Asset management

The Commission’s main asset types are leasehold improvements, computer equipment and computer software. As asset management is not considered to be a significant aspect of the Commission’s strategic business, the effectiveness of the Commission’s asset management processes is not reported.

Purchasing

The Commission’s approach to procuring goods and services, including consultancies, is consistent with, and reflects the principles of, the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. The rules are applied to activities through the accountable authority instructions, supporting operational guidelines and the Commission’s procurement framework.

Consultants

The Commission engages external consultants where the necessary specialised or professional skills are unavailable within the Commission or where there is a need for independent research or assessment.

The Commission’s practices on the selection and engagement of consultants are in accordance with the PGPA Act and related Regulations, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and relevant internal policies. The methods of selection used for consultancies include open tender, select tender, direct sourcing and panel arrangements (initially selected through either an open tender or select tender process).

During 2018–19, one new consultancy contract was entered into involving total actual expenditure of $12,375. In addition, one ongoing consultancy contract was active during the period, involving total actual expenditure of $63,943.

Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website at www.tenders.gov.au.

Australian National Audit Office access clauses

No contracts of $100,000 or more (including GST) were let during 2018–19 that did not provide for the Auditor-General to have access to the contractor’s premises.

Exempt contracts

No contracts in excess of $10,000 (including GST) or standing offers were exempted by the General Manager from being published on AusTender on the basis that they would disclose exempt matters under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

Procurement initiatives to support small business

The Commission supports small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance’s website.

The Commission’s procurement practices support SMEs, including by the use of the Commonwealth Contracting Suite for low-risk procurements valued under $200,000. The Commission communicates using clear, simple language that is presented in an accessible format throughout the procurement process.

The Commonwealth’s Indigenous Procurement Policy, which commenced on 1 July 2015, is reflected in the Commission’s procurement policy and practices.

Annual financial statements

The Commission is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity under the PGPA Act. The Commission’s audited financial statements for 2018–19 are at Appendix E.

The Commission’s operating revenue from government for the 2018–19 financial year was $74.840 million. The Commission received own-source revenue of $2.176 million, primarily represented by rental income.

Operating expenses increased in 2018–19 to $84.158 million ($82.521 million in 2017–18). The major expenses in 2018–19 were $49.28 million in respect of employee expenses, $29.193 million relating to supplier payment and $5.623 million in asset depreciation, amortisation and related expenses.

In 2018–19, the Commission ran a funded deficit of $1.519 million excluding depreciation and amortisation. The deficit is due to the impact of the movement of bond rates resulting in higher employee provision balances, and higher than anticipated remuneration costs.

Performance against budget and comparison to the 2017–18 year is presented for both departmental and administered activities in the primary financial statements included at Appendix E. Commentary is also provided in the financial statements explaining major variances to budget.

An entity resource statement, providing information about funding sources drawn upon by the Commission, and a summary of expenses and resources by income can be found in Tables F1 and F2 in Appendix F: Entity resources.