For the year ended 30 June 2019

Statement of Assurance

In the opinion of each of the Governor, as the accountable authority of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), and the Chief Financial Officer, the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019 present fairly the Reserve Bank’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows, comply with the accounting standards and any other requirements prescribed by the rules made under section 42 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and have been prepared from properly maintained financial records. These financial statements have been approved by a resolution of the Reserve Bank Board on 6 August 2019.

Philip Lowe
Governor and Chair, Reserve Bank Board

Robert Middleton-Jones
Chief Financial Officer

4 September 2019

Statement of Financial Position - as at 30 June 2019

Statement of Comprehensive Income – for the year ended 30 June 2019

Statement of Distribution – for the year ended 30 June 2019

Statement of Changes in Capital and Reserves – for the year ended 30 June 2019

Cash Flow Statement – for the year ended 30 June 2019

Reserve Bank of Australia and Controlled Entity

For the purposes of this statement, cash includes the banknotes and coin held at the RBA and overnight settlement balances due from other banks.

Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2019

Note 1 – Accounting Policies

The RBA reports its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the Reserve Bank Act 1959 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). These financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019 are a general purpose financial report prepared under Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) and accounting interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board, in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015, which is issued pursuant to the PGPA Act. The RBA is classified as a for-profit public sector entity for the purposes of financial disclosure. These financial statements comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. In preparing them, the RBA has not ‘early adopted’ new accounting standards or amendments to current standards that apply from 1 July 2019.

All amounts in these financial statements are expressed in Australian dollars, the functional and presentational currency of the RBA. All revenues and expenses are brought to account on an accruals basis.

(a) Consolidation

The financial statements show information for the economic entity only; this reflects the consolidated results for the parent entity, the RBA, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA). The results of the parent entity do not differ materially from the economic entity and have therefore not been separately disclosed.

Note Printing Australia Limited

NPA was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBA on 1 July 1998.

The assets, liabilities and results of NPA have been consolidated with the accounts of the parent entity in accordance with AASB 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements. All internal transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation. These transactions include items relating to the purchase of Australian banknotes, lease of premises and the provision of general administrative services. In addition, NPA paid a dividend of $12 million to the RBA in June 2019 (no dividend was paid in 2018).

(b) Financial instruments

A financial instrument is defined as any contract that gives rise to both a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity. The RBA accounts for its financial instruments in accordance with AASB 9 – Financial Instruments and reports these instruments under AASB 7 – Financial Instruments: Disclosures and AASB 13 – Fair Value Measurement.

The RBA brings its securities and foreign exchange transactions to account on a trade date basis. Deposits and repurchase agreements are brought to account on settlement date.

Financial assets

Australian dollar securities

Australian dollar securities, except those held under reverse repurchase agreements, are measured at fair value through profit or loss, as they are held to implement monetary policy and may be sold or lent, typically for short terms, under repurchase agreements. The securities are valued at market bid prices on balance date; valuation gains or losses are taken to profit. Interest earned on securities is accrued as revenue in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Reverse repurchase agreements

In carrying out operations to manage domestic liquidity and foreign reserves, the RBA enters into reverse repurchase agreements in Australian dollar and foreign currency securities. A reverse repurchase agreement involves the purchase of securities with an undertaking to reverse this transaction at an agreed price on an agreed future date. As a reverse repurchase agreement provides the RBA’s counterparties with cash for the term of the agreement, the RBA treats it as an asset by recording a cash receivable. Reverse repurchase agreements are measured at amortised cost. Interest earned is accrued over the term of the agreement and recognised as revenue.

RBA open repurchase agreements are provided to assist eligible financial institutions manage their liquidity after normal business hours. An RBA open repurchase agreement is an Australian dollar reverse repurchase agreement without an agreed maturity date. The RBA accrues interest daily on open repurchase agreements at the target cash rate.

Foreign government securities

Foreign government securities, except those held under reverse repurchase agreements, are measured at fair value through profit or loss, as they are available to be traded in managing the portfolio of foreign exchange reserves. These securities are valued at market bid prices on balance date and valuation gains or losses are taken to profit. Interest earned on securities is accrued as revenue.

Foreign deposits

Some foreign currency reserves are invested in deposits with central banks and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), while small working balances are also maintained with a small number of commercial banks. Deposits are measured at amortised cost. Interest is accrued over the term of deposits.

Foreign currency swaps

The RBA uses foreign currency swaps to assist daily domestic liquidity management and in managing foreign reserve assets. A foreign currency swap is the simultaneous purchase and sale of one currency against another currency for a specified maturity. The cash flows are the same as borrowing one currency for a certain period and lending another currency for the same period. The pricing of the swap therefore reflects the interest rates applicable to these money market transactions. Interest rates are implicit in the swap contract but interest itself is not paid or received. Foreign currency swaps are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Interest rate futures

The RBA uses interest rate futures contracts on overseas exchanges to manage interest rate risk on its portfolio of foreign assets. Interest rate futures positions are measured at fair value through profit or loss with valuation gains or losses taken to net profit. Futures positions are reported within ‘Foreign currency investments’.

Asian Bond Fund

The RBA invests in a number of non-Japan Asian debt markets through participation in the Executives’ Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) Asian Bond Fund. This investment comprises units in the local currency-denominated fund, ABF2. ABF2 is measured at fair value through profit or loss and is valued on balance date at the relevant unit price of the fund, with valuation gains or losses taken to profit. ABF2 is reported within ‘Foreign currency investments’.

Shareholding in Bank for International Settlements

Shares in the BIS are owned exclusively by the central banks and monetary authorities that are its members, including the RBA. The RBA has made an election to designate its shareholding in the BIS at fair value through other comprehensive income, as permitted under AASB 9. The shareholding is measured at fair value and valuation gains or losses are transferred directly to the revaluation reserve for ‘Shares in international and other institutions’ (Note 5). An uncalled portion of this shareholding is disclosed as a contingent liability in Note 11. Dividends are recognised as revenue in net profit, when declared.

Financial liabilities

Deposit liabilities

Deposits held with the RBA include both deposits on-demand and term deposits (refer to Note 9). Deposit liabilities are measured at amortised cost. Interest is accrued over the term of deposits and is paid periodically or at maturity. Interest accrued on deposits but not paid is included in Note 10.

Australian banknotes on issue

Banknotes on issue are a financial liability recorded at face value.

The RBA pays interest on working balances of banknotes held by banks under cash distribution arrangements. Details of the interest expense are included in Note 4.

Costs related to materials used in the production of banknotes are included in ‘Other expenses’ in Note 2.

Repurchase agreements

A repurchase agreement involves the sale of securities with an undertaking to repurchase them on an agreed future date at an agreed price. Securities sold and contracted for repurchase under repurchase agreements are retained on the balance sheet and reported within the relevant investment portfolio (refer to ‘Australian dollar securities’ and ‘Foreign government securities’, above). The counterpart obligation to repurchase the securities is reported in ‘Other liabilities’ (Note 10) and measured at amortised cost. The difference between the sale and purchase price is accrued over the term of the agreement and recognised as interest expense.​ ​

(c) Foreign exchange translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are converted to Australian dollar equivalents at the relevant market exchange rate on balance date in accordance with AASB 121 – The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates. Valuation gains or losses on foreign currency are taken to net profit. Interest revenue and expenses and revaluation gains and losses on foreign currency securities are converted to Australian dollars using exchange rates on the date they are accrued or recognised.

(d) Gold

Gold holdings (including gold on loan to other institutions) are valued at the Australian dollar equivalent of the 3.00 pm fix in the London gold market on balance date. Valuation gains or losses on gold are transferred to the asset revaluation reserve for gold.

The RBA lends gold to institutions that participate in the gold market. Gold provided under a loan is retained on the balance sheet. Interest is accrued over the term of the loan and is paid at maturity. The interest receivable on gold loans is accounted for in accordance with AASB 9.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

The RBA accounts for its property, plant and equipment in accordance with AASB 116 – Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 13.

Property

The RBA measures its property at fair value. The RBA’s Australian properties are formally valued annually by an independent valuer; overseas properties are independently valued on a triennial basis with the most recent valuation conducted in 2018/19. Reflecting their specialised nature, fair value for the RBA’s Business Resumption Site and National Banknote Site is based on depreciated replacement cost. Valuation gains (losses) are generally transferred to (from) the asset revaluation reserve of each respective property. Any part of a valuation loss that exceeds the balance in the relevant asset revaluation reserve is expensed. Subsequent valuation gains that offset losses that were previously treated as an expense are recognised as income in net profit.

Annual depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis using assessments of the remaining useful life of the relevant building.

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. Annual depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis using the RBA's assessment of the remaining useful life of individual assets.

Depreciation rates for each class of depreciable assets are based on the following range of useful lives:

Assets are assessed for impairment at the end of each financial year. If indications of impairment are evident, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment is made if the recoverable amount is less than the asset's carrying amount.

Annual expenditure, revaluation adjustments and depreciation of property, plant and equipment are included in Note 8.

(f) Computer software

Computer software is reported in accordance with AASB 138 – Intangible Assets. Computer software is recognised at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment adjustments, if any (refer to Note 7). Amortisation of computer software is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the relevant asset, usually for a period of between four and six years (refer to Note 2). The useful life of payments settlements and core banking software may be for a period of between 10 and 15 years, reflecting the period over which future economic benefits are expected to be realised from these assets.

(g) Capital and reserves

The capital of the Reserve Bank is established by the Reserve Bank Act.

The Reserve Bank Reserve Fund (RBRF) is also established by the Reserve Bank Act and is regarded essentially as capital. The RBRF is a reserve maintained to provide for events that are contingent and not foreseeable, including to cover losses from falls in the market value of the RBA’s holdings of Australian dollar and foreign currency investments that cannot be absorbed by its other resources. The RBRF also provides for other risks such as operational risk. In accordance with the Reserve Bank Act, this reserve is funded only by transfers from net profits, as determined by the Treasurer, after consulting the Reserve Bank Board (refer to Note 1(h)). The Board assesses the adequacy of the balance of the RBRF each year. The balance of the RBRF currently stands at a level that the Board regards as appropriate for the risks the RBA holds on its balance sheet.

The RBA’s equity also includes a number of other reserves.

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange, foreign securities and Australian dollar securities are recognised in net profit. Such gains or losses are not available for distribution and are transferred to the unrealised profits reserve, where they remain available to absorb future unrealised losses or become available for distribution if gains are realised when assets are sold or mature.

The balance of the Superannuation reserve represents accumulated remeasurement gains or losses on the RBA’s defined benefit superannuation obligations (refer Note 1 (j)).

Balances of asset revaluation reserves reflect differences between the fair value of non-traded assets and their cost. These assets are: gold; property; and shares in international and other institutions. Valuation gains on these assets are not distributable unless an asset is sold and these gains are realised.

(h) Net profits

Net profits of the RBA are dealt with in the following terms by section 30 of the Reserve Bank Act:

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the net profits of the Bank in each year shall be dealt with as follows:

(aa) such amount as the Treasurer, after consultation with the Reserve Bank Board, determines is to be set aside for contingencies; and

(a) such amount as the Treasurer, after consultation with the Reserve Bank Board, determines shall be placed to the credit of the Reserve Bank Reserve Fund; and

(b) the remainder shall be paid to the Commonwealth.

(2) If the net profit of the Bank for a year is calculated on a basis that requires the inclusion of unrealised gains on assets during the year, the amount to which subsection (1) applies is to be worked out as follows:

(a) deduct from the net profit an amount equal to the total of all amounts of unrealised gains included in the net profit; and

(b) if an asset in respect of which unrealised gains were included in the net profit for a previous year or years is realised during the year – add to the amount remaining after applying paragraph (a) the total amount of those unrealised gains.

(i) Provisions for employee benefits entitlements

In accordance with AASB 119 – Employee Benefits, the RBA records provisions for certain employee benefit entitlements, including accrued annual and long service leave and post-employment health insurance benefits. These provisions reflect the present value of the estimated future cost to meet those entitlements, including any applicable fringe benefit or payroll taxes and, in the case of leave entitlements, superannuation contributions to the extent that any leave is assumed to be taken during service. Leave provisions are calculated using assumptions for length of staff service, leave utilisation and future salary. The provision for post-employment health insurance benefits is estimated using assumptions about the length of staff service, longevity of retired staff and future movements in health insurance costs. This post-employment benefit ceased to be available for new staff appointed after 30 June 2013. Further detail on employee benefit provisions are included in Note 10.

(j) Superannuation funds

The RBA includes in its Statement of Financial Position an asset or liability representing the position of its defined benefit superannuation funds measured in accordance with AASB 119. Movements in the superannuation asset or liability are reflected in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Remeasurement gains and losses are transferred to the Superannuation reserve. Details of the superannuation funds and superannuation expenses are included in Note 14.

(k) Committed Liquidity Facility

The RBA provides a Committed Liquidity Facility (CLF) to eligible authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs). Fees received from providing the CLF are recognised as fee income in net profit. Additional information on the CLF is provided in Note 11.

(l) Non-current assets held for sale

A non-current asset is classified as being held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This classification requires the asset to be available for immediate sale and for the sale to be highly probable. Held for sale assets are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less sale costs, in accordance with AASB 5 – Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

(m) Revenue from contracts with customers

In the course of its operations, the RBA enters into contracts for the provision of goods and services. These include contracts for the provision of banking and payment services to the Australian Government, overseas central banks and official institutions, the provision of the CLF for participating ADIs (refer to Note 1(k)) and, in the case of the RBA’s subsidiary, banknote and security products to overseas central banks.

Revenue is recognised on a gross basis at the point the contracted performance obligation is satisfied, as required by AASB 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In the case of banking and payment services, revenue is recognised upon the completion of the provision of service. Revenue from the sale of banknote and security products is recognised at the point at which the product is accepted and CLF fee income is recognised over the period the facility is provided.

Where the right to consideration for the completion of the performance obligation under the contract becomes unconditional, a receivable is recognised in the Statement of Financial Position; a contract asset is recorded when this right remains conditional (refer to Note 7). Where a performance obligation under a contract remains unsatisfied, but consideration has been received, the RBA reports this as an unearned contract liability (refer to Note 10).

(n) Rounding

Amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest million dollars unless otherwise stated.

(o) Comparative information

Certain comparative information may be reclassified where required for consistency with the current year presentation.

(p) Application of new or revised Australian Accounting Standards

New Australian accounting standards that apply to the RBA's financial statements in the current and future financial years are set out below along with an assessment of the main effects of these standards on the RBA’s financial statements.

AASB 9 – Financial Instruments

The RBA adopted AASB 9 with retrospective cumulative effect from 1 July 2018. The new standard replaces AASB 139 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. AASB 9 has amended the assessment criteria for the classification of financial assets and introduced a new expected credit loss model for assessing impairments arising from the deterioration in credit quality of financial instruments measured at amortised cost. Adoption of the new standard has not resulted in any change in the recognition or measurement of the RBA’s financial instruments. A reconciliation of the RBA’s financial assets, under AASB 9 and AASB 139, is provided below. Additional disclosure on the RBA’s approach to assessing expected credit losses is contained in Note 15.

AASB 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The RBA adopted AASB 15 with retrospective cumulative effect from 1 July 2018. The new standard contains requirements for the recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of revenue arising from contracts with customers. AASB 15 provides a principles-based approach for revenue recognition, centred around the satisfaction of performance obligations under a contractual agreement. This differs from the previous requirement under AASB 118 – Revenue, where revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer.

The application of AASB 15 has not had an impact on the recognition and measurement of revenue from the RBA’s contracts with its customers. Additional disclosures on revenue from contracts have been made in Note 1(m).

AASB 16 – Leases

AASB 16 contains requirements for the recognition, measurement and classification of leases for both lessees and lessors. The new standard, which will apply to the RBA’s financial statements with effect from 1 July 2019, will replace corresponding requirements currently contained in AASB 117 – Leases. The new standard will require a number of the RBA’s lease obligations, mainly relating to its leased properties, to be recorded in the Statement of Financial Position; however, this is not expected to have a material effect. Additional disclosure on the RBA’s lease arrangements will also be required.

Note 2 – Net Profit

Note 3 – Distribution Payable to the Commonwealth

Net profits of the RBA, less amounts transferred to the RBRF, are paid to the Commonwealth as required by section 30 of the Reserve Bank Act (see Note 1(h)). Also under section 30, unrealised profits from foreign exchange, foreign securities and Australian dollar securities are not available for distribution. Instead they are transferred to the unrealised profits reserve where they remain available to absorb future valuation losses or are realised when relevant assets are sold or mature. Unrealised losses are, in the first instance, absorbed within the unrealised profits reserve where they are offset against unrealised profits accumulated from previous years. For purposes of distribution, if such losses exceed the balance of the unrealised profits reserve, the amount by which they do so is initially charged against other components of net profit, and any remaining loss is absorbed by the RBRF.

In 2018/19, the RBA recorded a net profit of $4,549 million. Unrealised valuation gains of $2,970 million were transferred to the unrealised profits reserve, with the balance of net profit transferred to the Statement of Distribution. In addition, a sum of $106 million was transferred from the asset revaluation reserve to the Statement of Distribution following the sale of the RBA’s office building in Melbourne (see Note 7). Earnings available for distribution therefore amounted to $1,685 million in 2018/19.

As the Board regarded the balance of the RBRF as appropriate for the risks held on the balance sheet, it recommended that no transfer to this reserve be made from net profit in 2018/19. Accordingly, the Treasurer, after consulting the Board, determined that the full sum of earnings available for distribution be paid as a dividend to the Commonwealth. An amount of $889 million was paid to the Commonwealth in 2018/19, consisting of $220 million from 2016/17 earnings and $669 million from 2017/18 earnings.

Note 4 – Interest Income and Interest Expense

Interest income for 2018/19 includes $1,646 million calculated using the effective interest method for financial assets not at fair value through profit or loss ($1,501 million in 2017/18). Interest expense for 2018/19 includes $1,034 million calculated using the effective interest method for financial liabilities not at fair value through profit or loss ($1,200 million in 2017/18).

Note 5 – Asset Revaluation Reserves

Note 6 – Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include net amounts of $1,209 million owed to the RBA for overnight clearances of financial transactions through the payments system ($322 million at 30 June 2018). Other cash and cash equivalents include NPA’s bank deposits.

Cash and cash equivalents exclude Australian and foreign short-term investments held to implement monetary policy or as part of Australia’s foreign reserve assets. These investments are disclosed as Australian dollar investments and foreign currency investments, respectively; further detail is disclosed in Note 15.

Note 7 – Other Assets

At 30 June 2019, the gross book value of the RBA’s computer software amounted to $156.3 million and the accumulated amortisation on these assets was $59.1 million ($140.1 million and $42.5 million, respectively, at 30 June 2018). During 2018/19, there were $16.1 million in net additions to computer software ($30.1 million in 2017/18) and $20.5 million in amortisation expense ($16.5 million in 2017/18). The RBA had contractual commitments of $3.5 million as at 30 June 2019 for the acquisition of computer software ($7.2 million at 30 June 2018).

The RBA completed the sale of its office building in Melbourne in 2018/19, having commenced the sale process in 2017/18 following a review of its property assets and operational requirements. The property was recorded as held for sale at 30 June 2018. The sale of the building for $160 million resulted in a gain of $157 million, of which $106 million reflected gains from earlier periods held in the asset revaluation reserve (Note 5); the balance of this gain, a sum of $51 million, was recognised in net profit in 2018/19.

Other assets predominately include receivables of $31.7 million at 30 June 2019 ($23.5 million at 30 June 2018). None of these assets is impaired. There were no contract assets at 30 June 2019 (Note 1(m)).

Note 8 – Property, Plant and Equipment

The net book value of the RBA’s property, plant and equipment includes $19.9 million of work in progress ($12.0 million at 30 June 2018).

As at 30 June 2019, the RBA had contractual commitments of $6.8 million for the acquisition or development of property, plant and equipment ($5.6 million at 30 June 2018), of which $4.1 million are due within one year ($5.6 million at 30 June 2018).

Note 9 – Deposits

Note 10 – Other Liabilities

The RBA’s provision for its post-employment benefits was $13.7 million higher in 2018/19, largely due to a decline in the discount rates used to measure the estimated future cost of providing these benefits in present value terms. Benefits of $4.6 million were paid out of the provision for post-employment benefits in 2018/19. The balance of the provision for post-employment benefits will change if assumptions about the length of staff service, the longevity of retired staff, future costs of providing benefits, or discount rates vary.

Other provisions include amounts for workers compensation, redundancies and legal matters.

Other liabilities include contract liabilities of $30.4 million relating to unearned revenue from the provision of the CLF (Note 1(m)).

Note 11 – Contingent Assets and Liabilities

Committed Liquidity Facility

Since 1 January 2015, the RBA has provided a CLF to eligible ADIs as part of Australia’s implementation of the Basel III liquidity standards. The CLF provides ADIs with a contractual commitment to funding under repurchase agreements with the RBA, subject to certain conditions. It was established to ensure that ADIs are able to meet their liquidity requirements under Basel III. The CLF is made available to ADIs in Australia because the supply of high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) is lower in Australia than is typical in other major economies; in other countries, these liquidity requirements are usually met by banks’ HQLAs on their balance sheet. While the RBA administers the CLF, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) determines which institutions have access to the facility and the limits available. Any drawdown must meet certain conditions, including: APRA does not object to the drawdown; and the RBA assesses that the ADI has positive net worth. Accordingly, the potential funding under the CLF is disclosed as a contingent liability; repurchase agreements associated with providing funding are disclosed as a contingent asset. If an ADI drew on the CLF, the funds drawn would be shown as a deposit liability of the RBA, and the counterpart repurchase agreement as an Australian dollar investment.

The aggregate undrawn commitment of the CLF at 30 June 2019 totalled $218 billion for 15 ADIs ($223 billion for 14 ADIs at 30 June 2018).

Bank for International Settlements

The RBA has a contingent liability for the uncalled portion of its shares held in the BIS amounting to $71.4 million at 30 June 2019 ($68.4 million at 30 June 2018).

Securency

In February 2013, the RBA completed the sale of its 50 per cent interest in Securency International Pty Ltd (Securency; now known as CCL Secure Pty Ltd) to a related entity of Innovia Films, a UK-based film manufacturer, which had previously owned the other half of Securency. An amount covering 50 per cent of certain potential liabilities of Securency relating to events prior to the sale was placed in escrow in February 2013. In February 2020 the RBA will receive the balance then remaining in escrow after relevant claims have been paid, settled or lapse. Where it is not possible to estimate the likelihood of the RBA receiving any payment from the amount held in escrow, this amount is treated as a contingent asset, in accordance with AASB 137.

Under the sale agreement the RBA also provided the owner of Securency with a number of indemnities in relation to the period during which Securency had been jointly owned by the RBA and Innovia Films. The RBA is unable to reliably estimate the potential financial effect of any obligation to make payment under or in connection with the sale agreement. Accordingly, these potential costs are treated as contingent liabilities in accordance with AASB 137.

Insurance

The RBA carries its own insurance risks except when external insurance cover is considered to be more cost-effective or is required by legislation.

Performance Guarantees

In the course of providing services to its customers, the RBA provides performance guarantees to third parties in relation to customer activities. Such exposure is not material and has not given rise to losses in the past.

Similarly, the RBA has provided a performance guarantee for pension payments to members of the Reserve Bank of Australia UK Pension Scheme in relation to a UK insurer. This exposure is not material. Further detail is provided in Note 14.

Note 12 – Key Management Personnel

The key management personnel of the RBA are the Governor and Deputy Governor, non-executive members of the Reserve Bank Board, non-executive members of the Payments System Board and the Assistant Governors, who are the senior staff responsible for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the RBA. There were 20 of these positions in 2018/19 (unchanged from 2017/18). A total of 22 individuals occupied these positions for all or part of the financial year (23 in the previous year).

The positions of Governor and Deputy Governor are designated as Principal Executive Offices in terms of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, which provides for the Remuneration Tribunal to determine the applicable remuneration for these positions. Within the parameters determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, the Reserve Bank Board Remuneration Committee, comprising three non-executive members, makes a recommendation on remuneration for these positions for the approval of the Board, which is the ‘employing body’ for the positions. In accordance with provisions of the Reserve Bank Act, neither the Governor nor the Deputy Governor takes part in decisions of the Reserve Bank Board relating to the determination or application of any terms or conditions on which either of them holds office. During 2018/19, the remuneration reference rate for the position of Governor was $1,040,400 (superannuable salary of $759,492) and that for the Deputy Governor was $780,300 (superannuable salary of $569,619). Remuneration of each of the Governor and Deputy Governor in 2018/19 was at the applicable reference rate. No performance payments were made to either the Governor or Deputy Governor in 2018/19.

Fees for non-executive members of the Reserve Bank Board and the Payments System Board are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. The Governor determines the rates of remuneration of the Assistant Governors. For staff generally, remuneration aims to be market competitive and designed to attract and retain appropriately skilled people. Remuneration levels for employees are externally benchmarked.

The disclosure of key management personnel remuneration is based on AASB 124 – Related Party Disclosures, as shown below. The figures are disclosed on an accruals basis and show the full cost to the consolidated entity; they include all leave and fringe benefits tax charges.

Short-term benefits include salary and, for relevant executives, lump-sum performance payments and motor vehicle, car parking and health benefits (including any fringe benefits tax on these benefits).

Post-employment benefits include superannuation and, in the case of executives, an estimate of the cost to provide health benefits in retirement. Other long-term employee benefits include long service leave and annual leave, as well as the effect of revaluing previously accrued leave entitlements in accordance with AASB 119 (refer Note 10).

There were no loans or other related party transactions with Board members or other key management personnel during 2018/19 and 2017/18. Transactions with Board member-related entities that occurred in the normal course of the RBA’s operations were incidental and conducted on terms no more favourable than similar transactions with other employees or customers; any vendor relationships with such entities were at arm’s length and complied with the RBA’s procurement policy.

Note 13 – Auditor’s Remuneration

KPMG has been contracted by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) to provide audit services for the external audit of the RBA and the RBA’s subsidiary NPA.

During 2018/19, KPMG earned additional fees of $23,470 for non-audit services that were separately contracted by the RBA ($125,286 in 2017/18). These fees included advisory services provided to the RBA.

Note 14 – Superannuation Funds

The RBA sponsors two superannuation funds: RB Super and the Reserve Bank of Australia UK Pension Scheme. For RB Super, current and future benefits are funded by member and RBA contributions and the existing assets of the scheme.

RB Super is a hybrid plan, with a mix of defined benefit members, defined contribution members and pensioners. Defined benefit members receive a defined benefit in accordance with RB Super’s plan rules. Most members have unitised accumulation balances, which comprise employer contributions and members’ personal contributions plus earnings on these contributions. Defined benefit membership was closed to new RBA staff from 1 August 2014. From that date, new staff have been offered defined contribution superannuation. The RBA does not have a role in directly operating or governing RB Super and has no involvement in the appointment of the RB Super Trustees.

The UK Pension Scheme is a closed defined benefit scheme subject to relevant UK regulation. The Trustees, with agreement from the RBA, have entered into a bulk purchase annuity (BPA) contract with a UK insurer to reduce the funding risk in relation to the UK Pension Scheme’s pension liabilities. Defined benefit accrual for current members ceased on 30 June 2018. From that date, current and new staff have been offered defined contribution arrangements in a separate fund.

Funding valuation

Independent actuarial valuations of RB Super and the UK Pension Scheme are conducted every three years.

The triennial actuarial valuation for RB Super was completed for the financial position as at 30 June 2017 using the Attained Age Funding method. Accrued benefits were determined as the value of the future benefits payable to members (allowing for future salary increases), discounted by the expected rate of return on assets held to fund these benefits. At the time of this review, the surplus was $190.1 million. On the same valuation basis, the RB Super surplus as at 30 June 2019 amounted to $358.0 million. The RBA maintained its contribution rate to fund defined benefit obligations at 18.3 per cent of salaries in 2018/19, consistent with the actuary’s recommendation.

The latest funding valuation for the UK Pension Scheme was at 1 July 2016 and was also based on the Attained Age Funding method. At the time of this review, the UK Pension Scheme was in a small surplus with assets of $25.6 million compared with accrued benefits of $25.5 million. The bulk of the UK Pension Scheme’s assets are currently invested in the BPA, with the balance invested in unit trusts that hold short-term money market securities and UK government bonds. The purchase of the BPA has significantly reduced funding risk for the UK Pension Scheme. Once a full due diligence is completed, the trustees will make a balancing payment to the UK insurer to finalise the BPA. Currently, this amount is unknown. To the extent the assets in the UK Pension Scheme are not sufficient to fund the BPA balancing payment and any other operating costs of the UK Pension Scheme, the RBA would cover any shortfall. The balancing payment is expected to be made in 2019/20.

Accounting valuation

For financial statement purposes, the financial positions of RB Super and the UK Pension Scheme are valued in accordance with AASB 119. Disclosures required by AASB 119 are provided only for RB Super, as the UK Pension Scheme is not material.

Actuarial assumptions

The principal actuarial assumptions for the AASB 119 valuation of RB Super are:

Maturity analysis

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation for RB Super is 20 years (18 years at 30 June 2018). The expected maturity profile for defined benefit obligations of RB Super is as follows:

Risk exposures

Key risks from the RBA’s sponsorship of the RB Super defined benefit plan include investment, interest rate, longevity, salary and pension risks.

Investment risk is the risk that the actual future return on plan assets will be lower than the assumed rate.

Interest rate risk is the exposure of the defined benefit obligations to adverse movements in interest rates. A decrease in interest rates will increase the present value of these obligations.

Longevity risk is the risk that RB Super members live longer, on average, than actuarial estimates of life expectancy.

Salary risk is the risk that higher than assumed salary growth will increase the cost of providing a salary-related pension.

Pension risk is the risk that pensions increase at a faster rate than assumed, thereby increasing the cost of providing them.

The table below shows the estimated change in the defined benefit obligation resulting from movements in key actuarial assumptions. These estimates change each assumption individually, holding other factors constant; they do not incorporate any correlations among these factors.

Asset distribution

The distribution of RB Super’s assets used to fund members’ defined benefits at 30 June is:

AASB 119 Reconciliation

The table below contains a reconciliation of the AASB 119 valuation of RB Super. These details are for the defined benefit component only, as the RBA faces no actuarial risk on defined contribution balances and these balances have no effect on the measurement of the financial position of RB Super.

Note 15 – Financial Instruments and Risk

As the central bank in Australia, the RBA is responsible for implementing monetary policy, facilitating the smooth functioning of the payment system and managing Australia’s foreign reserve assets. Consequently, the RBA holds a range of financial assets, including government securities, repurchase agreements and foreign currency swaps. As to financial liabilities, the RBA issues Australia’s banknotes and takes deposits from its customers, mainly the Australian Government, and eligible financial institutions. The RBA also provides banking services to its customers and operates Australia’s high-value payments and interbank settlement systems.

Financial Risk

The RBA is exposed to a range of financial risks that reflect its policy and operational responsibilities. These risks include market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The chapters on ‘Operations in Financial Markets’ and ‘Risk Management’ provide information on the RBA’s management of these financial risks. The RBA’s approach to managing financial risk is set out in the Risk Appetite Statement available on the RBA website.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. In the RBA’s case, market risk comprises foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk.

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of the RBA’s foreign currency assets and liabilities will fluctuate because of movements in exchange rates. The RBA’s net foreign currency exposure as at 30 June 2019 was $55.6 billion ($53.8 billion as at 30 June 2018). An appreciation in the Australian dollar would therefore result in valuation losses, while a depreciation would lead to valuation gains. The overall level of foreign currency exposure is determined by policy considerations. Foreign currency risk can be mitigated to a limited extent by holding assets across a diversified portfolio of currencies. The RBA holds foreign reserves in seven currencies – the US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, UK pound sterling and South Korean won.

The RBA also undertakes foreign currency swaps to assist its daily domestic liquidity management and to manage foreign reserve assets. These instruments carry no foreign exchange risk.

Concentration of foreign exchange

The RBA’s net holdings of foreign exchange (excluding Special Drawing Rights and Asian Bond Fund 2) were distributed as follows as at 30 June:

Sensitivity to foreign exchange risk

The sensitivity of the RBA’s profit and equity to a movement of +/–10 per cent in the value of the
Australian dollar exchange rate as at 30 June is shown below. These figures are generally reflective of the RBA’s exposure over the financial year.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of financial instruments will fluctuate because of movements in market interest rates. The RBA faces interest rate risk because most of its assets are financial assets that have a fixed income stream, such as Australian dollar and foreign currency securities. The price of such securities rises when market interest rates decline, and it falls if market rates rise. Interest rate risk increases with the maturity of a security. Interest rate risk on foreign assets is controlled through limits on the duration of these portfolios. Interest rate risk on Australian dollar assets is relatively lower as most of the portfolio is held in short-term reverse repurchase agreements.

Sensitivity to interest rate risk

The figures below show the effect on the RBA’s profit and equity of a movement of +/–1 percentage point in interest rates, given the level, composition and modified duration of the RBA’s foreign currency and Australian dollar securities as at 30 June.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the RBA will not have the resources required at a particular time to meet its obligations to settle its financial liabilities. As the ultimate source of liquidity in Australian dollars, the RBA can create liquidity in unlimited amounts in Australian dollars at any time. A small component of the RBA’s liabilities is in foreign currencies, namely foreign repurchase agreements.

Liquidity risk may also be associated with the RBA, in extraordinary circumstances, being forced to sell a financial asset at a price less than its fair value. The RBA manages this risk by holding a diversified portfolio of highly liquid Australian dollar and foreign currency assets.

The analysis of portfolio maturity in the table that follows is based on the RBA’s contracted portfolio as reported in the RBA’s Statement of Financial Position. All financial instruments are shown at their remaining term to maturity, which is equivalent to the repricing period. Other liabilities include amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements. Foreign currency swaps reflect the gross contracted amount of the RBA’s outstanding foreign currency swap positions.

Maturity Analysis

Maturity Analysis

Credit risk

Credit risk is the potential for financial loss arising from an issuer or counterparty defaulting on its obligations to repay principal, make interest payments due on an asset, or settle a transaction. The RBA’s credit exposure is managed within a framework designed to contain risk to a level consistent with its very low appetite for such risk. In particular, credit risk is controlled by holding securities issued by a limited number of highly rated governments, government-guaranteed agencies and supranational organisations and holding high-quality collateral under reverse repurchase agreements.

The RBA’s maximum exposure to credit risk for each class of recognised financial assets, other than derivatives, is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated in the balance sheet.

The RBA’s maximum credit risk exposure to derivative financial instruments is:

1. Foreign exchange swaps – As at 30 June 2019, the RBA was under contract to purchase $24.4 billion of foreign currency ($21.3 billion at 30 June 2018) and sell $41.9 billion of foreign currency ($41.1 billion at 30 June 2018). As of that date there was a net unrealised loss of $0.5 billion on these swap positions included in net profit ($0.1 billion unrealised gain at 30 June 2018).

The RBA has a credit exposure from foreign exchange swaps because of the risk that a counterparty might fail to deliver the second leg of a swap, a sum that would then have to be replaced in the market, potentially at a loss. To manage credit risk on swaps, the RBA exchanges collateral with counterparties under terms specified in credit support annexes (CSAs), which cover the potential cost of replacing the swap position in the market if a counterparty fails to deliver. The RBA’s CSAs specify that only Australian dollar cash is eligible as collateral. Under CSAs, either party to the agreement may be obliged to deliver collateral with interest paid or received on a monthly basis. At 30 June 2019, the RBA provided $1.0 billion of collateral ($0.4 billion of collateral was provided at 30 June 2018).

2. Interest rate futures – As at 30 June 2019, the amount of credit risk on margin accounts associated with interest rate futures contracts held by the RBA was approximately $2.2 million ($0.9 million at 30 June 2018). As at 30 June 2019, there was an unrealised gain of $1.6 million brought to account on those contracts ($0.5 million unrealised loss at 30 June 2018).

The RBA held no past due or impaired assets at 30 June 2019 or 30 June 2018.

Assessment of expected credit loss under AASB 9

The RBA assesses its financial assets carried at amortised cost, mainly its reverse repurchase agreements and foreign currency-denominated balances held with other central banks, for any deterioration in credit quality which could result in losses being recorded. The RBA’s assessment is done on an individual exposure basis and takes account of the counterparties with which balances are held; the collateral, if any, it holds against exposures and the terms upon which collateral is margined; and the remaining terms to maturity of such exposures. Based on its assessment at 30 June 2019, the RBA did not expect to incur any credit losses over the coming 12 month period and a nil loss allowance was recognised.

Collateral held under reverse repurchase agreements

Cash invested under reverse repurchase agreements in overseas markets is secured against government securities or securities issued by US agencies; the RBA takes and maintains collateral to the value of 102 per cent of the cash invested. Cash invested under Australian dollar reverse repurchase agreements is secured by securities issued by Australian governments, supranational organisations, banks and various corporate and asset-backed securities. The RBA holds collateral equivalent to the amount invested plus a margin according to the risk profile of the collateral held. If the current value of collateral falls by more than a predetermined amount, the counterparty is required to provide additional collateral to restore this margin; the thresholds are specified in the legal agreement which governs these transactions. The management of collateral and cash associated with tri-party repurchase agreements is conducted through a third party, in this case the Australian Securities Exchange. The terms and requirements of tri-party repurchase agreements are broadly consistent with bilateral agreements and the RBA manages the risk in a similar way. The RBA does not sell or re-pledge securities held as collateral under reverse repurchase agreements.

Collateral provided under repurchase agreements

At 30 June 2019, the carrying amount of securities sold and contracted for purchase under repurchase agreements was $350 million ($1,789 million at 30 June 2018). Terms and conditions of repurchase agreements are consistent with those for reverse repurchase agreements disclosed above.

Concentration of credit risk

As noted, the RBA operates to minimise its credit risk exposure through comprehensive risk management policy guidelines. The following table indicates the concentration of credit risk in the RBA’s investment portfolio.

Note 16 – Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at measurement date. This is the quoted market price if one is available. The RBA’s financial assets measured at fair value include its holdings of Australian dollar securities, foreign government securities, interest rate futures, foreign currency swap contracts and its shareholding in the BIS. Non-financial assets carried on the balance sheet at fair value include the RBA’s property and gold holdings. Other than derivatives, there are no financial liabilities measured at fair value.

AASB 13 requires financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be disclosed according to their position in the fair value hierarchy. This hierarchy has three levels: valuation for Level 1 assets is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; for Level 2 assets, valuation is based on quoted prices or other observable market data not included in Level 1; Level 3 assets include inputs to valuation other than observable market data.

The table below presents the RBA’s assets and liabilities measured and recognised at fair value and their classification within the fair value hierarchy at 30 June 2019.

The RBA’s Level 2 financial instruments include foreign currency swaps priced with reference to an active market yield or rate, but which have been interpolated to reflect maturity dates. Prices for some Australian dollar and foreign currency-denominated securities are derived from markets that are not considered active.

Level 3 assets include the RBA’s shareholding in the BIS and its property. The shareholding in the BIS is valued using the net asset value, as published in annual financial statements of the BIS, less a discount of 30 per cent. The discount applied is based on a Hague Arbitral Tribunal decision on compensation paid to former private shareholders, and subsequent transactions involving the re-allocation of BIS shares. Fair values of the RBA’s property incorporate factors such as net market income and capitalisation rates, for property valued using an income capitalisation or a discounted cash flow approach, and depreciation rates for property valued using a depreciable replacement cost methodology.

There were no transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy during the financial year. Movements in the fair value of the RBA’s property during the financial year are detailed in Note 8. Fair value changes in the RBA’s shareholdings in international and other institutions solely reflect valuation movements recognised in Other Comprehensive Income.

Note 17 – Subsequent Events

There are no events subsequent to 30 June 2019 to be disclosed.