5512.0 - Government Finance Statistics, Australia, 2015-16 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/04/2017   
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KEY GOVERNMENT FINANCE STATISTICS

ACCRUAL OPERATING RESULTS


The GFS net operating balance for all levels of government in 2015-16 was -$23,164m for the general government sector and -$30,753m for the total public sector.

GFS net lending/borrowing for all levels of government in 2015-16 was -$44,467m for the general government sector and -$62,523m for the total public sector.

The following table shows 2015-16 GFS operating statement aggregates by sector across the various levels of government.

OPERATING RESULTS, By Sector, 2015-16

General Government Sector
Non-financial Public Sector
Total Public Sector(a)
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
$m
$m
$m

All levels of government
GFS Revenue
577 650
631 759
639 440
GFS Expenses
600 814
659 101
670 192
GFS Net operating balance
-23 164
-27 343
-30 753
Net acquisition of non-financial assets
21 303
31 869
31 770
GFS Net lending(+)/borrowing(-)
-44 467
-59 212
-62 523
Commonwealth Government
GFS Revenue
395 695
404 509
405 071
GFS Expenses
430 949
442 528
443 846
GFS Net operating balance
-35 254
-38 020
-38 775
Net acquisition of non-financial assets
3 482
8 202
8 272
GFS Net lending(+)/borrowing(-)
-38 736
-46 221
-47 047
State and local government
GFS Revenue
280 196
324 487
331 647
GFS Expenses
265 475
311 417
321 231
GFS Net operating balance
14 721
13 071
10 416
Net acquisition of non-financial assets
16 574
22 452
22 282
GFS Net lending(+)/borrowing(-)
-1 853
-9 381
-11 866
Multi-jurisdictional(b)
GFS Revenue
27 782
29 965
29 965
GFS Expenses
26 849
28 785
28 785
GFS Net operating balance
933
1 180
1 180
Net acquisition of non-financial assets
1 249
1 217
1 217
GFS Net lending(+)/borrowing(-)
-316
-38
-38

(a) The total public sector comprises general government, public non-financial corporations and public financial corporations. The sum of individual levels of government or sectors may not agree with the total public sector figures due to transfers between levels of government.
(b) The multi-jurisdictional sector contains units where jurisdiction is shared between two or more governments, or classification of a unit to a jurisdiction is otherwise unclear. The main types of units currently falling into this category are the public universities.


CASH OPERATING RESULTS


The cash operating result for all levels of government in 2015-16 was a deficit of -$40,605m for the general government sector and a deficit of -$56,109m for the total public sector.

The following table presents the 2015-16 cash operating surplus/deficit results by sector for each jurisdiction.

CASH OPERATING RESULTS, By Sector, 2015-16

General Government Sector
Non-financial Public Sector
Total Public Sector(a)
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
$m
$m
$m

Surplus (+)/Deficit(-)
Commonwealth Government
-36 484
-43 156
-44 424
State and local government
New South Wales
3 598
-1 525
-85
Victoria
655
-120
868
Queensland
362
-1 074
-2 336
South Australia
-153
-78
-550
Western Australia
-3 733
-4 616
-4 801
Tasmania
256
106
131
Northern Territory
-23
-59
-83
Australian Capital Territory
-662
-614
-614
Total state and local government
299
-7 977
-7 468
Multi-jurisdictional(b)
-345
-134
-134
All levels of government
-40 605
-55 350
-56 109

(a) The total public sector comprises general government, public non-financial corporations and public financial corporations. The sum of individual levels of government or sectors may not agree with the total public sector figures due to transfers between levels of government.
(b) The multi-jurisdictional sector contains units where jurisdiction is shared between two or more governments, or classification of a unit to a jurisdiction is otherwise unclear. The main types of units currently falling into this category are the public universities.


BALANCE SHEET RESULTS


GFS net worth reflects the contribution of governments to the wealth of Australia. The consolidated net worth as at 30 June 2016 for all levels of government was $775,314m.

The following table presents 30 June 2016 balance sheet aggregates by sector for the various levels of government.

BALANCE SHEET RESULTS, By Sector, At 30 June 2016

General Government Sector
Non-financial Public Sector
Total Public Sector(a)
at 30 June 2016
at 30 June 2016
at 30 June 2016
$m
$m
$m

All levels of government
Total assets
2 076 971
2 230 406
2 478 666
Total liabilities
1 301 657
1 453 194
1 703 351
Shares and other contributed capital
-
1 898
-
GFS Net worth
775 314
775 314
775 314
Commonwealth Government
Total assets
491 341
502 573
647 524
Total liabilities
894 693
905 925
1 050 876
Shares and other contributed capital
-
-
-
GFS Net worth
-403 352
-403 352
-403 352
State and local government
Total assets
1 528 320
1 671 255
1 780 189
Total liabilities
399 571
540 608
651 440
Shares and other contributed capital
-
1 898
-
GFS Net worth
1 128 749
1 128 749
1 128 749
Multi-jurisdictional(b)
Total assets
69 816
73 560
73 560
Total liabilities
19 899
21 554
21 554
Shares and other contributed capital
-
2 088
2 088
GFS Net worth
49 917
49 917
49 917

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) The total public sector comprises general government, public non-financial corporations and public financial corporations. The sum of individual levels of government or sectors may not agree with the total public sector figures due to transfers between level of government.
(b) The multi-jurisdictional sector contains units where jurisdiction is shared between two or more governments, or classification of a unit to a jurisdiction is otherwise unclear. The main types of units currently falling into this category are the public universities.


GOVERNMENT FINANCE STATISTICS STANDARDS

GFS enables policy makers and users to analyse the financial operations and financial position of the public sector by the level of government, institutional sector or set of transactions. The system of GFS is based on international standards set out in the System of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA) and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM). The System of National Accounts has been updated and the System of National Accounts, 2008 (2008 SNA) was endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission in February 2009. The ABS compilation of GFS adopts the updated 2008 SNA treatment in two cases. The first is that Defence Weapons Platforms are treated as gross fixed capital formation. The second is in the treatment of Special Drawing Rights. These changes have been updated in the Australian System of Government Finance Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2005 (cat. no. 5514.0). The ABS GFS Manual has also been updated to include the treatment of emissions schemes in ABS GFS data.

The IMF has published a revised Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM 2014), and the Australian system has been updated to reflect the new international standards. These changes are presented in the Australian System of Government Finance Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2015 (cat. no. 5514.0), and will be implemented for data reported for periods from 1 July 2017 onwards.


ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication presents government finance statistics on an accrual accounting basis for each jurisdiction for general government, public non-financial corporations, the non-financial public sector, public financial corporations and the total public sector for all levels of government, commonwealth government, state government, state and local government, local government and multi-jurisdictional as follows:
  • Operating statements;
  • Cash flow statements; and
  • Balance sheets.

Time series of these data are available on the ABS website for the periods 2006-07 to 2015-16.

Users interested in quarterly GFS data for the current financial year should refer to Government Finance Statistics, Australia, Quarterly (cat. no. 5519.0.55.001).


INQUIRIES

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