preventing fraud, including by ensuring that:

                              (i)  officials of the entity are made aware of what constitutes fraud; and

                             (ii)  the risk of fraud is taken into account in planning and conducting the activities of the entity; and

                     (d)  having an appropriate mechanism for detecting incidents of fraud or suspected fraud, including a process for officials of the entity and other persons to report suspected fraud confidentially; and

                     (e)  having an appropriate mechanism for investigating or otherwise dealing with incidents of fraud or suspected fraud; and

                      (f)  having an appropriate mechanism for recording and reporting incidents of fraud or suspected fraud.

11  Recovery of debts

                   The accountable authority of a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity must pursue recovery of each debt for which the accountable authority is responsible unless:

                     (a)  the accountable authority considers that it is not economical to pursue recovery of the debt; or

                     (b)  the accountable authority is satisfied that the debt is not legally recoverable; or

                     (c)  the debt has been written off as authorised by an Act.

Division 2—Officials’ duty to disclose interests

Subdivision A—When duty does not apply

12  When duty does not apply

             (1)  Subsection 29(1) of the Act does not apply to an official of a Commonwealth entity in the circumstances set out in the following table if the official is the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of the Commonwealth entity.

Note:          Subsection 29(1) of the Act requires an official of a Commonwealth entity who has a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity to disclose details of the interest.

 

Circumstances when duty to disclose does not apply
Item	Topic	Circumstances
1	Official’s remuneration	The interest arises in relation to the official’s remuneration as the accountable authority or a member of the accountable authority.
2	Insurance against liability	The interest relates to a contract that insures, or would insure, the official against liabilities the official incurs as the accountable authority or a member of the accountable authority (but only if the contract does not make the Commonwealth entity or a subsidiary of the entity the insurer).
3	Payment or contract relating to indemnity	The interest relates to: (a) a payment by the Commonwealth entity or a subsidiary of the entity in relation to an indemnity; or (b) a contract relating to an indemnity; and the indemnity meets the requirements prescribed by section 22B relating to the granting of indemnities.
4	Official is a member of governing body of subsidiary	The interest: (a) is in a contract, or a proposed contract: (i) with; or (ii) for the benefit of; or (iii) on behalf of;       a subsidiary of the Commonwealth entity; and (b) arises merely because the official is, or is a member of, the governing body of the subsidiary.

             (2)  Subsection 29(1) of the Act also does not apply to an official of a Commonwealth entity who is a member of a Land Council established under section 21 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 if the interest arises because:

                     (a)  the official is a traditional Aboriginal owner in relation to land (within the meaning of that Act); or

                     (b)  the official has an entitlement to enter land, and use or occupy that land, under section 71 of that Act.

Subdivision B—Officials who are the accountable authority

13  Officials who are the accountable authority—how and when to disclose interests

             (1)  An official of a Commonwealth entity who:

                     (a)  is the accountable authority of the entity; and

                     (b)  has a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity (other than an interest not required to be disclosed because of section 12);

must disclose that interest, in writing, to the entity’s responsible Minister.

             (2)  The disclosure must include details of:

                     (a)  the nature and extent of the interest; and

                     (b)  how the interest relates to the affairs of the entity.

             (3)  The official must make the disclosure:

                     (a)  as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of the interest; and

                     (b)  if there is a change in the nature or extent of the interest after the official has disclosed the interest under this section—as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of that change.

Subdivision C—Officials who are members of the accountable authority

14  Officials who are members of the accountable authority—how and when to disclose interests

             (1)  An official of a Commonwealth entity who:

                     (a)  is a member of the accountable authority of the entity; and

                     (b)  has a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity (other than an interest not required to be disclosed because of section 12);

must disclose that interest, orally or in writing, to each other member of the accountable authority.

             (2)  The disclosure must include details of:

                     (a)  the nature and extent of the interest; and

                     (b)  how the interest relates to the affairs of the entity.

             (3)  The official must make the disclosure at a meeting of the members of the accountable authority:

                     (a)  as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of the interest; and

                     (b)  if there is a change in the nature or extent of the interest after the official has disclosed the interest under this section—as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of that change.

             (4)  The official must ensure that the disclosure is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

15  Officials who are members of the accountable authority—consequences of disclosing interests

             (1)  This section applies to an official of a Commonwealth entity who:

                     (a)  is a member of the accountable authority of the entity; and

                     (b)  has disclosed a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity.

Consequences of disclosure

             (2)  If a matter in which the official has the disclosed interest is being considered at a meeting of the members of the accountable authority, the official must not:

                     (a)  be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting; or

                     (b)  vote on the matter.

             (3)  However, if:

                     (a)  the responsible Minister for the entity has declared, in writing, that the official may be present or vote (or both); or

                     (b)  the members of the accountable authority who have not disclosed a material personal interest in the matter have decided that the official is not disqualified from being present or voting (or both), and the decision is recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the members;

then the official may be present or vote (or both) in accordance with the declaration or decision.

Minister’s declaration

             (4)  The responsible Minister for the entity may declare in writing that the official may:

                     (a)  be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting; or

                     (b)  vote on the matter; or

                     (c)  be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting and vote on the matter.

             (5)  The responsible Minister may only make the declaration if:

                     (a)  the number of members of the accountable authority entitled to be present and vote on the matter would be less than the quorum for a meeting of the accountable authority if the official were not allowed to be present or vote on the matter at the meeting; or

                     (b)  the matter needs to be dealt with urgently; or

                     (c)  there is a compelling reason for the matter being dealt with at the meeting.

Subdivision D—Other requirements to disclose material personal interests

16  Officials who are not the accountable authority or a member of the accountable authority

                   An official of a Commonwealth entity who:

                     (a)  is not the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of the entity; and

                     (b)  has a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity;

must disclose that interest in accordance with any instructions given by the accountable authority of the entity.

16A  Certain officials appointed under a law to a body—how and when to disclose interests

             (1)  This section applies to an official of a Commonwealth entity if:

                     (a)  the official is appointed under a law as a member (an appointed member) of a body (other than a body that is the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity) that is:

                              (i)  a committee, council or other body; or

                             (ii)  the entity itself; and

                     (b)  all appointed members of the body are officials of the entity; and

                     (c)  the official has a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity (other than an interest not required to be disclosed because of section 12).

Requirement to disclose interest

             (2)  The official must disclose that interest, orally or in writing, to each other appointed member of the body.

             (3)  The disclosure must include details of:

                     (a)  the nature and extent of the interest; and

                     (b)  how the interest relates to the affairs of the entity.

             (4)  The official must make the disclosure at a meeting of the appointed members of the body:

                     (a)  as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of the interest; and

                     (b)  if there is a change in the nature or extent of the interest after the official has disclosed the interest under this section—as soon as practicable after the official becomes aware of that change.

             (5)  The official must ensure that the disclosure is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

16B  Certain officials appointed under a law to a body—consequences of disclosing interests

             (1)  This section applies to an official of a Commonwealth entity if:

                     (a)  the official is appointed under a law as a member (an appointed member) of a body (other than a body that is the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity) that is:

                              (i)  a committee, council or other body; or

                             (ii)  the entity itself; and

                     (b)  all appointed members of the body are officials of the entity; and

                     (c)  the official has disclosed a material personal interest that relates to the affairs of the entity; and

                     (d)  a matter in which the official has the disclosed interest is being considered at a meeting of the appointed members of the body.

             (2)  Unless the appointed members otherwise determine, the official must not:

                     (a)  be present during any consideration by those members on the matter; or

                     (b)  vote on the matter.

             (3)  For the purposes of making a determination under subsection (2), the official must not:

                     (a)  be present during any consideration by the appointed members for the purpose of making the determination; or

                     (b)  take part in making the determination.

             (4)  The official must ensure that a determination under subsection (2) is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

16C  Application of sections 16A and 16B to accountable authorities or members of accountable authorities who are also ex officio members of a body

             (1)  If a person is:

                     (a)  the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of a Commonwealth entity; and

                     (b)  also a member of a body referred to in section 16A or 16B; and

                     (c)  the person is not appointed as a member of the body, but is a member of the body as a result of holding the position in the entity to which the person was appointed;

sections 16A and 16B apply to the person in his or her capacity as a member of the body as if he or she were an appointed member of the body as referred to in paragraphs 16A(1)(a) and 16B(1)(a).

             (2)  This section does not limit the operation of sections 13 to 15.

Subdivision E—Effect of contravention of duty to disclose interests

16D  Effect of contravention of duty to disclose interests

                   A contravention by an official of a Commonwealth entity of section 29 of the Act or of this Division does not affect the validity of any act, transaction, agreement, instrument, resolution or other thing.

Division 3—Inspection of books of corporate Commonwealth entities

16DA  Inspection of books of corporate Commonwealth entities

             (1)  A person who is the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of a corporate Commonwealth entity may, for the purposes of an eligible legal proceeding in relation to the person, inspect the books of the entity at all reasonable times.

             (2)  A person who ceases to be the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of a corporate Commonwealth entity may, for the purposes of an eligible legal proceeding in relation to the person, inspect the books of the entity at all reasonable times during the period of 7 years beginning at that cessation.

             (3)  However, a person’s right under subsection (1) or (2) to inspect books is subject to any Commonwealth law that prohibits disclosure of particular information.

             (4)  A person authorised to inspect books under this section may make copies of the books.

             (5)  In this section:

eligible legal proceeding, in relation to a person, means a legal proceeding:

                     (a)  to which the person is a party; or

                     (b)  that the person proposes in good faith to bring; or

                     (c)  that the person reasonably believes will be brought against the person.

Part 2‑3—Planning, performance and accountability

Division 1—Planning and budgeting

16E  Corporate plan for Commonwealth entities

Period corporate plan must cover

             (1)  The corporate plan for a Commonwealth entity must cover a period of at least 4 reporting periods for the entity, starting on the first day of the reporting period for which the plan is prepared under paragraph 35(1)(a) of the Act.

Matters that must be included in corporate plan

             (2)  The following table sets out the matters that must be included in the corporate plan:

 

Matters to be included in a Commonwealth entity’s corporate plan
Item	Topic	Matters to be included
1	Introduction	The following: (a) a statement that the plan is prepared for paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Act; (b) the reporting period for which the plan is prepared; (c) the reporting periods covered by the plan.
2	Purposes	The purposes of the entity.
3	Key activities	For the entire period covered by the plan, the key activities that the entity will undertake in order to achieve its purposes.
4	Operating context	For the entire period covered by the plan, the following: (a) the environment in which the entity will operate; (b) the strategies and plans the entity will implement to have the capability it needs to undertake its key activities and achieve its purposes; (c) a summary of the risk oversight and management systems of the entity, and the key risks that the entity will manage and how those risks will be managed; (d) details of any organisation or body that will make a significant contribution towards achieving the entity’s purposes through cooperation with the entity, including how that cooperation will help achieve those purposes; (e) how any subsidiary of the entity will contribute to achieving the entity’s purposes.
5	Performance	For each reporting period covered by the plan, details of how the entity’s performance in achieving the entity’s purposes will be measured and assessed through: (a) specified performance measures for the entity that meet the requirements of section 16EA; and (b) specified targets for each of those performance measures for which it is reasonably practicable to set a target.

Corporate plan must be published

             (3)  The corporate plan must be published on the entity’s website by the last day of the second month of the reporting period for which the plan is prepared.

             (4)  However, if the accountable authority considers that the corporate plan contains information that:

                     (a)  is confidential or commercially sensitive; or

                     (b)  could prejudice national security;

then only so much of the corporate plan that does not contain that information must be published under subsection (3).

Corporate plan must be given to Ministers

             (5)  The corporate plan, and any version of the plan referred to in subsection (4), must be given to the responsible Minister and the Finance Minister:

                     (a)  as soon as practicable after the plan is prepared; and

                     (b)  before the plan, or the version, is published under subsection (3).

Variation of corporate plan

             (6)  If the corporate plan is varied during the reporting period for which the plan is prepared and the accountable authority of the entity considers that the variation is significant, then:

                     (a)  this section applies to the plan as varied; and

                     (b)  subsection (3) applies as if it requires the plan to be published as soon as practicable after the plan is prepared (instead of it requiring the plan to be published by the day specified in that subsection).

Corporate plan for new entity

             (7)  If the entity is established at the start of, or during, the reporting period for which the plan is prepared, then subsection (3) applies as if it requires the plan to be published as soon as practicable after the plan is prepared (instead of it requiring the plan to be published by the day specified in that subsection).

16EA  Performance measures for Commonwealth entities

                   The performance measures for an entity meet the requirements of this section if, in the context of the entity’s purposes or key activities, they:

                     (a)  relate directly to one or more of those purposes or key activities; and

                     (b)  use sources of information and methodologies that are reliable and verifiable; and

                     (c)  provide an unbiased basis for the measurement and assessment of the entity’s performance; and

                     (d)  where reasonably practicable, comprise a mix of qualitative and quantitative measures; and

                     (e)  include measures of the entity’s outputs, efficiency and effectiveness if those things are appropriate measures of the entity’s performance; and

                      (f)  provide a basis for an assessment of the entity’s performance over time.

Division 2—Performance of Commonwealth entities

16F  Annual performance statements for Commonwealth entities

Measuring and assessing entity’s performance

             (1)  In preparing the annual performance statements for a Commonwealth entity for a reporting period, the accountable authority of the entity must measure and assess the entity’s performance in achieving the entity’s purposes in the reporting period in accordance with the method of measuring and assessing the entity’s performance in the reporting period that was set out in the entity’s corporate plan, and in any Portfolio Budget Statement, Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement or other portfolio estimates statement, that were prepared for the reporting period.

Note:          Annual performance statements for a Commonwealth entity must be prepared for a reporting period for the entity and included in the entity’s annual report for that reporting period (see subsection 39(1) of the Act).

Matters that must be included in annual performance statements

             (2)  The following table sets out the matters that must be included in the annual performance statements for a Commonwealth entity:

 

Matters to be included in a Commonwealth entity’s annual performance statements
Item	Topic	Matters to be included
1	Statements	The following: (a) a statement that the performance statements are prepared for paragraph 39(1)(a) of the Act; (b) a statement specifying the reporting period for which the performance statements are prepared; (c) a statement that, in the opinion of the accountable authority of the entity, the performance statements: (i) accurately present the entity’s performance in the reporting period; and (ii) comply with subsection 39(2) of the Act.
2	Results	The results of the measurement and assessment referred to in subsection (1) of this section of the entity’s performance in the reporting period in achieving its purposes.
3	Analysis	An analysis of the factors that may have contributed to the entity’s performance in achieving its purposes in the reporting period, including any changes to: (a) the entity’s purposes, activities or organisational capability; or (b) the environment in which the entity operated; that may have had a significant impact on the entity’s performance in the reporting period.

Division 3—Audit Committee for Commonwealth entities

17  Audit committee for Commonwealth entities

Functions of the audit committee

             (1)  The accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity must, by written charter, determine the functions of the audit committee for the entity.

             (2)  The functions must include reviewing the appropriateness of the accountable authority’s:

                     (a)  financial reporting; and

                     (b)  performance reporting; and

                     (c)  system of risk oversight and management; and

                     (d)  system of internal control;

for the entity.

Membership of the audit committee

             (3)  The audit committee must consist of at least 3 persons who have appropriate qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience to assist the committee to perform its functions.

             (4)  If the entity is a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity:

                     (a)  all of the members of the audit committee must be persons who are not officials of the entity; and

                     (b)  a majority of the members must be persons who are not officials of any Commonwealth entity.

       (4AA)  If the entity is a corporate Commonwealth entity, all of the members of the audit committee must be persons who are not employees of the entity.

          (4A)  However, a person employed or engaged primarily for the purpose of being a member of the audit committee is to be treated, for the purpose of subsection (4) or (4AA), as not being an official or employee of the entity.

             (5)  Despite subsections (3) to (4A), the following persons must not be a member of the audit committee:

                     (a)  the accountable authority or, if the accountable authority has more than one member, the head (however described) of the accountable authority;

                     (b)  the Chief Financial Officer (however described) of the entity;

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer (however described) of the entity.

Division 3A—Annual report for Commonwealth entities

Subdivision A—Annual report for non‑corporate Commonwealth entities

17AA  Guide to this Subdivision

17AB  Parliamentary standards of presentation

                   The annual report for a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity must comply with the guidelines for presenting documents to the Parliament.

17ABA  Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool

                   As soon as practicable after the annual report for a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity has been presented to the Parliament, the annual report must be published using the digital reporting tool administered by the Finance Minister.

17AC  Plain English and clear design

             (1)  The annual report for a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity must be prepared having regard to the interests of the Parliament and any other persons who are interested in the annual report.

             (2)  Information included in the annual report must be relevant, reliable, concise, understandable and balanced, including through doing the following, where practicable:

                     (a)  using clear design (for example, through headings and adequate spacing);

                     (b)  defining acronyms and technical terms (for example, in a glossary);

                     (c)  using tables, graphs, diagrams and charts;

                     (d)  including any additional matters as appropriate.

17AD  Specific requirements for annual reports

                   The annual report for a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity for a reporting period must include the following:

                     (a)  a review by the accountable authority of the entity for the period;

                     (b)  an overview of the entity for the period in accordance with section 17AE;

                     (c)  a report on the performance of the entity for the period that includes:

                              (i)  the annual performance statements for the entity for the period in accordance with paragraph 39(1)(b) of the Act and section 16F of this rule; and

                             (ii)  a report on the financial performance of the entity for the period in accordance with section 17AF;

                     (d)  information on the management and accountability of the entity for the period in accordance with section 17AG;

                  (daa)  additional information, in accordance with section 17AGA, about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy contracts or reportable non‑consultancy contracts;

                   (da)  information about executive remuneration in accordance with Subdivision C;

                     (e)  the annual financial statements for the entity for the period in accordance with subsection 43(4) of the Act;

                      (f)  the other mandatory information referred to in section 17AH;

                     (g)  a letter of transmittal in accordance with section 17AI;

                     (h)  aids to access in accordance with section 17AJ.

Note 1:       The review by the accountable authority may include a summary of significant issues for the entity, an overview of the entity’s performance and financial results and an outlook for the next reporting period.

Note 2:       Other legislation may require non‑corporate Commonwealth entities to include additional matters in the annual report. Guidance material for this section specifies some of that other legislation.

Note 3:       For when the annual report must be given to the responsible Minister, see subsection 46(2) of the Act.

17AE  Overview of the entity

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(b), the overview of the entity for the period must include:

                     (a)  a description of the entity, including the following:

                              (i)  the role and functions of the entity;

                             (ii)  an outline of the organisational structure of the entity;

                            (iii)  the outcomes and programmes administered by the entity during the period;

                            (iv)  the purposes of the entity as included in the entity’s corporate plan for the period; and

                    (aa)  information on the accountable authority, or each member of the accountable authority, of the entity during the period, including the following:

                              (i)  the name of the accountable authority or member;

                             (ii)  the position title of the accountable authority or member;

                            (iii)  the period as the accountable authority or member within the reporting period; and

                     (b)  if the entity is a Department of State—an outline of the structure of the portfolio that includes the Department.

             (2)  If the outcomes and programmes administered by the entity during the period are not the same as the outcomes and programmes included in any Portfolio Budget Statement, Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement or other portfolio estimates statement that was prepared for the entity for the period, the report must set out and explain the reasons for the differences.

17AF  Report on financial performance

             (1)  For the purposes of subparagraph 17AD(c)(ii), the report on the financial performance of the entity for the period must include:

                     (a)  a discussion and analysis of the entity’s financial performance during the period; and

                     (b)  a table summarising the total resources of the entity, and the total payments made by the entity, during the period.

Note 1:       Guidance material for this section sets out the preferred format of the table mentioned in paragraph (1)(b).

Note 2:       The annual performance statements (which deal with the non‑financial performance of the entity) are dealt with in section 16F of this rule.

             (2)  If there have been or may be significant changes in financial results during or after the reporting period, or from the previous reporting period, the annual report must describe those changes, including in relation to:

                     (a)  the cause of any operating loss of the entity, how the entity has responded to the loss and the actions that have been taken in relation to the loss; and

                     (b)  any matter or circumstances that it can reasonably be anticipated will have a significant impact on the entity’s future operation or financial results.

17AG  Information on management and accountability

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(d), this section sets out the requirements for the information on the management and accountability of the entity for the period that is to be included in the annual report.

Corporate governance

             (2)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  information on compliance with section 10 (which deals with preventing, detecting and dealing with fraud) in relation to the entity during the period;

                     (b)  a certification by the accountable authority of the entity that:

                              (i)  fraud risk assessments and fraud control plans have been prepared for the entity; and

                             (ii)  appropriate mechanisms for preventing, detecting incidents of, investigating or otherwise dealing with, and recording or reporting fraud that meet the specific needs of the entity are in place for the entity; and

                            (iii)  all reasonable measures have been taken to deal appropriately with fraud relating to the entity;

                     (c)  an outline of the structures and processes that are in place for the entity during the period to implement the principles and objectives of corporate governance;

                     (d)  a statement of any significant issue reported to the responsible Minister under paragraph 19(1)(e) of the Act that relates to non‑compliance with the finance law in relation to the entity;

                     (e)  if a statement is included under paragraph (d) of this subsection—an outline of the action that has been taken to remedy the non‑compliance.

Audit committee

          (2A)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  a direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the audit committee for the entity;

                     (b)  the name of each member of the audit committee during the period;

                     (c)  the qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of those members;

                     (d)  information about each of those members’ attendance at meetings of the audit committee during the period;

                     (e)  the remuneration of each of those members.

External scrutiny

             (3)  The annual report must include information on the most significant developments during the period in external scrutiny of the entity, and the entity’s response to that scrutiny, including particulars of:

                     (a)  judicial decisions, or decisions of administrative tribunals or the Australian Information Commissioner, made during the period that have had, or may have, a significant effect on the operations of the entity; and

                     (b)  any report on the operations of the entity given during the period by:

                              (i)  the Auditor‑General, other than a report under section 43 of the Act (which deals with the Auditor‑General’s audit of the annual financial statements for Commonwealth entities); or

                             (ii)  a Committee of either House, or of both Houses, of the Parliament; or

                            (iii)  the Commonwealth Ombudsman; and

                     (c)  any capability reviews of the entity that were released during the period.

Management of human resources

             (4)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  an assessment of the entity’s effectiveness, at the end of the reporting period, in managing and developing its employees to achieve its objectives;

                    (aa)  statistics on the number of employees of the entity (including by reference to ongoing and non‑ongoing employees), at the end of that and the previous reporting period, in relation to each of the following:

                              (i)  full‑time employees;

                             (ii)  part‑time employees;

                            (iii)  gender;

                            (iv)  location;

                     (b)  statistics on the number of APS employees of the entity (including by reference to ongoing APS employees and non‑ongoing APS employees), at the end of that and the previous reporting period, in relation to each of the following:

                              (i)  each classification level of the entity;

                             (ii)  full‑time employees;

                            (iii)  part‑time employees;

                            (iv)  gender;

                             (v)  location;

                            (vi)  employees who identify as Indigenous;

                     (c)  information on any enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements, Australian workplace agreements, common law contracts or determinations under subsection 24(1) of the Public Service Act 1999, including:

                              (i)  the number of SES employees and non‑SES employees of the entity covered by such agreements, arrangements, contracts or determinations during the period; and

                             (ii)  the salary ranges available during the period for APS employees of the entity by classification level; and

                            (iii)  a description of the range of non‑salary benefits provided during the period by the entity to its employees;

                     (d)  if payments of performance pay are paid to APS employees of the entity—information on that performance pay, including the following:

                              (i)  the number of APS employees of the entity at each classification level who received performance pay during the period;

                             (ii)  the aggregated amount of such payments at each classification level;

                            (iii)  the average amount of such payments, and the range of such payments, at each classification level;

                            (iv)  the aggregate amount of such payments for the entity.

Assets management

             (5)  If managing assets is a significant part of the activities of the entity during the period, the annual report must include an assessment of the effectiveness of that management.

Purchasing

             (6)  The annual report must include an assessment of the entity’s performance during the period against the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

Reportable consultancy contracts

             (7)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  a summary statement of the following:

                              (i)  the number of new reportable consultancy contracts that were entered into during the period;

                             (ii)  the total actual expenditure during the period on all such contracts (inclusive of GST);

                            (iii)  the number of ongoing reportable consultancy contracts that were entered into during a previous reporting period;

                            (iv)  the total actual expenditure during the period on those ongoing contracts (inclusive of GST);

                     (b)  a statement that “During [reporting period], [specified number] new reportable consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $[specified million]. In addition, [specified number] ongoing reportable consultancy contracts were active during the period, involving total actual expenditure of $[specified million].”;

                     (c)  a summary of:

                              (i)  the policies of the entity on selecting and engaging consultants; and

                             (ii)  the procedures of the entity for selecting consultants; and

                            (iii)  the main categories of purposes for which consultants were engaged;

                     (d)  a statement that “Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on reportable consultancy contracts. Information on the value of reportable consultancy contracts is available on the AusTender website.”.

Reportable non‑consultancy contracts

          (7A)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  a summary statement of the following:

                              (i)  the number of new reportable non‑consultancy contracts that were entered into during the period;

                             (ii)  the total actual expenditure during the period on all such contracts (inclusive of GST);

                            (iii)  the number of ongoing reportable non‑consultancy contracts that were entered into during a previous reporting period;

                            (iv)  the total actual expenditure during the period on those ongoing contracts (inclusive of GST);

                     (b)  a statement that “Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on reportable non‑consultancy contracts. Information on the value of reportable non‑consultancy contracts is available on the AusTender website.”.

Australian National Audit Office access clauses

             (8)  If the accountable authority of the entity entered, during the period, into a contract that has a value of $100 000 or more (inclusive of GST) with a contractor, and that does not provide for the Auditor‑General to have access to the contractor’s premises, the annual report must include:

                     (a)  the name of the contractor; and

                     (b)  the purpose and value of the contract; and

                     (c)  the reason why a clause allowing such access was not included in the contract.

Exempt contracts

             (9)  If a contract entered into during the period by the accountable authority of the entity, or a standing offer, with a value of more than $10 000 (inclusive of GST) has been exempted by the accountable authority from being published in AusTender because it would disclose exempt matters under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the annual report must include:

                     (a)  a statement that the contract or standing offer has been exempted; and

                     (b)  the value of the contract or standing offer, to the extent that doing so does not disclose the exempt matters.

Procurement initiatives to support small business

           (10)  The annual report must include the following:

                     (a)  a statement that “[Name of entity] supports small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance’s website.”;

                     (b)  an outline of the ways in which the procurement practices of the entity support small and medium enterprises;

                     (c)  if the entity is considered by the Department administered by the Finance Minister as material in nature—a statement that “[Name of entity] recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on time. The results of the Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business are available on the Treasury’s website.”.

Note:          Paragraphs 5.5 to 5.7 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules deal with the requirements for procurement practices of Commonwealth entities to support small and medium enterprises.

17AGA  Additional information about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy or reportable non‑consultancy contracts

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(daa), this section sets out additional information for the period that is to be included in the annual report about:

                     (a)  reportable consultancy contracts; and

                     (b)  reportable non‑consultancy contracts.

Additional information about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy contracts

             (2)  The annual report must include:

                     (a)  if 5 or more organisations received amounts under reportable consultancy contracts during the period—both of the following:

                              (i)  the names of the organisations who received the 5 largest shares of the entity’s total expenditure on such contracts during the period, and the total amounts they received;

                             (ii)  the name of any organisation that, during the period, received one or more amounts under one or more such contracts equal in total to at least 5% of the entity’s total expenditure on such contracts during the period, and the total amount the organisation received; or

                     (b)  otherwise—the name of any organisation that, during the period, received one or more amounts under one or more reportable consultancy contracts, and the total amount the organisation received.

Additional information about organisations receiving amounts under reportable non‑consultancy contracts

             (3)  The annual report must include:

                     (a)  if 5 or more organisations received amounts under reportable non‑consultancy contracts during the period—both of the following:

                              (i)  the names of the organisations who received the 5 largest shares of the entity’s total expenditure on such contracts during the period, and the total amounts they received;

                             (ii)  the name of any organisation that, during the period, received one or more amounts under one or more such contracts equal in total to at least 5% of the entity’s total expenditure on such contracts during the period, and the total amount the organisation received; or

                     (b)  otherwise—the name of any organisation that, during the period, received one or more amounts under one or more reportable non‑consultancy contracts, and the total amount the organisation received.

17AH  Other mandatory information

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(f), the other information that must be included in the annual report for the entity for the period is the following:

                     (a)  either:

                              (i)  a statement that “During [reporting period], [name of entity] conducted the following advertising campaigns: [name of advertising campaigns undertaken]. Further information on those advertising campaigns is available at [address of entity’s website] and in the reports on Australian Government advertising prepared by the Department of Finance. Those reports are available on the Department of Finance’s website.”; or

                             (ii)  if the entity did not conduct any advertising campaigns during the period—a statement to that effect;

                     (b)  a statement that “Information on grants awarded by [name of entity] during [reporting period] is available at [address of entity’s website].”;

                     (c)  an outline of the mechanisms of the entity for reporting on disability, including a reference to the website where information in relation to those mechanisms can be found;

                     (d)  a reference to the website where information on the entity’s information publication scheme under Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 can be found;

                     (e)  if a previous annual report for the entity contains any significant statement on a matter of fact which has proved to be wrong in a material respect—information correcting the record.

             (2)  Information required by an Act or instrument (other than the Act or this rule) to be included in the annual report must be included in one or more appendices to the report.

17AI  Letter of transmittal

                   For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(g), the letter of transmittal for the annual report for the entity must:

                     (a)  be signed by the accountable authority of the entity; and

                     (b)  state that the annual report has been prepared for the purposes of:

                              (i)  section 46 of the Act, which requires that an annual report be given to the entity’s responsible Minister for presentation to the Parliament; and

                             (ii)  if the entity has enabling legislation that specifies additional requirements in relation to the annual report—that legislation; and

                     (c)  be dated on the day the accountable authority approves the final text of the report for printing.

17AJ  Aids to access

                   For the purposes of paragraph 17AD(h), the aids to access that must be included in the annual report for the entity are the following:

                     (a)  a table of contents;

                     (b)  an alphabetical index of the contents of the report (including any appendices);

                     (c)  a glossary of any abbreviations and acronyms used in the report;

                     (d)  the list of requirements as set out in Schedule 2 to this rule;

                     (e)  details (for example the title, telephone number and email address) of the contact officer to whom enquiries for further information may be addressed;

                      (f)  the address of the entity’s website;

                     (g)  if the annual report is to be available electronically—the direct address for the annual report on the entity’s website.

Subdivision B—Annual report for corporate Commonwealth entities

17BA  Guide to this Subdivision

17BB  Approval of annual report by accountable authority

                   The annual report for a corporate Commonwealth entity must:

                     (a)  be approved by the accountable authority of the entity; and

                     (b)  be signed by the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of the entity; and

                     (c)  include details of how and when approval of the annual report was given; and

                     (d)  state that the accountable authority of the entity is responsible for preparing and giving the annual report to the entity’s responsible Minister in accordance with section 46 of the Act.

17BC  Parliamentary standards of presentation

                   The annual report for a corporate Commonwealth entity must comply with the guidelines for presenting documents to the Parliament.

17BCA  Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool

                   As soon as practicable after the annual report for a corporate Commonwealth entity has been presented to the Parliament, the annual report must be published using the digital reporting tool administered by the Finance Minister.

17BD  Plain English and clear design

             (1)  The annual report for a corporate Commonwealth entity must be prepared having regard to the interests of the Parliament and any other persons who are interested in the annual report.

             (2)  Information included in the annual report must be relevant, reliable, concise, understandable and balanced, including through doing the following, where practicable:

                     (a)  using clear design (for example, through headings and adequate spacing);

                     (b)  defining acronyms and technical terms (for example, in a glossary);

                     (c)  using tables, graphs, diagrams and charts;

                     (d)  including any additional matters as appropriate.

17BE  Contents of annual report

                   The annual report for a corporate Commonwealth entity for a reporting period must include the following:

                     (a)  details of the legislation establishing the body;

                     (b)  both of the following:

                              (i)  a summary of the objects and functions of the entity as set out in the legislation;

                             (ii)  the purposes of the entity as included in the entity’s corporate plan for the period;

                     (c)  the names of the persons holding the position of responsible Minister or responsible Ministers during the period, and the titles of those responsible Ministers;

                     (d)  any directions given to the entity by a Minister under an Act or instrument during the period;

                     (e)  any government policy orders that applied in relation to the entity during the period under section 22 of the Act;

                      (f)  if, during the period, the entity has not complied with a direction or order referred to in paragraph (d) or (e)—particulars of the non‑compliance;

                     (g)  the annual performance statements for the entity for the period in accordance with paragraph 39(1)(b) of the Act and section 16F of this rule;

                     (h)  a statement of any significant issue reported to the responsible Minister under paragraph 19(1)(e) of the Act that relates to non‑compliance with the finance law in relation to the entity;

                      (i)  if a statement is included under paragraph (h) of this section—an outline of the action that has been taken to remedy the non‑compliance;

                      (j)  information on the accountable authority, or each member of the accountable authority, of the entity during the period, including:

                              (i)  the name of the accountable authority or member; and

                             (ii)  the qualifications of the accountable authority or member; and

                            (iii)  the experience of the accountable authority or member; and

                            (iv)  for a member—the number of meetings of the accountable authority attended by the member during the period; and

                             (v)  for a member—whether the member is an executive member or non‑executive member;

                     (k)  an outline of the organisational structure of the entity (including any subsidiaries of the entity);

                   (ka)  statistics on the number of employees of the entity (including by reference to ongoing and non‑ongoing employees), at the end of that and the previous reporting period, in relation to each of the following:

                              (i)  full‑time employees;

                             (ii)  part‑time employees;

                            (iii)  gender;

                            (iv)  location;

                      (l)  an outline of the location (whether or not in Australia) of major activities or facilities of the entity;

                    (m)  information in relation to the main corporate governance practices used by the entity during the period;

                     (n)  the decision‑making process undertaken by the accountable authority for making a decision if:

                              (i)  the decision is to approve the entity paying for a good or service from another Commonwealth entity or a company, or providing a grant to another Commonwealth entity or a company; and

                             (ii)  the entity, and the other Commonwealth entity or the company, are related entities; and

                            (iii)  the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the aggregate value of those transactions, is more than $10 000 (inclusive of GST);

                     (o)  if the annual report includes information under paragraph (n):

                              (i)  if there is only one transaction—the value of the transaction; and

                             (ii)  if there is more than one transaction—the number of transactions and the aggregate of value of the transactions;

                     (p)  any significant activities and changes that affected the operations or structure of the entity during the period;

                     (q)  particulars of judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals made during the period that have had, or may have, a significant effect on the operations of the entity;

                      (r)  particulars of any report on the entity given during the period by:

                              (i)  the Auditor‑General, other than a report under section 43 of the Act (which deals with the Auditor‑General’s audit of the annual financial statements for Commonwealth entities); or

                             (ii)  a Committee of either House, or of both Houses, of the Parliament; or

                            (iii)  the Commonwealth Ombudsman; or

                            (iv)  the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner;

                      (s)  if the accountable authority has been unable to obtain information from a subsidiary of the entity that is required to be included in the annual report—an explanation of the information that was not obtained and the effect of not having the information on the annual report;

                      (t)  details of any indemnity that applied during the period to the accountable authority, any member of the accountable authority or officer of the entity against a liability (including premiums paid, or agreed to be paid, for insurance against the authority, member or officer’s liability for legal costs);

                   (taa)  the following information about the audit committee for the entity:

                              (i)  a direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the audit committee;

                             (ii)  the name of each member of the audit committee during the period;

                            (iii)  the qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of those members;

                            (iv)  information about each of those members’ attendance at meetings of the audit committee during the period;

                             (v)  the remuneration of each of those members;

                    (ta)  information about executive remuneration in accordance with Subdivision C;

                     (u)  the list of requirements as set out in Schedule 2A that references where those requirements are to be found in the annual report.

Note:          Other legislation may require corporate Commonwealth entities to include additional matters in the annual report.

17BF  Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises

Changes in financial conditions and community service obligations

             (1)  The annual report for a reporting period for a government business enterprise that is a corporate Commonwealth entity must include the following information:

                     (a)  an assessment of:

                              (i)  significant changes in the entity’s overall financial structure and financial condition during the period; and

                             (ii)  any events or risks that could cause financial information that is reported not to be indicative of future operations or financial condition;

                     (b)  dividends paid or recommended in relation to the period;

                     (c)  details of any community service obligations the government business enterprise has, including:

                              (i)  an outline of actions the government business enterprise has taken to fulfil those obligations; and

                             (ii)  an assessment of the cost of fulfilling those obligations.

Information that is commercially prejudicial

             (2)  However, information may be excluded if the accountable authority of the government business enterprise believes, on reasonable grounds, that the information is commercially sensitive and would be likely to result in unreasonable commercial prejudice to the government business enterprise. The annual report must state whether such information has been excluded.

Subdivision C—Information about executive remuneration

17CA  Information about remuneration for key management personnel

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraphs 17AD(da) and 17BE(ta), this section sets out requirements for information about executive remuneration for key management personnel that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  For each of the key management personnel of the entity, the following must be included:

                     (a)  name;

                     (b)  position title;

                     (c)  base salary;

                     (d)  bonuses;

                     (e)  other benefits and allowances;

                      (f)  superannuation contributions (made by the entity);

                     (g)  long service leave;

                     (h)  other long‑term benefits;

                      (i)  termination benefits;

                      (j)  total remuneration, which must be the sum of the amounts included for the purposes of paragraphs (c) to (i).

             (3)  The information must be included in the annual report in the form set out in clause 1 of Schedule 3.

17CB  Information about remuneration for senior executives

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraphs 17AD(da) and 17BE(ta), this section sets out requirements for information about executive remuneration for senior executives that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  For the senior executives of the entity, the following must be included:

                     (a)  the total remuneration bands for the senior executives;

                     (b)  for the senior executives within each band, the following:

                              (i)  the number of senior executives;

                             (ii)  average base salary;

                            (iii)  average bonuses;

                            (iv)  average other benefits and allowances;

                             (v)  average superannuation contributions (made by the entity);

                            (vi)  average long service leave;

                           (vii)  average other long‑term benefits;

                          (viii)  average termination benefits;

                            (ix)  average total remuneration, which must be the sum of the amounts included for the purposes of subparagraphs (ii) to (viii).

             (3)  A total remuneration band for the senior executives is:

                     (a)  if the total remuneration for a member of the entity’s senior executives for the reporting period is $220,000 or less—the band $0 to $220,000; or

                     (b)  if the total remuneration for a member of the entity’s senior executives for the reporting period is more than $220,000—the band of one or more increments of $25,000 above $220,000 into which the remuneration falls.

             (4)  The information must be included in the annual report in the form set out in clause 2 of Schedule 3.

17CC  Information about remuneration for other highly paid staff

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraphs 17AD(da) and 17BE(ta), this section sets out requirements for information about executive remuneration for other highly paid staff that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  For the other highly paid staff of the entity, the following must be included:

                     (a)  the total remuneration bands for the other highly paid staff;

                     (b)  for the other highly paid staff within each band, the following:

                              (i)  the number of other highly paid staff;

                             (ii)  average base salary;

                            (iii)  average bonuses;

                            (iv)  average other benefits and allowances;

                             (v)  average superannuation contributions (made by the entity);

                            (vi)  average long service leave;

                           (vii)  average other long‑term benefits;

                          (viii)  average termination benefits;

                            (ix)  average total remuneration, which must be the sum of the amounts included for the purposes of subparagraphs (ii) to (viii).

             (3)  A total remuneration band for the other highly paid staff is a band of one or more increments of $25,000 above $220,000 into which the total remuneration for a member of the entity’s other highly paid staff falls.

Note:          Other highly paid staff have total remuneration in excess of the threshold remuneration amount, which is indexed: see the definition of other highly paid staff in section 4 and the definition of threshold remuneration amount in section 4A.

             (4)  The information must be included in the annual report in the form set out in clause 3 of Schedule 3.

17CD  Other information about executive remuneration

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraphs 17AD(da) and 17BE(ta), this section sets out requirements for other information about executive remuneration that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  The policies and practices of the entity regarding the remuneration of key management personnel, senior executives and other highly paid staff must be included, setting out:

                     (a)  the governance arrangements under which those policies and practices operate; and

                     (b)  the basis on which the remuneration of the key management personnel, senior executives and other highly paid staff of the entity has been determined.

17CE  General rules for reporting information about executive remuneration

Amounts must be calculated on an accrual basis

             (1)  For the purposes of reporting information about executive remuneration under sections 17CA to 17CD, amounts comprising total remuneration must be calculated on an accrual basis.

Exemptions

             (2)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, exempt the entity from one or more requirements of sections 17CA to 17CC.

             (3)  The Minister may require the information to which the exemption applies to be given to a person or body specified in the exemption.

             (4)  An exemption, and any requirement to give the information to a person or body specified in the exemption, must be noted in the entity’s annual report.

Division 4—Special reporting requirements when Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist or functions have been transferred

Subdivision A—Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist

17A  Guide to this Subdivision

17B  Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—none of its functions has been transferred

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) has ceased to exist; and

                     (b)  none of its functions has been transferred to other Commonwealth entities;

the Finance Minister may, in writing, nominate the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity (the nominated entity) to report for the old entity.

             (2)  If the Finance Minister does so, the accountable authority of the nominated entity must:

                     (a)  prepare the annual performance statements, annual financial statements and annual report for the old entity that the accountable authority of the old entity would have been required to prepare had the old entity not ceased to exist; and

                     (b)  include a copy of the annual performance statements in the annual report; and

                     (c)  give the annual financial statements to the Auditor‑General as soon as practicable after they are prepared; and

                     (d)  give the annual report to the nominated entity’s responsible Minister, for presentation to the Parliament.

17C  Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—some, but not all, of its functions have been transferred

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) has ceased to exist; and

                     (b)  some, but not all, of its functions have been transferred to one or more other Commonwealth entities;

the Finance Minister may, in writing, nominate the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity (the nominated entity) to report for the old entity in relation to the function or functions (the non‑transferred functions) that have not been transferred.

             (2)  If the Finance Minister does so, the accountable authority of the nominated entity must:

                     (a)  prepare annual performance statements for the old entity as follows:

                              (i)  subject to subparagraph (ii), the statements must be the annual performance statements that the accountable authority (the old accountable authority) of the old entity would have been required to prepare had the old entity not ceased to exist;

                             (ii)  the statements must only include information about the old entity’s performance of the non‑transferred functions; and

                     (b)  prepare the annual financial statements for the old entity that the old accountable authority would have been required to prepare had the old entity not ceased to exist, to the extent that the functions of the old entity have not been transferred to other Commonwealth entities; and

                     (c)  prepare an annual report for the old entity as follows:

                              (i)  subject to subparagraph (ii), the report must be the annual report that the old accountable authority would have been required to prepare had the old entity not ceased to exist;

                             (ii)  the report must only include information relating to the non‑transferred functions; and

                     (d)  include a copy of the annual performance statements in the annual report; and

                     (e)  give the annual financial statements to the Auditor‑General as soon as practicable after they are prepared; and

                      (f)  give the annual report to the nominated entity’s responsible Minister, for presentation to the Parliament.

17D  Commonwealth entity has ceased to exist—all of its functions have been transferred

                   If:

                     (a)  a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) has ceased to exist; and

                     (b)  all of its functions have been transferred to one or more other Commonwealth entities;

annual performance statements, annual financial statements and an annual report must not be prepared for the old entity.

Note:          The information that would have been included in the annual performance statements, annual financial statements and annual report for the old entity must be included in the statements and reports for the Commonwealth entity or entities to which the functions have been transferred: see Subdivision C.

Subdivision B—Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist, but some or all of its functions have been transferred

17E  Guide to this Subdivision

17F  Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist—some, but not all, of its functions have been transferred and it is not practicable for it to report

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  some, but not all, of the functions of a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) have been transferred to one or more other Commonwealth entities; and

                     (b)  the old entity has not ceased to exist; and

                     (c)  the Finance Minister is reasonably satisfied that it is not practicable for the accountable authority of the old entity to report in relation to the function or functions (the non‑transferred functions) that have not been transferred;

the Finance Minister may, in writing, nominate the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity (the nominated entity) to report in relation to the non‑transferred functions.

             (2)  If the Finance Minister does so, the accountable authority (the old accountable authority) of the old entity must not prepare annual performance statements, annual financial statements and an annual report for the old entity.

             (3)  Instead, the accountable authority of the nominated entity must:

                     (a)  prepare annual performance statements for the old entity as follows:

                              (i)  subject to subparagraph (ii), the statements must be the annual performance statements that the old accountable authority would have been required to prepare apart from subsection (2);

                             (ii)  the statements must only include information about the old entity’s performance of the non‑transferred functions; and

                     (b)  prepare the annual financial statements for the old entity that the old accountable authority would have been required to prepare apart from subsection (2); and

                     (c)  prepare an annual report for the old entity as follows:

                              (i)  subject to subparagraph (ii), the report must be the annual report that the old accountable authority would have been required to prepare apart from subsection (2);

                             (ii)  the report must only include information relating to the non‑transferred functions; and

                     (d)  include a copy of the annual performance statements in the annual report; and

                     (e)  give the annual financial statements to the Auditor‑General as soon as practicable after they are prepared; and

                      (f)  give the annual report to the nominated entity’s responsible Minister, for presentation to the Parliament.

17G  Commonwealth entity has not ceased to exist—all of its functions have been transferred

                   If:

                     (a)  all of the functions of a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) have been transferred to one or more other Commonwealth entities; and

                     (b)  the old entity has not ceased to exist;

annual performance statements, annual financial statements and an annual report must not be prepared for the old entity.

Note:          The information that would have been included in the annual performance statements, annual financial statements and annual report for the old entity must be included in the statements and reports for the Commonwealth entity or entities to which the functions have been transferred: see Subdivision C.

Subdivision C—Reporting in relation to transferred functions

17H  Guide to this Subdivision

17J  Reporting in relation to transferred functions

Application of section

             (1)  This section applies if a function or functions of a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) have been transferred to another Commonwealth entity (the new entity) (whether or not the old entity has ceased to exist).

Meaning of reporting entity

             (2)  The reporting entity is:

                     (a)  the Commonwealth entity nominated under subsection (3); or

                     (b)  if no Commonwealth entity is nominated under subsection (3)—the new entity.

             (3)  The Finance Minister may, in writing, nominate the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity to report in relation to the transferred functions.

Annual performance statements

             (4)  The information about the old entity’s performance of the transferred function or functions that would, apart from this Division, have been required to have been included in the annual performance statements for the old entity must instead be included in the annual performance statements for the reporting entity.

Annual financial statements

             (5)  If:

                     (a)  the old entity has ceased to exist; or

                     (b)  all of the functions of the old entity have been transferred to one or more other Commonwealth entities;

then, for the purposes of preparing the annual financial statements for the reporting entity, the old entity is taken to have been part of the reporting entity at all times during the relevant reporting period, to the extent that the functions of the old entity have been transferred to the new entity.

Note           If subsection (5) does not apply, the ordinary requirements in relation to the preparation of annual financial statements apply in relation to the annual financial statements for the old entity and the reporting entity, subject to Subdivision B.

Annual report

             (6)  The information relating to the transferred function or functions that would, apart from this Division, have been required to have been included in the annual report for the old entity must instead be included in the annual report for the reporting entity.

Subdivision D—Miscellaneous

17K  Determinations by Finance Minister

             (1)  This section applies if a function of a Commonwealth entity (the old entity) has been transferred to another Commonwealth entity (the new entity) (whether or not the old entity has ceased to exist).

             (2)  The Finance Minister may determine that, for the purposes of:

                     (a)  the preparation, auditing and giving of financial statements and performance statements for Commonwealth entities for the reporting period in which the transfer occurred; and

                     (b)  the preparation and giving of annual reports for Commonwealth entities for that reporting period;

the transfer is to be taken not to have occurred and anything done by the new entity in the performance of the function during the reporting period is taken to have been done by the old entity.

             (3)  To avoid doubt, and without limiting the effect of a determination made under subsection (2), a determination made under that subsection has effect for the purposes of Subdivisions A to C.

Part 2‑4—Use and management of public resources

Division 1—Commitments of relevant money

18  Approving commitments of relevant money

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity is approving the commitment of relevant money for which the accountable authority is responsible; or

                     (b)  an official of a Commonwealth entity is approving the commitment of relevant money for which the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity is responsible;

then the accountable authority or official must record the approval in writing as soon as practicable after giving it.

Note:          The accountable authority referred to in paragraph (b) may be the accountable authority of the same Commonwealth entity as the official or it may be the accountable authority of a different Commonwealth entity.

             (2)  To avoid doubt, the official must approve the commitment, and record the approval, consistently with any written requirements (including any requirements relating to the proper use of that money and spending limits) specified by the accountable authority referred to in paragraph (1)(b) in:

                     (a)  if the official is acting under a delegation or authorisation of the accountable authority:

                              (i)  the instrument that delegates to the official, or otherwise authorises the official to exercise, the accountable authority’s power to approve the commitment of relevant money; or

                             (ii)  a direction to the official in relation to the exercise of that power; or

                     (b)  instructions given by the accountable authority.

Division 2—Banking

Subdivision A—Banking by corporate Commonwealth entities

18A  Banking by CSC

          (1A)  This section applies in relation to CSC bank accounts opened and maintained in Australia.

             (1)  CSC must comply with subsections (2) to (4), in relation to the following amounts:

                     (a)  amounts received by CSC for the purposes of making payments mentioned in section 29A of the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011 (which deals with making payments on behalf of the Commonwealth);

                     (b)  amounts received by CSC under section 29B of that Act (which deals with receiving payments or other amounts on behalf of the Commonwealth);

                     (c)  any other amounts received by CSC (whether for the purpose of making payments or for any other purpose) on behalf of the Commonwealth for the purpose of performing CSC’s function under paragraph 8(1)(c) of that Act;

                     (d)  amounts received by CSC that are referable or equivalent to amounts credited to the Services for Other Entities and Trust Moneys – ComSuper Special Account established by the Financial Management and Accountability (Establishment of Special Account for ComSuper) Determination 2011/06.

Note 1:       That Determination is continued in force and modified by item 36 of Schedule 2 to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014 and item 8 of Schedule 2 to the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2015.

Note 2:       For other provisions relating to CSC, see section 29AA.

             (2)  An agreement with a bank relating to the conduct of the banking business of CSC must provide for the following in relation to amounts specified in subsection (1):

                     (a)  for cash to be managed in an effective manner, consistent with any written requirements issued by the Department of Finance for that purpose;

                     (b)  for processes to be in place to allow cash held in Australia to be consolidated each day within the Official Public Account held with the Reserve Bank of Australia.

             (3)  Any interest earned on CSC bank accounts must be transferred to the Official Public Account.

             (4)  CSC must notify the Department of Finance as soon as practicable when a new bank account is opened or an existing bank account is closed.

Subdivision B—Banking or dealing with relevant money received by officials

19  Banking of bankable money received by officials

             (1)  An official of a Commonwealth entity who receives bankable money must deposit the money in a bank:

                     (a)  before the end of the next banking day; or

                     (b)  if the instructions of the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity that is responsible for the money prescribe a period in which the money must be so deposited—before the end of that period.

Note:          The accountable authority referred to in paragraph (1)(b) may be the accountable authority of the same Commonwealth entity as the official or it may be the accountable authority of a different Commonwealth entity.

             (2)  A banking day is a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day that is a public holiday in the place where the money was received.

20  Otherwise dealing with bankable money received by officials

                   If an official of a Commonwealth entity receives bankable money that is to be held for the purposes of making payments in relation to a Commonwealth entity, then the official must deal with the money in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the instructions of the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity that is responsible for the money, despite section 19 (which would otherwise require the money to be deposited in a bank).

Note:          The accountable authority referred to in this section may be the accountable authority of the same Commonwealth entity as the official or it may be the accountable authority of a different Commonwealth entity.

21  Dealing with unbankable money received by officials

                   An official of a Commonwealth entity who receives relevant money that is not bankable money must deal with the money in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the instructions of the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity that is responsible for the money.

Note:          The accountable authority referred to in this section may be the accountable authority of the same Commonwealth entity as the official or it may be the accountable authority of a different Commonwealth entity.

Division 3—Borrowing

21A  Borrowing by corporate Commonwealth entities

                   A borrowing of money by a corporate Commonwealth entity is authorised if:

                     (a)  the borrowing is the obtaining of credit by way of credit card, credit voucher or similar credit facility; and

                     (b)  the agreement for the borrowing requires the amount borrowed to be repaid by the entity within 90 days.

Division 4—Investment

22  Investment by the Commonwealth

             (1)  Each of the following forms of investment is an authorised investment for the Commonwealth:

                     (a)  a bill of exchange that is accepted or endorsed only by a bank;

                     (b)  a professionally‑managed money market trust, but only if the Finance Minister or the Treasurer is satisfied that:

                              (i)  the only investments managed by the trust are those referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or subparagraph 58(8)(a)(i) or (ii) of the Act; and

                             (ii)  a charge over trust assets does not support any borrowing by the trustee in relation to the trust;

                     (c)  a dematerialised security that is the equivalent of an investment referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or subparagraph 58(8)(a)(i) of the Act.

             (2)  A dematerialised security is a dematerialised security that is deposited in the Austraclear System.

Note:          Information about the Austraclear System can be found on the Australian Securities Exchange’s website (http://www.asx.com.au).

22A  Investment by corporate Commonwealth entities

                   An investment is a prescribed form of investment for a corporate Commonwealth entity if it:

                     (a)  is a dematerialised security that is the equivalent of an investment referred to in subparagraph 59(1)(b)(ii) of the Act; and

                     (b)  is in the name of the corporate Commonwealth entity; and

                     (c)  is denominated in Australian currency.

Division 4A—Indemnities and exemptions by corporate Commonwealth entities

22B  Indemnities and exemptions by corporate Commonwealth entities

When indemnity for liability (other than for legal costs) not allowed

             (1)  A corporate Commonwealth entity, or a subsidiary of a corporate Commonwealth entity, must not indemnify a person (whether by agreement or by making a payment and whether directly or through an interposed entity) against any of the following liabilities incurred as an official of the entity:

                     (a)  a liability to pay a pecuniary penalty for the contravention of a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;

                     (b)  a liability to pay a pecuniary penalty for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;

                     (c)  a liability arising out of conduct that was not in good faith and is owed to someone other than:

                              (i)  the entity; or

                             (ii)  a subsidiary of the entity;

                     (d)  a liability to the entity or a subsidiary of the entity.

This subsection does not apply to a liability for legal costs.

When indemnity for legal costs not allowed

             (2)  A corporate Commonwealth entity, or a subsidiary of a corporate Commonwealth entity, must not indemnify a person (whether by agreement or by making a payment and whether directly or through an interposed entity) against legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an official of the entity if the costs are incurred:

                     (a)  in defending or resisting proceedings in which an outcome is that the person is found to have a liability for which they could not be indemnified under subsection (1); or

                     (b)  in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which an outcome is that the person is found guilty.

             (3)  For the purposes of subsection (2), an outcome of proceedings includes the outcome of any appeal in relation to the proceedings.

Exemptions not allowed

             (4)  A corporate Commonwealth entity, or a subsidiary of a corporate Commonwealth entity, must not exempt a person (whether directly or through an interposed entity) from a liability to the entity incurred as an official of the entity.

Division 5—Insurance

23  Insurance obtained by corporate Commonwealth entities

             (1)  A corporate Commonwealth entity must not insure an official of the entity against a liability (other than one for legal costs) arising out of:

                     (a)  conduct involving a wilful breach of duty, arising at common law, in equity or under the finance law (other than section 27 or 28 of the Act), in relation to the entity; or

                     (b)  a contravention of section 27 or 28 of the Act (which deal with the duties of officials in relation to use of position and use of information).

             (2)  Anything that purports to insure a person against, or exempt a person from, a liability is void to the extent that it contravenes this section.

Division 6—Authorisations and payments by the Finance Minister

24  Authorisations of waivers, modifications of payment terms, set‑offs and act of grace payments

             (1)  This section applies if:

                     (a)  the Finance Minister proposes to authorise any of the following:

                              (i)  the waiver of an amount (the relevant amount) owing to the Commonwealth under subsection 63(1) of the Act;

                            (iii)  the set‑off of an amount (the relevant amount) owing to the Commonwealth against another amount under subsection 64(1) of the Act;

                            (iv)  the payment of an amount (the relevant amount) to a person under subsection 65(1) of the Act; and

                     (b)  the relevant amount is more than $500 000.

             (2)  Before making the authorisation, the Finance Minister must consider a report of the advisory committee established under subsection (3) in relation to the authorisation.

             (3)  The Finance Minister must establish an advisory committee to report on the appropriateness of the authorisation. The advisory committee must consist of:

                     (a)  the Secretary of the Department (the Infrastructure Department) responsible for administering the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008; and

                     (b)  the Finance Secretary; and

                     (c)  the accountable authority of:

                              (i)  the Commonwealth entity responsible for the matter to which the authorisation relates; or

                             (ii)  if there is no Commonwealth entity responsible for that matter, or if the Commonwealth entity responsible for that matter is the Department or the Infrastructure Department—the Commonwealth entity nominated, in writing, by the Finance Minister.

             (4)  A member of the advisory committee may appoint a deputy to act in his or her place if the member is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the member.

Note:          For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (as those sections apply because of paragraph 13(1)(a) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

             (5)  The advisory committee may conduct itself as it sees fit and may prepare its report without having a meeting.

25  Payment of amount owed to person at time of death

             (1)  If, at the time of a person’s death (whether before or after this section commences), the Commonwealth owed an amount to the person, the Finance Minister may authorise payment of that amount to a person who the Finance Minister considers should receive the payment.

             (2)  The Finance Minister may authorise the payment without requiring:

                     (a)  production of probate of the will of the deceased person; or

                     (b)  letters of administration of the estate of the deceased person.

             (3)  In deciding who should receive the payment, the Finance Minister must consider the people who are entitled to the property of the deceased person under:

                     (a)  the deceased person’s will; and

                     (b)  the law relating to the disposition of the property of deceased persons.

             (4)  After the payment is made, the Commonwealth has no further liability in relation to the amount that was owed.

             (5)  This section does not relieve the recipient from a liability to deal with the money in accordance with law.

Division 6A—CCE grants made by or on behalf of corporate Commonwealth entities

25A  Guide to this Division

25B  Requirements for making CCE grants where Minister involved

Scope

             (1)  This section applies in relation to one or more CCE grants of a particular kind to be made by or on behalf of a corporate Commonwealth entity if a Minister is to approve the making of the CCE grants.

Preparation and publication of grant guidelines

             (2)  The accountable authority of the entity must:

                     (a)  prepare written guidelines for that kind of CCE grant; and

                     (b)  publish those guidelines on GrantConnect, unless:

                              (i)  the accountable authority or the Minister decides that there is a specific policy reason to not publicise the guidelines; or

                             (ii)  that kind of CCE grant is provided on a one‑off or ad hoc basis.

Note:          GrantConnect could in 2020 be viewed on the GrantConnect website (see https://www.grants.gov.au).

             (3)  For the purposes of subparagraph (2)(b)(ii), circumstances in which a CCE grant is provided on a one‑off or ad hoc basis include the circumstance where:

                     (a)  there is an urgent need for payment to a person or body to address an unexpected or unforeseen need; and

                     (b)  there is not a planned process to be used to select potential recipients of that kind of CCE grant; and

                     (c)  the CCE grant is to be made for a particular purpose and it is not expected that the grant will be repeated; and

                     (d)  the CCE grant is to be made available only to one, or to a small number of, persons or bodies; and

                     (e)  the CCE grant is not to be made available on an ongoing basis.

             (4)  The guidelines must include the following:

                     (a)  an explanation of the purposes, expected outcomes and objectives of that kind of CCE grant;

                     (b)  an outline of the following:

                              (i)  the process for applying for that kind of CCE grant;

                             (ii)  the process used to assess such applications;

                            (iii)  the governance arrangements of the entity in relation to making that kind of CCE grant;

                            (iv)  the operation of that kind of CCE grant.

Information to be given to Minister

             (5)  The accountable authority must give the Minister a written notice that complies with section 25C for a CCE grant of that kind if:

                     (a)  the corporate Commonwealth entity:

                              (i)  recommends to the Minister that the CCE grant be made; and

                             (ii)  seeks the approval of the Minister for the making of the CCE grant; or

                     (b)  both of the following apply:

                              (i)  the corporate Commonwealth entity recommends to the Minister that the CCE grant not be made;

                             (ii)  despite that recommendation, the Minister informs the entity that the Minister is considering approving the making of the CCE grant (and requesting that the CCE grant be made by the entity or on its behalf).

Minister to assess information

             (6)  The Minister must not approve the making of a CCE grant of that kind without first:

                     (a)  receiving a notice referred to in subsection (5) for the CCE grant; and

                     (b)  assessing the CCE grant by having regard to the matters included in that notice; and

                     (c)  creating a record of that assessment.

Note:          Subsection 71(1) of the Act provides that a Minister must not approve a proposed expenditure of relevant money unless the Minister is satisfied, after making reasonable inquiries, that the expenditure would be a proper use of relevant money.

25C  Requirements for advising Ministers involved in making CCE grants

                   A written notice given to a Minister by the accountable authority of a corporate Commonwealth entity complies with this section for a CCE grant if the notice includes the following:

                     (a)  a statement to the effect that the CCE grant is an arrangement for the provision of financial assistance by or on behalf of the corporate Commonwealth entity that is subject to this Division;

                     (b)  advice on the legal or administrative basis for the Minister to approve the making of the CCE grant;

                     (c)  an outline of the Minister’s reporting obligations under sections 25D and 25E in relation to CCE grants;

                     (d)  an outline of the process used by the entity to select potential recipients of that kind of CCE grant, including an outline of the application process and the criteria used to select potential recipients;

                     (e)  a copy of the guidelines for that kind of CCE grant;

                      (f)  an assessment of the CCE grant against those guidelines;

                     (g)  an assessment of whether the CCE grant achieves value with relevant money;

                     (h)  a list of the following:

                              (i)  any applications for that kind of CCE grant that satisfy all of the selection criteria included in the guidelines for that kind of CCE grant;

                             (ii)  any applications for that kind of CCE grant that satisfy some but not all of those criteria;

                            (iii)  any applications for that kind of CCE grant that do not satisfy any of those criteria;

                      (i)  any recommendations of the entity in relation to the CCE grant.

25D  Reporting requirements for Minister where Minister approves CCE grant in Minister’s electorate

             (1)  This section applies if:

                     (a)  a CCE grant is made after being approved by a Minister; and

                     (b)  the Minister is a member of the House of Representatives; and

                     (c)  the CCE grant relates to matters inside the Minister’s electorate; and

                     (d)  the CCE grant is not of a kind that is made across a region by applying a formula.

             (2)  The Minister must, as soon as practicable after the CCE grant is made, give a written notice to:

                     (a)  if the Minister is the Finance Minister—the Prime Minister; or

                     (b)  otherwise—the Finance Minister.

             (3)  The notice must include the following:

                     (a)  details of the CCE grant;

                     (b)  if the CCE grant was made despite the recommendation of a corporate Commonwealth entity—a statement to that effect;

                     (c)  the Minister’s reasons for approving the making of the CCE grant;

                     (d)  a copy of any correspondence between the Minister and the recipient of the CCE grant.

25E  Reporting requirements for Minister where Minister approves CCE grant despite recommendation of corporate Commonwealth entity

             (1)  This section applies if:

                     (a)  a corporate Commonwealth entity recommends to a Minister that a CCE grant not be made; and

                     (b)  the Minister approves the making of the CCE grant; and

                     (c)  the CCE grant is made by or on behalf of the corporate Commonwealth entity.

             (2)  The Minister must:

                     (a)  give a written notice to:

                              (i)  if the Minister is the Finance Minister—the Prime Minister; or

                             (ii)  otherwise—the Finance Minister; and

                     (b)  do so by the first 31 March after the end of the calendar year in which the approval is given.

             (3)  The notice must include:

                     (a)  details of the CCE grant; and

                     (b)  the Minister’s reasons for approving the making of the CCE grant.

25F  Publication requirements for CCE grants made with Minister’s approval

             (1)  This section applies if a CCE grant is made by or on behalf of a corporate Commonwealth entity after being approved by a Minister.

             (2)  The accountable authority of the corporate Commonwealth entity must:

                     (a)  publish the following information about the CCE grant on GrantConnect:

                              (i)  the name of the recipient of the CCE grant;

                             (ii)  the value of the CCE grant;

                            (iii)  the purpose of the CCE grant;

                            (iv)  whether there are confidentiality provisions relating to the CCE grant;

                             (v)  any other matters relating to the CCE grant that the accountable authority considers relevant; and

                     (b)  do so within 21 days after the day on which the CCE grant commences.

Note:          GrantConnect could in 2020 be viewed on the GrantConnect website (see https://www.grants.gov.au).

             (3)  However, nothing in this section requires the accountable authority to publish particular information about the CCE grant if the accountable authority or the Minister decides that publishing that particular information:

                     (a)  would contravene:

                              (i)  the Privacy Act 1988 or another law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory; or

                             (ii)  any terms or conditions relating to the CCE grant; or

                     (b)  could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the achievement of a government policy outcome.

Note:          This exception applies in relation to particular information about a CCE grant and does not affect the requirement under subsection (2) for the accountable authority to publish other information about the CCE grant. For example, if the accountable authority decides that publishing certain personal information would contravene the Privacy Act 1988, that information may not be published, but the accountable authority must publish so much of the other information required under subsection (2) as is not personal information or otherwise covered by this subsection.

25G  Additional record‑keeping requirement where information not published

                   If an accountable authority of a corporate Commonwealth entity, or a Minister, makes a decision under paragraph 25B(2)(b) or subsection 25F(3), the accountable authority or the Minister, as the case may be, must record the reasons for that decision in writing.

25H  Other matters

                   Nothing in this Division confers power on a Minister to approve the making of a CCE grant.

Division 7—Special provisions applying to Ministers only

26  Minister to inform Parliament of certain events

                   A notice of an event must contain the particulars set out in the following table.

 

Particulars for notice of event
Item	Topic	Particulars to be included
1	Person giving the notice	The name and portfolio of the Minister who has the responsibility for the event.
2	The event	The nature of, and reasons for, the event.
3	Consequences of the event	The following: (a) the dollar value of any consideration paid or received by the Commonwealth or a corporate Commonwealth entity in relation to the event; (b) whether, because of the event, the Commonwealth or a corporate Commonwealth entity: (i) has a liability, duty or obligation (whether actual, contingent or prospective); or (ii) has control of a company; or (iii) no longer has control of a company; (c) whether, because of the event, there are other interests of the Commonwealth or a corporate Commonwealth entity that are affected by the event and, if so, details of the interests affected.
4	Event relating to a company	If the event relates to a company: (a) the name of the company; and (b) the company’s ACN (within the meaning of section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001) or ARBN (within the meaning of that section), if any; and (c) whether the company is a public company (within the meaning of that section).
5	Event relating to a foreign company	If the event relates to a foreign company (within the meaning of section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001): (a) the jurisdiction in which the company is incorporated; and (b) if the company does not have an ARBN (within the meaning of that section)—an incorporation identifier for the company in that jurisdiction.

Part 2‑5—Appropriations

  

27  Receipts of amounts by non‑corporate Commonwealth entities

Application of section

             (1)  This section applies to an amount (the received amount) that is received by a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity.

When received amounts may be credited to an appropriation

             (2)  The received amount is an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act if:

                     (a)  it is specified in the following table; and

                     (b)  it was received by the entity in relation to the entity’s departmental activities.

 

Kinds of amounts
Item	Amount
1	An amount that offsets costs in relation to an activity of the entity.
2	An amount that is a sponsorship, subsidy, gift, bequest or similar contribution.
3	An amount that is a monetary incentive or rebate in relation to a procurement arrangement.
4	An amount that is an insurance recovery.
5	An amount that is in satisfaction of a claim for damages or other compensation.
6	An amount that relates to an employee’s leave (including paid parental leave).
7	An amount that relates to a sale of departmental assets of the entity.
8	An amount received in relation to an application to the entity under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
9	An amount that is the balance standing to the credit of a special account, immediately before the instrument creating the special account sunsets, and agreed to by the Finance Minister.

          (2A)  The received amount is an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act if it relates to GST. In this case, the received amount may be credited to:

                     (a)  if the received amount relates to an activity of the entity, the funding for which a departmental item for the entity in an Appropriation Act is debited—that departmental item; or

                     (b)  if the received amount relates to an activity of the entity, the funding for which another item in an Appropriation Act, another appropriation or a special account is debited—that item, appropriation or special account.

             (3)  The received amount is an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act if it relates to a trust or similar arrangement.

             (4)  The received amount is an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act if:

                     (a)  it is a repayment of the whole or part of an amount paid by the entity; and

                     (b)  any of the following was debited in relation to the amount paid by the entity:

                              (i)  the most recent departmental item for the entity in an Appropriation Act;

                             (ii)  another item in an Appropriation Act, another appropriation or a special account.

             (5)  If, as referred to in subsection (4), another item in an Appropriation Act, another appropriation or a special account was debited in relation to the amount paid, then that item, appropriation or special account is prescribed for paragraph 74(1)(b) of the Act.

When received amount may not be credited

             (6)  Despite subsections (2) and (3), the received amount is not an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act if:

                     (a)  a departmental item or an administered item for the entity in an Appropriation Act has been appropriated in relation to the amount; or

                     (b)  it is a tax, levy, fine, or penalty.

             (7)  Despite subsection (2), if:

                     (a)  the total of the amounts received by the entity in a financial year in relation to a sale of departmental assets (as referred to in item 7 of the table in subsection (2)); less

                     (b)  the costs incurred by the entity in relation to the sale;

reaches 5% of the total departmental items for the entity in an Appropriation Act for the financial year, then any further amount of that kind received by the entity in that financial year is not an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act.

             (8)  Despite subsection (2A), if the received amount was transferred to the entity by the Commissioner of Taxation under section 18 of the A New Tax System (GST, Luxury Car Tax and Wine Tax) Direction 2015, then the received amount is not an amount of a kind for subsection 74(1) of the Act to the extent that the amount is attributable to one or more GST qualifying amounts that have been credited to an appropriation under section 74A of the Act.

Chapter 3—Commonwealth companies

Part 3‑1—Planning and budgeting

  

27A  Corporate plan for Commonwealth companies

             (1)  Section 16E (other than item 5 of the table in subsection 16E(2)) applies to a Commonwealth company in the same way as it applies to a Commonwealth entity.

             (2)  For the purposes of subsection (1), a reference in section 16E to the accountable authority of the entity is taken to be a reference to the directors of the company.

             (3)  The corporate plan for a Commonwealth company must include, for each reporting period covered by the plan, a summary of the following:

                     (a)  how the company will achieve its purposes;

                     (b)  how the company’s performance in achieving the company’s purposes will be measured and assessed, including any performance measures and any targets that will be used in the measurement and assessment.

Part 3‑2—Audit committee for Commonwealth companies

  

28  Audit committee for wholly‑owned Commonwealth companies

             (1)  Section 17 of this rule (which is about audit committees for Commonwealth entities) applies to a wholly‑owned Commonwealth company in the same way as it applies to a corporate Commonwealth entity.

             (2)  For the purposes of subsection (1), a reference in section 17 to the accountable authority of the entity is taken to be a reference to the governing body of the company.

Part 3‑3—Annual report for Commonwealth companies

  

28A  Guide to this Part

28B  Approval of annual report by directors

                   The annual report for a Commonwealth company must:

                     (a)  be approved by the directors of the company; and

                     (b)  be signed by a director of the company; and

                     (c)  include details of how and when approval of the annual report was given.

28C  Parliamentary standards of presentation

                   The annual report for a Commonwealth company must comply with the guidelines for presenting documents to the Parliament.

28CA  Annual report to be published using digital reporting tool

                   As soon as practicable after the annual report for a Commonwealth company has been presented to the Parliament, the annual report must be published using the digital reporting tool administered by the Finance Minister.

28D  Plain English and clear design

             (1)  The annual report for a Commonwealth company must be prepared having regard to the interests of the Parliament and any other persons who are interested in the annual report.

             (2)  Information included in the annual report must be relevant, reliable, concise, understandable and balanced, including through doing the following, where practicable:

                     (a)  using clear design (for example, through headings and adequate spacing);

                     (b)  defining acronyms and technical terms (for example, in a glossary);

                     (c)  using tables, graphs, diagrams and charts;

                     (d)  including any additional matters as appropriate.

28E  Contents of annual report

                   The annual report for a Commonwealth company for a reporting period must include the following:

                     (a)  the purposes of the company as included in the company’s corporate plan for the period;

                    (aa)  the results of a measurement and assessment of the company’s performance during the period, including the results of a measurement and assessment of the company’s performance against any performance measures and any targets included in the company’s corporate plan for the period;

                     (b)  the names of the persons holding the position of responsible Minister or responsible Ministers during the period, and the titles of those responsible Ministers;

                     (c)  any directions given to the entity by a Minister under the company’s constitution, an Act or an instrument during the period;

                     (d)  any government policy orders that applied in relation to the company during the period under section 93 of the Act;

                     (e)  if, during the period, the company has not complied with a direction or order referred to in paragraph (c) or (d)—particulars of the non‑compliance;

                      (f)  information on each director of the company during the period, including:

                              (i)  the name of the director; and

                             (ii)  the qualifications of the director; and

                            (iii)  the experience of the director; and

                            (iv)  the number of meetings of the board of the company attended by the director during the period; and

                             (v)  whether the director is an executive director or non‑executive director;

                     (g)  an outline of the organisational structure of the company (including any subsidiaries of the company);

                    (ga)  statistics on the number of employees of the entity (including by reference to ongoing employees and non‑ongoing employees) at the end of that and the previous reporting period, in relation to each of the following:

                              (i)  full‑time employees;

                             (ii)  part‑time employees;

                            (iii)  gender;

                            (iv)  location;

                     (h)  an outline of the location (whether or not in Australia) of major activities or facilities of the company;

                      (i)  information in relation to the main corporate governance practices used by the company during the period;

                      (j)  the decision‑making process undertaken by the directors of the company for making a decision if:

                              (i)  the decision is to approve the company paying for a good or service from a Commonwealth entity or a company, or providing a grant to a Commonwealth entity or a company; and

                             (ii)  the company, and the Commonwealth entity or the company, are related entities; and

                            (iii)  the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the aggregate value of those transactions, is more than $10 000 (GST inclusive);

                     (k)  if the annual report includes information under paragraph (j):

                              (i)  if there is only one transaction—the value of the transaction; and

                             (ii)  if there is more than one transaction—the number of transactions and the aggregate of value of the transactions;

                      (l)  any significant activities and changes that affected the operations or structure of the company during the period;

                    (m)  particulars of judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals made during the period that have had, or may have, a significant effect on the operations of the company;

                     (n)  particulars of any report on the company given during the period by:

                              (i)  the Auditor‑General; or

                             (ii)  a Committee of either House, or of both Houses, of the Parliament; or

                            (iii)  the Commonwealth Ombudsman; or

                            (iv)  the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner; or

                             (v)  the Australian Securities and Investments Commission;

                     (o)  if the directors have been unable to obtain information from a subsidiary of the company that is required to be included in the annual report—an explanation of the information that was not obtained and the effect of not having the information on the annual report;

                   (oa)  information about executive remuneration in accordance with sections 28EA to 28EC;

                   (ob)  the following information about the audit committee for the company:

                              (i)  a direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the audit committee;

                             (ii)  the name of each member of the audit committee during the period;

                            (iii)  the qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of those members;

                            (iv)  information about each of those members’ attendance at meetings of the audit committee during the period;

                             (v)  the remuneration of each of those members;

                     (p)  the list of requirements as set out in Schedule 2B that references where those requirements are to be found in the annual report.

Note:          Other legislation may require Commonwealth companies to include additional matters in the annual report.

28EA  Information about executive remuneration—key management personnel

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 28E(oa), this section sets out requirements for information about executive remuneration for key management personnel that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  For each of the key management personnel of the company, the following must be included:

                     (a)  name;

                     (b)  position title;

                     (c)  base salary;

                     (d)  bonuses;

                     (e)  other benefits and allowances;

                      (f)  superannuation contributions (made by the company);

                     (g)  long service leave;

                     (h)  other long‑term benefits;

                      (i)  termination benefits;

                      (j)  total remuneration, which must be the sum of the amounts included for the purposes of paragraphs (c) to (i).

             (3)  The information must be included in the annual report in the form set out in clause 1 of Schedule 3.

28EB  Other information about executive remuneration

             (1)  For the purposes of paragraph 28E(oa), this section sets out requirements for other information about executive remuneration that is to be included in the annual report for a reporting period.

             (2)  The policies and practices of the company regarding the remuneration of key management personnel must be included, setting out:

                     (a)  the governance arrangements under which those policies and practices operate; and

                     (b)  the basis on which the remuneration of the key management personnel of the company has been determined.

28EC  General rules for reporting information about executive remuneration

Amounts must be calculated on an accrual basis

             (1)  For the purposes of reporting information about executive remuneration under sections 28EA and 28EB, amounts comprising total remuneration must be calculated on an accrual basis.

Exemptions

             (2)  The Minister may, by legislative instrument, exempt the company from one or more requirements of section 28EA.

             (3)  The Minister may require the information to which the exemption applies to be given to a person or body specified in the exemption.

             (4)  An exemption, and any requirement to give the information to a person or body specified in the exemption, must be noted in the company’s annual report.

28F  Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises

Changes in financial conditions and community service obligations

             (1)  The annual report for a reporting period for a government business enterprise that is a Commonwealth company must include the following information:

                     (a)  an assessment of:

                              (i)  significant changes in the company’s overall financial structure and financial condition during the reporting period; and

                             (ii)  any events or risks that could cause financial information that is reported not to be indicative of future operations or financial condition;

                     (b)  dividends paid or recommended in relation to the reporting period;

                     (c)  details of any community service obligations the government business enterprise has, including:

                              (i)  an outline of actions the government business enterprise has taken to fulfil those obligations; and

                             (ii)  an assessment of the cost of fulfilling those obligations.

Note:          Details on dividends are also required under section 300 of the Corporations Act 2001.

Information that is commercially prejudicial

             (2)  However, information may be excluded if the directors of the government business enterprise believe, on reasonable grounds, that the information is commercially sensitive and would be likely to result in unreasonable commercial prejudice to the government business enterprise. The annual report must state whether such information has been excluded.

Chapter 4—Miscellaneous

  

  

29AA  Modifications of the Act and instruments for CSC

Delegation of powers, functions and duties in relation to recovery of debts

             (1)  The operation of subsection 107(1) and section 110 of the Act is modified, in relation to the power or function under paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Act, and the duty under section 11 of this rule, by applying to CSC as if CSC were a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity.

Note:          Subsection 107(1) and section 110 of the Act allow the Finance Minister and an accountable authority of a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity to delegate powers, functions and duties. Paragraph 63(1)(b) of the Act and section 11 of this rule deal with recovery of debts.

Limited application of Commonwealth Procurement Rules to CSC

             (2)  The operation of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules is modified under subsection (3) in relation to CSC’s function of providing administrative services relating to superannuation schemes administered by CSC.

             (3)  The operation of those Rules is modified by applying to CSC in relation to that function as if:

                     (a)  for rules 4.9 and 4.10 (which deal with procurement‑connected policies)—CSC were a prescribed corporate Commonwealth entity that is required to comply with rules 4.9 and 4.10 if, under section 22 of the Act, a government policy order that specifies procurement‑connected policies applies in relation to CSC; and

                     (b)  for rules 4.11 and 4.12 (which deal with coordinated procurement)—CSC were a prescribed corporate Commonwealth entity; and

                     (c)  otherwise—CSC were a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity.

29  Other CRF money

             (1)  The accountable authority of a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity must ensure that any arrangement it enters into relating to the use or management of other CRF money complies with subsection (2).

             (2)  The arrangement must:

                     (a)  promote the proper use and management of the other CRF money; and

                     (b)  be in writing; and

                     (c)  require the other CRF money to be deposited in a bank as soon as is practicable; and

                     (d)  require the other party to the arrangement:

                              (i)  to cause records to be kept that properly record and explain the receipt, custody or expenditure of the other CRF money; and

                             (ii)  to allow those records to be conveniently and properly audited; and

                     (e)  require any interest earned on the other CRF money to be remitted in full to the Commonwealth (including a requirement about the timing and frequency of remitting such interest); and

                      (f)  include a requirement about the timing and frequency of any remittance of the other CRF money to the Commonwealth required under the arrangement; and

                     (g)  include a requirement about the timing and frequency of any payments of the other CRF money to another person required under the arrangement.

             (3)  Proper, when used in relation to the use or management of other CRF money, means efficient, effective, economical and ethical.

29A  Money that is prescribed not to be other CRF money

                   An amount of levy payable under section 883D, 889J or 889K of the Corporations Act 2001 is prescribed.

30  Procurement by corporate Commonwealth entities

                   The corporate Commonwealth entities referred to in the following table are prescribed.

 

Corporate Commonwealth entities
Item	Corporate Commonwealth entity
1A	Australian Digital Health Agency
1	Australian Human Rights Commission
2	Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
3	Australian Institute of Marine Science
4	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
5	Australian National Maritime Museum
6	Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
7	Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
8	Australian War Memorial
9	Comcare
10	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
11	Director of National Parks
12	Export Finance and Insurance Corporation
13	Grains Research and Development Corporation
14	Independent Hospital Pricing Authority
15	Murray‑Darling Basin Authority
16	National Gallery of Australia
17	National Museum of Australia
17AA	National Portrait Gallery of Australia
17A	Old Parliament House
17B	Regional Investment Corporation
18	Reserve Bank of Australia
19	Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
20	Tourism Australia

30A  Publishing annual reports

                   If an annual report for a Commonwealth entity or Commonwealth company is tabled in a House of the Parliament, the entity or company must publish the report on its website as soon as practicable after the annual report is tabled.

Chapter 5—Transitional and application provisions

Part 1—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Non‑corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

  

31  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Non‑corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Non‑corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2015.

Part 2—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

  

32  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Commonwealth Entity Annual Reporting) Rule 2016 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2015.

Part 3—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Commonwealth Company Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

  

33  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Commonwealth Company Annual Reporting) Rule 2016

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Commonwealth Company Annual Reporting) Rule 2016 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2015.

Part 4—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Reporting Executive Remuneration) Rules 2019

  

34  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Reporting Executive Remuneration) Rules 2019

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Reporting Executive Remuneration) Rules 2019 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 29 June 2018.

Part 5—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Annual Reporting) Rules 2019

  

35  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Annual Reporting) Rules 2019

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Annual Reporting) Rules 2019 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 29 June 2018.

Part 6—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020

  

36  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020

             (1)  Subsection 16DA(2), as added by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020, applies in relation to a person who ceases to be the accountable authority, or a member of the accountable authority, of a corporate Commonwealth entity on or after the commencement of that instrument.

             (2)  The amendments of section 16E and the insertion of section 16EA made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020 apply in relation to a corporate plan that is prepared under paragraph 35(1)(a) of the Act for a reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2020.

             (3)  The amendments of section 17 made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020 apply in relation to an audit committee for a Commonwealth entity on and after 1 July 2021.

             (4)  The amendments of sections 17AG, 17BE and 28E and Schedules 2, 2A and 2B (other than the amendments of section 28E and Schedule 2B mentioned in subsection (7)) made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020 apply in relation to an annual report for a reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2019.

             (5)  Section 22B, as inserted by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020, applies in relation to a liability incurred on or after the commencement of that instrument.

             (6)  The repeal and substitution of section 27A and the amendments of section 16E made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020 apply in relation to a corporate plan for a Commonwealth company for a reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2020.

             (7)  The insertion of paragraph 28E(aa) and the corresponding amendment of Schedule 2B made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Rules 2020 apply in relation to an annual report for a Commonwealth company for a reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2020.

Part 7—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020

  

37  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020

                   The amendments of Division 4 of Part 2‑3 of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2019.

38  Transitional provision—nominations

             (1)  A nomination:

                     (a)  made under subsection 17A(1); and

                     (b)  in force immediately before the commencement of this section;

has effect, from that commencement, as if it had been made under subsection 17B(1) or 17C(1) (whichever is most relevant) of this rule, as amended by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020.

             (2)  A nomination:

                     (a)  made under subsection 17A(4); and

                     (b)  in force immediately before the commencement of this section;

has effect, from that commencement, as if it were a nomination made under subsection 17J(3) of this rule, as amended by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Rules 2020.

Part 8—Amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Consultancy and Non‑Consultancy Contract Expenditure Reporting) Rules 2020

  

39  Application of amendments made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Consultancy and Non‑Consultancy Contract Expenditure Reporting) Rules 2020

                   The amendments of this rule made by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Consultancy and Non‑Consultancy Contract Expenditure Reporting) Rules 2020 apply in relation to any reporting period that begins on or after 1 July 2020.

Part 9—Publication deadline for 2020‑21 corporate plans

  

40  Publication deadline for 2020‑21 corporate plans

Commonwealth entities

             (1)  Subsection (2) applies in relation to a corporate plan for a Commonwealth entity that is prepared for a reporting period starting on 1 July 2020.

             (2)  If the accountable authority of the Commonwealth entity considers that, because of the impact of the coronavirus known as COVID‑19 on the entity, it is not reasonably practicable for the plan to be prepared and published by the day (the original specified day) specified in subsection 16E(3):

                     (a)  subsection 16E(3) applies as if it requires the plan to be published by 31 January 2021; and

                     (b)  the plan must set out the accountable authority’s reasons for considering that, because of the impact of the coronavirus known as COVID‑19 on the entity, it is not reasonably practicable for the plan to be prepared and published by the original specified day.

             (3)  Subsection (2) does not affect the operation of subsection 16E(6) (variation of corporate plan) or (7) (corporate plan for new entity).

Commonwealth companies

             (4)  Subsections (1) to (3) apply to a Commonwealth company in the same way as those subsections apply to a Commonwealth entity.

             (5)  For the purposes of subsection (4), a reference in subsection (2) to the accountable authority of the Commonwealth entity is taken to be a reference to the directors of the Commonwealth company.

Schedule 1—Listed entities

Note:       See sections 6 and 8.

  

  

1  Guide to this Schedule

2  Australian Office of Financial Management

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Office of Financial Management;

                             (ii)  the staff engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Australian Office of Financial Management; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the advancement of macroeconomic growth and stability, and the effective operation of financial markets, through issuing debt, investing in financial assets and managing debt, investments and cash for the Australian Government;

                             (ii)  any functions conferred on the entity by or under a law of the Commonwealth.

4  Australian National Preventive Health Agency

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following combination of bodies is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (the Agency);

                             (ii)  the Advisory Council of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (the Advisory Council); and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Australian National Preventive Health Agency; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Chief Executive Officer;

                             (ii)  the staff of the Agency referred to in section 25 of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Act 2010;

                            (iii)  the members of the Advisory Council;

                            (iv)  persons whose services are made available to the Chief Executive Officer under section 26 of that Act;

                             (v)  consultants engaged under section 27 of that Act;

                            (vi)  the members of a committee established under section 42 of that Act; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the function of the Agency referred to in section 8 of that Act;

                             (ii)  the functions of the Chief Executive Officer referred to in section 11 of that Act;

                            (iii)  the function of the Advisory Council referred to in section 30 of that Act;

                            (iv)  the functions of a committee established under section 42 of that Act.

5  Australian Public Service Commission

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the Australian Public Service Commissioner;

                             (ii)  the staff assisting the Australian Public Service Commissioner referred to in subsection 40(2) of the Public Service Act 1999; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Australian Public Service Commission; and

                     (c)  the Australian Public Service Commissioner is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the functions of the Australian Public Service Commissioner referred to in section 41 of that Act.

6  Australian Security Intelligence Organisation

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is a listed entity; and

                     (b)  the Director‑General of Security is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (c)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Director‑General of Security;

                             (ii)  persons employed under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979;

                            (iii)  persons made available by a Commonwealth entity, a State or Territory, or an authority of a State or Territory, to perform services for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; and

                     (d)  the purposes of the listed entity include the functions or powers conferred on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation by or under that Act or any other law of the Commonwealth.

7  Australian Taxation Office

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following combination of bodies and persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the Commissioner of Taxation;

                             (ii)  the Tax Practitioners Board;

                            (iii)  the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission (the ACNC);

                            (iv)  the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Advisory Board (the ACNC Advisory Board); and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Australian Taxation Office; and

                     (c)  the Commissioner of Taxation is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Commissioner of Taxation;

                             (ii)  the Second Commissioners of Taxation;

                            (iii)  the staff assisting the Commissioner of Taxation referred to in section 4A of the Taxation Administration Act 1953;

                            (iv)  the members of the Tax Practitioners Board;

                             (v)  APS employees whose services are made available to the Tax Practitioners Board under section 60‑80 of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009;

                            (vi)  the Commissioner of the ACNC;

                           (vii)  the staff assisting the Commissioner of the ACNC referred to in section 120‑5 of the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act);

                          (viii)  consultants engaged under section 120‑10 of the ACNC Act;

                            (ix)  the members of the ACNC Advisory Board; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the functions conferred on the Commissioner of Taxation by or under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 or any other law of the Commonwealth;

                             (ii)  the functions of the Tax Practitioners Board referred to in section 60‑15 of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009;

                            (iii)  the function of the ACNC referred to in section 105‑15 of the ACNC Act;

                            (iv)  the functions of the Commissioner of the ACNC referred to in sections 110‑5 and 110‑10 of the ACNC Act;

                             (v)  the functions of the ACNC Advisory Board referred to in section 135‑15 of the ACNC Act.

10  Digital Transformation Agency

             (1)  For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Transformation Agency;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Digital Transformation Agency; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  providing strategic and policy leadership on whole of government and shared information and communications technology (ICT) and digital service delivery, including ICT procurement policy;

                             (ii)  designing, developing, coordinating, delivering and monitoring policies, standards and delivery platforms for whole of government and shared ICT and digital service delivery;

                            (iii)  coordinating the funding of whole of government and shared ICT and digital service delivery platforms;

                            (iv)  managing a whole of government ICT program management office which will oversee all significant ICT and digital investments;

                             (v)  providing advice to the responsible Minister on whole of government and shared ICT and digital service delivery proposals;

                            (vi)  undertaking other relevant tasks as the responsible Minister may require from time to time.

             (2)  This clause is repealed at the end of 30 June 2022.

10A  Fair Work Ombudsman and Registered Organisations Commission Entity

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following combination of bodies is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman;

                             (ii)  the Registered Organisations Commission; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Fair Work Ombudsman and Registered Organisations Commission Entity; and

                     (c)  the Fair Work Ombudsman is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Fair Work Ombudsman;

                             (ii)  the Fair Work Inspectors;

                            (iii)  the staff of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman referred to in section 697 of the Fair Work Act 2009;

                            (iv)  persons whose services are made available to the Fair Work Ombudsman under section 698 of the Fair Work Act 2009;

                             (v)  consultants engaged under section 699 of the Fair Work Act 2009;

                            (vi)  the Registered Organisations Commissioner;

                           (vii)  the staff assisting the Registered Organisations Commissioner referred to in subsection 329CA(1) of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009;

                          (viii)  persons whose services are made available to the Registered Organisations Commissioner under section 329CB of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009;

                            (ix)  consultants engaged under section 329CC of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include:

                              (i)  the functions of the Fair Work Ombudsman referred to in section 682 of the Fair Work Act 2009; and

                             (ii)  the functions of the Fair Work Inspectors under Subdivision D of Division 3 of Part 5‑2 of the Fair Work Act 2009; and

                            (iii)  the functions of the Registered Organisations Commissioner referred to in section 329AB of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009.

11  Geoscience Australia

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of Geoscience Australia;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as Geoscience Australia; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include informing government, industry and community decisions on the economic, social and environmental management of the nation’s natural resources through enabling access to geoscientific and spatial information.

11A  Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency (the IPFA);

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist in the performance of the functions of the IPFA; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the IPFA; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer of the IPFA is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to assist relevant portfolio ministers and agencies in the early identification of transformative economic infrastructure projects where innovative financing could form part of any future Commonwealth Government investment;

                             (ii)  to assist relevant portfolio ministers and agencies to develop and assess financing options, including through early‑stage engagement in the development of business cases with project proponents;

                            (iii)  to assist relevant portfolio ministers and agencies to broker financing arrangements and in the ongoing commercial management of those investments as appropriate;

                            (iv)  to provide stand‑alone advice to the Cabinet on suitable financing options and associated benefits and risks, for all projects seeking Commonwealth funding or financing for economic infrastructure projects;

                             (v)  to provide a stand‑alone report to the Cabinet on all innovative financing opportunities for transformative economic infrastructure, including those that could be further considered by relevant portfolio ministers and Infrastructure Australia, on a quarterly basis.

12  IP Australia

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Director‑General of IP Australia;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Director‑General; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as IP Australia; and

                     (c)  the Director‑General is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include increasing innovation, investment and trade in Australia, and by Australians overseas, through the administration of the registrable intellectual property rights system, promoting public awareness and industry engagement, and advising government.

13  National Faster Rail Agency

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Faster Rail Agency;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist in the performance of the functions of the National Faster Rail Agency; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the National Faster Rail Agency; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer of the National Faster Rail Agency is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to lead the development and implementation of the Commonwealth Government’s 20‑year Fast Rail Plan;

                             (ii)  to oversee the development of business cases with State and Territory governments, ensuring that population and transport policy objectives are met;

                            (iii)  to identify additional rail corridors that would benefit from faster rail services over the long term, in consultation with State and Territory governments, industry and stakeholders;

                            (iv)  to work with relevant State and Territory governments in the delivery of faster rail construction projects;

                             (v)  to develop an investment strategy recommending how faster rail projects can be staged to link future expenditure to investment need, and increase community and industry confidence to reduce market pressures;

                            (vi)  to work in partnership with the Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency to explore alternative funding and financing options for faster rail, such as private sector contributions and value capture opportunities;

                           (vii)  to provide advice on options to future proof corridors for high‑speed rail, including the need for technical guidelines, corridor planning and protection.

14  National Indigenous Australians Agency

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist in the performance of the functions of the National Indigenous Australians Agency; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the National Indigenous Australians Agency; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to lead and coordinate Commonwealth policy development, program design and implementation, and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;

                             (ii)  to provide advice to the Prime Minister and the responsible Minister on whole‑of‑government priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;

                            (iii)  to lead and coordinate the development and implementation of Australia’s Closing the Gap targets in partnership with Indigenous Australians;

                            (iv)  to lead Commonwealth activities to promote reconciliation;

                             (v)  to build and maintain effective partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, State and Territory governments and other relevant stakeholders to inform whole‑of‑government priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and enable policies, programs and services to be tailored to the unique needs of communities;

                            (vi)  to design, consult on and coordinate the delivery of community development employment projects;

                           (vii)  to analyse and monitor the effectiveness of programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including programs and services delivered by bodies other than the Agency;

                          (viii)  to coordinate Indigenous portfolio agencies and advance a whole‑of‑government approach to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;

                            (ix)  to undertake other tasks the Prime Minister and the responsible Minister require from time to time.

15  National Mental Health Commission

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the commissioners of the National Mental Health Commission;

                             (ii)  the Chief Executive Officer of the National Mental Health Commission;

                            (iii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the National Mental Health Commission; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to develop, collate and analyse data and information to ensure a cross sectoral perspective is taken to mental health policy development and reform;

                             (ii)  to build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders in Australia and internationally to inform the work of the Commission;

                            (iii)  to provide independent and impartial advice to Government to improve mental health services and support within the Australian community;

                            (iv)  to manage, administer and publicly release evidence‑based information in order to promote mental health and well‑being;

                             (v)  to review, analyse and promote research and best practice to support better treatment outcomes across the mental health sector;

                            (vi)  to promote a person‑centred approach to mental health care that engages and values the participation of people with lived experience, their families, carers and communities;

                           (vii)  to undertake other relevant tasks as the responsible Minister may require from time to time.

15A  National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Coordinator‑General of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Coordinator‑General; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency; and

                     (c)  the Coordinator‑General is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to provide strategic leadership and coordination for the Commonwealth’s recovery and reconstruction activities in areas of North, Far North and Western Queensland affected by the North and Far North Queensland Monsoon Trough (25 January–14 February 2019);

                             (ii)  to administer the Commonwealth loan scheme to provide assistance to eligible primary producers by way of loans to authorised deposit‑taking institutions (within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959) at the Commonwealth’s cost of borrowing;

                            (iii)  to design, develop, consult on and coordinate the delivery of a long‑term plan for the recovery and reconstruction of these areas;

                            (iv)  to build and maintain effective working relationship with stakeholders in these areas to inform recovery and reconstruction priorities;

                             (v)  to provide advice to the responsible Minister on how existing and new Commonwealth policies and programs can best contribute to the recovery and reconstruction efforts in these areas;

                            (vi)  to provide a coordination point for information on associated Commonwealth recovery and reconstruction activities;

                           (vii)  to provide whole‑of‑government leadership, strategic policy advice and coordination of the Commonwealth’s drought response, recovery and preparation activities;

                          (viii)  to assist relevant portfolio ministers and agencies to develop and assess drought response policies and programs, including through Cabinet processes;

                            (ix)  to oversee implementation of the Australian Government’s Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan;

                             (x)  to provide advice to the responsible Minister and, where necessary, the Prime Minister or the Cabinet on how Commonwealth policies and programs can support farmers and drought‑affected communities, and contribute to recovery and reconstruction efforts;

                            (xi)  to provide a coordination point for information associated with Commonwealth drought activities;

                           (xii)  to build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including States and Territories, local councils and not‑for‑profit and community organisations to deliver coordinated, effective support to farmers and regional communities;

                          (xiii)  to communicate with drought‑affected farmers and communities on the various means of support available to them from the Commonwealth;

                          (xiv)  to represent the responsible Minister and the Australian Government in communities affected by drought;

                           (xv)  to advise the responsible Minister of the ‘on‑the‑ground’ conditions in drought‑affected communities across Australia;

                          (xvi)  to provide advice to the responsible Minister on matters relevant to the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency;

                         (xvii)  to undertake other relevant tasks as the responsible Minister may require from time to time.

15B  North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority

             (1)  For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to provide strategic planning and coordination of Commonwealth resources to implement the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme project and the Hells Gates Dam Scheme (including Big Rocks Weir) project;

                             (ii)  to coordinate information sharing among relevant regulatory authorities necessary to implement the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme project and the Hells Gates Dam Scheme (including Big Rocks Weir) project;

                            (iii)  to provide advice to the responsible Minister on the progress of the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme project and the Hells Gates Dam Scheme (including Big Rocks Weir) project;

                            (iv)  to undertake other relevant tasks as the responsible Minister may require from time to time.

             (2)  This clause is repealed at the end of 30 June 2024.

16  Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is a listed entity; and

                     (b)  the Chair of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (the AUASB) is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (c)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Chair of the AUASB;

                             (ii)  the other members of the AUASB;

                            (iii)  the staff of the Office referred to in subsection 236DC(1) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001;

                            (iv)  members of committees, advisory panels or consultative groups established under subsection 227AB(2) or 227B(2) of that Act;

                             (v)  consultants engaged under subsection 236DD(1) of that Act;

                            (vi)  persons whose services are made available to the Office under subsection 236DD(3) of that Act; and

                     (d)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the functions of the Office referred to in section 227AB of that Act;

                             (ii)  the functions of the AUASB referred to in section 227B of that Act.

17  Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board is a listed entity; and

                     (b)  the Chair of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (the AASB) is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (c)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Chair of the AASB;

                             (ii)  the other members of the AASB;

                            (iii)  the staff of the Office referred to in subsection 235E(1) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001;

                            (iv)  members of committees, advisory panels or consultative groups established under subsection 226A(2) or 227(3) of that Act;

                             (v)  consultants engaged under subsection 235F(1) of that Act;

                            (vi)  persons whose services are made available to the Office under subsection 235F(3) of that Act; and

                     (d)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the functions of the Office referred to in section 226A of that Act;

                             (ii)  the functions of the AASB referred to in section 227 of that Act.

20  Royal Australian Mint

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer;

                            (iii)  other persons engaged to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as the Royal Australian Mint; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include ensuring the coinage needs of the Australian economy, collectors and foreign countries are met through the manufacture and sale of circulating coins, collector coins and other minted like products.

21  Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority is a listed entity; and

                     (b)  the Chairperson of the Authority is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (c)  the following persons are officials of the listed entity:

                              (i)  the Chairperson;

                             (ii)  persons whose services are made available to the Authority under subsection 72A(2) of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988;

                            (iii)  if, under subsection 125(1) of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992, the Authority delegates any of its functions or powers to the Chief Executive Officer of Comcare—the Chief Executive Officer of Comcare; and

                     (d)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  the functions of the Authority referred to in section 104 of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992;

                             (ii)  the functions of the Authority referred to in section 9 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993.

22  Services Australia

                   For the purposes of the finance law:

                     (a)  the following group of persons is a listed entity:

                              (i)  the person occupying, or performing the duties of, the office known as the Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia;

                             (ii)  persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to assist the Chief Executive Officer; and

                     (b)  the listed entity is to be known as Services Australia; and

                     (c)  the Chief Executive Officer is the accountable authority of the listed entity; and

                     (d)  the persons referred to in paragraph (a) are officials of the listed entity; and

                     (e)  the purposes of the listed entity include the following:

                              (i)  to design, develop, deliver, coordinate and monitor government services and payments relating to social security, child support, students, families, aged care and health programs (excluding health provider compliance);

                             (ii)  to provide the Australian Government with advice on the delivery of government services and payments;

                            (iii)  to collaborate with other agencies, providers and businesses to deliver convenient, accessible and efficient services to individuals, families and communities;

                            (iv)  to undertake other relevant tasks as the responsible Minister may require from time to time.

Schedule 2—List of requirements—non‑corporate Commonwealth entities

Note:       See paragraph 17AJ(d).

  

  

1  Guide to this Schedule

 

PGPA Rule Reference	Part of Report	Description	Requirement
17AD(g)	Letter of transmittal
17AI		A copy of the letter of transmittal signed and dated by accountable authority on date final text approved, with statement that the report has been prepared in accordance with section 46 of the Act and any enabling legislation that specifies additional requirements in relation to the annual report.	Mandatory
17AD(h)	Aids to access
17AJ(a)		Table of contents.	Mandatory
17AJ(b)		Alphabetical index.	Mandatory
17AJ(c)		Glossary of abbreviations and acronyms.	Mandatory
17AJ(d)		List of requirements.	Mandatory
17AJ(e)		Details of contact officer.	Mandatory
17AJ(f)		Entity’s website address.	Mandatory
17AJ(g)		Electronic address of report.	Mandatory
17AD(a)	Review by accountable authority
17AD(a)		A review by the accountable authority of the entity.	Mandatory
17AD(b)	Overview of the entity
17AE(1)(a)(i)		A description of the role and functions of the entity.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(a)(ii)		A description of the organisational structure of the entity.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(a)(iii)		A description of the outcomes and programmes administered by the entity.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(a)(iv)		A description of the purposes of the entity as included in corporate plan.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(aa)(i)		Name of the accountable authority or each member of the accountable authority.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(aa)(ii)		Position title of the accountable authority or each member of the accountable authority.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(aa)(iii)		Period as the accountable authority or member of the accountable authority within the reporting period.	Mandatory
17AE(1)(b)		An outline of the structure of the portfolio of the entity.	Portfolio departments ‑ mandatory
17AE(2)		Where the outcomes and programmes administered by the entity differ from any Portfolio Budget Statement, Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement or other portfolio estimates statement that was prepared for the entity for the period, include details of variation and reasons for change.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AD(c)	Report on the Performance of the entity
	Annual performance Statements
17AD(c)(i); 16F		Annual performance statement in accordance with paragraph 39(1)(b) of the Act and section 16F of the Rule.	Mandatory
17AD(c)(ii)	Report on Financial Performance
17AF(1)(a)		A discussion and analysis of the entity’s financial performance.	Mandatory
17AF(1)(b)		A table summarising the total resources and total payments of the entity.	Mandatory
17AF(2)		If there may be significant changes in the financial results during or after the previous or current reporting period, information on those changes, including: the cause of any operating loss of the entity; how the entity has responded to the loss and the actions that have been taken in relation to the loss; and any matter or circumstances that it can reasonably be anticipated will have a significant impact on the entity’s future operation or financial results.	If applicable, Mandatory.
17AD(d)	Management and Accountability
	Corporate Governance
17AG(2)(a)		Information on compliance with section 10 (fraud systems)	Mandatory
17AG(2)(b)(i)		A certification by accountable authority that fraud risk assessments and fraud control plans have been prepared.	Mandatory
17AG(2)(b)(ii)		A certification by accountable authority that appropriate mechanisms for preventing, detecting incidents of, investigating or otherwise dealing with, and recording or reporting fraud that meet the specific needs of the entity are in place.	Mandatory
17AG(2)(b)(iii)		A certification by accountable authority that all reasonable measures have been taken to deal appropriately with fraud relating to the entity.	Mandatory
17AG(2)(c)		An outline of structures and processes in place for the entity to implement principles and objectives of corporate governance.	Mandatory
17AG(2)(d) – (e)		A statement of significant issues reported to Minister under paragraph 19(1)(e) of the Act that relates to non‑compliance with Finance law and action taken to remedy non‑compliance.	If applicable, Mandatory
	Audit Committee
17AG(2A)(a)		A direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the entity’s audit committee.	Mandatory
17AG(2A)(b)		The name of each member of the entity’s audit committee.	Mandatory
17AG(2A)(c)		The qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of each member of the entity’s audit committee.	Mandatory
17AG(2A)(d)		Information about the attendance of each member of the entity’s audit committee at committee meetings.	Mandatory
17AG(2A)(e)		The remuneration of each member of the entity’s audit committee.	Mandatory
	External Scrutiny
17AG(3)		Information on the most significant developments in external scrutiny and the entity’s response to the scrutiny.	Mandatory
17AG(3)(a)		Information on judicial decisions and decisions of administrative tribunals and by the Australian Information Commissioner that may have a significant effect on the operations of the entity.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AG(3)(b)		Information on any reports on operations of the entity by the Auditor‑General (other than report under section 43 of the Act), a Parliamentary Committee, or the Commonwealth Ombudsman.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AG(3)(c)		Information on any capability reviews on the entity that were released during the period.	If applicable, Mandatory
	Management of Human Resources
17AG(4)(a)		An assessment of the entity’s effectiveness in managing and developing employees to achieve entity objectives.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(aa)		Statistics on the entity’s employees on an ongoing and non‑ongoing basis, including the following: (a) statistics on full‑time employees; (b) statistics on part‑time employees; (c) statistics on gender; (d) statistics on staff location.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(b)		Statistics on the entity’s APS employees on an ongoing and non‑ongoing basis; including the following: ·         Statistics on staffing classification level; ·         Statistics on full‑time employees; ·         Statistics on part‑time employees; ·         Statistics on gender; ·         Statistics on staff location; ·         Statistics on employees who identify as Indigenous.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(c)		Information on any enterprise agreements, individual flexibility arrangements, Australian workplace agreements, common law contracts and determinations under subsection 24(1) of the Public Service Act 1999.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(c)(i)		Information on the number of SES and non‑SES employees covered by agreements etc identified in paragraph 17AG(4)(c).	Mandatory
17AG(4)(c)(ii)		The salary ranges available for APS employees by classification level.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(c)(iii)		A description of non‑salary benefits provided to employees.	Mandatory
17AG(4)(d)(i)		Information on the number of employees at each classification level who received performance pay.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AG(4)(d)(ii)		Information on aggregate amounts of performance pay at each classification level.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AG(4)(d)(iii)		Information on the average amount of performance payment, and range of such payments, at each classification level.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AG(4)(d)(iv)		Information on aggregate amount of performance payments.	If applicable, Mandatory
	Assets Management
17AG(5)		An assessment of effectiveness of assets management where asset management is a significant part of the entity’s activities.	If applicable, mandatory
	Purchasing
17AG(6)		An assessment of entity performance against the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.	Mandatory
	Reportable consultancy contracts
17AG(7)(a)		A summary statement detailing the number of new reportable consultancy contracts entered into during the period; the total actual expenditure on all such contracts (inclusive of GST); the number of ongoing reportable consultancy contracts that were entered into during a previous reporting period; and the total actual expenditure in the reporting period on those ongoing contracts (inclusive of GST).	Mandatory
17AG(7)(b)		A statement that “During [reporting period], [specified number] new reportable consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $[specified million]. In addition, [specified number] ongoing reportable consultancy contracts were active during the period, involving total actual expenditure of $[specified million]”.	Mandatory
17AG(7)(c)		A summary of the policies and procedures for selecting and engaging consultants and the main categories of purposes for which consultants were selected and engaged.	Mandatory
17AG(7)(d)		A statement that “Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on reportable consultancy contracts. Information on the value of reportable consultancy contracts is available on the AusTender website.”	Mandatory
	Reportable non‑consultancy contracts
17AG(7A)(a)		A summary statement detailing the number of new reportable non‑consultancy contracts entered into during the period; the total actual expenditure on such contracts (inclusive of GST); the number of ongoing reportable non‑consultancy contracts that were entered into during a previous reporting period; and the total actual expenditure in the reporting period on those ongoing contracts (inclusive of GST).	Mandatory
17AG(7A)(b)		A statement that “Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on reportable non‑consultancy contracts. Information on the value of reportable non‑consultancy contracts is available on the AusTender website.”	Mandatory
17AD(daa)	Additional information about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy contracts or reportable non‑consultancy contracts
17AGA		Additional information, in accordance with section 17AGA, about organisations receiving amounts under reportable consultancy contracts or reportable non‑consultancy contracts.	Mandatory
	Australian National Audit Office Access Clauses
17AG(8)		If an entity entered into a contract with a value of more than $100 000 (inclusive of GST) and the contract did not provide the Auditor‑General with access to the contractor’s premises, the report must include the name of the contractor, purpose and value of the contract, and the reason why a clause allowing access was not included in the contract.	If applicable, Mandatory
	Exempt contracts
17AG(9)		If an entity entered into a contract or there is a standing offer with a value greater than $10 000 (inclusive of GST) which has been exempted from being published in AusTender because it would disclose exempt matters under the FOI Act, the annual report must include a statement that the contract or standing offer has been exempted, and the value of the contract or standing offer, to the extent that doing so does not disclose the exempt matters.	If applicable, Mandatory
	Small business
17AG(10)(a)		A statement that “[Name of entity] supports small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance’s website.”	Mandatory
17AG(10)(b)		An outline of the ways in which the procurement practices of the entity support small and medium enterprises.	Mandatory
17AG(10)(c)		If the entity is considered by the Department administered by the Finance Minister as material in nature—a statement that “[Name of entity] recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on time. The results of the Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business are available on the Treasury’s website.”	If applicable, Mandatory
	Financial Statements
17AD(e)		Inclusion of the annual financial statements in accordance with subsection 43(4) of the Act.	Mandatory
	Executive Remuneration
17AD(da)		Information about executive remuneration in accordance with Subdivision C of Division 3A of Part 2‑3 of the Rule.	Mandatory
17AD(f)	Other Mandatory Information
17AH(1)(a)(i)		If the entity conducted advertising campaigns, a statement that “During [reporting period], the [name of entity] conducted the following advertising campaigns: [name of advertising campaigns undertaken]. Further information on those advertising campaigns is available at [address of entity’s website] and in the reports on Australian Government advertising prepared by the Department of Finance. Those reports are available on the Department of Finance’s website.”	If applicable, Mandatory
17AH(1)(a)(ii)		If the entity did not conduct advertising campaigns, a statement to that effect.	If applicable, Mandatory
17AH(1)(b)		A statement that “Information on grants awarded by [name of entity] during [reporting period] is available at [address of entity’s website].”	If applicable, Mandatory
17AH(1)(c)		Outline of mechanisms of disability reporting, including reference to website for further information.	Mandatory
17AH(1)(d)		Website reference to where the entity’s Information Publication Scheme statement pursuant to Part II of FOI Act can be found.	Mandatory
17AH(1)(e)		Correction of material errors in previous annual report	If applicable, mandatory
17AH(2)		Information required by other legislation	Mandatory

Schedule 2A—List of requirements—corporate Commonwealth entities

Note:       See paragraph 17BE(u).

  

  

 

PGPA Rule Reference	Part of Report	Description	Requirement
17BE	Contents of annual report
17BE(a)		Details of the legislation establishing the body	Mandatory
17BE(b)(i)		A summary of the objects and functions of the entity as set out in legislation	Mandatory
17BE(b)(ii)		The purposes of the entity as included in the entity’s corporate plan for the reporting period	Mandatory
17BE(c)		The names of the persons holding the position of responsible Minister or responsible Ministers during the reporting period, and the titles of those responsible Ministers	Mandatory
17BE(d)		Directions given to the entity by the Minister under an Act or instrument during the reporting period	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(e)		Any government policy order that applied in relation to the entity during the reporting period under section 22 of the Act	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(f)		Particulars of non‑compliance with: (a) a direction given to the entity by the Minister under an Act or instrument during the reporting period; or (b) a government policy order that applied in relation to the entity during the reporting period under section 22 of the Act	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(g)		Annual performance statements in accordance with paragraph 39(1)(b) of the Act and section 16F of the rule	Mandatory
17BE(h), 17BE(i)		A statement of significant issues reported to the Minister under paragraph 19(1)(e) of the Act that relates to non‑compliance with finance law and action taken to remedy non‑compliance	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(j)		Information on the accountable authority, or each member of the accountable authority, of the entity during the reporting period	Mandatory
17BE(k)		Outline of the organisational structure of the entity (including any subsidiaries of the entity)	Mandatory
17BE(ka)		Statistics on the entity’s employees on an ongoing and non‑ongoing basis, including the following: (a) statistics on full‑time employees; (b) statistics on part‑time employees; (c) statistics on gender; (d) statistics on staff location	Mandatory
17BE(l)		Outline of the location (whether or not in Australia) of major activities or facilities of the entity	Mandatory
17BE(m)		Information relating to the main corporate governance practices used by the entity during the reporting period	Mandatory
17BE(n), 17BE(o)		For transactions with a related Commonwealth entity or related company where the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the aggregate of those transactions, is more than $10,000 (inclusive of GST): (a) the decision‑making process undertaken by the accountable authority to approve the entity paying for a good or service from, or providing a grant to, the related Commonwealth entity or related company; and (b) the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the number of transactions and the aggregate of value of the transactions	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(p)		Any significant activities and changes that affected the operation or structure of the entity during the reporting period	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(q)		Particulars of judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals that may have a significant effect on the operations of the entity	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(r)		Particulars of any reports on the entity given by: (a) the Auditor‑General (other than a report under section 43 of the Act); or (b) a Parliamentary Committee; or (c) the Commonwealth Ombudsman; or (d) the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(s)		An explanation of information not obtained from a subsidiary of the entity and the effect of not having the information on the annual report	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(t)		Details of any indemnity that applied during the reporting period to the accountable authority, any member of the accountable authority or officer of the entity against a liability (including premiums paid, or agreed to be paid, for insurance against the authority, member or officer’s liability for legal costs)	If applicable, mandatory
17BE(taa)		The following information about the audit committee for the entity: (a) a direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the audit committee; (b) the name of each member of the audit committee; (c) the qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of each member of the audit committee; (d) information about each member’s attendance at meetings of the audit committee; (e) the remuneration of each member of the audit committee	Mandatory
17BE(ta)		Information about executive remuneration	Mandatory
17BF	Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises
17BF(1)(a)(i)		An assessment of significant changes in the entity’s overall financial structure and financial conditions	If applicable, mandatory
17BF(1)(a)(ii)		An assessment of any events or risks that could cause financial information that is reported not to be indicative of future operations or financial conditions	If applicable, mandatory
17BF(1)(b)		Information on dividends paid or recommended	If applicable, mandatory
17BF(1)(c)		Details of any community service obligations the government business enterprise has including: (a) an outline of actions taken to fulfil those obligations; and (b) an assessment of the cost of fulfilling those obligations	If applicable, mandatory
17BF(2)		A statement regarding the exclusion of information on the grounds that the information is commercially sensitive and would be likely to result in unreasonable commercial prejudice to the government business enterprise	If applicable, mandatory

 

Schedule 2B—List of requirements—Commonwealth companies

Note:       See paragraph 28E(p).

  

  

 

PGPA Rule Reference	Part of Report	Description	Requirement
28E	Contents of annual report
28E(a)		The purposes of the company as included in the company’s corporate plan for the reporting period	Mandatory
28E(aa)		The results of a measurement and assessment of the company’s performance during the reporting period, including the results of a measurement and assessment of the company’s performance against any performance measures and any targets included in the company’s corporate plan for the reporting period	Mandatory
28E(b)		The names of the persons holding the position of responsible Minister or responsible Ministers during the reporting period, and the titles of those responsible Ministers	Mandatory
28E(c)		Any directions given to the entity by a Minister under the company’s constitution, an Act or an instrument during the reporting period	If applicable, mandatory
28E(d)		Any government policy order that applied in relation to the company during the reporting period under section 93 of the Act	If applicable, mandatory
28E(e)		Particulars of non‑compliance with: (a) a direction given to the entity by the Minister under the company’s constitution, an Act or instrument during the reporting period; or (b) a government policy order that applied in relation to the company during the reporting period under section 93 of the Act	If applicable, mandatory
28E(f)		Information on each director of the company during the reporting period	Mandatory
28E(g)		An outline of the organisational structure of the company (including any subsidiaries of the company)	Mandatory
28E(ga)		Statistics on the entity’s employees on an ongoing and non‑ongoing basis, including the following: (a) statistics on full‑time employees; (b) statistics on part‑time employees; (c) statistics on gender; (d) statistics on staff location	Mandatory
28E(h)		An outline of the location (whether or not in Australia) of major activities or facilities of the company	Mandatory
28E(i)		Information in relation to the main corporate governance practices used by the company during the reporting period	Mandatory
28E(j), 28E(k)		For transactions with a related Commonwealth entity or related company where the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the aggregate of those transactions, is more than $10,000 (inclusive of GST): (a) the decision‑making process undertaken by the directors of the company for making a decision to approve the company paying for a good or service from, or providing a grant to, the related Commonwealth entity or related company; and (b) the value of the transaction, or if there is more than one transaction, the number of transactions and the aggregate of value of the transactions	If applicable, mandatory
28E(l)		Any significant activities or changes that affected the operations or structure of the company during the reporting period	If applicable, mandatory
28E(m)		Particulars of judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals that may have a significant effect on the operations of the company	If applicable, mandatory
28E(n)		Particulars of any reports on the company given by: (a) the Auditor‑General, or (b) a Parliamentary Committee, or (c) the Commonwealth Ombudsman; or (d) the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner; or (e) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission	If applicable, mandatory
28E(o)		An explanation of information not obtained from a subsidiary of the company and the effect of not having the information on the annual report	If applicable, mandatory
28E(oa)		Information about executive remuneration	Mandatory
28E(ob)		The following information about the audit committee for the company: (a) a direct electronic address of the charter determining the functions of the audit committee; (b) the name of each member of the audit committee; (c) the qualifications, knowledge, skills or experience of each member of the audit committee; (d) information about each member’s attendance at meetings of the audit committee; (e) the remuneration of each member of the audit committee	Mandatory
28F	Disclosure requirements for government business enterprises
28F(1)(a)(i)		An assessment of significant changes in the company’s overall financial structure and financial conditions	If applicable, mandatory
28F(1)(a)(ii)		An assessment of any events or risks that could cause financial information that is reported not to be indicative of future operations or financial condition	If applicable, Mandatory
28F(1)(b)		Information on dividends paid or recommended	If applicable, mandatory
28F(1)(c)		Details of any community service obligations the government business enterprise has including: (a) an outline of actions taken to fulfil those obligations; and (b) an assessment of the cost of fulfilling those obligations	If applicable, mandatory
28F(2)		A statement regarding the exclusion of information on the grounds that the information is commercially sensitive and would be likely to result in unreasonable commercial prejudice to the government business enterprise	If applicable, mandatory