Australia Yearbook - 2001

838 Year Book Australia 2001
24.4 TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES INDUSTRY, Summary Indicators
Indicator Units 1995–96 1996–97 1998–99
Businesses at 30 June no. 410 411 869
Employment at 30 June(a) no. 91 701 79 654 74 467
Income from ICT services $m 17 937.5 19 761.9 25 071.4
Total income $m 18 733.7 20 927.2 26 083.0
Total expenses $m 15 933.6 19 458.2 20 601.5
Operating profit before tax $m 2 781.5 1 472.8 5 549.2
(a) Employment data exclude some staff not predominantly engaged in the telecommunication services industry.
Source: Telecommunication Services, Australia (8145.0).
Postal communications
Australian Postal Corporation
The Australian Postal Corporation (trading as
Australia Post) is a government business
enterprise owned by the Commonwealth of
Australia. It operates under the Australian Postal
Corporation Act 1989. Australia Post is
independent of Government funding, achieves a
substantial profit from its activities, and pays a full
range of taxes and charges. In 1998–99, Australia
Post paid $310m in taxes and government
charges ($295m in 1997–98).
Australia Post offers letter and parcel delivery
services within Australia and internationally. It
also provides a range of related services including
electronic bulk mail handling, advertising mail,
bill payment, money order and banking services,
express delivery services and philatelic products
and services.
Australia Post’s legal obligations require it to:
provide Australians with a universal letter
service;
carry standard letters within Australia at a
uniform price;
ensure that the letter service meets the social,
industrial and commercial needs of the
community;
perform its functions according to sound
business practice; and
perform its functions consistent with the
Commonwealth’s general policies.
Financial and other operating statistics for Australia
Post are shown in tables 24.5, 24.6 and 24.7.
24.5 AUSTRALIAN POSTAL CORPORATION, Consolidated Financial Statement
1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
$ MILLION
Revenue 2 915.8 3 123.6 3 300.3 3 448.7
Expenditure 2 576.3 2 787.0 2 923.9 3 074.4
Operating profit before abnormals and tax 368.0 353.1 335.2 373.0
Dividends 142.6 219.9 215.1 148.7
Total taxes and government charges(a) 305.9 307.6 294.6 309.5
Cost of Universal Service Obligation(b) 72.0 67.0 71.0 70.0
Total assets(c) 2 382.0 2 588.6 2 735.8 2 853.5
PER CENT
Return on assets(d) 16.6 15.1 13.4 14.6
(a) Includes sales tax and customs duty, payroll tax, local government taxes and charges, federal excise duty, and fringe benefits
tax. (b) The Universal Service Obligation ensures that all Australians have reasonable access to the letter service; this includes the
delivery of standard letters by ordinary post at a uniform price even when the delivery cost is higher. (c) At 30 June of the financial
years shown. (d) Operating profit before net interest and income tax divided by average total assets.
Source: Australian Postal Corporation.