Appendix 1 - Financial Statements
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
1.8 Employee Benefits
Liabilities for services rendered by employees are recognised at the reporting date to the extent that they have not been settled.
Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits’ (as defined in AASB 119) and termination benefits due within twelve months of balance date are measured at their nominal amounts.
The nominal amount is calculated with regard to the rates expected to be paid on settlement of the liability.
All other employee benefit liabilities are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.
Leave
The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years by employees of PSR is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.
The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration, including the PSR’s employer superannuation contribution rates to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.
The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to the work of an actuary as at 30 June 2008. The estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation.
Superannuation
Staff of PSR are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) or the PSS accumulation plan (PSSap).
The CSS and PSS are defined benefit schemes for the Australian Government. The PSSap is a defined contribution scheme.
The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported by the Department of Finance and Deregulation as an administered item.
PSR makes employer contributions to the employee superannuation scheme at rates determined by an actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the Government of the superannuation entitlements of PSR’s employees. PSR accounts for the contributions as if they were contributions to defined contribution plans.
From 1 July 2005, new employees are eligible to join the PSSap scheme.
The liability for superannuation recognised as at 30 June represents outstanding contributions for the final fortnight of the year.