Annual Report - Northern Health

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesProvisionsNotes To and Forming Part of the Financial StatementsNorthern Health Annual Report 2011/2012Provisions are recognised when Northern Health has a present obligation, the future sacrifice of economic benefits is probable, and the amount of the provision can be measured reliably.The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surroundingthe obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows using a discount rate thatreflects the time value of money and risks specific to the provision.When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be received from a third party the receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that recoverywill be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.Employee BenefitsWages and Salaries, Annual Leave, Sick Leave and Accrued Days OffLiabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave accumulating sick leave and accrued days off expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date arerecognised in the provision for employee benefits in respect of employee’s services up to the reporting date, classified as current liabilities and measured at nominal values.Those liabilities that are not expected to be settled within 12 months are also recognised in the provision for employee benefits as current liabilities, but are measured at present value of the amountsexpected to be paid when the liabilities are settled using the remuneration rate expected to apply at the time of settlement.Long Service LeaveThe liability for long service leave (LSL) is recognised in the provision for employee benefits.Current Liability - unconditional LSL (representing 10 or more years of continuous service)Disclosed as a current liability even where Northern Health does not expect to settle the liability within 12 months because it will not have the unconditional right to defer the settlement of theentitlement should an employee take leave within 12 months.The components of this current LSL liability are measured at:Nominal value – component that Northern Health expects to settle within 12 months.Present value – component that Northern Health does not expect to settle within 12 months; andNon-Current Liability – conditional LSL (representing less than 10 years of continuous service)Disclosed as a non-current liability. There is an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the entitlement until the employee has completed the requisite years of service. Conditional LSL isrequired to be measured at present value.Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using interest rates ofCommonwealth Government guaranteed securities in Australia.Termination BenefitsTermination benefits are payable when employment is terminated before the normal retirement date or when as employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits.Liabilities for termination benefits are recognised when a detailed plan for the termination has been developed and a valid expectation has been raised with those employees affected that theterminations will be carried out. The liabilities for termination benefits are recognised in other creditors unless the amount or timing of the payments is uncertain, in which case they are recognised asa provision.On-CostsEmployee benefit on-costs such as workers compensation and superannuation are recognised together with provisions for employee benefits.(l) LeasesLeases are classified at their inception as either operating or finance leases based on the economic substance of the agreement so as to reflect the risks and rewards incidental to ownership.Leases of property, plant and equipment are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases areclassified as operating leases.Northern Health Financial Report Appendix to the 2011 - 2012 Annual Report Page 15 of 60