2002 - 2003 Annual Report - Tourism Australia

Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2003 Australian Tourist Commission
Depreciation/amortisation rates (useful lives) and methods are reviewed at each balance date and necessary adjustments are
recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate. Residual values are re-estimated for a change
in prices only when assets are revalued.
Depreciation and amortisation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:
2003 2002
Leasehold Improvements Lease term Lease term
Furniture and Fittings 3 to 10 years 3 to 10 years
Computer Equipment 3 to 5 years 3 to 5 years
Motor Vehicles and Other Equipment 3 to 10 years 3 to 10 years
The aggregate amount of depreciation allocated for each class of asset during the reporting period is disclosed in Note 7.
1.11 Intangible assets
The Commission’s intangibles comprise internally developed software and purchase of licensed software for internal use.These
assets are carried at cost.
From 1 July 2002, Schedule 1 no longer requires the application of the recoverable amount test in AAS 10 Recoverable Amount
of Non-current Assets to the assets of the Commission when the primary purpose of the asset is not the generation of net cash
inflows.
However Schedule 1 now requires such assets, if carried on the cost basis, to be assessed for indications of impairment.The
carrying amount of impaired assets must be written down to the higher of its net market selling price or depreciated
replacement cost.
All software assets were assessed for impairment as at 1 July 2002. None were found to be impaired.
Intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their anticipated useful lives.
Useful lives are:
2003 2002
Software 2 to 5 years 3 to 5 years
Trade Marks 10 years 10 years
1.12 Taxation
The Commission is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of GST:
• except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and
• except for receivables and payables.
The Commission is not subject to exemption from any foreign taxation laws relative to its overseas operations.
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1.13 Foreign currency
Transactions denominated in a foreign currency are converted at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign
currency receivables and payables are translated at the exchange rate current as at balance date and any exchange differences
are brought to account in the Statement of Financial Performance.
1.14 Insurance
The Commission has insured for risks through the Government’s insurable risk managed fund, called ‘Comcover’. Workers
compensation is insured through the Government’s Comcare Australia.
1.15 Comparative figures
Comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation in these financial statements where required.