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5G Networks
Annual Report 2023

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FY2023 Annual Report · 5G Networks
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Webcentral Limited and its controlled entities 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023  

Corporate Directory

Directors
Joseph Gangi (Non-Executive Chairman) 
Joseph Demase (Managing Director)
Natalie Mactier (Non-Executive Director)
Jason Ashton (Non-Executive Director)

Company Secretaries
Glen Dymond
Michael Wilton

Registered Office and 
Principal Place of Business
Level 7, 505 Little Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Tel: 1300 638 734

Company Number
ACN 073 716 793

Country of Incorporation
Australia

ASX Code: WCG

Company Domicile and Legal Form
Webcentral Limited is the parent entity
and an Australian Company limited by shares  

Legal Advisors
Cornwalls 
Level 4, 380 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Share Registrar
Link Market Services Limited
Tower 4, 727 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Auditors
Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
Tower 5, 727 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Internet address www.webcentral.au 

Contents

Corporate Directory   

Chairman’s Address   

Managing Director's Report   

Board of Directors 

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance Statement   

Auditors' Independence Declaration 

Financial Statements 

∙	

∙	

∙	

∙	

∙	

Consolidated	Statement	of	Comprehensive	Income	

Consolidated	Statement	of	Financial	Position	

Consolidated	Statement	of	Changes	in	Equity	

Consolidated	Statement	of	Cash	Flows	

Notes	to	Consolidated	Financial	Statements	

Directors' Declaration 

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Shareholder Information 

2

4

7

16

19

34

39

42

44

46

47

48

80

81

86

23 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman's Address

As Chairman of Webcentral, I am proud to present to 
you	the	Annual	Report	for	Financial	Year	2023.	The	
successful merger of Webcentral with 5G Networks 
Limited in November 2021 completed the integration 
of the two businesses, creating the largest 
Australian owned digital services business and 
operator	of	fibre	networks,	cloud	and	data	centres.	

This year has been a consolidation period for our 
SME sector with the successful launch of the .au Top 
Level Domain (TLD) in September 2022. On the back 
of this growth of 100,000 new .au domains we have 
also seen the growth of our SME hosting and email 
services. We have migrated over 20,000 Microsoft 
email product users to our internal OX mail platform 
producing	significant	margin	improvement	and	we	
have provided certainty for these users as their 
previous email product was no longer offered.

In	December	2022	we	acquired	a	domains	business	
‘New Domain’ and, as the owners, have taken charge 
of our Melbourne IT brand with a focus on corporate 
clients providing much needed service and support 
with brand protection.

Webcentral	has	made	significant	progress	in	FY23	
building on the transformation of the business 
in	FY22	with	further	improvements	to	customer	
journey and support, the successful launch of 
new product bundles and a major refresh of the 
Company’s digital marketing strategy and continued 
platform and system improvements to improve 
customer	experience	and	improve	efficiencies.	

The company has faced several challenges during 
the year, which have seen a decline in revenue 
at one of the Group’s data centres servicing the 
digital currency market and pricing pressure from 
government contracts. However, the company has 
seen an improvement in hardware supply chain 
resulting in faster delivery times and project work 
across the business.

The	significant	achievements	in	FY23	is	shown	by	
the	Company’s	strong	financial	performance	with	
revenue growth across the Company’s customer 
segments and 134% improvement in operating 
cash flows	in	FY23.	

The Board’s ongoing focus on capital management 
and returns to shareholders was demonstrated by 
the resumption of dividends to shareholders.

Looking	forward	to	FY24,	Webcentral	is	focused	on	
continued organic revenue growth and the ongoing 
improvement of systems and processes to enhance 
and simplify customer experience. 

On behalf of the Board, I am extremely grateful 
for the support of our shareholders, customers, 
suppliers and business partners and thank our 
Managing Director, staff and executives for their 
outstanding	achievements	in	FY23.	

Yours	sincerely,

Joe Gangi  
Chairman

"Looking forward to FY24, Webcentral 
is focused on continued organic 
revenue growth and the ongoing 
improvement of systems and 
processes to enhance and simplify 
customer experience."

45Managing Director’s Report

than	95%	of	customers	satisfied	after	contacting	
our care team. These strategic programs are 
critical to our ongoing success and will continue to 
underpin	the	sustained	achievement	of	profitable	
revenue growth.		

As the largest Australian based online service 
provider, Webcentral continues to invest in our 
onshore customer care team with more than 50 
people in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, further 
enhancing the customer experience.  

Strong organic revenue growth was achieved across 
the Company’s customer segments delivering overall 
revenue growth for the company of 2.9% to $96.1M 
for	FY23.	Operating	cashflows	significantly	improved	
in	the	second	half	of	FY23	on	the	back	of	this	
revenue	growth	with	operating	cashflows	of	$8.0M	
for	FY23.	

In conclusion, I am very excited about the future 
for Webcentral. Our Board, executive team, and 
people are committed to delivering and executing 
our strategy to drive continued growth and deliver 
improvements for customers, in addition to creating 
improved shareholder value in the years to come. 

I would like to thank our employees for all their 
commitment and hard work, and our shareholders 
who continue to back our strategy and enjoy the 
exciting ride we are on. 

Yours	sincerely,

Joe Demase 
Managing Director

As Managing Director of Webcentral, I am proud 
to present our Annual Report on the business 
operations	for	Financial	Year	2023.	

This year has been transformational for Webcentral 
with the successful integration of the business with 
5G Networks following the merger of the companies 
in	November	2021,	a	return	to	profitable	revenue	
growth following the implementation of strategic 
marketing initiatives including new products 
and the launch of .au, and continued customer 
service	improvements	and	simplification	of	
business processes.	

In early 2023 a multi-channel marketing initiative 
was implemented across online and digital, radio 
advertising and the strategic St Kilda Football Club 
sponsorship,	delivering	a	significant	increase	in	
brand	awareness	and	online	traffic.	

This initiative was the cornerstone of the successful 
.au domain launch in late-March 2022 resulting in 
10% of eligible Webcentral customers registering 
their	new	.au	in	the	first	three	months,	generating	
more than $4.6M of sales. These marketing 
initiatives have also resulted in an uplift in new 
customers, growing by over 12%.   

The	continued	simplification	and	bundling	of	
product	offerings	resulted	in	significant	organic	
growth including the 250% uplift in new hosting 
customers from bundling with new domain name 
registrations. We have seen hosting products grow 
from 6% of domain sales to 25% of all sales, the 
refresh of our hosting products and communication 
strategy	have	led	to	this	significant	uplift.	

Significant	progress	has	also	been	achieved	in	
5G Networks with the successful launch of new 
products including Cloudport and the ongoing 
automation of customer portals, the launch of 
the Dark Fibre product connecting over 50 Data 
centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide 
coupled	with	simplification	of	the	customer	journey.	

Continued work on the strategic business 
transformation programs initiated in 2021 to 
simplify and automate customer interactions have 
led to further customer service improvements 
efficiencies	and	have	delivered	Webcentral’s	highest	
ever customer satisfaction ratings, with more 

"This year has been transformational for 
Webcentral with the successful integration of 
the business with 5G Networks following the 
merger of the companies in November 2021."

67Webcentral customer segments 
and product offerings

Webcentral provides a broad range of digital services to more than 330,000 Retail, Enterprise and Wholesale 
customers across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the USA.

Revenue growth was achieved across all customer segments in 2023:

Domains

Cloud, Email  
& Webhosting

Data 
Centre

Networks  
& Voice

Managed
Services

Hardware  
& Software

Digital 
Marketing

Services / 
Segment

Retail

Enterprise

Wholesale

TOTAL
REVENUE
$'000

98,000

96,000

94,000

92,000

90,000

88,000

96,138

93,428

2022

2023

Growth

2.9%

98WWWRevenue growth across all customer segments

Retail	customer	growth	in	ARPU	in	FY23	and	significant	increase	in	lifetime	
value per customer 

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

13%

ARPU Growth

15%

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY21

FY22

FY23

Lifetime value per customer $4.0k

Lifetime value per customer $2.7k (+41%) 

Enterprise and Wholesale: Strong new sales, customer re-signs and pipeline

Enterprise and Wholesale Pipeline

•  New sales of $7.4M  

TCV1	in	FY23

•  Existing customer  

re-signs of $4.9M TCV1

•  Strong sales pipeline of 
$8.9M recurring revenue

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

$M

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Cloud

Data Centre

MIT

Networks and Voice

Wholesale

Enterprise

1. Total Contract Value

101110Webcentral in the Community

Webcentral is committed to making sustainability 
a priority across all of its operations. The Company 
has formed an Environmental, Social and Governance 
Committee	(ESG	Committee)	to	support	it	in	fulfilling	
its ESG responsibilities, meeting stakeholder 
expectations and fostering an approach of 
continuous	improvement,	for	the	benefit	of	its	
shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers and 
host communities.

Webcentral’s key ESG initiatives are as follows.

Environmental Initiatives

Data Centre Power Usage
Webcentral	acknowledges	that	it	is	a	significant	
consumer of electricity, particularly arising from 
its Data Centre (DC) operations. Accordingly, 
Webcentral is taking ongoing action to minimise its 
power consumption.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, our DCs play 
a crucial role in supporting the storage, processing 
and transmission of vast amounts of data. As the 
demand for computing resources continues to soar, 
we are actively undertaking initiatives to optimise 
our infrastructure. Our main focus in this regard is 
improving our Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). 
PUE	is	a	metric	that	quantifies	the	energy	efficiency	
of a data centre by comparing the total power 
consumed by the facility to the power consumed by 
its	IT	equipment.	Reducing	PUE	not	only	contributes	
to cost savings but also decreases environmental 
impact. We have undertaken the following initiatives 
to improve our PUE across all our data centres 
over time:

•  Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment: Cooling 

constitutes	a	significant	portion	of	a	data	centre's	
energy consumption. To improve PUE, we have so 
far installed cold aisle containment at our North 
Sydney Data Centre (NSDC), Sydney Data Centre 
(SDC) and Adelaide Data Centre (ADC). Plans are 
in progress to install cold aisle containment at 
Melbourne Data Centre (MDC) and Brisbane Data 
Centre (BDC). These measures ensure that cooling 
resources are directed precisely where they are 
needed, minimising wastage.

•  Blanking plates: Blanking plates are a crucial 
element of hot aisle/cold aisle containment 
strategies.	In	this	configuration,	server	racks	are	
arranged in alternating rows with hot exhaust air 
expelled into the hot aisle and cool air delivered 
to the front of the racks through the cold aisle. 
Blanking plates prevent hot air from recirculating 
back to the cold aisle, ensuring that the cooling 
system	operates	efficiently	and	reduces	energy	
waste. We have manufactured our own 5GN 
branded blanking plates and installed them in 
all our	racks	across	all	our	data	centres.

•  Building Management System: Accurate 
temperature monitoring using a Building 
Management System (BMS) promotes energy 
efficiency	and	cost	savings.	By	closely	monitoring	
temperature	levels,	we	can	fine-tune	our	cooling	
operations to avoid overcooling and excessive 
energy consumption. This contributes to reduced 
electricity bills and a more sustainable operational 
footprint. We have installed a BMS including 
temperature and humidity sensors in all our data 
centres which are monitored 24/7.

•  Optimisation of Computer Room Airconditioning 
Units: We constantly monitor the temperature 
of our cold aisle via the BMS system and adjust 
temperature setpoints on the Computer Room 
Airconditioning (CRAC) units according to the IT 
load	fluctuations	on	the	DC	floor	to	ensure	we	are	
not overcooling and wasting energy. In all our DC’s 
except SDC, we have variable speed drives on all 
the CRAC unit motors which automatically adjust 
their	speed	according	to	the	air	flow	required	to	
maintain our temperature SLA’s and prevent the 
motors from running at 100% 24/7 unnecessarily. 

•	

Improved	lighting	quality:	By	replacing	outdated	
lighting	fixtures	with	LEDs,	data	centres	can	
achieve substantial energy savings, contributing 
to the overall reduction in PUE. SDC has an LED 
lighting system with sensor control and we have 
recently installed the same system at MDC, 
with plans in place to do the same at our other 
data centres.	

•	

IT	Equipment	Upgrades	and	Consolidation:	
Upgrading	and	consolidating	IT	equipment	is	
a crucial initiative in data centre optimisation. 
This involves	modernising	hardware,	
streamlining infrastructure, and maximising 
resource utilisation. Our networks team 
has	identified	legacy	systems,	outdated	
equipment	and	redundant	or	underutilised	
equipment	that	consume	space,	energy,	and	
maintenance resources.	

•  Monitoring: As a result of all the improvements 
mentioned we are noticing a steady overall 
improvement in our data centre power usage 
efficiency	which	is	contributing	to	cost	savings	
and improving our energy footprint. The monthly 
PUE	for	FY23	MDC	and	SDC	is	shown	below:

MDC PUE Change 2022-2023

1.62

1.60

1.60

1.58

1.56

1.64

1.61

1.59

1.56

1.54

1.53

1.52

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

SDC PUE Change 2022-2023

1.98

1.99

1.98

1.96

1.96

1.96

1.94

1.94

1.96

1.95

1.88

1.86

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

PUE - total electricity consumption / UPS load

Other Environmental Initiatives
Webcentral	procures	significant	volumes	of	IT	
equipment	and	is	consequently	responsible	for	
the	disposal	of	significant	volumes	of	obsolete	
equipment.	At	all	locations	and	facilities	operated	
by Webcentral we maintain processes to recycle 
obsolete	equipment	through	appropriate	e-waste	
disposal services.

Several of Webcentral’s ‘data 
centres maintain ISO 9001 (Quality 
Management Systems) and 14001 
(Environmental Management 
Systems) accreditations 
demonstrating that it has appropriate 
systems	in	place	to	maintain	quality	
operational standards and manage its 
environmental impact.

Webcentral’s	offices	in	Melbourne,	Sydney	and	
Brisbane	are	in	modern,	high-quality	buildings	with	
high National Australian Build Environment Ratings 
System (NABERS) ratings. 

Social Initiatives

Diversity & Inclusion
Webcentral continues to support the increased 
representation of women in the technology sector 
and convened two events during the year with 
industry-leading female host speakers. These events 
continue to provide a valuable means for female staff 
from across the Company’s operations to network 
with one another, exchange ideas, raise any concerns 
they	have	and	listen	to	inspiring	as	well	as	influential	
keynote speakers. 

Webcentral also sponsors the participation 
of employees in the Women Rising program, a 
leadership development course overseen by 
Microsoft	for	women	to	equip	them	with	the	tools	
they need to rise through the ranks and succeed in 
the	technology industry.

Other initiatives included the convening of ‘Wear 
it Purple Day’, to provide a visible sign of support 
to a diverse range of staff across the organisation 
and celebrations to acknowledge other causes 
and initiatives.

1213 
  
 
In addition, Webcentral’s domain name 
services, data centres and managed 
services business maintain ISO 27001 
(Information Security Management 
System) accreditation. 

By retaining accreditations under these 
internationally recognised standards, Webcentral can 
demonstrate that it has appropriate systems in place 
to	maintain	quality	information	security	management	
systems, in the core business areas so accredited.

event for children with San Filippo syndrome and 
supported several employees participating in Dry 
July, an initiative encouraging people to go alcohol-
free in July to raise funds for people affected by 
cancer. Funds were also donated to The Toccolan 
Club,	a	not-for-profit	group	devoted	to	raising	funds	
for Australian charities.

Webcentral’s strategic partnership with the St Kilda 
Football Club includes its ongoing support of the 
Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing. 
The Centre aims to lead the national conversation 
on mental health and create a sustainable 
fundraising platform to help grow a resilient and 
thriving community to achieve better mental health 
outcomes. In support of the Centre, Webcentral 
donated 100% of the proceeds from the sale of .au 
domain registrations associated with the Spud’s 
Lunch event. 

Webcentral has also supported AFL House by 
refurbishing	and	donating	surplus	IT	equipment	
for	students,	and	is	working	with	AFL	Cape	York	
foundation, providing domains, hosting and a 
free website.

Other initiatives included the convening of ‘RUOK’ 
morning tea, to support the charity that encourages 
people to stay connected, have conversations 
and	help	others	through	difficult	times;	and	‘Pink	
Ribbon’ afternoon tea, to support the National Breast 
Cancer Foundation.

A number of Committees have also been active during 
the	year,	each	with	significant	staff	representation.	
The committees are the Culture Committee, 
Environment, Social and Governance Committee, 
and Work	Health	and	Safety	Committee

Governance Initiatives

As an ASX listed company, Webcentral is bound by 
various	legislative	and	regulatory	requirements,	
including the Corporations Act 2001, ASX Listing 
Rules, Telecommunications (Interception and Access) 
Act	1979	and	the	requirements	of	our	Registrar	
Agreements with auDA (.au Domain Administration 
Limited) and ICANN. Webcentral also complies with 
the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s ‘Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations’ 
(4th Edition)	-	further	detail	is	provided	at	pages	
34 to 38	of	this	report.

Flexible and Safe Workplaces
Webcentral	recognises	that	there	is	no	one-size-fits-
all solution to the way we work. To meet the changing 
realities of the modern-day working environment, 
Webcentral has established work-from-home policy 
to	provide	further	and	ongoing	flexibility	to	all	its	
employees. Each team is allocated onsite days that 
require	employees	of	those	teams	to	attend	office	in	
person,	otherwise	employees	have	the	flexibility	to	
work from home.   

Webcentral’s	offices	also	maintain	
ISO 45001 (Work Health and Safety 
Management System) accreditation. 

Webcentral is keen to celebrate staff achievements 
and	conducts	Staff	Recognition	Awards	on	a	quarterly	
basis. All staff have the opportunity to vote for high-
achieving staff and prizes are awarded for the top 
three nominations. In addition, each year Webcentral 
hosts a Service Awards event to celebrate the 
achievements of our employees with ten or more 
years of service.

Webcentral also offers employees free shares 
annually under its Employee Share Scheme.

Other Social Initiatives
Webcentral is committed to giving back to 
the community.

Webcentral’s Managing Director, Joe Demase, is 
passionate about supporting vulnerable youth in 
Australia and giving them the opportunity to succeed. 
He has had a longstanding relationship with the 
Lighthouse Foundation and has taken his passion 
with him to Webcentral. The Lighthouse Foundation 
provides homes and therapeutic care programs to 
children and young people impacted by long-term 
neglect, abuse and homelessness. Through Joe’s 
careful guidance, Webcentral continues to provide 
support to the Lighthouse Foundation. Webcentral 
supplies laptops and provides free internet access 
to young people living in Lighthouse Foundation 
homes and provides job opportunities to Lighthouse 
Foundation youth to work in customer care roles 
across the business. 

In addition, Webcentral employees are passionate 
about giving time and money to address the many 
issues that face our world today. To support 
employees’ passion for giving, Webcentral matches 
employee	donations	of	time	and	money	to	non-profit	
organisations. Webcentral has matched funds raised 
by its employees for the Beach2Beach fundraising 

1415 
Board of Directors

Managing Director
Joe comes from a background in building 
a host of successful businesses, including 
the completion of two ASX listings in the 
telecommunications sector. Joe has been 
Managing Director of Webcentral since 
October 2020. Further to this, Joe has 
acquired	experience	in	the	telecommuni-
cations sector amongst both the Australian 
and UK divisions, along with over 25 years 
of business experience, allowing Joe to skil-
fully identify market opportunities across 
the board. Joe displays an abundance of 
experience, having succeeded in a broad 
range of executive positions.

Non-Executive Director
Natalie has over 20 years experience in the 
online space having held senior manage-
ment and Executive roles at Australian 
start-up and scale-up organisations. With a 
background in Sales and Marketing, Natalie 
helped build online brands SEEK and Kidspot 
before	being	approached	by	Square	Peg	
capital to create School Places, an online 
private school marketplace. Since 2018 Na-
talie has been the CEO of Vivi International, 
an Australian owned EdTech software or-
ganisation. Natalie has been an independent 
director	of	Webcentral	since	October 2020.

Joe 
Demase

Natalie 
Mactier

Company Secretaries

Glen 
Dymond

Chief	Financial	Officer	and	
Joint Company Secretary

Glen has more than 25 years’ experience in 
senior	finance	and	operations	management	
roles at several ASX-listed entities, including 
5G Networks Limited, Zenitas Healthcare 
Limited, Spotless Group Limited, Broadspec-
trum Limited and ConnectEast Group. Glen's 
commercial	finance	and	operations	expe-
rience has been achieved across a diverse 
range	of	business	programs.	This includes	
process	development	to	drive	financial	
performance, as well as client commercial 
management and driving successful change 
management across organisations undergo-
ing rapid growth and change.

Chairman 
Joe has over 30 years’ experience in corpo-
rate management and governance and has 
been an independent director of Webcentral 
since October 2020. Joe is a Non-Executive 
Director of Assisi Aged Care, a member of 
the Industry Advisory Committee to the 
Faculty of Chemical and Environmental 
Engineering at RMIT University and an active 
advisor to several private sector boards. 
He also provides consulting services to the 
Local Government sector. His corporate 
experience is focused on risk management, 
an area that he is particularly passionate 
about, that enables him to offer advice on 
risk mitigation and business sustainability.

Non-Executive Director
Jason has deep knowledge and experience 
in the IT and Telecommunications indus-
tries.	Jason was	co-founder	(1993)	and	
Managing Director of leading ISP Magna Data 
which	was	acquired	in	1999.	Jason	was	also	
co-founder (2002) of ASX listed BigAir Group 
Limited	and	was	its	Chief	Executive	Officer	
from	2006	until	its	acquisition	by	Superloop	
Limited in 2016 (ASX: SLC). Jason served 
as an Executive Director at Superloop from 
2016 to 2018 prior to joining the Board of 5G 
Networks Limited in 2019. Jason has been 
an	independent	director	of Webcentral	since	
November 2021.

Joe 
Gangi

Jason  
Ashton

General Counsel and Joint 
Company Secretary
Michael is a capital markets and M&A lawyer, 
having more than 25 years’ experience in 
those sectors. He also has substantial legal 
expertise in IT and telecommunications. 
In addition	to	his	role	at	Webcentral,	
Michael is	a	partner	in	the	Melbourne	
office of Cornwalls Lawyers.

Michael 
Wilton 

1617Directors' Report

Your	Directors	submit	their	report	for	the	year	ended	
30 June	2023.

Directors	were	in	office	for	the	entire	period	unless	
otherwise stated.

Directors
Mr. J. Gangi 
Mr. J. Demase 
Ms. N. Mactier 
Mr. J. Ashton

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. J. Demase

Chief Executive Officer – Melbourne IT
Mr. Jonathan Horne (from 1 December 2022) 

Chief Financial Officer
Mr. G. Dymond

Chief Operating Officer
Mr. J. Stevens

Company Secretaries
Mr. M. Wilton 
Mr. G. Dymond

Details of Directors' 
experience, expertise  
and directorships
Directors	in	office	during	the	period	are	presented	below:

Joe Gangi

Non-Executive Director and Chair
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Member of the 
Nomination & Remuneration Committee 

Experience and Expertise
Mr Gangi has over 30 years’ experience in corporate 
management and governance and has been an independent 
director of the Company since October 2020. He is a 
member of the RMIT University, Engineering Faculty, 
Industry Advisory Committee and is an active advisor to 
several private sector boards. He also provides consulting 
services to the Local Government sector. 

His expertise lies in business management and leadership 
with a focus on business sustainability, growth and 
development, strategic and client relationship management 
and risk management. Joe’s business management skills 
are underpinned by the management of several business 
units	across	the	Asia	Pacific	region	in	the	professional	
engineering services sector while his technical experience 
is demonstrated by the successful delivery of several 
industrial manufacturing projects.

Other Current Directorships 
•  Assisi Aged Care

Previous Directorships In Last Three Years 
•  5G Networks Limited

Natalie Mactier

Non-Executive Director
Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and Member of the 
Nomination & Remuneration Committee 

Experience and Expertise
Natalie has over 20 years’ experience in the online space 
having held senior management and Executive roles at 
Australian start-up and scale-up organisations. With a 
background in Sales and Marketing, Natalie helped build 
online brands SEEK and Kidspot before being approached 
by	Square	Peg	capital	to	create	School	Places,	an	online	
private school marketplace. Since 2018 Natalie has been the 
CEO of Vivi International, an EdTech software organisation 
helping drive student engagement and build teacher 
capacity globally.

Other Current Listed Company Directorships 
•  Nil

Former Listed Company Directorships In Last Three Years 
•  Nil

Joe Demase

Managing Director & CEO
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Member of the  
Nomination & Remuneration Committee 

Experience and Expertise
Mr Demase comes from a background in building a host of 
successful businesses, including the completion of two ASX 
listings in the telecommunications sector. Further to this, 
Joseph	has	acquired	experience	in	the	telecommunications	
sector amongst both the Australian and UK divisions, 
along with over 25 years of business experience, allowing 
Joseph to skilfully identify market opportunities across the 
board. Joseph displays an abundance of experience, having 
succeeded in a broad range of executive positions. 

Other Current Listed Company Directorships
•  Powerhouse Ventures Limited

Former Listed Company Directorships In Last Three Years
•  5G Networks Limited

Jason Ashton

Non-Executive Director 
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Chair of the 
Nomination & Remuneration Committee 

Experience and Expertise
Mr Ashton has deep knowledge and experience in the IT 
and Telecommunications industries. Jason was co-founder 
(1993) and Managing Director of leading ISP Magna Data 
which	was	acquired	in	1999.	Jason	was	also	co-founder	
(2002) of ASX listed BigAir Group Limited and was its 
Chief	Executive	Officer	from	2006	until	its	acquisition	by	
Superloop Limited in 2016 (ASX: SLC). Jason Ashton served 
as an Executive Director at Superloop from 2016 to 2018 
prior to joining the Board of 5G Networks Limited in 2019.

Other Current Listed Company Directorships
•  Nil

Former Listed Company Directorships In Last Three Years
•  5G Networks Limited

1918Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report

Company Secretaries 

Mr Glen Dymond

Company Secretary since 2020
Mr Dymond has more than 25 years’ experience in senior 
finance	and	operations	management	roles	at	several	
ASX-listed entities, including Zenitas Healthcare Limited, 
Spotless Group Limited, Broadspectrum Limited and 
ConnectEast	Group.	Mr	Dymond’s	commercial	finance	
and operations experience has been achieved across a 
diverse range of business programs. This includes process 
development	to	drive	financial	performance,	as	well	as	
client commercial management and driving successful 
change management across organisations undergoing 
rapid growth and change. 

Mr Michael Wilton

Company Secretary since 2020
Mr Wilton has a wealth of domestic and international 
experience,	spanning	across	mergers	and	acquisitions	
and	equity	capital	market	strategies,	most	recently	as	a	
partner at Cornwalls and Norton Rose Fulbright prior to 
that. His expertise includes public company takeovers, 
private	treaty	sales	and	acquisitions,	joint	ventures	and	
corporate reconstructions. His ECM experience includes 
a number of IPOs and many secondary capital raisings for 
ASX listed companies. In the IT and Telecommunications 
sector, Michael has worked with the Commonwealth 
Government on a number of major transactions including 
the Telstra privatisation and the State of Victoria where 
he was engaged in a number of large government IT and 
Telecommunications projects.  
Principal activities 
The Group’s principal activities during the year were:

•  the supply of cloud-based solutions, managed services 

and	network	services;

•	 the	operation	of	fibre	and	wireless	infrastructure	and	

management	of	cloud	computing	environment;

•	 the	operation	of	data	centre	facilities;	and

•  the supply of domain name registrations and renewals, 

website and email hosting, website development, search 
engine marketing and social advertising campaigns for 
businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

There	have	been	no	significant	changes	in	the	nature	of	
these activities.

Review and results  
of operations

Year ended

30-Jun-23
$’000

30-Jun-22
$’000

96,138

12,825

93,428

17,561

(19,019)

 (24,738)

(19,019)

  (24,883)

CONTINUING 
OPERATIONS

Total revenue from 
contracts with customers

Underlying EBITDA(1) from 
Continuing Operations 

Loss after tax from 
continuing operations

Loss after tax attributable 
to members of the parent 

1. Refer section below – Management performance measures – underlying EBITDA

Revenue for the period was $96.14 million, representing 
growth of 2.9% compared to the prior comparative 
period (PCP) of $93.43 million. The loss of the Group for 
the period after providing for income tax amounted to 
$19.02 million (2022: $24.74 million loss). The underlying 
EBITDA of the Group for the period of $12.83 million was 
27.0% lower than the prior comparative period of $17.56 
million, after adjusting for non-operating items including 
a non-cash	goodwill	impairment	expense	of	$14.08	million,	
non-cash share-based payments expense of $1.55 million, 
and	acquisition,	restructuring	other	non-recurring	costs	
of $3.5 million.	

The major contributors to the decline in underlying EBITDA 
was the $3.26 million reduction in non-recurring hosting 
revenue and transitional services income and the reduction 
in networks and data centre revenue.

The goodwill impairment charge has arisen due to the 
assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible 
assets at year-end and the impact of higher discount rates. 
The non-cash impairment expense recognises the decline 
in revenue at one of the Group’s data centres servicing the 
crypto mining market and pricing pressure from government 
contracts. The non-cash impairment charge has no impact 
on	the	Group's	debt	facilities,	covenants	or liquidity.

Segment Revenue

Data Centres, Network & Cloud

Managed Services

Webcentral

Intersegment eliminations

Total Revenue

FY23
$’000

22,117

20,239

53,782

-

96,138

FY22
$’000

24,638

19,465

50,106

(781)

93,428

Alternative segment presentation
The Group has restructured its operations into the following 
customer segments following the merger between 
Webcentral and 5G Networks Limited in November 2021:

•  Retail: domains, web hosting, email hosting and digital 
marketing services to consumer and small and medium 
enterprise customers

•  Enterprise: cloud hosting, domain names, data centre, 
networks and voice, IT managed services, hardware and 
software and digital marketing products and services 
provided to Enterprise and Government customers 

•  Wholesale: cloud hosting, data centre, networks and 
voice products and services provided to wholesale 
telecommunications and Segment information is 
provided below in relation to these segments. 

These reporting segments will apply from reporting periods 
from 1 July 2023.

Segment Revenue

Retail

Enterprise

Wholesale

FY23
$000

51,118

37,108

7,912

FY22 
$000

48,863

37,022

7,543

Change

4.6%

0.2%

4.9%

The Group achieved revenue growth across its Retail, 
Enterprise	and	Wholesale	customer	segments	in	FY23	due	
to the following initiatives:

•  The successful launch of the new .au domain name TLD 

generating more than $4.6 million in sales from more than 
100,000	new	.au	domain	names	registered;

•  Growth in SME hosting and email services including the 

migration of 20,000 Microsoft email product users to our 
internal	OX	mail	platform	with	significant	gross	margin	
increase;

•  Improvement in hardware supply chain resulting in faster 
delivery times and project work across the business, with 
hardware	revenue	up	21%	to	$8.15	million	in	FY23;

•  A multi-channel marketing initiative was implemented 
across online and digital, radio advertising and the 
strategic St Kilda Football Club sponsorship, delivering 
a	significant	increase	in	brand	awareness	and	online	
traffic;

•  Further improvements to customer journey and support, 

the successful launch of new product bundles and a major 
refresh of the Company’s digital marketing strategy, and 
continued platform and system improvements to improve 
customer	experience	and	improve	efficiencies;

•  Strong wholesale and enterprise customer growth with 
more than $5.9 million annual recurring revenue sold in 
FY23,	existing	customer	renewals	of	$4.9	million	and	
sales	pipeline	of	$8.9	million;	and

•  Customer value increase with 13 to 15% ARPU growth 

achieved for Melbourne IT and Webcentral respectively 
compared to the PCP.

Other	key	strategic	and	financial	growth	highlights	for	the	
year ended 30 June 2023 were as follows:

•	 Acquisition	of	New	Domain	Services,	a	premium	domain	
email and webhosting services business with the owner 
taking the charge of the Melbourne IT brand with a focus 
on corporate clients and providing much needed service 
and	support	with	brand	protection;

•  Ongoing automation of customer portals, the launch 
of	the	Dark	Fibre	product	and	completion	of	the	fibre	
network	with	more	than	120	kilometres	of	fibre	installed	
connecting over 50 Data centres in Sydney, Melbourne, 
Brisbane	and	Adelaide	coupled	with	simplification	of	the	
customer	journey;

•  Improved customer retention from focus on customer 

service improvement including the introduction of website 
chatbots and simplifying the customer journey, together 
with	improved	systems	and	billing	processes;	and

•  Strong capital position with $4.5 million cash and $4.5 
million of available debt at 30 June 2023 (of which $1.5 
million	is	for	the	purpose	of	business	acquisitions).

Management performance 
measures – underlying 
EBITDA
The Group makes use of a management performance 
measure, “Underlying EBITDA” (Earnings before Interest, Tax, 
Depreciation and Amortisation). The Group believes that 
Underlying	EBITDA	is	useful	for	users	of	financial	reports	
when assessing the Group’s underlying business performance 
and	profit	generation	after	adjusting	for	non-recurring	and	
unusual	items	affecting	comparability	between	financial	
periods.	Underlying	EBITDA	is	also	the	primary	financial	
performance indicator used by the Group and is the basis for 
driving internal business decision-making as well as setting 
remuneration and reward outcomes.  

Underlying EBITDA is a non-IFRS and unaudited 
performance measure and therefore may not be comparable 
with measures sharing similar descriptions by other entities. 
A reconciliation of Underlying EBITDA to statutory IFRS 
performance	measures	(profit	before	tax)	is	shown	below:

Year ended

30-Jun-23
$’000

30-Jun-22
$’000

(22,217)

12,447

1,546

3,475

184

3,313

14,077

(24,382)

13,630

8,833

2,798

904

3,706

 12,072  

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

(Loss) / Profit before tax

Depreciation and 
amortisation expense

Share based expenses

Finance costs  
(excl. bank charges 
and merchant fees)

Acquisition	costs

Non-recurring costs

Impairments	of	financial	
assets,	goodwill,	fixed	assets	
and intangible assets

Underlying EBITDA

12,825

17,561

2021Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report

Acquisitions and investing 
activities
On 22 August 2022, the Company sold all of the shares held 
in Cirrus Networks Holdings Limited at 3.2 cents per share 
for total consideration of $5.5 million.

On 1 December 2022, the Company announced the 
acquisition	of	New	Domain	Services,	a	premium	domain	
email and webhosting services business with 25,000 
customers with normalised revenue of $2 million and 
normalised	EBITDA	of	$1.2	million.	The	acquisition	price	was	
$5 million with $3.5 million paid in cash at Completion and 
up	to	$1.5	million	payable	within	12	months	of Completion.	
The	acquisition	was	funded	from	existing	cash reserves	and	
from	the	Group’s	acquisition	debt	facility with CBA.

New Domain Services has been integrated with the Group’s 
Melbourne IT business and New Domain vendor Jonathan 
Horne	has	been	appointed	as	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	the	
combined business to drive growth in corporate domains 
services.	It	is	expected	that	the	acquisition	will	also	benefit	
the broader Webcentral business as customer services 
changes, process improvements and product innovation 
are rolled out to Webcentral’s business. 

During the period the Group also continued to invest in its 
fibre	network	build	throughout	several	capital	cities	and	
had completed more than 120 km and connected more than 
50 data centres as at the date of this report.

Capital structure
On 3 August 2022, the Company announced the launch of 
an on-market share buyback (Buyback). During the year 
the	Company	acquired	a	total	of	5,401,820	ordinary	shares	
on-market pursuant to the Buyback for total consideration 
of	$955,278.	All	shares	acquired	were	cancelled	during	
the period.		

During the year, the following ordinary shares were issued:
•  1,000,000 ordinary shares were issued on 11 October 2022 
to the vendors of the ColoAu business at an issue price 
of $0.1366 per share to satisfy the earn-out payable in 
respect	of	the	ColoAu	acquisition	in	July	2020;

•  346,611 ordinary shares were issued on 4 November 2022 
pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan at an issue 
price	of	$0.15	per	share;	and

•  2,088,646 ordinary shares were issued on 31 March 2023 
under the Employee Share Plan at an issue price of $0.09 
per share.

During the year, the following unlisted options were issued:
•  900,000 options under the Executive and Director Share 
Option Plan (ESOP) at an exercise price of $0.20, subject 
to the satisfaction of service vesting conditions and 
expiry	date	of	five	years	after	grant;

•	 2,000,000	options	under	the	Executive	Equity	Plan	(EEP) 
at an exercise price of $0.20, subject to the satisfaction 
of	service	vesting	conditions	and	expiry	date	of	five	years	
after	grant;

•  260,000 options under the EEP at an exercise price of 
$0.20, subject to the satisfaction of performance and 
service vesting conditions and expiry date of three years 
after	grant;

•  4,000,000 options under the EEP at an exercise price 
of $0.17, subject to the satisfaction of service vesting 
conditions	and	expiry	date	of	five	years	after	grant;	

•  250,000 options under the EEP at an exercise price of 
$0.17, subject to the satisfaction of performance and 
service vesting conditions and expiry date of three years 
after	grant;	

•  250,000 unlisted options at an exercise price of $0.20 
during	the	period	to	service	providers	of	the	Group;

•  1,750,000 options under the ESOP at an exercise price 
of $0.11, subject to the satisfaction of service vesting 
conditions	and	expiry	date	of	five	years	after	grant;	and

•  1,500,000 options under the EEP at an exercise price 
of $0.11, subject to the satisfaction of service vesting 
conditions	and	expiry	date	of	five	years	after	grant.

During the year, 1,700,000 unlisted options issued under the 
ESOP and EEP were forfeited and cancelled.

On 24 February 2023 a variation of the Company’s debt 
facilities with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) was 
approved	in	order	to	reallocate	limits	from	the	acquisition	
facility to the market rate loan facility of $2.0 million and 
from	the	bank	guarantee	facility	to	the	equipment	lease	
facility of $0.55 million. In addition, the maturity date for 
the acquisition	facility	was	extended	to	31	March	2024.

On 23 August 2023, CBA approved an amendment to the 
Net Leverage Ratio covenant in relation to the period 
ended 30 June 2023 to increase it to 3.50 times. There 
was	no	financial	impact	to	the	Group	and	all	other	financial	
covenants and undertakings under the Debt Facility 
Agreement were met in relation to the period ended 30 
June	2023.	The	Group	expects	to	comply	with	all	financial	
covenants	for	FY24.	As	the	amendment	was	received	after	
reporting	date,	the	Group	is	required	to	classify	an	amount	
of $25.1 million as a current liability in the Statement of 
Financial Position even though these amounts are not 
repayable	within	12	months	of	reporting date.
Material Business Risks
The material business risks that have the potential to 
impact on the future prospects of the Group include:

Customer retention and revenue growth 
The	continued	strong	growth	in	sales	and	profitability	
of	the Group	depends	on	a	number	of	factors,	including	
attracting	new	customers	on	a	sufficiently	profitable	
basis, and retaining and increasing revenue from existing 
customers. Customer revenue growth is particularly 
dependent	upon	the	provision	of	consistently	high-quality	
customer service and continued satisfaction of sales 
objectives.	If these	growth	factors	were	to	be	impaired,	
the financial	performance	and	reputation	of	Group	would	
be adversely	affected.

The Group’s success is heavily reliant on its positive 
reputation, and particularly its customer satisfaction, in 
relation to its operating brands. The occurrence of any 
unforeseen issue or event which impacts the performance 
of the Group’s services may result in a diminution of 
customer satisfaction and loyalty and place the reputation 
of the Group’s brands at risk. These implications bear a risk 
of	adversely	impacting	the	financial	performance	of	the	
Group’s business.

Competition 
The digital services industry is rapidly evolving with a 
heightened environment of change characterised by 
disruptive technologies. The Group therefore faces 
potential loss of its competitive or market position 
as a result of potential product innovation by existing 
competitors or new entrants to the market. The Group 
may not anticipate or respond to any such developments 
with	sufficient	speed	to	maintain	its	market	position.	
Other competitive risks faced by the Group include price 
competition, competitor marketing campaigns, mergers of, 
or	acquisitions	by,	competitors	and	possible	new	entrants	
to the market.

Changes in technology 
The digital services industry is evolving rapidly with the 
frequent	introduction	of	new	technologies,	products	and	
innovations. Consumer behaviours, preferences and trends 
are also constantly changing upon the onset of new methods 
of communication and digital platforms. The Group must 
likewise evolve and adapt its products and service offering to 
maintain pace with the industry in which it operates and to 
maintain its competitive position. Given the pace of change, 
there is no guarantee that the Group will be able to continue 
to introduce new and superior products, or products that 
are perceived to be new and superior by consumers, at the 
rate seen by other competitors in the market generally. The 
Group’s ability to do so is constrained by factors including its 
available capacity, resources and capital to invest in product 
development, innovation and design. This may adversely 
impact on the Group’s long- and short-term business 
performance.

 The Group’s businesses are heavily dependent on 
information communication technology for the delivery 
of their	various	services,	across	large	geographic	
distance,	and	it	has	invested	significantly	in	technology	
to	maximise	the	efficiency	of	its	operations.	Should these	
systems	not	be	adequately	maintained,	secured	and	
updated, or the Group’s disaster recovery processes 
not	be	adequate, system	failures	may	negatively	impact	
the Group’s	performance.

 The Group has undertaken IT transformation programs 
in recent years which are still in progress and may cause 
unexpected	disruptions,	fail	to	provide	anticipated	benefits	
or	otherwise	be	unsuccessful.	A	significant	implementation	
and migration failure could result in a major impact on the 
Group’s	customer	retention,	revenues,	costs	and reputation.

Infrastructure and technology failure 
The Group relies on its technical infrastructure and networks 
to	provide	its	customers	with	a	highly	reliable service.	

There may	be	a	failure	to	deliver	this	level	of	service	as	a	
result of numerous factors, including human error, power 
loss,	failure	of	third-party	equipment,	services	or	networks,	
improper maintenance by landlords and security breaches. 
Service interruptions, regardless of their cause, may cause 
contractual	and	other	losses	to the Group.

Cyber and security risks 
Protection of customer and third-party data is critical to 
the Group’s ongoing business and any breaches of this 
could	have	significant	negative	financial	ramifications.	
The	Group	retains	a	significant	amount	of	sensitive	
customer and third-party information. Customers and 
third parties have high expectations regarding the 
protection of their information. Additionally, the legal and 
regulatory environment surrounding information security 
and privacy is increasingly complex and demanding. 
Failures or	breaches	of	data	protection	systems	can	result	
in reputational damage, regulatory impositions (such as 
for	breaches	of	the	Privacy	Act	1988	(Cth))	and	financial	
loss, including claims for compensation by customers 
or penalties by telecommunications regulators or 
other authorities.

As a technology business, the Group’s business may be 
particularly adversely affected by technological disruptions, 
including through impacts of malicious third-party 
applications or other form of cyber-attack on the Group 
that could result in failures and interfere with its systems, 
products and platforms. It is possible that the measures 
taken by the Group will not prevent unauthorised access to 
its systems and technologies, risking third party access to 
confidential	or	otherwise	sensitive	data.	This	could	lead	to	
loss of key business or customer information, reputational 
damage and claims from customers or other third parties 
whose data may be affected.

If,	as	a	consequence,	the	Group	is	unable	to	provide	
services to its customers, it may experience loss of 
market share, damage to reputation and brand, customer 
compensation claims and regulatory action. This may result 
in	the	Group	incurring	significantly	increased	expenses	or	
suffering reduced revenue.

Compliance risks  
The Group relies on certain accreditations and licences 
to operate their businesses. In particular, the Group 
holds a carrier licence under the Telecommunications 
Act 1997 which is essential to operate as a carrier of 
telecommunications infrastructure. If this licence or other 
licences were to be cancelled it could severely restrict the 
ability of the Group to operate and could result in the Group 
breaching a number of its contractual obligations.

Several of the Group’s domain registry businesses are 
ICANN and .auDA accredited Registrars. Such accreditation 
is essential for the Group to operate as a domain registrar 
business and provide customers with domain name 
services. If accreditation were to be lost, it could severely 
restrict the Group’s ability to operate as a domain name 
service provider and could result in the Group breaching its 
contractual obligations.

2223Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report

The Group’s businesses are reliant on wholesale licences 
to provide digital services to customers and cannot be 
assured that it will continue to be provided with these brand 
licences. If the Group were to not have such brand licences, 
its ability to attract customers or provide attractive 
offerings could be negatively affected, which in turn could 
have	a	material	adverse	effect	on	its	business,	financial	
condition and results or operations of the Group.

The Group operates in a highly regulated environment with 
several accreditation and licensing compliance obligations. 
These compliance obligations have strong penalties for 
non-compliance, including undertakings or the imposition 
of substantial civil and criminal penalties. Possible changes 
to existing regulation may impose substantial risks to the 
Group’s businesses and increased compliance costs.

The Group is also exposed to risks from unexpected 
regulatory policies, outcomes or decisions by regulators 
empowered to regulate the telecommunications sector, 
including the Australian Competition & Consumer 
Commission and the Australian Communications and 
Media Authority which may result in an increase in 
compliance costs and delays in having to seek additional, 
or variations to, government approvals, adverse impacts 
upon	the	Group’s	ability	to	continue	to	acquire	goods	and	
services from existing suppliers from foreign countries, or 
fines	and	penalties	being	imposed	for	contraventions	of	
relevant laws.

Availability of equipment 
The Group is dependent upon third party suppliers 
for IT and network infrastructure and, in some cases, 
licences,	services,	equipment	and	content	from	parties	
over whom the Group may have no direct operational or 
financial	control.	If	any	of	these	third	party	providers	fail	
to maintain their products, solutions, services or offerings 
properly	or	fails	to	respond	and	adapt	quickly	to	any	of	the	
Group’s	requirements,	customers	may	experience	service	
interruptions.

The dependence on these third party suppliers for support 
and delivery of certain core business functions means 
that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory 
changes or issues with the Group’s supply chain could have 
a	significant	adverse	impact	on	the	timeliness	or	cost	of	
building or maintaining the Group’s network.

There is also a risk that third party suppliers may provide 
services or products with defects, which may lead to 
network underperformance or other impacts on customers. 
This could, in turn, adversely affect the Group’s market 
share or revenue.

Equity and debt market risks 
The Group’s ability to service its existing debt depends 
upon	its	financial	performance	and	cash	flows	which	to	
some	extent	are	subject	to	general	economic,	financial,	
regulatory and other factors beyond the control of the 
Group.	If	the	Group	is	unable	to	generate	sufficient	cash	
flow	to	meet	specific	debt	repayment	obligations,	it	may	
face	additional	financial	penalties,	higher	interest	rates	or	
difficulty	obtaining	further	funding	in	the	future.

The Group is subject to the risk that it may not be able to 
refinance	its	bank	debt	facilities	when	they	fall	due	or	that	
the	terms	(including	in	relation	to	pricing)	on	refinancing	
will be less favourable than the existing terms. If there is a 
deterioration	in	the	level	of	debt	market	liquidity,	this	may	
prevent	the	Group	from	being	able	to	refinance	some	or	all	
of	its	debt.	In	addition,	the	Group	may	in	the	future	require	
additional	debt	or	equity	capital	in	order	to	fund	growth	
strategies,	in	particular	for	acquisition	opportunities	that	
may arise from time to time. There is a risk that the Group 
may	be	unable	to	access	debt	or	equity	funding	from	the	
capital markets on favourable terms, or at all.

Financial and economic conditions 
The	financial	performance	of	the	Group	and	the	value	of	
its	shares	may	fluctuate	due	to	various	factors,	including	
movements in the Australian and international capital 
markets, recommendations by brokers and analysts, 
interest	rates,	exchange	rates,	inflation,	Australian	and	
international economic conditions, change in international 
economic	conditions,	change	in	government,	fiscal,	
monetary and regulatory policies, prices of commodities, 
global geo-political events and hostilities, global health 
pandemics and acts of terrorism, investor perceptions and 
other	factors	that	may	affect	the	Group’s	financial	position	
and earnings. In the future, these factors may affect the 
Group	and	may	cause	the	price	of	its	shares	to	fluctuate	
and trade	below	current	prices.

In light of recent global macroeconomic events, including 
the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Australia may 
experience an economic recession or downturn of uncertain 
severity and duration which could impact the Group’s ability 
to	attract	and	retain	customers,	to	invest	sufficiently	to	
develop, adopt and integrate the latest technologies into 
existing infrastructure, and to secure and maintain third 
party suppliers for IT and network infrastructure over whom 
the	Group	may	have	no direct	operational	or	financial	control.	
These economic disruptions may adversely impact the 
Group’s	earnings	and assets,	as	well	as	the	value	of	its	shares.

Employee relations and personnel risks 
The Group’s ongoing success depends in part upon its 
ability to retaining its key employees. If there is a departure 
of key employees the Group’s business could be adversely 
affected.	The	Group	may	have	to	incur	significant	costs	
in identifying, hiring and retaining replacements for 
departing	employees	and	may	lose	significant	expertise	
and talent relating to the business. Certain key executives 
and other employees of the Group may terminate their 
management positions or their employment contracts 
on their own initiative. If members of the Group’s senior 
management	depart,	the	Group	may	not	be	able	to	find	
effective replacements in a timely manner, or at all, and 
its business may	be	disrupted.	

Dividends
No	final	dividend	was	or	is	proposed	to	be	declared	
with respect to the current period. No interim dividend 
was paid. A dividend of $0.005 per share was paid on 
4 November	2022	in	respect	of	the	year	ended	30	June	
2022, franked to 20%. No dividends were paid in the prior 
corresponding period.

Significant changes in affairs 
There	were	no	significant	changes	in	the	state	of	affairs	of	the	Group	during	the	year	ended	30	June	2023.

Significant events after reporting date
On 23 August 2023, CBA approved an amendment to the Net Leverage Covenant in relation to the period ended 30 June 2023 
to increase	it	to	3.50	times.	

No	other	matter	or	circumstance	has	arisen	since	the	end	of	the	financial	year	which	significantly	affected	or	may	significantly	
affect	the	operations	of	the	Group,	the	results	of	those	operations,	or	the	state	of	affairs	of	the	Group	in	future	financial years.

Likely devlopments, business strategies and prospects 
The	Company’s	strategy	for	FY24	and	future	years	is	to	achieve	revenue	and	EBITDA	growth	across	each	of	its	customer	
segments to deliver growth in returns to its shareholders. The Company believes that the continued growth in demand for digital, 
cloud and network services will support the growth in demand for the Company’s products and services. The Board also expects 
to	focus	on	EBITDA-accretive	acquisition	of	businesses	that	complement	the	Company’s	existing	products	and	services.

Further information on the Group’s future prospects are contained in the Chairman’s and Managing Director’s Reports on pages 4 
and 7 respectively.

Meetings of Directors 
The number of meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors and of each Board committee held during the year ended  
30 June 2023, and the numbers attended by each Director were:

Full meetings of Directors

Meetings of Committees

Audit and Risk

Nomination and Remuneration

Number of meetings held

11

5

1

 Name of Director

Joseph Gangi 

Joe Demase

Natalie Mactier 

Jason Ashton

Eligible

Attended 

Eligible

Attended

Eligible

Attended 

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Insurance of Officers 
During the period, Webcentral Limited agreed to pay a 
premium to insure the Directors and secretaries of the 
Group and its Australian-based controlled entities. 

 The liabilities insured are legal costs that may be incurred 
in defending civil or criminal proceedings that may be 
brought	against	the	officers	in	their	capacity	as	officers	
of the Group, and any other payments arising from 
liabilities	incurred	by	the	officers	in	connection	with	such	
proceedings, other than where such liabilities arise out of 
conduct	involving	a	wilful	breach	of	duty	by	the	officers	
or	the	improper	use	by	the	officers	of	their	position	or	of	
information to gain advantage for themselves or someone 
else to cause detriment to the Group. 

Details of the amount of the premium paid in respect of 
insurance policies are not disclosed as such disclosure 
is prohibited	under	the	terms	of	the	contract.	

The Group has not otherwise, during or since the end of 
the	financial	year,	except	to	the	extent	permitted	by	law,	
indemnified	or	agreed	to	indemnify	any	current	or	former	
officer	of	the	Group	against	a	liability	incurred	as	such	by	
an officer.	

Indemnity of auditors 
The	Group	has	not,	during	or	since	the	end	of	the	financial	
year,	indemnified	or	agreed	to	indemnify	the	auditor	of	the	
Group or any related entity against a liability incurred by 
the auditor.

During	the	financial	year,	the	Group	has	not	paid	a	premium	
in respect of a contract to insure the auditor of the Group or 
any related entity.

2425Directors’ Report

Remuneration Report (Audited)

Proceedings on behalf of the 
Company 
No person has applied to the court under section 237 of 
the Corporations Act 2001 for leave to bring proceedings on 
behalf of the company, or to intervene in any proceedings 
to which the company is a party, for the purpose of taking 
responsibility on behalf of the company for all or part of 
those proceedings.  No proceedings have been brought or 
intervened in on behalf of the company with leave of the 
Court under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001.  

Non-Audit Services 
The Group may decide to employ the auditor on 
assignments additional to their statutory audit duties 
where the auditor’s expertise and experience with the 
Group are important. 

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor for 
audit and non-audit services provided during the period 
are set out below in relation to the Group’s current auditor, 
Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd.

The Board of Directors has considered the position 
and, in accordance with advice received from the audit 
committee,	is	satisfied	that	the	provision	of	the	non-
audit services is compatible with the general standard of 
independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations 
Act 2001.	The	Directors	are	satisfied	that	the	provision	of	
non-audit services by the auditor, as set out below, did not 
compromise	the	auditor	independence	requirements	of	the	
Corporations Act 2001 for the following reasons: 

•  All non-audit services have been reviewed by the audit 

committee to ensure they do not impact the impartiality 
and	objectivity	of	the	auditor;	and

•  None of the services undermines the general principles 
relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 
Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. 

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for 
non-audit services provided by the auditor of the parent 
entity,	its	related	practices	and	non-related	audit	firms:

Consolidated

2023
$

2022
$

-

-

75,000

75,000

114,111

114,111

203,155

203,155

114,111

278,155

OTHER ASSURANCE SERVICES 

Due Diligence Services

Total Remuneration for Other 
Assurance Services 

TAXATION SERVICES 

Tax Compliance Services 

Total Remuneration for Taxation 
Services 

Total Remuneration for Non-Audit 
Services 

Auditor’s independence 
declaration 
A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as 
required	under	section	307C	of	the	Corporations Act 2001 
is set	out	on	page	39.

Rounding
The Group is a type of Company referred to in ASIC 
Corporations (Rounding in Financial / Directors’ Reports) 
Instrument 2016/191 and therefore the amounts contained in 
this	report	and	in	the	financial	report	have	been	rounded	to	
the	nearest	$1,000,	or	in	certain	cases,	to	the	nearest dollar.

Corporate governance
The Company's Corporate Governance Statement is 
available on the Company's website www.webcentral.au. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board 
of Directors:

Joe Gangi 
Chair 
Melbourne 
22 September 2023 

The Directors present the Webcentral Limited 
2023 remuneration report, outlining key aspects of 
our remuneration policy and framework as well as 
remuneration awarded	this	year.	It	has	also	been	audited	
as required	by section	308(3C)	of	the	Corporations Act 2001. 

The Report is structured as follows: 

(a)  Key Management Personnel (KMP) covered in this report 

(b)  Remuneration policy and link to performance 

(c)  Elements of remuneration 

(d)  Remuneration expenses for executive KMP 

(e)  Non-executive Director arrangements 

(f)  Other statutory information 

(A) Key Management 
Personnel (KMP) Covered 
in this Report

Directors:
Joseph Gangi - Non-Executive Chair 

Natalie Mactier - Non-Executive Director 

Joseph Demase - Managing Director 

Jason Ashton - Non-Executive Director

Other key management personnel: 
Jonathan Horne – CEO, Melbourne IT  
(appointed 1 December 2022) 

Glen	Dymond	-	Chief	Financial	Officer	and	Company	
Secretary 

Garry White - National Sales Director 

John	Stevens	–	Chief	Operating	Officer

There have been no changes in KMP since the end 
of the reporting	period.

(B) Remuneration Policy  
and Link to Performance 
Our remuneration committee is currently made up of 
all directors. The Committee makes recommendations 
to the Board with respect to appropriate remuneration 
and incentive policies for executive Directors and senior 
executives that: 

a.  Motivate Executive Directors and senior executives to 

pursue long term growth and success of the Group within 
an	appropriate	control	framework;	

b.  Demonstrate a clear correlation between key 

performance	and	remuneration;	and	

c.  Align the interests of key leadership with the long-term 

interests of the Group’s shareholders. 

Executive KMP Remuneration Policy Statement 
Consistent with contemporary Corporate Governance 
standards Webcentral remuneration policy aims to 
set employee and executive remuneration that is fair, 
competitive and appropriate for the markets in which 
it	operates.		Specific	objectives	of	the	policy	include	
the following:	

a.  Ensuring executive remuneration packages involve a 
balance	between	fixed	and	incentive	pay,	reflecting	
short and long term performance objectives appropriate 
to	the	Group’s	circumstances	and	objectives;	

b.  A proportion of executives’ remuneration is structured 
in a manner designed to link reward to corporate and 
individual	performances;	and	

c.  Ensure that incentive plans are designed around 

appropriate and realistic performance targets that 
measure relative performance and provide rewards when 
they are achieved. 

Group performance and link to remuneration
In	considering	the	Group's	performance	and	benefit	of	
shareholder's wealth, the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee had regard to the following measures in respect of 
the	current	financial	year	and	the	previous	four	financial	years:

Measure

2023
$'000

2022
$'000

20211
$'000

20191
$'000

20181
$'000

Underlying EBITDA 
from continuing 
operations2

12,825

17,561

    11,928

14,794

24,564

Net loss after tax

(19,109)

(24,738)

(61,922)

(131,222)

(2,326)

Measure

Dividend

Change in share 
price

2023
Cents

2022
Cents

20211
Cents

20191
Cents

20181
Cents

-

0.5

-

-

8.0

(8.5)

(26.5)

9.5

(158.0)

(166.0)

Share price close

12.5

21.0

47.5         38.0

196.0

1.	 The	financial	year	end	date	for	the	Group	was	changed	from	31	December	to	30	June	

after	the	financial	year	ended	31	December	2019.	The	measures	for	2021	represent	the	
18-month period ended 30 June 2021

2.  Underlying EBITDA from continuing operations is a management performance 

measure (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) that the 
Group	believes	is	useful	for	users	of	financial	reports	when	assessing	the	Group’s	
underlying	business	performance	and	profit	generation	after	adjusting	for	non-
recurring	and	unusual	items	affecting	comparability	between	financial	periods.	
Underlying	EBITDA	is	also	the	primary	financial	performance	indicator	used	by	the	
Group and is the basis for driving internal business decision-making as well as setting 
remuneration and reward outcomes.

2627Remuneration Report (Audited)

Remuneration Report (Audited)

(C) Elements of Remuneration
Fixed Annual Remuneration 
Executives	may	receive	their	fixed	remuneration	as	cash,	superannuation	and	fringe	benefits.	

Short-term Incentives (“STI”) – Operational Bonuses 
The	short-term	performance	objectives	implemented	for the	following	KMP	in	relation	to	FY23	were	as	follows:

KMP

STI targets for the year

STI achieved and forfeited for the year

Glen Dymond (i)  Projects to increase revenue or reduce operating costs

(i)  Achieved: 87.5% / $35,000

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	ongoing	
improvement of systems and processes and the 
identification	and	achievement	of	revenue	and	cost	
synergies

Forfeited: 12.5% / $5,000
Assessed by reference to the actual achievement of 
revenue increase or cost savings compared to project 
targets

(ii)  Group Revenue and EBITDA targets

(ii)  Achieved: 0% / $0

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	achieving	Revenue	
and	EBITDA	growth	and	the	Group’s	financial	performance

Forfeited: 100% / $40,000
Assessed by reference to the Group’s revenue and EBITDA 
for	FY23

Garry White

(i)    Projects to increase revenue or reduce operating costs

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	ongoing	
improvement of systems and processes and the 
identification	and	achievement	of	revenue	and	cost	
synergies

(iii)  Total achieved: 43.8% / $35,000

Total forfeited: 56.2% / $45,000

(i)  Achieved: 100% / $7,500
Forfeited: 0% / $0
Assessed by reference to the actual achievement of 
revenue increase or cost savings compared to project 
targets

 (ii)  Group Revenue and EBITDA targets

 (ii)  Achieved: 0% / $0

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	achieving	Revenue	
and	EBITDA	growth	and	the	Group’s	financial	performance

Forfeited: 100% / $80,000
Assessed by reference to the Group’s revenue and EBITDA 
for	FY23

 (iii) Total achieved: 8.6% / $7,500

Total forfeited: 91.4% / $80,000

(i)    Achieved: 69% / $41,136
Forfeited: 31% / $18,864
Assessed by reference to the actual achievement of 
revenue targets and industry funding to support marketing 
objectives

 (ii)   Achieved: 40% / $24,000
Forfeited: 60% / $36,000
Assessed by reference to the successful project delivery 
and	lower	than	forecast	product	revenue	for	FY23

 (iii) Total achieved: 54.3% / $65,136
Total forfeited: 45.7% / $54,864

John 
Stevens 

(i)    Delivery of .AU TLD launch

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	the	.AU	TLD	domain	
launch to the Group’s revenue growth

(ii)  NBN Product Launch

This	target	reflects	the	importance	of	the	NBN	product	
launch to the Group’s revenue growth

The	grant	dates	following	bonuses	were	paid	in	respect	of FY23:

•	 Glen	Dymond	-	31	August	2022	and	28	February	2023;
•	 Garry	White	-	31	August	2022;	and
•  John Stevens - 30 November 2022 and 30 April 2023.

No	other	short-term	incentives	were	paid	to	KMP	during	the year.

Long-term Incentives 
The Webcentral Executive and Director Share Option Plan (ESOP) was adopted in December 2020 for directors and executives of 
the	Group.	The	Webcentral	Executive	Equity	Plan	(EEP) was adopted in April 2022 for executives and senior leaders of the Group.

During the year ended 30 June 2023 the Group issued 6,100,000 performance rights and share options to KMP under the ESOP as 
a means of rewarding and incentivising directors and executives. 

Further	details	of	the	performance	rights	and	share	options,	including	details	of	rights	issued	during	the	financial	year,	are	set	
out in section D below. 

(D) Remuneration Expenses for Executive KMP 
The following table shows details of the remuneration expense recognised for the Group’s executive key management personnel 
for	the	current	and	previous	financial	year	measured	in	accordance	with	the	requirements	of	the	accounting	standards.	
Remuneration paid to Directors and executives is valued at the cost to the Group. 

Key Management Personnel Remuneration

Short Term Benefits

Post 
employment 
benefits

Share 
based 
payments

Other

Name

Period Cash salary

Cash STI1

Annual  
leave

Other2

Superannuation

$

$

$

$

$

Options and 
Performance 
Rights3
$

Termination 
Pay

 Total  

Performance 
Based4

$

$

%

Managing Director

Joe Demase

2023

2022

291,667

276,923

Other Management personnel

-

-

-

-

50,000

4,934

25,292

302,934

23,077

7,559

23,568

1,657,422

23,077

2,534

14,834

62,663

122,756

-

225,306

35,000

208,992

76,800

228,819

7,500

-

19,671

19,319

16,159

217,773

38,400

10,537

276,923

65,136

23,077

-

6,134

6,278

6,134

5,335

6,134

-

25,292

23,568

-

39,413

28,475

25,292

138,397

23,568

123,391

25,292

99,028

189,615

-

10,385

4,272

16,784

94,916

1,145,471

107,636

131,984

25,870

116,002

642,435

2022

893,303

115,200

63,318

23,444

87,488

1,904,204

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

Jonathan Horne5

Glen Dymond

Garry White

John Stevens6

Total KMP 
excluding 
Non-Executive 
Directors

Total Non-
Executive  Directors  
(Section E)

2023

281,818

2022

234,236

-

-

-

-

-

-

8,591

490,119

4,962

701,573

Total  KMP

2023

1,427,289

107,636

131,984

25,870

124,593

1,132,554

2022

1,127,539

115,200

63,318

23,444

92,450

2,605,777

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

674,827

1,988,549

225,864

-

350,816

363,432

422,301

419,004

495,590

315,972

2,169,398

3,086,957

780,528

940,771

2,949,926

4,027,728

45%

83%

28%

-

21%

29%

35%

39%

33%

30%

35%

65%

63%

75%

42%

68%

1.	 Represents	STIs	accrued	in	relation	to	the	2023	financial	period.	
2.	 Represents	the	cost	to	the	business	of	any	non-cash	business	benefits	provided.
3.  Represents the expense recorded during the period in relation to the fair value of Performance Rights and Options.
4.  Calculated as STI plus Performance Rights and Options expense, as a proportion of total remuneration. These two elements represent the at-risk and discretionary amount payable which 

will	vary	depending	on	the	financial	performance	of	the	Company	and	achievement	of	individual	KPIs.	They	are	in	addition	to	the	fixed	remuneration.

5.  Mr Jonathan Horne commenced on 1 December 2022.
6.  Mr John Stevens commenced on 1 November 2021.

2829	
	
 
 
 
 
 
		
		
 
  
 
  
 
	
	
 
 
 
  
 
  
Remuneration Report (Audited)

Remuneration Report (Audited)

Options and Rights Granted as Remuneration

The following table lists the inputs to the Black-Scholes-Merton models used for the LTI Grants:

Name

Balance at  
1 July 2022

Grant Details

Exercised

Exercised

Lapsed

Balance at  
30 June 2023

No.

Grant Date

No.

Fair Value
$000

No.

Value
$000

No.

No.

Key Management 
Personnel 

Joe Gangi 

Joe Demase 

Natalie Mactier

Jason Ashton

Jonathan Horne

Glen Dymond 

John Stevens

KMP Total 

Garry White 

1,300,000

1,500,000

20,000,000

1,500,000

1,500,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14/12/2022

4,000,000

308

300,000

01/09/2022
29/06/2023

01/09/2022
29/06/2023

1,000,000

29/06/2023

300,000
500,000

300,000
500,000

500,000

23
32

23
32

32

27,100,000 

-

6,100,000

450

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

- 

1,500,000

20,000,000

1,500,000

1,500,000

4,000,000

1,100,000

2,100,000

1,500,000

33,200,000

The key criteria for performance rights and options granted during the period are as follows:

•  Options (Executives) – the completion of tenure periods of two years. There is no performance condition in relation to these 

options	as	the	Board	considers	the	service	condition	is	sufficient.

The	weighted	average	fair	value	per	option	is	$0.16	for	the	6,100,000	performance	rights	and	options	granted	during	the period.

The following table summarises information about performance rights and options held by KMP as at 30 June 2023. 
5,000,000 performance	rights	are	exercisable	at	period	end	(2022:	5,000,000	performance	rights):

Issue Date and Type

Number

Grant Date

Vesting Date

Expiry Date

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price

2020 Performance Rights - Director

5,000,000

18/12/2020

22/09/2021

18/12/2025

2021 Performance Rights - Director

15,000,000

22/12/2021

-1

21/12/2026

2021 Options - Director

4,500,000

22/12/2021

22/12/2023

21/12/2026

2021 Options – Executive (3)

2,600,000

15/07/2021

15/07/2023

15/07/2026

2022 Options – Executive (3)

600,000

01/09/2022

01/09/2024

01/09/2027

2022 Options – Executive (5)

2,000,000

14/12/2022

14/12/2023

14/12/2027

2022 Options – Executive (6)

2,000,000

14/12/2022

14/12/2024

14/12/2027

2023 Options – Executive (1)

1,500,000

29/06/2023

29/06/2025

29/06/2028

1.  Vesting period is dependent on the achievement of inclusion in the S&P ASX300 Index.

23,700,000

$0.20

$0.45

$0.45

$0.45

$0.20

$0.17

$0.17

$0.11

 $0.37

2020 Rights

2021 Rights

2021 Options

2021 Options (3)

2022 Options (3)

2022 Options (5)

2022 Options (6)

2023 Options (1)

Share price

Dividend yield

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest 
rate

Fair value per 
option

$0.415

$0.465

$0.465

$0.475

$0.175

$0.16

$0.16

$0.13

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

2.9%

3.1%

3.1%

3.8%

73.4%

45.0%

45.0%

73.4%

96.1%

93.3%

93.3%

92.8%

0.38%

1.27%

1.27%

0.69%

3.50%

3.06%

3.06%

3.93%

$0.3031

$0.192

$0.3031

$0.205

$0.08

$0.07

$0.08

$0.06

The	expected	volatility	was	determined	using	the	group's	average	five-year	share	price.	The	risk-free	rate	is	derived	from	the	
yield on Australian Government Bonds of an appropriate term. 

Historical share price volatility has been the basis for determining expected share price volatility as it is assumed that this is 
indicative of future volatility. 

(E) Non-Executive Director Arrangements
Current Board fees are $110,000 per annum for Joe Gangi and $90,000 per annum for Natalie Mactier and Jason Ashton. 

The table below represent the amounts paid during the periods in which their services were provided.

Short term benefits

Post  
Employment 
benefits

Long term 
benefits

Share based 
payments

Non-Executive Directors

Mr Joe Gangi

Ms Natalie Mactier

Mr Jason Ashton1

Total

Period

Cash Salary  
& fees

$

110,000

103,333

90,000

81,288

81,818

49,615

281,818

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

2022

234,236

Cash
STI

$

Annual  
leave

Superannuation

Long service  
leave

$

$

$

Options and 
Performance 
Rights
$

 Total  

Performance 
related

$

%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8,591

4,962

8,591

4,962

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

163,373

273,373

308,041

411,374

163,373

253,373

308,041

389,329

163,373

253,782

85,491

140,068

490,119

780,528

701,573

940,771

60%

75%

64%

79%

64%

61%

63%

75%

The fair values of options granted were determined using a variation of the binomial option pricing model that takes into account 
factors	specific	to	the	ESOP,	such	as	the	vesting	period.	

1.  Mr Jason Ashton was appointed on 24 November 2021.

All non-executive Directors enter into a service agreement with the Group in the form of a letter of appointment. The letter 
summarises	the	Board	policies	and	terms,	including	remuneration,	relevant	to	the	office	of	Director.

3031 
 
 
 
  
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Remuneration Report (Audited)

(F) Other Statutory Information 

Shareholdings 
The	numbers	of	shares	in	the	Group	held	(directly,	indirectly	or	beneficially)	during	the	financial	year	by	KMP,	including	their	
related parties, are set out below.   

Balance at 1 July 2022 or 
date of appointment 

Received on the exercise 
of option or right

Net Other Changes 

Balance at 30 June 2023 

Directors 

Joe Gangi 

Joe Demase 

Natalie Mactier

Jason Ashton

Total Directors 

Other Management Personnel (OMP)

Jonathan Horne

Glen Dymond

Garry White

John Stevens

Total OMP 

Group Total 

7,745,040

55,793,184

1,000,000

4,967,147

69,505,371

-

1,539,813

6,235,048

-

7,774,861

77,280,232

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,875,535

-

-

7,745,040

58,668,719

1,000,000

4,967,147

2,875,535

72,380,906

-

-

-

74,000

74,000

-

1,539,813

6,235,048

74,000

7,848,861

2,949,535

80,229,767

Voting and comments made at the Company’s Annual General Meeting

The	Company	received	96.3%	of	‘yes’	votes	on	its	Remuneration	Report	for	the	financial	year	ending	30	June	2022.	The	Company	
received	no	specific	feedback	on	its	Remuneration	Report	at	the	Annual	General	Meeting.

The table below provides aggregate information relating to 
the Company’s loans to KMP during the year:

Balance at the start of the year

Repayment from KMP

Balance at the end of the year

2023
$000

128

-

128

Other Transactions with Key 
Management Personnel 
During the year, the Group has conducted the following 
related party transactions:

•  A total of $213,191 (2022: $154,294) was paid to Studio 
Inc., an entity related to Joe Demase, for the design of 
marketing materials for the Group. 

•  A total of $18,315 (2022: nil) was paid to Mr Hunter 

Demase	for	sales consulting	services.	

All transactions are carried at commercial third-party rates.

There were no other transactions with KMP during the year 
ended 30 June 2023.

End of Remuneration Report 
This report, incorporating the Remuneration Report is 
signed in accordance with a resolution of Directors. 

Joe Gangi

Chairman 

22 September 2023 

Service Agreements 

Remuneration and other terms of employment for the 
Managing Director and other Key Management Personnel 
are formalised in an Executive Service Agreement between 
the Company and each executive:

Executive 

Base Salary 

Term of 
agreement 

Notice period 

Joseph Demase

$350,000

Unspecified

6 months

Jonathan Horne

$250,000

Unspecified

3 months

Glen Dymond

$270,000

Unspecified

3 months

Garry White 

$270,000

Unspecified

3 months

John Stevens

$300,000

Unspecified

3 months

Loans to Key Management Personnel

(i) Executive and Direct Share Plan
Under the Executive and Director Share Plan the Company 
may loan its Executives some or all of the amount of the 
exercise	price	for	options	exercised	to	acquire	shares.	
Such loans are non-recourse and no interest is charged 
in respect of the loan amounts. The executive does 
not	have	a beneficial	interest	in	the	shares	until	the	
loan is repaid with any such shares subject to a holding 
lock.	For accounting	purposes,	this	arrangement	is	not	
considered as loan receivable but considered as share-
based payment in substance. The granting of a loan is 
considered	to	be	a	modification	to	the	existing	option.	
Any increase	in	the	fair	value	of	the	option	recognised	as	an	
expense immediately at the date the loan is granted. If the 
executive fails to repay the loan, the Company can sell some 
of the shares to repay the loan. In the event that the shares 
are sold for an amount less than the value of the loan, the 
executive	is	only	required	to	repay	the	loan	out	of	the	sale	
proceeds. The Company has no other recourse against the 
employee. During the year no loans were provided under the 
Executive and Director Share Plan (2022: $400,000)

(ii) Other Loans
During the year ended 30 June 2021, the Group granted 
loans of $280,000 to key management personnel, $140,000 
each (Glen Dymond and Garry White) to allow them to 
take up shares in a capital raising being undertaken by 
the Company. Loan repayments of $148,400 were made 
during the year ended 30 June 2022 ($74,200 from Glen 
Dymond and $74,200 from Garry White). No repayments 
were made during the year ended 30 June 2023. The loans 
are full recourse loans and repayable on termination of 
employment of the relevant employees.

3233 
Corporate Governance Statement

Corporate Governance Statement

The Board of Webcentral Limited (the Company) recognises the need for the highest standards of corporate behaviour and 
accountability. The Board is committed to optimising security holder returns within a framework of ethical business practices. 

Webcentral’s corporate governance practices and policies comply with the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th Edition) (the Governance Principles and Recommendations), the ASX Listing 
Rules and the Corporations Act 2001	(Cth).	This	Statement	reflects	a	summary	of	Webcentral’s	corporate	governance	framework,	
policies and procedures that are in place and operating as at the date of this report.

Further information on Webcentral’s corporate governance policies, including Board and Committee charters, are available from 
the Corporate Governance page of the Company’s website.

  Principles and Recommendations

Compliance

Comply

Principle 1 – Lay solid foundations for management and oversight 

1.1 Establish the functions expressly 
reserved to the Board and those delegated 
to management, and disclose those 
functions.

The Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of 
the Company. It has adopted various charters and key corporate 
governance documents which set out the policies and procedures 
followed by the Company.

1.2 Undertake appropriate checks before 
appointing a person as a director, and 
provide security holders with all material 
information in its possession relevant 
to a decision	on	whether	or	not	to	elect	
or re-elect	a	director.

The Company has, and will continue to conduct, appropriate 
searches in relation to all appointed and future nominated directors. 
It will carry out necessary background checks, including ASIC 
Banned	&	Disqualified	Persons	Register	and	bankruptcy	searches	for	
all appointed and future nominated directors. 

The	Company	has	published	profiles	of	its	directors	on	the	Company’s	
website outlining biographical details, other directorships held, 
commencement	date	of	office	and	level	of	independence.

Compliant

Compliant

1.3 Have a written agreement with each 
director and senior executive setting out 
the terms	of	their	appointment.

The Company has written agreements with each director and senior 
executive. On appointment of directors and senior executives the 
Company will issue necessary written agreements outlining the 
terms of their appointment.

Compliant

1.4 The company secretary should be 
accountable directly to the Board on all 
matters to do with the proper functioning 
of the	Board.

1.5 Establish a diversity policy and disclose 
the policy. The policy should include 
requirements	for	the	Board	to	establish	
measurable objectives for achieving gender 
diversity and for the Board to assess 
annually both the objectives and progress in 
achieving them, for reporting against in each 
reporting period.

1.6 Have a process for periodically 
evaluating the performance of the Board, 
its committees and individual directors, and 
disclose that process and, at the end of each 
reporting period, whether such performance 
evaluation was undertaken in that period.

The Company Secretary reports directly to the Board, through 
the Chairman, on matters relating to the proper functioning of the 
Board. All Directors have access to the Company Secretary.

Compliant

The Company is committed to promoting a diverse workplace where 
everyone is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, race, 
disability, language, cultural background or sexual preference. 

Compliant

The Company has a Diversity & Inclusion Policy that outlines how it 
meets the highest standard of inclusion and respect. The Diversity & 
Inclusion Policy is available from the Corporate Governance page of 
the Company’s website.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) is responsible 
for, among other things, reviewing the Board’s performance, policies 
and practices, and reviewing the performance of its Committees and 
the Board and Committee Chairs. 

Compliant

The NRC, which operates under a nomination and remuneration 
committee charter, currently comprises the following Directors:
•  Jason Ashton (Committee Chair, Independent, Non-Executive 

Director);	

•	 Joe	Gangi	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	
•	 Natalie	Mactier	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	and
•  Joe Demase (Managing Director and CEO).

The NRC meets at least twice a year and operates in accordance 
with its charter which is available on the Corporate Governance 
page of	the	Company’s	website.	

Comply

Compliant

Compliant

  Principles and Recommendations

Compliance

1.7 The Company should have a process 
evaluating the performance of the 
Company’s senior executives, and disclose 
that process and, at the end of each 
reporting period, whether such performance 
evaluation was undertaken in that period.

The Managing Director (MD) reviews the performance of the senior 
executives on a regular basis throughout the reporting period. 
Additionally, the Board reviews the Managing Director’s performance 
throughout the reporting period. These reviews were conducted in 
the current reporting period.

Principle 2 – Structure the Board to be effective and add value

2.1 The Company should have a nomination 
committee, which has at least three 
members, a majority of independent 
directors and is chaired by an independent 
director. The functions and operations of the 
nomination committee should be disclosed.

A Nomination and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) has been 
established with its own charter and currently comprises the 
following Directors:

•  Jason Ashton (Committee Chair, Independent Non-Executive 

Director);	

•	 Joe	Gangi	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	

•  Natalie Mactier (Independent, Non-Executive Director) and

•  Joe Demase (Managing Director and CEO).

The primary objective of the NRC is to assist the Board with the 
discharge of its responsibilities with respect to constitution of 
the members of the Board of Directors and the remuneration 
of directors and senior management as set out in its charter 
which is available on the Corporate Governance page of the 
Company’s website.	

2.2 Have and disclose a board skills matrix, 
setting out what the board is looking to 
achieve in its membership.

The NRC undertakes its deliberations in accordance with the rules 
set out in its charter. The NRC seeks to ensure that the Directors 
have	a	broad	range	of	experience,	expertise,	skills,	qualifications	and	
contacts	and	that	they	are	relevant	to	the	Company	and	its business.

2.3 Disclose the names of the directors 
that the Board considers to be independent 
directors, and an explanation of why the 
Board is of that opinion if a factor that 
impacts on independence applies to a 
director, and disclose the length of service 
of each director

The Board considers Natalie Mactier (Non-Executive Director, 
appointed 22 October 2020), Joe Gangi (Non-Executive Director, 
appointed 16 October 2020) and Jason Ashton (Non-Executive 
Director, appointed 24 November 2021) to be  independent directors. 

The Board notes that Joseph Demase is not an independent 
director for the purposes of the Governance Principles and 
Recommendations. Mr Demase is Managing Director and Chief 
Executive	Officer	of	the	Company.		

Compliant

Compliant

2.4 A majority of the Board should be 
independent directors.

The Board is presently comprised of four directors, of which three 
are independent, non-executive directors.

Compliant 

2.5 The Chair of the Board should be an 
independent director and should not 
be the CEO.

The Chair of the Board, Joe Gangi, is an independent, 
non-executive director.

2.6 The Company should have a program 
for inducting new directors and providing 
appropriate professional development 
opportunities for directors to develop and 
maintain the skills and knowledge needed to 
perform their role as a director effectively

The Board Charter provides a program for inducting new 
directors and	requires	that	directors	have	access	to	opportunities	
for professional development so as to ensure the continual 
development of	their	skills	and	knowledge.	

The Board Charter is available on the Corporate Governance 
page of the	Company’s	website.

Compliant 

Compliant

Principle 3 – Act lawfully, ethically and responsibly

3.1 The Company should articulate and 
disclose its values

The Company articulates and discloses its guiding principles and 
values in its Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is available 
on the Corporate Governance page of the Company’s website. 

Compliant 

3435Corporate Governance Statement

Corporate Governance Statement

Compliant

Principle 6 – Respect the rights of security holders

  Principles and Recommendations

Compliance

3.2 The Company should have a Code of 
Conduct and ensure that any material 
breaches of that Code are reported.

The Company has a Code of Conduct that articulates the 
standards of	behaviour	it	expects	of	its	directors,	senior	
executives and employees.

Comply

Compliant

3.3 The Company should have a whistleblower 
policy and ensure that the Board is informed 
of any material breaches reported under 
that policy.

3.4 The Company should have an anti-bribery 
and corruption policy and ensure that the Board 
is informed of any material breaches reported 
under that policy

4.1 The Company should have an audit 
committee, which consists of only non-
executive directors, a majority of independent 
directors, is chaired by an independent 
chairman who is not chairman of the Board, and 
has at least three members. The functions and 
operations of the audit committee should be 
disclosed.

4.2 The Board should, before approving 
financial	statements	for	a	financial	period,	
receive a declaration from the CEO and CFO 
that,	in	their	opinion,	the	financial	records	have	
been	properly	maintained	and	that	the	financial	
statements comply with the appropriate 
accounting standards and give a true and fair 
view	of	the	financial	position	and	performance	
of the Company, formed on the basis of a 
sound system of risk management and internal 
controls, operating effectively.

4.3 The Company’s auditor should attend the 
AGM	and	be	available	to	answer	questions	from	
security holders relevant to the audit.

The Code also sets out the process for identifying and reporting 
material breaches of the Code. The Code of Conduct is available 
on the	Corporate	Governance	page	of	the	Company’s	website.

The Company encourages directors, senior executives and 
employees to speak up about any unlawful, unethical or irresponsible 
behaviour within the organisation.

Compliant

The Company has a Whistleblower Policy to guide the directors, 
senior executives and employees as to the practices necessary 
to report	unlawful,	unethical	or	irresponsible	behaviour.

The Policy is available on the Corporate Governance page 
of the Company’s	website.

The Company recognises the serious criminal and civil penalties that 
may be incurred and the reputational damage that may be done, if 
the	Company	and	any	of	its	directors,	as	well	as	officers,	employees,	
contractors, consultants and other persons that act on its behalf, 
engages in bribery or corruption.  

The Company has an Anti-Bribery and Corruption policy that 
articulates the standards of behaviour it expects of its directors, 
senior executives and employees as regards observing and 
upholding the prohibition on bribery and related improper conduct.

The Company’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy is available on the 
Corporate Governance page of the Company's website. 

The Audit and Risk Committee members are:

•  Natalie Mactier (Committee Chair, Independent, Non-Executive 

Director);

•	 Joe	Gangi	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	

•	 Jason	Ashton	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	and

•  Joseph Demase (Managing Director and CEO).

The ARC oversees the Company’s corporate reporting process pursuant 
to the rules of its Charter which is available on the Corporate Governance 
page of the Company’s website. 

In accordance with section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), 
each year the CEO and CFO state in writing to the Board that, for the 
relevant	financial	year,	the	financial	records	of	the	Company	have	been	
properly	maintained,	the	financial	statements	and	the	notes	comply	with	
the	accounting	standards	and	give	a	true	and	fair	view	of	the	financial	
position and performance of the Company, and that their statement has 
been provided on the basis of a sound system of risk management and 
internal control which is operating effectively.

External auditors attend the Company’s Annual General Meeting and are 
available	to	answer	reasonable	questions	from	security	holders	in	relation	
to the conduct of the audit, the preparation and content of the independent 
audit	report	and	the	accounting	policies	adopted	by	the Company.

Compliant

Principle 4 – Safeguard the integrity of corporate reports

The Board has established an Audit and Risk Committee (‘ARC’) which 
operates under an audit and risk committee charter. 

Compliant

  Principles and Recommendations

Compliance

Comply

Principle 5 – Make timely and balanced disclosure

5.1 The Company should have a written policy 
for complying with its continuous disclosure 
obligations under ASX Listing Rule 3.1.

5.2 The Company should ensure that its 
Board receives copies of all material market 
announcements promptly after they have 
been made.

5.3 The Company should release copies 
of presentation materials on the ASX 
Market Announcements Platform ahead 
of the presentation.

The Company has a Disclosure Policy which is designed to ensure 
that all material matters are appropriately disclosed in a balanced 
and	timely	manner	and	in	accordance	with	the	requirements	of	the	
ASX Listing Rules.

The Policy is available on the Corporate Governance page of the 
Company’s website. 

Compliant

The Company’s Disclosure Policy provides that the Board receives 
market announcements	promptly	after	they	have	been	made.	

Compliant

The Policy is available on the Corporate Governance page of 
the Company’s	website.

The Company diligently releases copies of all of its presentation materials 
on the ASX Market Announcements Platform ahead of presentations.

Compliant

6.1 The Company should provide information 
about itself and its governance to investors 
via its	website

The Corporate Governance landing page on the Company’s website 
contains a range of documents concerning information about the 
entity and	its	governance	that	security	holders	can	download.

Compliant

Further information about the Company’s Corporate Governance 
regime can be found on the Corporate Governance page of the 
Company’s website.	

6.2 The Company should have an investor 
relations program that facilitates effective two-
way communication with investors.

The Company will use its website, half year and annual reports, market 
announcements and media disclosures to communicate with its security 
holders, as well as encourage participation at general meetings.

Compliant

6.3 The Company should disclose how it 
facilitates and encourages participation at 
meetings of security holders.

The	Company’s	security	holders	have	the	opportunity	to	ask	questions	
of the Company’s external auditors who attend the Company’s annual 
general meeting. 

Compliant

6.4 The Company should ensure that all 
substantive resolutions at a meeting of 
security holders	are	decided	by	a	poll.

6.5 The Company should give security holders 
the option to receive communications from, and 
send communications to, the Company and its 
security registry electronically.

Further, the Company has adopted a range of appropriate technologies 
to facilitate	two-way	engagement	at	its	annual	general	meetings.	

All resolutions at meetings of security holders are decided on a poll.

Compliant

The Company’s security holders have the option to electronically receive 
communications from, and send communications to, the Company and its 
security registry. 

Compliant

The Board has established an Audit and Risk Committee (‘ARC’) which 
operates under an audit and risk committee charter. 

Compliant

The Audit and Risk Committee members are:

•  Natalie Mactier (Committee Chair, Independent Non-Executive 

Director);

•	 Joe	Gangi	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	

•	 Jason	Ashton	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	and

•  Joseph Demase (Managing Director and CEO).

The ARC oversees the Company’s corporate reporting process pursuant 
to the rules of its Charter which is available on the Corporate Governance 
page of the Company’s website. 

Compliant

Principle 7 – Recognise and manage risk

7.1 The Board should have a committee to 
oversee risk with at least three members, a 
majority	of	whom	are	independent	directors;	
and is chaired by an independent director.

3637Corporate Governance Statement

Auditors' Independence Declaration

  Principles and Recommendations

Compliance

The ARC meets at least four times each year and a risk review is 
conducted in relation to each reporting period.

Comply

Compliant

7.2 The Board should review the Company’s risk 
management	framework	at	least	annually;	and	
disclose, in relation to each reporting period, 
whether such a review has taken place.

7.3 The Company should disclose if it has an 
internal audit function, how the function is 
structured and what role it performs, or if it 
does not have an internal audit function, that 
fact and the processes the Company employs 
for evaluating and continually improving the 
effectiveness of its risk management and 
internal control processes.

7.4 The Company should disclose whether 
the Company has any material exposure 
to economic, environmental and social 
sustainability risks and, if so, how it 
manages those risks. 

The ARC oversees the Company’s internal audit program. It reviews and 
approves the Company’s internal audit plan and monitors the progress of 
the Company’s internal audit.

Compliant

The Board does not believe that the Company has any such material risks. 

While the Company is not exposed to such risks, the Board has adopted 
an Environment & Sustainability Policy to deal with such risks if they are 
ever to eventuate. 

The Environment & Sustainability Policy is available on the Corporate 
Governance page of the Company’s website. 

Compliant

Principle 8 – Remunerate fairly and responsibly 

8.1 The Board should have a remuneration 
committee which is structured so that it 
consists of a majority of independent directors, 
is chaired by an independent director, and has 
at least three members. The functions and 
operations of the remuneration committee 
should be disclosed.

8.2 The Company should disclose its 
policies and practices regarding the 
remuneration of non-executive directors 
and the remuneration of executive directors 
and other senior executives.

8.3 The Company should have a policy on 
whether participants are permitted to enter 
into transactions (whether through the use 
of derivatives or otherwise) which limit the 
economic risk of participating in the scheme, 
and disclose that policy or a summary of it.

A Nominations and Remuneration Committee (‘NRC’) has been established 
with its own charter and consists of the following Directors:

Compliant

•  Jason Ashton (Committee Chair, Independent, Non-Executive 

Director);	

•	 Joe	Gangi	(Non-Executive	Director);	

•	 Natalie	Mactier	(Independent,	Non-Executive	Director);	and

•  Joe Demase (Managing Director and CEO).

The primary objective of the NRC is to assist the Board with the discharge 
of its responsibilities as set out in its charter which is available on the 
Corporate Governance page of the Company’s website.

The NRC oversees the policies and practices regarding the remuneration 
of non-executive directors, and the remuneration of executive directors 
and other senior executives.

Compliant

The Company operates an Executive and Director Share Option Plan 
(ESOP) in which directors and senior management participate. In 
accordance with the Company’s Share Trading Policy, participants are not 
permitted to enter into transactions which limit economic risk without 
written clearance.

Compliant

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
Level 22 Tower 5
Collins Square
727 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3008
Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
GPO Box 4736
Level 22 Tower 5
Melbourne VIC 3001
Collins Square
727 Collins Street
T +61 3 8320 2222
Melbourne VIC 3008
GPO Box 4736
Melbourne VIC 3001

T +61 3 8320 2222

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

To the Directors of Webcentral Limited
Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

In accordance with the requirements of section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, as lead auditor for the audit 
of Webcentral Limited for the year ended 30 June 2023, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, 
To the Directors of Webcentral Limited
there have been:

In accordance with the requirements of section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, as lead auditor for the audit 
no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to 
a
of Webcentral Limited for the year ended 30 June 2023, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, 
the audit; and
there have been:
b
a

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to 
the audit; and

b

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
Chartered Accountants

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
Chartered Accountants

M A Cunningham
Partner – Audit & Assurance

Melbourne, 22 September 2023
M A Cunningham
Partner – Audit & Assurance

Melbourne, 22 September 2023

www.grantthornton.com.au
ACN-130 913 594 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 ACN 127 556 389. 
www.grantthornton.com.au
‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or 
refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Limited is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). 
ACN-130 913 594 
GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member 
firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and are not liable for one 
Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 ACN 127 556 389. 
another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 
‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or 
556 389 ACN 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards 
refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Limited is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). 
Legislation. 
GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member 
w
firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and are not liable for one 
another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 
556 389 ACN 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards 
Legislation. 

w

3839Webcentral Limited and its controlled entities

ABN: 21 073 716 793

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE  
YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

4041Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 30 June 2023

For the year ended 30 June 2023 (Continued)

Loss for the period attributable to:

Members of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Members of the parent 

Non-controlling interests

Loss per share from continuing operations

Basic loss per share

Diluted loss per share

Loss per share attributable to members of the parent

Basic loss per share

Diluted loss per share

Year ended

Notes

30-Jun-23
$’000

30-Jun-22
$’000

(19,019)

(24,883)

-

145

(19,019)

(24,738)

(17,953)

(25,862)

-

145

(17,953)

(25,717)

30-Jun-23
cents per 
share

30-Jun-22
cents per 
share

(5.79)

(5.79)

(5.47)

(5.47)

(8.50)

(8.50)

(8.56)

(8.56)

7

7

7

7

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Revenue

Other income

Revenue and other income

Network and data centre costs

Domain registration costs

Cloud and hosting costs

Software and licencing costs

External labour costs

Other direct costs

Rent	and	office	expenses

Marketing and travel expenses

Employee	benefits	expenses

Other expenses

Impairment	of	financial	assets

Impairment of assets

Share-based payment expenses

Acquisition	costs

Non-recurring costs

Depreciation expenses

Amortisation expenses

Finance costs

Total expenses

Loss before income tax

Income	tax	(expense)	/	benefit

Loss after tax 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR, NET OF INCOME TAX

Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:

Currency translation differences

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:

Change	in	fair	value	of	equity	instruments	designed	at	fair	value	through	other	
comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax

Year ended

Notes

30-Jun-23
$’000

30-Jun-22
$’000

5

6

10

14

8

22

 22

96,138

38

96,176

93,428

3,304

96,732

(26,035)

(24,285)

(7,198)

(751)

(5,067)

(722)

(435)

(604)

(2,493)

(34,371)

(5,675)

-

(14,077)

(1,546)

(184)

(3,313)

(8,529)

(3,918)

(3,475)

(118,393)

     (22,217)

3,198

(19,019)

(6,225)

(1,461)

(4,999)

(814)

(373)

(410)

(1,788)

(35,960)

(2,856)

(578)

(11,494)

(8,833)

(904)

(3,706)

(10,195)

(3,435)

(2,798)

(121,114)

(24,382)

(356)

(24,738)

52

(36)

1,014

1,066

(943)

(979)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

(17,953)

(25,717)

The above Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

The above Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

4243 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2023

As at 30 June 2023 (Continued)

Notes

30-Jun-23

30-Jun-22

$’000

$’000

Notes

30-Jun-23

30-Jun-22

$’000

$’000

Non-Current Liabilities

Borrowings

Lease liability

Employee	benefits

Contract liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities

Total Non-Current Liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

EQUITY

Share capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

TOTAL EQUITY

27

13

19

11

8

21

22

-

13,229

487

9,698

-

23,414

25,359

14,784

451

8,072

2,507

51,173

106,580

101,684

10,270

28,933

200,521

201,301

  (132,049)

  (134,661)

(58,202)

10,270

(37,707)

28,933

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments of domain name registry charges

Contract assets

Other assets

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Plant	and	equipment

Right-of-use assets

Intangible assets

Prepayments of domain name registry charges

Deferred tax assets  

Goodwill

Other	financial	assets

Other assets

Total Non-Current Assets

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Lease liability

Employee	benefits

Provision for income tax

Contract liabilities

Other	financial	liabilities

Other liabilities

Total Current Liabilities

9

10

11

16

12

13

15

8

14

27

16

17

27

13

19

11

18

4,498           

5,088

6,279

1,089           

3,998

20,952

9,805

10,376

21,067

2,719

890

50,280

725

36

95,898

5,367

4,049

5,585

669

3,409

19,079

15,670

15,177

22,059

2,387

-

50,212

5,198

835

111,538

116,850

130,617

14,666

29,158

3,937

3,536

124

25,440

2,182

4,123

83,166

14,893

571

3,456

3,907

35

23,409

1,250

2,990

50,511

The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

4445 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 30 June 2023

For the year ended 30 June 2023

Share  
Capital

Treasury
Shares

Reserves

Accumulated 
Losses

Total equity 
attributable 
to owners of 
the Company

Non-
controlling 
Interest

Total  
Equity

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Year ended

Notes

30-Jun-23
$’000

30-June-22
$’000

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2022

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Dividend paid

201,301

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

201,301

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Shares issued on exercise of Options

Share issued - Dividend reinvestment plan

137

52

Cancellation of shares pursuant to on-market buy back

(955)   

Share issue costs

Share based compensation                                      

Balance at 30 June 2023

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2021 

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

(14)

-

200,521

80,061

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period 

80,061

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(134,661)

(37,707)

28,933

-

(19,019)

(19,019)

1,066

-

1,066

-

(1,476)

(1,476)  

(133,595)

(58,202)

9,504

-

-

-

-

1,546    

-

-

-

-

-

137

52

(955) 

(14)

1,546    

  (132,049)

(58,202)

10,270

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

28,933

(19,019)

1,066

(1,476)   

9,504

137

52

(955) 

(14)

1,546    

10,270

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Interest received

Interest paid 

Income tax paid

Payments	for	acquisition	and	restructuring	costs

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Net cash on purchase of New Domain

Purchase	of	plant	and	equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

Sublease payments received

Net Cash on Purchase of ColoAU

Net Cash on Purchase of Intergrid

12,300

(12,824)

79,537

(29,681)

49,856

Consideration paid in relation to deferred capital payments of North Sydney Data Centre

-

(24,883)

(24,883)

145

(24,738)

Investments in listed companies

(979)

-

   (979)

-

(979)

11,321

(37,707)

53,675

(29,536)

24,139

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Acquisitions	of	subsidiaries	through	internal	
reorganization

132,340

(11,196)

(150,680)

Cancellation	of	treasury	shares	held	by	5G Networks	
Limited

(11,196)

11,196

Shares issued on exercise of Options

Cancellation of shares under unmarketable parcel 
facility

Share issue costs

Share based compensation                                      

Balance at 30 June 2022

1,115

(1,005)

(14)

-

201,301      

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(124)

4,822

(29,536)

29,536

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,115

(1,005)

(138)

4,822

-

-

1,115

(1,005)

(138)

4,822

28,933

-

-

-

-

-

-

(134,661)

(37,707)

28,933

Return of capital and dividends received from investments

Proceeds from sales of CNW shares

NET CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issues of shares on exercise of options

Proceeds from borrowings

Payment of performance rights

Payment of security deposit

Payments of share buyback

Repayment of borrowings

Payment of capital raising costs

Payment of borrowing costs

Payment of dividend on ordinary shares

Payment of lease liabilities

NET CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Net foreign exchange differences

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	beginning	of	period

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

105,455

(94,019)

4

(3,235)

-

(184)

8,021

(3,500)

(3,746)

(2,411)

60

-

-

-

-

33

5,487

106,865

(98,087)

111

(2,856)

(57)

(2,554)

3,422

-

(5,856)

(1,336)

1,835

(8)

(602)

(499)

(5,417)

136

-

(4,077)  

(11,747)

-

8,800   

-

(40)     

(1,914)  

(5,539) 

-

-

(1,476) 

(4,696) 

(4,865) 

1,025

5,412

(4,013)

(376)

-

(1,095)

(182)

(305)

-

(5,925)

(5,459)

(921)   

(13,784)

52

5,367

4,498

(19)

19,170

5,367

20

9

The above Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

4647 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Corporate Information
The	consolidated	financial	statements	of	Webcentral	
Limited (‘the Company’ or ‘Webcentral’) and its subsidiaries 
(collectively, ‘the Group’) for the year ended 30 June 2023 
were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution 
of the	directors	on	22	September	2023.

Webcentral Limited is a limited company, incorporated and 
domiciled in Australia, whose shares are publicly traded on 
the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The Company is 
a for-profit	entity.

Operations and Principal Activities
The Group’s principal activities during the year were:

•  the supply of cloud-based solutions, managed services 

and	network	services;

•	 the	operation	of	fibre	and	wireless	infrastructure	and	

management	of	cloud	computing	environment;

•	 the	operation	of	data	centre	facilities;	and

•  the supply of domain name registrations and renewals, 

website and email hosting, website development, search 
engine marketing and social advertising campaigns for 
businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Registered Office and Principal Place 
of Business
The	registered	office	and	principal	place	of	business	
of the Company is Level 7, 505 Little Collins Street, 
Melbourne VIC 3000.

2. Statement of Significant 
Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation
These	general	purpose	financial	statements	have	been	
prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian 
Accounting Standards Board (AASB) and the Corporations 
Act 2001,	as	appropriate	for	for-profit	oriented	entities.	
These	financial	statements	also	comply	with	International	
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Except	for	cash	flow	information,	the	financial	statements	
have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on 
historical costs.

The Financial Statements were authorised for issue, 
in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 
22 September	2023.	

Going concern
The	financial	report	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	
2023 has been prepared on the going concern basis that 
contemplates the continuity of normal business activities 

and the realisation of assets and extinguishment of 
liabilities in the ordinary course of business. 

For the year ended 30 June 2023 the Group recorded a 
loss after tax of $19,019,000 (2022: Loss $24,738,000), 
operating	cash	inflows	of	$8,021,000	(2022:	$3,422,000),	
financing	cash	outflows	of	$4,865,000	(2022:	$5,459,000),	
and	a	deficit	of	current	assets	to	current	liabilities	
of $62,214,000 (2022: $31,432,000).  At year end the 
Group	had	$4.5 million	of	cash	on	hand	and	available	
debt	facilities	of	$4.5 million,	of	which	$1.5	million	is	for	
the purpose	of	business	acquisitions.	

The	significant	items	which	contributed	to	the	Group’s	loss	
after tax for the year were the non-cash goodwill impairment 
expense	of	$14.08	million,	acquisition,	restructuring	and	
other non-recurring costs of $3.5 million, and non-cash 
share-based payments expense of $1.55 million. 

The major contributors to the decline in underlying EBITDA 
was the $3.26 million reduction in non-recurring hosting 
revenue and transitional services income and the reduction 
in networks and data centre revenue.

The goodwill impairment charge has arisen due to the 
assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible 
assets at year-end and the impact of higher discount rates. 
The non-cash impairment expense recognises the decline 
in revenue at one of the Group’s data centres servicing 
the digital currency market and pricing pressure from 
government contracts. The non-cash impairment charge 
has no impact on the Group's debt facilities, covenants 
or liquidity.

The	acquisition,	restructuring	and	non-recurring	costs	are	
considered to be one-off and non-recurring in nature. 

The Directors regularly monitor the Group’s cash position 
and cash forecast and on an ongoing basis consider a 
number of strategic and operational plans and initiatives 
to	ensure	that	adequate	funding	continues	to	be	available	
for the	Group	to	meet	its	business	objectives.

The Group’s cash forecast for the period to September 2024 
(i.e.	12	months	after	the	issue	of	the	Group’s	financial	report)	
indicates	that	is	generating	a	positive	operating	cashflow	
and	that	it	does	not	require	additional	funding	from	external	
debt	or	equity	providers.

The	specific	growth	initiatives	and	sales	pipeline	that	
support the operational growth forecast include:

•  annual renewal of .au domain names following launch in 

the	period	from	March	to	September	2022;

•  continued	growth	in	CPanel	hosting	products;

•  wholesale and enterprise customer growth with more 

than	$5.9	million	annual	recurring	revenue	sold	in	FY23;

•  enterprise	and	wholesale	sales	pipeline	of	$8.9	million;	

and

•  continued growth in hardware sales with sales closed of 

$2.0	million	in	FY23	for	delivery	in	FY24.	

A conservative cash forecast for the period to September 
2024 (i.e. 12 months after the issue of the Group’s 
financial	report)	has	also	been	prepared	on	the	basis	of	

a continuation of the Group’s revenue in July 2023 which 
indicates	a	positive	operating	cashflow	for	the	period	to	
September	2024	and	that	it	does	not	require	additional	
funding	from	external	debt	or	equity	providers.

The Directors have undertaken solvency tests at year-
end	and	as	at	the	signing	date	of	Group’s	financial	report	
which consider the Group’s ability to pay liabilities that 
are due within 30 days of each date. These tests consider 
the current assets and liabilities expected to be settled 
within 30 days, available debt funding of $4.5 million 
(excluding	$1.5	million	acquisition	facility),	and	other	
available sources of funding and indicate that the Group has 
sufficient	funding	headroom.	The	solvency	tests	consider	
current assets that are expected to be converted to cash 
and current liabilities that are not payable within 30 days 
including prepayments and current assets of $11.3 million, 
borrowings	and	other	financial	liabilities	not	expected	to	be	
payable or settled in cash of $30.7 million, trade payables 
and other creditors not payable of $4.3 million, payroll 
provisions	of	$3.1 million,	property	lease	liabilities	of	$3.7	
million and deferred revenue balances of $26.4 million.

The Directors have also considered the Group’s compliance 
with its debt facility agreement with CBA and the 
amendment to the Net Leverage Ratio covenant in relation 
to the period ended 30 June 2023 to increase it to 3.50 
times. As the amendment was received after reporting 
date,	the	Group	is	required	to	classify	an	amount	of	$25.1	
million as a current liability in the Statement of Financial 
Position even though these amounts are not repayable 
within 12 months of reporting date.

The Directors have taken the factors above into 
consideration and determined that there are reasonable 
grounds to believe that the Group will be able to pay its 
debts as and when they become due and payable and the 
Directors consider the going concern basis of preparation 
to	be	appropriate	for	this	consolidated	financial	report.

New or Amended Accounting 
Standards not yet adopted in 
the period
At	the	date	of	authorisation	of	these	financial	statements,	
several new, but not yet effective, Standards and 
amendments to existing Standards, and Interpretations 
have been published by AASB.

None of these Standards or amendments to existing 
Standards have been adopted early by the Group. 
Management anticipates that all relevant pronouncements 
will	be	adopted	for	the	first	period	beginning	on	or	after	
the effective date of the pronouncement. New Standards, 
amendments and Interpretations not adopted in the current 
year have not been disclosed as they are not expected to 
have	a	material	impact	on	the	Group’s	financial	statements.

Principles of consolidation
The	consolidated	financial	statements	incorporate	the	
assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Webcentral 
Limited as at 30 June 2023 and the result of all subsidiaries 
for the year then ended.

Subsidiaries are all those entities over which the Group 
has control. The group controls an entity when the group 
is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 
involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power to direct the activities 
of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the 
date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are 
deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised 
gains on transactions between entities in the Group are 
eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless 
the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the 
asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have 
been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with 
the policies adopted by the Group.

The	acquisition	of	subsidiaries	is	accounted	for	using	the	
acquisition	method	of	accounting.	Refer	to	the	‘Business	
Combinations’ accounting policy for further details. 
A change	in	ownership	interest,	without	the	loss	of	control,	
is	accounted	for	as	an	equity	transaction,	where	the	
difference between the consideration transferred and 
the book	value	of	the	share	of	the	non-controlling	interest	
acquired	is	recognised	directly	inequity	attributable	to	
the parent.

Where the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it 
derecognises the assets including goodwill, liabilities and 
non-controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any 
cumulative	translation	differences	recognised	in	equity.

The Group recognises the fair value of the consideration 
received and the fair value of any investment retained 
together	with	any	gain	or	loss	in	profit	or	loss.

Business Combinations
The	acquisition	method	of	accounting	is	used	to	account	
for	business	combinations	regardless	of	whether	equity	
instruments	or	other	assets	are	acquired.	

The	consideration	transferred	is	the	sum	of	the	acquisition	
date	fair	values	of	the	assets	transferred,	equity	
instruments	issued	or	liabilities	incurred	by	the	acquirer	
to	former	owners	of	the	acquire	and	the	amount	of	any	
non-controlling	interest	in	the	acquiree.	For	each	business	
combination,	the	non-controlling	interest	in	the	acquiree	is	
measured at either fair value or at the proportionate share 
of	the	acquirer’s	identifiable	net	assets.	All	acquisition	
costs	are	expensed	as	incurred	to	profit	or	loss.

On	the	acquisition	of	a	business,	the	Group	assesses	
the	financial	assets	acquired	and	liabilities	assumed	for	
appropriate	classification	and	designation	in	accordance	
with the contractual terms, economic conditions, the 
Group’s operating or accounting policies and other 
pertinent	conditions	in	existence	at	the	acquisition	date.

Where the business combination is achieved in stages, 
the	Group	remeasures	its	previously	held	equity	interest	
in	the	acquiree	at	the	acquisition-date	fair	value	and	the	
difference between the fair value and the previous carrying 
amount	is	recognised	in	profit	or	loss.

Contingent	consideration	to	be	transferred	by	the	acquirer	
is	recognised	at	the	acquisition	date	fair	value.	Subsequent	
changes in the fair value of contingent consideration 

4849Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

classified	as	an	asset	or	liability	is	recognised	in	profit	or	
loss.	Contingent	consideration	classified	as	equity	is	not	
remeasured	and	its	subsequent	settlement	is	accounted	
for within	equity.

The	difference	between	the	acquisition	date	fair	value	
of	assets	acquired,	liabilities	assumed	and	any	non-
controlling	interest	in	the	acquiree	and	the	fair	value	of	
the consideration transferred and the fair value of any 
pre-existing	investment	in	the	acquiree	is	recognised	
as goodwill. If the consideration transferred and the 
pre-existing fair value is less than the fair value of the 
identifiable	net	assets	acquired,	being	a	bargain	purchase	
to	the	acquirer,	the	difference	is	recognised	as	a	gain	
directly	in	profit	or	loss	by	the	acquirer	on	the	acquisition	
date,	but	only	after	a	reassessment	of	the	identification	
and	measurement	of	the	net	assets	acquired,	the	non-
controlling	interest	in	the	acquiree,	if	any,	the	consideration	
transferred	and	the	acquirer’s	previously	held	equity	
interest	in	the	acquiree.

Business combinations are initially accounted for on a 
provisional	basis.	The	acquirer	retrospectively	adjusts	
the provisional amounts recognised and also recognises 
additional assets or liabilities during the measurement 
period, based on new information obtained about the facts 
and	circumstances	that	existed	at	the	acquisition-date.	
The measurement period ends on either the earlier of (i) 
12	months	from	the	date	of	the	acquisition	or	(ii)	when	the	
acquirer	receives	all	the	information	possible	to	determine	
fair value.

Foreign currency transactions
Both the functional and presentation currency of the Group 
and its Australian subsidiaries is Australian dollars (AUD).

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded 
in the functional currency at the exchange rates ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date. Non-monetary 
items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate as 
at the date of the initial transaction.

The functional currency of the Group’s New Zealand 
subsidiaries is New Zealand dollars (NZD).

The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries are 
translated into the presentation currency of the Group at 
the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date, and the 
statement of comprehensive income is translated at the 
weighted average exchange rates for the period.

The exchange differences arising on retranslation are taken 
directly to other comprehensive income. On disposal of a 
foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognised 
in other comprehensive income relating to that particular 
foreign operation is recognised in the determination of 
profit	and	loss	for	the	period.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the 
translation of any net investment in foreign entities, and 
of	borrowings	and	other	financial	instruments	designed	

as hedges of such investments, are taken to the foreign 
currency	translation	reserve	in	equity.		When	a	foreign	
operation is sold, or any borrowings forming part of the 
net investment are repaid, a proportionate share of such 
exchange differences is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income, as part of the gain on sale or loss 
on sale where applicable.

Income Tax
The	income	tax	expense	or	benefit	for	the	period	is	the	
tax payable on that period’s taxable income based on the 
applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted 
by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable 
to temporary differences, unused tax losses and the 
adjustment recognised for prior periods, where applicable.

(i) Current Taxes
Current tax assets and liabilities for the current period are 
measured at the amount expected to be recovered from 
or paid to the taxation authorities based on the current 
period's taxable income. The tax rates and tax laws used 
to compute the amount are those that are enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Current income tax relating to items recognised directly 
in	equity	is	recognised	in	equity	and	not	in	profit	or	loss.	
Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the 
tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable 
tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes 
provisions where appropriate.

(ii) Deferred Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for 
temporary differences at the tax rates expected to apply 
when the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, 
based on those tax rates that are enacted or substantively 
enacted, except for:

•  When the deferred income tax asset or liability arises 
from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset 
or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination and that, at the time of the transaction, 
affects	neither	the	accounting	nor	taxable	profits;	or

•  When the taxable temporary difference is associated with 
interests in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, 
and the timing of the reversal can be controlled and it is 
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in 
the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible 
temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is 
probable that future taxable amounts will be available to 
utilise those temporary differences and losses.

The carrying amount of recognised and unrecognised 
deferred tax assets are reviewed each reporting date. 
Deferred tax assets recognised are reduced to the extent 
that	it	is	no	longer	probable	that	future	taxable	profits	
will be available for the carrying amount to be recovered. 
Previously unrecognised deferred tax assets are recognised 
to the extent that it is probable that there are future taxable 
profits	available	to	recover	the	asset.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only where 
there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax 
assets against current tax liabilities and deferred tax 
assets	against	deferred	tax	liabilities;	and	they	relate	to	
the same taxable authority on either the same taxable 
entity or different taxable entities which intend to settle 
simultaneously.

(iii) Tax Consolidation
The Group and its wholly-owned Australian controlled 
entities have implemented the tax consolidation legislation 
as of 1 January 2006. Members of the tax consolidated 
group have entered into a tax-funding agreement. 
Each entity	is	responsible	for	remitting	its	share	of	the	
current tax payable (receivable) assumed by the head entity.

In accordance with UIG 1052 and Group accounting policy, 
the Group has applied the ‘separate taxpayer within group 
approach’, in which the head entity, Webcentral Limited, 
and the controlled entities in the tax consolidated group 
continue to account for their own current and deferred 
tax amounts.

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, the 
Group also recognises the current tax liabilities (or assets) 
and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax credits 
assumed from controlled entities in the tax consolidated 
group. The allocation of taxes to the head entity is 
recognised as an increase/decrease in the controlled 
entity’s inter-company accounts with the tax consolidated 
Group head entity.

Members of the Group have entered into a tax-sharing 
agreement that provides for the allocation of income tax 
liabilities between the entities should the head entity 
default on its tax payment obligations. No amounts have 
been	recognised	in	the	financial	statements	in	respect	
of this agreement, on the grounds that the possibility 
is remote.

Revenue
Revenue is recognised either at a point in time or over time 
when	(or	as)	the	Group	satisfies	performance	obligations	
by transferring the promised goods or services to its 
customers. All revenue is stated net of the amount of Goods 
and Services Tax (GST).

(i) Hardware and software sales
Sale	of	hardware	and	software	products	for	a	fixed	fee	is	
recognised as revenue when the goods are delivered and 
control is transferred to the customer

(ii) Rendering of Services – network and voice, data 
centre, managed services
The Group provides network, voice, data centre and 
managed	services	under	fixed-price	and	variable	price	
contracts. Revenue from providing services is recognised 
in the accounting period in which the services are rendered. 
For	fixed-price	contracts,	revenue	is	recognised	over	time	
based on the actual service provided to the end of the 
reporting period as a proportion of the total services to 
be provided because the customer receives and uses the 

benefits	simultaneously.	In	case	of	fixed-price	contracts,	
the	customer	pays	the	fixed	amount	based	on	a	payment	
schedule. If the services rendered by the Group exceed the 
payment, a contract asset is recognised. If the payments 
exceed the services rendered, a contract liability is 
recognised. If the contract includes a variable fee, revenue 
is recognised in the amount to which the Group has a right 
to invoice. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis and 
consideration is payable when invoiced.

(iii) Rendering of Services – domain name 
registration
Domains revenue primarily consists of domain registrations 
and renewals, as well as aftermarket sales. Domain 
registrations are assessed as a distinct service that 
provides a customer with the exclusive use of the domain 
name over the contracted period, including the provision of 
Domain Name System services.  

Consideration is recorded as income received in advance 
when it is received, which is typically at the time of sale 
and revenue, with the exception of aftermarket sales, is 
recognised evenly over the contract period as performance 
obligation	is	satisfied.		

As the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the 
benefits	of	the	domain	services	provided,	this	revenue	is	
recognised evenly over the contract period. 

Aftermarket sales are recognised as revenue when 
ownership of the domain has been transferred.

(iv) Rendering of Services – cloud hosting  
(email and web including website build)
Hosting revenue primarily derives from website and 
email hosting services provided over a contracted period 
of time. Where consideration is received in advance of 
performance, it is initially recorded as income received 
in advance. Revenue is recognised as the performance 
obligations	are	satisfied,	which	is	considered	to	be	
evenly over the contracted term that the hosting 
services are provided.

Website build revenues consist of fees charged for the 
creation of websites for customers. Where the Group has an 
enforceable right to payment for performance completed 
to date, and no alternative use for the asset, it recognises 
revenue over the period of the build based on time incurred, 
because there is a direct relationship between the Group’s 
effort and the transfer of service to the customer. In the 
absence of such a right, the Group recognises revenue at a 
point in time being transfer of the website to the customer. 

Revenue from the build of websites are recognised over an 
average build period of three months. 

(v) Rendering of Services – digital marketing
Online marketing revenue consists of search engine 
optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and 
social media advertising. Where consideration is received 
in advance of performance, it is initially recorded as 
income received in advance. Revenue is recognised as the 
performance	obligations	are	satisfied,	which	is	considered	

5051Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

to be evenly over time in line with the contracted term as 
the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the 
benefits	of	online	marketing	services.

Contract	fulfilment	costs	incurred	in	advance	of	revenue	
recognition are capitalised when they are directly 
attributable to the contract, generate the resources to 
satisfy the performance obligations, and will be recovered. 
These costs are expensed over the period when revenue 
is recognised.

Other Income
Other income includes miscellaneous items including 
expense recoveries. Other income is recognised when 
it is received or when the right to receive payment is 
established. 

(i) Interest
Interest revenue is recognised as interest accrues 
under the effective interest method. This is a method of 
calculating	the	amortised	cost	of	a	financial	asset	and	
allocating the interest income over the relevant period 
using the effective interest rate, which is the rate that 
exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through 
the	expected	life	of	the	financial	asset	to	the	net	carrying	
amount	of	the	financial	asset.

(ii) Dividend
Dividend	is	defined	as	distributions	of	profits	to	holders	
of	equity	investments	in	proportion	to	their	holdings	of	a	
particular class of capital and it is recognised as dividend 
income on the basis when the shareholder’s right to receive 
payment is established.

Leases

(i) The Group as a lessee
As a lessee, the Group considers whether a contract is, 
or	contains	a	lease.	A	lease	is	defined	as	‘a	contract,	or	
part of a contract. That coveys the right to use as asset 
(the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for 
consideration’.

Measurement and recognition of leases as a lessee
At the commencement date, the Group recognises a right-
of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. 
The right-of-use	asset	is	measured	at	cost,	which	is	made	
up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any 
initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any 
costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the 
lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the lease 
commencement date (net of any incentives received).

The Group depreciates the right-of-use assets on a 
straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to 
the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use 
asset or the end of the lease term.

At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease 
liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at 
that date, discounted lease payments using its incremental 
borrowing rate. The weighted-average rate applied is in the 
range of 6%-8%.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the 
lease	liability	are	made	up	of	fixed	payments	(including	in	
substance	fixed),	and	variable	payments	based	on	an	index	
or rate stated in the lease agreements. 

Subsequent	to	initial	measurement,	the	liability	will	be	
reduced for payments made and increased for interest. It is 
remeasured	to	reflect	any	reassessment	or	modification,	or	
if	there	are	changes	in	in-substance	fixed	payments.

When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding 
adjustment	is	reflected	in	the	right-of-use	asset,	or	profit	
and loss if the right-of-use asset is already reduced to zero.

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and 
leases of low-value assets using the practical expedients. 
Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, 
the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense 
in	profit	or	loss	on	a	straight-line	basis	over	the	lease	term.

(ii) The Group as a lessor
The Group accounts for a head lease and sublease as 
two separate contracts, applying both lessee and lessor 
accounting	requirements	respectively.	

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash	and	cash	equivalents	includes	cash	on	hand,	deposits	
held	at	call	with	financial	institutions,	other	short-term,	
highly	liquid	investments	with	original	maturities	of	three	
months or less that are readily convertible to known 
amounts	of	cash	and	which	are	subject	to	an	insignificant	
risk of changes in value. For the statement of cash 
flows	presentation	purposes,	cash	and	cash	equivalents	
also includes bank overdrafts, which are shown within 
borrowings of current liabilities on the statement of 
financial	position.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value. Cost includes all expenses directly attributable to the 
manufacturing process as well as suitable portions of related 
production overheads, based on normal operating capacity. 
Costs of ordinarily interchangeable items are assigned using 
the	first	in,	first	out	cost	formula.	Net realisable	value	is	the	
estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business 
less	any	applicable	selling expenses.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Plant	and	equipment	is	stated	at	historical	cost	less	
accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost 
includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the 
acquisition	of	the	items.

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line or diminishing 
value	basis	on	all	plant	and	equipment.	Major	depreciation	
periods are:

Leasehold improvements

Lease term or 6 years if the 
lease term is over 6 years

Plant	and	equipment

2 to 10 years

Furniture	and	fittings

2 to 5 years

The residual values, useful lives and depreciation 
methods are	reviewed,	and	adjusted	if	appropriate,	
at each reporting date.

Leasehold	improvements	and	plant	and	equipment	
under lease	are	depreciated	over	the	unexpired	period	
of the lease or the estimated useful life of the assets, 
whichever	is shorter.

An	item	of	property,	plant	and	equipment	is	derecognised	
upon	disposal	or	when	there	is	no	future	economic	benefit	
to the Group. Gains and losses between the carrying amount 
and	the	disposal	proceeds	are	taken	to	profit	or	loss.

Intangible Assets

(i) Goodwill
Goodwill	arises	on	the	acquisition	of	a	business	
combination. Goodwill is calculated as the excess sum of:

•	 the	consideration	transferred;

•	 any	non-controlling	interest;	and

•	 the	acquisition	date	fair	value	of	any	previously	held	
equity	interest;	over	the	acquisition	date	fair	value	 
of	net	identifiable	assets	acquired.

Goodwill is not amortised. Instead, goodwill is tested 
annually	for	impairment,	or	more	frequently	if	events	
or changes in circumstances indicate that it might 
be impaired, and is carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are taken 
to	profit	or	loss	and	are	not	subsequently	reversed.

Goodwill is allocated to the Group's cash-generating 
units representing the lowest level at which goodwill is 
monitored.

(ii) Brand name and customer contracts
Brand	names	and	customer	contracts	acquired	in	a	
business	combination	that	qualify	for	separate	recognition	
are recognised as intangible assets at their fair values.

Brand names and customer contracts are amortised on a 
straight-line	basis	over	their	estimated	useful	lives	of	five	to	
ten years.

(iii) Capitalised Software
Costs relating to the research phase of the project are 
expensed while costs relating to the development phase are 
capitalised as Capitalised Software when the project meets 
the	definition	of	an	asset;	and	is	identifiable.	The	costs	
capitalised are being amortised over a useful life of four to 
six years.

Impairment of Non-financial Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets that have an 
indefinite	useful	life	are	not	subject	to	amortisation	and	
are	tested	annually	for	impairment,	or	more	frequently	
if events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
they	might	be	impaired.	Other	non-financial	assets	are	
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the 

amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its 
recoverable amount.

Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value 
less costs of disposal and value-in-use. The value-in-use 
is	the	present	value	of	the	estimated	future	cash	flows	
relating	to	the	asset	using	a	pre-tax	discount	rate	specific	
to the asset or cash-generating unit to which the asset 
belongs.	Assets	that	do	not	have	independent	cash	flows	
are grouped together to form a cash-generating unit.

Financial Instruments

(i) Recognition and derecognition
Financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	are	recognised	
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions	of	the	financial	instrument,	and	are	measured	
initially at fair value adjusted by transactions costs, 
except	for	those	carried	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	
loss,	which	are	measured	initially	at	fair	value.	Subsequent	
measurement	of	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	are	
described below.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual 
rights	to	the	cash	flows	from	the	financial	asset	expire,	
or	when	the	financial	asset	and	all	substantial	risks	and	
rewards	are	transferred.	A	financial	liability	is	derecognised	
when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

(ii) Classification and measurement of financial 
assets 
Except for those trade receivables that do not contain a 
significant	financing	component	and	are	measured	at	the	
transaction	price	in	accordance	with	AASB	15,	all	financial	
assets are initially measured at fair value adjusted for 
transaction costs (where applicable). 

Financial assets, other than those designated and effective 
as	hedging	instruments,	are	classified	into	one	of	the	
following categories:

•	 amortised	cost;

•	 fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	(FVTPL);	or

•  fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

Financial assets at amortised cost

All	of	the	Group’s	financial	assets	are	classified	as	
financial	assets	at	amortised	cost	as	they	meet	the	
following conditions:	

•  they are held within a business model whose objective 

is	to	hold	the	financial	assets	and	collect	its	contractual	
cash	flows

•	 the	contractual	terms	of	the	financial	assets	give	rise	
to	cash	flows	that	are	solely	payments	of	principal	and	
interest on the principal amount outstanding

After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is 
omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. 
The Group’s	cash	and	cash	equivalents,	restricted	cash,	
trade and other receivables fall into this category of 
financial	assets.

5253Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

Financial assets that are held within a different business 
model other than ‘hold to collect’ or ‘hold to collect and sell’ 
are categorised at FVTPL. Further, irrespective of business 
model	financial	assets	whose	contractual	cash	flows	are	
not solely payments of principal and interest are accounted 
for	at	FVTPL.	All	derivative	financial	instruments	fall	into	
this category, except for those designated and effective 
as hedging instruments, for which the hedge accounting 
requirements	apply	(see	below).

The	category	also	contains	an	equity	investment.	The	
Group accounts for the investment at FVTPL and did not 
make the irrevocable election to account for the investment 
in	Tiger	Pistol	and	listed	equity	securities	at	fair	value	
through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). The fair 
value	was	determined	in	line	with	the	requirements	of	
IFRS 9 ’Financial Instruments’, which does not allow for 
measurement at cost.

Assets in this category are measured at fair value with 
gains	or	losses	recognised	in	profit	or	loss.	The	fair	values	
of	financial	assets	in	this	category	are	determined	by	
reference to active market transactions or using a valuation 
technique	where	no	active	market	exists.

Financial assets designated at fair value through OCI (FVOCI)

Upon initial recognition, the Group can elect to classify 
irrevocably	its	equity	investments	as	equity	instruments	
designated at fair value through OCI when they meet the 
definition	of	equity	under	AASB	132:	Financial	Instruments:	
Presentation	and	are	not	held	for	trading.	The	classification	
is determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis.

Gains	and	losses	on	these	financial	assets	are	never	
recycled	to	profit	or	loss.	Dividends	are	recognised	as	other	
income in the statement of comprehensive income when 
the right of payment has been established, except when the 
Group	benefits	from	such	proceeds	as	a	recovery	of	part	of	
the	cost	of	the	financial	asset,	in	which	case	such	gains	are	
recorded	in	OCI.	Equity	instruments	designated	at	fair	value	
through OCI are not subject to impairment assessment.

The Group elected to classify irrevocably its Other non-
listed	equity	investments	under	this	category.

(iii) Impairment of Financial assets 
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the 
expected credit losses associated with other receivables 
carried at amortised cost. The impairment methodology 
applied	depends	on	whether	there	has	been	a	significant	
increase in credit risk.

The	Group	makes	use	of	a	simplified	approach	in	
accounting for trade receivables as well as contract 
assets and records the loss allowance as lifetime 
expected credit losses.	

These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash 
flows,	considering	the	potential	for	default	at	any	point	
during	the	life	of	the	financial	instrument.	In	calculating,	
the Group uses its historical experience, external indicators 
and forward-looking information to calculate the expected 
credit losses using a provision matrix. 

The Group assess impairment of trade receivables on 
a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk 
characteristics they have been grouped based on the days 
past due. Refer to Note 10 for a detailed analysis of how the 
impairment	requirements	of	AASB	9	are	applied.	

(iv) Classification and measurement of financial 
liabilities
The	Group’s	financial	liabilities	include	trade	and	other	
payables,	loans	and	borrowings,	derivative	financial	
instruments and contingent consideration.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, and, 
where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs unless the 
Group	designated	a	financial	liability	at	fair	value	through	
profit	or	loss.

Subsequently,	financial	liabilities	are	measured	at	
amortised cost using the effective interest method, which 
are	carried	subsequently	at	fair	value	with	gains	or	losses	
recognised	in	profit	or	loss.

All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an 
instrument’s	fair	value	that	are	reported	in	profit	or	loss	are	
included	within	finance	costs	or	finance	income.

Provisions, Contingent Assets and 
Contingent Liabilities 
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
(legal or constructive) obligation as a result of a past 
event,	it	is	probable	the	Group	will	be	required	to	settle	
the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the 
amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a 
provision	is	the	best	estimate	of	the	consideration	required	
to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking 
into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the 
obligation. If the time value of money is material, provisions 
are	discounted	using	a	current	pre-tax	rate	specific	to	the	
liability. The increase in the provision resulting from the 
passage	of	time	is	recognised	as	a	finance	cost.

Any reimbursement that the Group is virtually certain to 
collect from a third party with respect to the obligation is 
recognised as a separate asset. However, this asset may 
not exceed the amount of the related provision.

No	liability	is	recognised	if	an	outflow	of	economic	
resources as a result of present obligations is not probable. 
Such situations are disclosed as contingent liabilities 
unless	the	outflow	of	resources	is	remote.

Employee benefits 

(i) Wages and Salaries and Annual Leave
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary 
benefits,	and	annual	leave	expected	to	be	settled	within	
12 months of the reporting date are recognised in current 
liabilities in respect of employees’ services up to the 
reporting date and are measured at the amounts expected 
to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

(ii) Long Service Leave
The liability for long service leave is recognised in current 
and non-current liabilities, depending on the unconditional 
right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 
months after the reporting date. The liability is measured 
as the present value of expected future payments to be 
made in respect of services provided by employees up to 
the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. 
Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary 
levels, experience of employee departures and periods 
of service.

Expected future payments are discounted using market 
yields	at	the	reporting	date	on	high	quality	Australian	
corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency 
that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future 
cash outflows.

(iii) Share-based payments
The	Group	operates	equity-settled	share-based	
remuneration plans for its employees. None of the 
Group’s plans	are	cash-settled.

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of 
any share-based payment are measured at their fair values.

Where employees are rewarded using share-based 
payments, the fair value of employees’ services is 
determined indirectly by reference to the fair value of the 
equity	instruments	granted.	This	fair	value	is	appraised	
at the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market 
vesting	conditions	(for	example	profitability	and	sales	
growth targets and performance conditions).

All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as 
an	expense	in	profit	or	loss	with	a	corresponding	credit	
to retained earnings. If vesting periods or other vesting 
conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting 
period, based on the best available estimate of the number 
of share options expected to vest.

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions 
about the number of options that are expected to become 
exercisable.	Estimates	are	subsequently	revised	if	there	is	
any indication that the number of share options expected 
to vest differs from previous estimates. Any adjustment 
to cumulative share-based compensation resulting from 
a revision	is	recognised	in	the	current	period.

The number of vested options ultimately exercised by 
holders does not impact the expense recorded in any 
period. Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds 
received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, 
are allocated to share capital up to the nominal (or par) 
value of the shares issued with any excess being recorded 
as share premium.

Issued Capital
Ordinary	shares	are	classified	as	equity.	Incremental	costs	
directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are 
shown	in	equity	as	a	deduction,	net	of	tax,	from	the	proceeds.

Dividends
Dividends are recognised when declared during the 
financial	year.

Earnings Per Share
Basic	earnings	per	share	is	calculated	by	dividing	the	profit	
attributable to the owners of the Group, by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the 
financial	year.

Diluted	earnings	per	share	adjusts	the	figures	used	in	
the determination of basic earnings per share to take 
into account the after income tax effect of interest and 
other	financing	costs	associated	with	dilutive	potential	
ordinary shares and the weighted average number of 
shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in 
relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’) and 
Other Similar Taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of 
the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred 
is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it 
is	recognised	as	part	of	the	cost	of	the	acquisition	of	the	
asset or as part of the expense.

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the 
amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount 
of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority 
is included in other receivables or other payables in the 
statement	of	financial	position.

Cash	flows	are	presented	on	a	gross	basis.	The	GST	
components	of	cash	flows	arising	from	investing	or	
financing	activities	which	are	recoverable	from,	or	payable	
to	the	tax	authority,	are	presented	as	operating	cash	flows.

Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of 
the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the 
tax authority.

Comparative Figures
When	required	by	Accounting	Standards,	comparative	
figures	have	been	adjusted	to	conform	to	changes	in	
presentation	for	the	current	financial	year.	

3. Critical Accounting 
Judgements, Estimates  
and Assumptions
The	preparation	of	the	financial	statements	requires	
management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the 
financial	statements.	Management	continually	evaluates	its	
judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, 
contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management 
bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on 

5455Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

historical experience and on other various factors, including 
expectations of future events, management believes 
to be reasonable under the circumstances and with the 
exceptions of income tax and revenue recognition, were the 
same	as	those	applied	in	the	Group’s	last	annual	financial	
statements for the year ended 30 June 2022. The resulting 
accounting	judgements	and	estimates	will	seldom	equal	
the related actual results. The judgements, estimates 
and	assumptions	that	have	a	significant	risk	of	causing	a	
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities	within	the	next	financial	year	are	discussed	below.	

Prepayments of domain name 
registry charges 
Prepayments of domain name registry charges are direct 
costs	to	fulfil	a	contract.	The	Group	defers	these	costs	as	
an asset and amortises the asset over the contract period, 
consistent with the satisfaction of performance obligations 
and the recognition of revenue. The Group re-assesses 
costs	to	fulfil	contracts	on	a	periodic	basis	to	reflect	
significant	changes	in	the	expected	timing	of	satisfying	
performance obligations to which the asset relates, and 
when	there	is	a	significant	change	in	the	carrying	amount	
of the	asset.

Provision for impairment of 
receivables
The provision for impairment of receivables assessment 
requires	a	degree	of	estimation	and	judgement.	The	level	
of provision is assessed by taking into account the recent 
sales experience, the ageing of receivables, historical 
collection	rates	and	specific	knowledge	of	the	individual	
debtor’s	financial	position.

Estimation of Useful Lives of Assets
The Group determines the estimated useful lives and 
related depreciation and amortisation charges for its 
property,	plant	and	equipment	and	finite	life	intangible	
assets.	The	useful	lives	could	change	significantly	as	
a result of technical innovations or some other event. 
The depreciation	and	amortisation	charge	will	increase	
where the useful lives are less than previously estimated 
lives, or technically obsolete or non-strategic assets 
that have been abandoned or sold will be written off 
or written down.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite Life 
Intangible Assets
The	Group	tests	annually,	or	more	frequently	if	events	
or changes in circumstances indicate impairment, 
whether	goodwill	and	other	indefinite	life	intangible	
assets have suffered any impairment, in accordance 
with the accounting	policy	stated	in	Note	2.

Impairment of non-financial assets 
other than goodwill and other 
indefinite life intangible assets 
The	Group	assesses	impairment	of	non-financial	assets	
other	than	goodwill	and	other	indefinite	life	intangible	
assets at each reporting date by evaluating conditions 
specific	to	the	Group	and	to	the	particular	asset	that	
may lead to impairment. If an impairment trigger exists, 
the recoverable amount of the asset is determined. This 
involves fair value less costs of disposal or value-in-use 
calculations, which incorporate a number of key estimates 
and assumptions.

Leases
The Group determines the lease term as the non-
cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods 
covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably 
certain to be exercised, or any periods covered by an option 
to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain not to 
be exercised.

The Group has the option, under some of its premises 
leases	to	lease	the	assets	for	additional	terms	of	five	
years. The Group applies judgement in evaluating whether 
it is reasonably certain to exercise the option to renew. 
That is, it	considers	all	relevant	factors	that	create	an	
economic	incentive	for	it	to	exercise	the	renewal.	The Group	
reassesses	the	lease	term	if	there	is	a	significant event	
or change in circumstances that is within its control and 
affects its ability to exercise (or not to exercise) the option 
to	renew	(e.g.,	a	change	in	business	strategy).	The Group	
excluded the renewal period as part of the lease term for 
leases of rental premises as the Group is not reasonably 
certain to exercise the renewals.

Income Tax
The Group is subject to income taxes in the jurisdictions 
in	which	it	operates.	Significant	judgement	is	required	
in determining the provision for income tax. There are 
many transactions and calculations undertaken during 
the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax 
determination is uncertain. The Group recognises liabilities 
based on the Group’s current understanding of the tax law. 
Where	the	final	tax	outcome	of	these	matters	is	different	
from the carrying amounts, such differences will impact the 
current and deferred tax provisions in the period in which 
such determination is made.

Recovery of Deferred Tax Assets
Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible 
temporary differences only if the Group considers it is 
probable that future taxable amounts will be available to 
utilise those temporary differences and losses.

Long Service Leave Provision
As discussed in Note 2, the liability for long service leave 
is recognised and measured at the present value of the 
estimated	future	cash	flows	to	be	made	in	respect	of	all	
employees at the reporting date. In determining the present 
values of the liability, estimates of attrition rates and pay 
increases	through	promotion	and	inflation	have	been	
taken into	account.		

Business Combinations
Business combinations are initially accounted for on 
a	provisional	basis.	The	fair	value	of	assets	acquired,	
liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed are initially 
estimated by the Group taking into consideration all 
available	information	at	the	reporting	date.	Fair value	
adjustments	on	the	finalisation	of	the	business	
combination accounting is retrospective, where 
applicable, to	the	period	the	combination	occurred	and	may	
have an impact on the assets and liabilities, depreciation 
and amortisation reported.

Segment information for the reporting period is as follows:

4. Segment Information
Management	currently	identifies	the	operating	segments	
monitored by the Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker 
(“CODM”) as being Data Centres, Network and Cloud 
Applications, Managed Services, and Webcentral.

•  Data Centres, Networks and Cloud Applications: Data 

Centres, Networks and Cloud are interrelated and consist 
of the provision of data centre services (physical, virtual 
machines and colocation in non-5GN owned DCs), 
network infrastructure included cross connects, 5GN 
owned	and	non-5GN	owned	fibre	networks	and	cloud	
applications.

•  Managed Services including Voice, Hardware / Software 
and other: Managed IT services including on-site and 
remote IT support, professional services and project 
management, provision of voice services and hardware 
and software procurement. These services are typically 
bundled into one product or service.

•  Webcentral: Webcentral domains, email, web hosting and 

digital marketing business

2023

Segment Revenue

Cost of goods sold

Gross margin

Other income

Rent	and	office	expenses

Marketing and travel expenses

Employee	benefits	expenses

Other expenses

Total Adjusted EBITDA1

Data Centres, 
Network & Cloud

$'000

Managed Services

Webcentral

$'000

$'000

Total

$'000

22,117

(16,105)

6,012

-

(139)

(249)

(11,036)

 20,239

(9,930)

10,309

-

(127)

(249)

(7,433)

53,782

  (14,173)

39,609

38

(338)

(1,995)

(15,902)

Impairment	of	goodwill,	fixed	assets	and	intangible	assets

(14,077)

-

-

Share-based payment expenses

Acquisition	costs

Restructuring costs

Depreciation and amortisation expenses

(7,517)

(790)

(4,140)

Finance costs

Loss before income tax expense

Total Segment assets

Total Segment liabilities

23,361

21,308

8,385

7,648

85,104

77,624

96,138

(40,208)

55,930

38

(604)

(2,493)

(34,371)

(5,675)

12,825

(14,077)

(1,546)

(184)

(3,313)

(12,447)

(3,475)

(22,217)

116,850

106,580

5657Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

2022

Segment Revenue

Cost of goods sold

Gross margin

Other income

Rent	and	office	expenses

Marketing and travel expenses

Employee	benefits	expenses

Other expenses

Total Adjusted EBITDA1

Impairment	of	financial	assets

Impairment	of	goodwill,	fixed	assets	and	
intangible assets

Share-based payment expenses

Acquisition	costs

Restructuring costs

Data Centres, 
Network & Cloud

$'000

Managed 
Services
$'000

Webcentral
$'000

Elimination
$'000

Total
$'000

24,638

(15,888)

8,750

-

(107)

(179)

(11,546)

(578)

(11,494)

19,465

(8,405)

11,060

-

(85)

(179)

(7,777)

-

-

50,106

  (13,872)

36,234

3,304

(218)

(1,430)

(16,637)

-

-

(781)

8

(773)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

93,428

(38,157)

55,271

3,304

(410)

(1,788)

(35,960)

(2,856)

17,561

(578)

(11,494)

(8,833)

(904)

(3,706)

(13,630)

(2,798)

(24,382)

130,617

101,684

Depreciation and amortisation expenses

(6,887)

(1,169)

(5,574)

Finance costs

Loss before income tax expense

Total Segment assets

Total Segment liabilities

38,494

29,967

14,355

11,175

77,768

60,542

1.	 Adjusted	EBITDA	excludes	discontinued	operations	and	the	effects	of	significant	items	of	income	and	expenditure	which	may	have	an	impact	on	the	quality	of	earnings	such	as	restructuring	

costs,	legal	expenses	and	impairments	where	the	impairment	is	the	result	of	an	isolated,	non-recurring	event.	It	also	excludes	the	effects	of	equity-settled	share-based	payments	and	
unrealised	gains	or	losses	on	financial	instruments.	

Alternative segment presentation
The Group has restructured its operations into the following 
customer segments following the merger between 
Webcentral and 5G Networks Limited in November 2021:

•  Retail: domains, web hosting, email hosting and digital 
marketing services to consumer and small and medium 
enterprise customers

•  Enterprise: cloud hosting, domain names, data centre, 
networks and voice, IT managed services, hardware and 
software and digital marketing products and services 
provided to Enterprise and Government customers

•  Wholesale: cloud hosting, data centre, networks and 
voice products and services provided to wholesale 
telecommunications and Segment information is 
provided below in relation to these segments.

These reporting segments will apply from reporting periods 
from 1 July 2023.

5. Revenue from contracts 
with customers
The revenue breakdown by product and service line for the 
year ended 30 June 2023 is shown below:

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Types of goods of service

Cloud

Domains

Network & Voice

Data Centres

Managed Services

Digital Marketing

Hardware & Software

Total revenue from contracts with 
customers

Timing of revenue recognition

Goods and services transferred at 
a point in time

Services transferred over time

Total revenue from contracts with 
customers

2023

$'000

2022

$'000

32,039

24,360

8,661

7,638

12,089

3,201

8,150

96,138

29,407

22,595

10,168

7,989

11,994

4,512

6,763

93,428

8,150

6,763

87,988

96,138

86,665

93,428

The Group’s revenue disaggregated by pattern of revenue recognition is as follows:

Cloud

Domains

Network & 
Voice

Data Centres

Managed 
Services

Digital 
Marketing

Hardware & 
Software

Total

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

For the year ended 30 June 2023

Goods transferred at a point in time

-

-

Services transferred over time

32,039

24,360

-

8,661

-

-

7,638

12,089

For the year ended 30 June 2022

Goods transferred at a point in time

-

-

-

-

-

Services transferred over time

29,407

22,595

10,168

7,989

11,994

-

3,201

-

4,512

8,150

-

6,763

-

8,150

87,988

6,763

86,665

6. Other Income
Other income includes miscellaneous items including 
expense recoveries. Other revenue is recognised when it is 
received or when the right to receive payment is established.

8. Income tax

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022
$’000

Dividend income

Interest income

Sublease income

Management fees from transitional 
service agreements in relation to the 
sale of Enterprise and TPP Wholesale 
businesses

Sundry income

Total Other Income

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

33

5

-

-

-

38

168

21

197

2,460

458

3,304

7. Earnings per share 
Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) amounts are calculated by 
dividing	net	loss	for	the	year	attributable	to	ordinary	equity	
holders of the parent by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS 
amounts	are	calculated	by	dividing	net	profit	attributable	
to	ordinary	equity	holders	of	the	parent	by	the	weighted	
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the 
year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive 
potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. There were 
no dilutive potential ordinary shares in existence during the 
year (2022: Nil) as the share options and performance rights 
of the Company were antidilutive. 

The following represents the share data used in the EPS 
computations:

Consolidated

2023

2022

Number

Number

328,328,188 291,056,455

Weighted average number of shares 
used in calculating earnings per share 
and diluted earnings per share

(A) INCOME TAX BENEFIT / (EXPENSE)

(Loss) / profit before income tax 

(22,217)

(24,382) 

Tax at the Group's statutory income tax rate 
of 30% (2022: 30%)

6,665

7,315

Tax effect amounts which are not deductible in calculating taxable income:

Non-deductible goodwill impairment charge

(1,644)

(3,448)

Other tax-exempt income

Expense on performance rights and options

Other non-deductible expenses

Net under/over

Unrecognised tax loss for the year

Over provision from period and business 
combination

(10)

(464)

(10)

848

(2,187)

-

10

(2,650)

(343)

(313)

(994)

67

Actual tax benefit / (expense)

3,198

(356)

Tax expense comprises:

- Current tax

- Deferred tax - origination and reversal of 
temporary differences

Aggregate Income tax expense at the 
effective income tax rate

(B) DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

-

3,198

-

(356)

3,198

(356)

Deferred tax assets are comprised of the following temporary differences:1

Allowable section 40-880 (blackhole) 
deductions – written down value                                                   

Accrued expenses and provisions                                                                                                             

Other

946

7,540

609

870

7,439

20

Tangible and intangible assets

(3,028)

(5,229)

ACA impact on depreciating asset – written 
down value                                                                     

R&D capitalised labour                                                                                                                      

(89)

-

(122)

(3)

Brand and Customer contract                                                                                                         

(5,088)

(5,482)

NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET / DEFERRED TAX 
LIABILITY

890

(2,507)

As at 30 June 2023, the Group has unrecognised income tax 
losses of $42,019,217 tax-effected at 30% (2022: $34,807,742), 
and capital losses of $87,869,863 arising from the sale of 
businesses	in	previous	financial	years	(2022:	$87,869,863).

5859 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

9. Cash and Cash Equivalents 

(a) Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
For	the	purposes	of	the	statement	of	cash	flows,	cash	
includes cash at bank and in hand net of bank overdrafts. 
Cash at the end of the year as shown in the statement 
of	cash	flows	is	reconciled	to	the	related	items	in	the	
statement	of	financial	position	as	follows:

10. Trade and other 
receivables

Trade receivables

Consolidated

Allowance for impairment of receivables

Cash at bank and in hand

Total cash and cash equivalents

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

4,498

4,498

5,367

5,367

Unsecured loans – at call1

Other receivables

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

4,747

 (238)  

4,509 

424

155

5,020

(1,768)

3,252

424

373

(b) Reconciliation of loss after tax to net cash flows from 
operating activities

1.  Unsecured loans represent loans granted to key management personnel and 
employees to allow them to take up shares in a capital raising undertaken by 
Webcentral	Limited	in	FY21.		

Total trade and other receivables

5,088

4,049

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

Loss after income tax

(19,019)

(24,883)

Non-cash flows in profit:

Depreciation and amortisation

12,447

13,683

Employee	benefits	expenses

Share-based payment expenses

Impairment expenses

Deferred tax movement

371

1,546

14,077

(3,245)

854

8,833

11,494

(332)

Other non-cash expenses / (income)

475

(2,409)

Changes in assets and liabilities net of effects of purchases and 
disposals of controlled entities:

Movement in trade and other 
receivables

1,039

1,243

Movement in other assets

1,283

(1,572)

Movement in deferred tax asset

Movement in trade and other payables

Movement	in	employee	benefits	
provisions

Movement in Income tax payable

Movement in other Liabilities

Net cash from operating activities

1,617

(977)

(371)

(89)

(1,133)

8,021

379

(1,839)

(854)

(57)

(1,119)

3,422

The	Group	applies	the	AASB	9	simplified	model	of	recognising	
lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as 
these	items	do	not	have	a	significant	financing	component.

In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade 
receivables have been assessed on a collective basis as they 
possess	shared	credit	risk	characteristics.	They have been	
grouped based on the days past due and also according to the 
geographical location of customers.

The	expected	loss	rates	are	based	on	the	payment	profile	
for sales over the past 48 months before 30 June 2023 
and 1 July 2022 respectively as well as the corresponding 
historical credit losses during that period. The historical 
rates	are	adjusted	to	reflect	current	and	forwarding	looking	
macroeconomic factors affecting the customer’s ability to 
settle the amount outstanding.

Trade receivables are written off (i.e. derecognised) when 
there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Failure to 
make payments within 120 days from the invoice date and 
failure to engage with the Group on alternative payment 
arrangement amongst other is considered indicators of 
no reasonable	expectation	of	recovery.

On the above basis the expected credit loss for trade 
receivables as at 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 was 
determined	as follows:

30-Jun-23

30-Jun-22

ECL
Rate

Gross

$’000

ECL
$’000

ECL
Rate

Gross
$’000

ECL
$’000

Current

0.0%

1,751

0.1%

946

-

(1)

0.0% 2,475

0.0%

324

1-30 days 
past due

31-60 days 
past due

61-90 days 
past due

91 days + 
past due

Closing 
balance

6.0%

92

(5)

0.0%

171

39.9%

133

(53)

0.0%

132

9.8% 1,825

(179)  92.2%

1,918

(1,768)

4,747

 (238)

5,020 (1,768)

Contract liabilities consist of the following:

Deferred revenue

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

25,440

23,409

Contract liabilities - current

25,440

23,409

Deferred revenue

Contract liabilities - non-current

9,698

9,698

8,072

8,072

Movement of contract liabilities during the period

Balance as at 1 July

Add: customer payments received

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022
$’000

23,409

60,734

23,748

56,609

Less: revenue released to P&L

(58,963)

(57,390)

Reclassification	from	non-current	
liabilities

260

442

Contract liabilities (current)

25,440

23,409

Balance as at 1 July

Reclassification	to	current	liabilities

Net customer payments received

Contract liabilities (non-current)

8,072

(260)

1,886

9,698

8,551

(442)

(37)

8,072

The large ECL in 91 days + in 2022 was a result of large 
write-offs of legacy historical debtor balances that had 
been	fully	provided	for	in	previous	financial	years.	

The closing balance of the trade receivables loss allowance 
as at 30 June 2023 reconciles with the trade receivables 
loss allowance opening balance as follows:

Opening loss allowance as at 1 July 2021

Net additional provision for ECL’s taken to the P&L

Loss allowance as at 30 June 2022

Transfer to other receivables/trade receivables

Loss allowance as at 30 June 2023

$’000

1,190

578

1,768

(1,530)

238

In respect of trade and other receivables, the Group is not 
exposed	to	any	significant	credit	risk	exposure	to	any	single	
counterparty or any group of counterparties having similar 
characteristics. Trade receivables consist of a large number 
of customers in various industries and geographical areas. 
Based on historical information about customer default 
rates	management	consider	the	credit	quality	of	trade	
receivables that are not past due or impaired to be good.

11. Contract Assets  
and Liabilities
Contract assets consist of the following:

Contract assets1

Work in progress

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022
$’000

1,089

1,089

669

669

1.	 The	Group	makes	uses	of	a	simplified	approach	in	accounting	for	contract	assets	
and records	the	loss	allowance	as	lifetime	expected	credit	losses.	After the	
assessment of contract asset on a collective basis, the Group determined to 
apply zero	as	the	loss rate.

Movement of contract assets during the period

-

-

-

-

As at 1 July

Additions

Cash received

As at 30 June

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022
$’000

669

1,967

(1,547)

1,089

620

1,730

(1,681)

669

6061Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

12. Property, Plant and 
Equipment

Leasehold 
improvements
$'000

Plant and 
equipment
$'000

Total
$'000

Gross carrying amount

At 1 July 2022

4,427

27,103

31,530

Assets	acquired	in	the	
business	acquisition

Additions

Disposals

Closing Value at 
30 June 2023

-

2

(19)

4,410

8

8

3,893

(10)

3,895

(29)

30,994

35,404

Depreciation and impairment

(3,430)

(12,430)

(15,860)

(434)

-

-

(3,970)

(5,344)

(4,404)

(5,344)

9

9

(3,864)

(21,735)

(25,599)

At 1 July 2022

Depreciation

Impairment (refer 
note 14)

Disposals

Closing value at 
30 June 2023

Carrying Amount 
30 June 2023

Gross carrying amount

At 1 July 2021

Additions

Disposals

Closing Value at 
30 June 2022

4,432

-

(5)

21,861

5,969       

(727) 

26,293

5,969

(732)

4,427

27,103

31,530

Depreciation and impairment

Balance at 1 July 2021

Depreciation

Disposals

Closing value at 
30 June 2022

Carrying Amount 
30 June 2022

(1,943)

(1,487)

-

(8,477)

(3,989)

36

(10,420)

(5,476)

36

(3,430)

(12,430)

(15,860)

997

14,673

15,670

13. Leases
The Group has leases for data centres and related facilities, 
and	offices	premises.	With	the	exception	of	short-term	
leases and leases of low-value underlying assets, each lease 
is	reflected	on	the	balance	sheet	as	a	right-of-use	asset	
and a lease liability. Variable lease payments which do not 
depend on an index or a rate (such as lease payments based 
on a percentage of Group sales) are excluded from the initial 
measurement of the lease liability and asset.

Set	out	below	are	the	amounts	recognised	in	profit	and	
loss during	the	period:

Depreciation expense of right-of-use 
assets

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

3,879

4,722

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Rent expense - short-term leases

1,166

(167)

1,166

28

Right-of-use asset

Right-of-use assets

Building

$’000

IT
equipment

$’000

Total

$'000

Additions during the year

Disposals during the year

Depreciation expense

14,626

2,277

(89)

(3,751)

Impairment (refer note 14)

(3,109)

As at 30 June 2023

9,954

551

-

-

15,177

2,277

(89)

(129)

(3,880)

-

422

(3,109)

10,376

Right-of-use assets

Premises
$’000

Other
equipment

$’000

Total
$'000

As at 1 July 2021

Additions during the year

Derecognition of lease 
receivables

Disposals during the year

Depreciation expense

As at 30 June 2021

14,930

3,205

1,127

(43)

(4,593)

14,626

548

132

-

-

(129)

551

15,478

3,337

1,127

(43)

(4,722)

15,177

The impairment charge against Lease Right-of-use assets 
has arisen due to the allocation of an impairment charge 
against other assets of the Cash Generating Unit (CGU)  
pro-rata based on the carrying amount of assets of  
the CGU. Refer to note 14 for further details. 

546

9,259

9,805

As at 1 July 2022

Lease receivables

Lease liabilities 

Set out below is a reconciliation of lease receivables for 
finance	leases	where	the	Group	is	a	lessor:

Opening balance 

Assets	acquired	in	the	business	acquisition

Additions

Disposals1

Interest income

Receipts from lessees

Closing balance

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

2,993

-

-

(1,127)

94

(1,960)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1. Disposals due to early termination of sublease and the balance was transferred to ROU

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

3,903

34

3,937

3,319

137

3,456

Current

Obligations under property leases 

Obligations	under	equipment	leases

Non-current

Obligations under property leases

13,191

14,713

Obligations	under	equipment	leases

38

71

13,229

14,784

Each lease generally imposes a restriction that, unless there is a contractual right for the Group to sublet the asset to another 
party, the right-of-use asset can only be used by the Group. Leases are either non-cancellable or may only be cancelled by 
incurring a substantive termination fee. Some leases contain an option to purchase the underlying leased asset outright at the 
end of the lease, or to extend the lease for a further term. The Group is prohibited from selling or pledging the underlying leased 
assets	as	security.	For	leases	over	data	centres	and	office	premises	the	Group	must	keep	those	properties	in	a	good	state	
of repair and return the properties in their original condition at the end of the lease. Further, the Group must insure items of 
property,	plant	and	equipment	and	incur	maintenance	fees	on	such	items	in	accordance	with	the	lease	contracts.

The table below describes the nature of the Group’s leasing activities by type of right-of-use asset recognised on balance sheet:

Right-on-use 
asset

No of right-on-
use assets leased

Range of 
remaining term

Average 
remaining lease 
term

No of leases 
with extension 
options

No of leases 
with variable 
payments linked 
to an index

No of leases 
with termination 
options

Data centres and 
related facilities

Office	premises

IT	Equipment

5

8

2

1-7 years

4 years

1-4 years

2 years

2 years

2 years

4

6

0

4

6

0

0

0

0

The lease liabilities are secured by the related underlying assets. Future minimum lease payments at 30 June 2023 were as follows:

Within 1 year

1-2 year

2-3 year

3-4 years

4-5 years

After 5 years

Total

Minimum lease payments due

30 June 2023

Lease payments

Finance charges

Net present values

30 June 2022

Lease payments

Finance charges

Net present values

4,989

(1,037)

3,952

4,554

(1,098)

3,456

4,825

(756)

4,069

4,500

(866)

3,634

4,058

(491)

3,567

4,124

(630)

3,494

3,375

(286)

3,089

3,288

(412)

2,876

1,438

(133)

1,305

3,364

(257)

3,107

1,305

(122)

1,183

1,909

(236)

1,673

19,990

(2,825)

17,165

21,739

(3,499)

18,240

6263 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

Lease payments not recognised as a liability
The group has elected not to recognise a lease liability 
for short term leases (leases with an expected term of 12 
months or less) or for leases of low value assets. Payments 
made under such leases are expensed on a straight-line 
basis. In addition, certain variable lease payments are 
not permitted to be recognised as lease liabilities and are 
expensed as incurred.

The expense relating to payments not included in the 
measurement of the lease liability is as follows:

Short-term leases

Total

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

167

167

28

28

14. Goodwill
The following table shows the movements in goodwill:

The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined based on 
value-in-use calculations. To determine the value-in-use, 
management	estimates	expected	future	cash	flows	from	
each CGU and determines a suitable discount rate in order 
to	calculate	the	present	value	of	those	cash	flows.	

A value in use model was developed to provide a forecast 
of	free	cash	flows	for	the	five	financial	years	ending	on	
30 June 2028 and a terminal value, based on a one-year 
budget approved by the Board followed by an extrapolation 
of	expected	cash	flows	for	the	units’	remaining	useful	lives	
using growth rates of 2.5% per annum for year 2 onward 
being the long-term target CPI rate. The present value of 
the	expected	cash	flows	of	each	CGU	is	determined	by	
applying a suitable discount rate. 

The data used for impairment testing procedures are 
directly linked to the Group’s latest approved budget, 
adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of future 
reorganisations and asset enhancements. Discount factors 
are	determined	individually	for	each	CGU	and	reflect	current	
market assessments of the time value of money and asset-
specific	risk	factors.	

CGU

Discount Rate

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

Data Centres, Networks and Cloud

Managed Services

Webcentral

10.5%

13.1%

11.5%

Impairment Charge for Goodwill
An impairment charge of $14.08 million was recorded 
for the Data centres, network and cloud segment based 
on impairment testing indicating that the carrying value 
exceeded the recoverable amount of the CGU as at 30 June 
2022. The underlying reasons for the impairment charge 
were	the	reduction	in	revenue	in	FY23	compared	to	the	prior	
year due to the cessation of legacy customer contracts, 
the conversion of higher value data centre contracts into 
lower value cloud services contracts, and forecast revenue 
growth	not	achieved	in	FY23.

The	impairment	is	allocated	first	to	reduce	the	carrying	
amount of goodwill to the CGU and to other assets of the 
CGU pro rata on the basis of the carrying amount of assets 
in the CGU. 

There has been no other individual assets available to 
reduce to below its fair value.

Gross carrying amount

Balance at beginning of period

61,706

61,706

Acquired	through	business	combination	
(refer note 20)

5,547

-

Balance at end of the period

67,253

61,706

Accumulated impairment

Balance at beginning of period

(11,494)

-

Impairment loss recognised

(5,479)

(11,494)

Balance at end of the period

(16,973)

(11,494)

Carrying amount at end of the period

50,280

50,212

Impairment Disclosures and Testing of Goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash generating units 
(CGU),	which	are	the	units	expected	to	benefit	from	the	
synergies of the business combinations in which the 
goodwill arises.

Data Centres, Networks and Cloud 

Managed Services 

Webcentral

Goodwill allocation at 30 June

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

-

5,536

44,744

50,280

5,479

5,536

39,197

50,212

Item / $000

Goodwill

Lease right of use asset:

Various

Fixed assets

Oher intangibles:

Customer contract

Brand name

Total

CGU1

5,479

3,109

5,344

44

101

14,077

No impairment charge was recorded for the Managed 
Services and Webcentral segments as their respective 
recoverable amounts exceeds their carrying values by 
$8.0 million	and	$92.6	million	respectively.

Sensitivity analysis undertaken on the key impairment 
model assumptions indicates that in order for the 
recoverable	amounts	to	be	equal	to	their	carrying	values	
for the Managed Services and Webcentral segments, 
the discount rate would need to increase to 21% and 19% 
respectively and the revenue growth rate would need to 
decrease to 2.6% and 1.1% respectively. Management 
are not aware of any events that are expected to have an 
adverse effect on revenue growth.

15. Other intangible assets
The following table shows the movements in other intangible assets:

Customer 
contract

$'000

Brand name

Capitalised 
software

Marketing Related 
Intangibles

$'000

$'000

$'000

Total

$'000

Gross carrying amount

At 1 July 2022

Additions

Disposals

Closing Value at 30 June 2023

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 July 2022

Amortisation

Impairment loss recognised (refer note 14)

Closing value at 30 June 2023

Carrying Amount at 30 June 2023

Gross carrying amount

At 1 July 2021

Additions

Disposals

18,932

1,554

-

20,486

(3,295)

(1,918)

(101)

(5,314)

15,172

4,017

-

-

4,017

(1,380)

(620)

(44)     

(2,044)

1,973

18,932

4,017

-

-

-

-

Closing Value at 30 June 2022

18,932

4,017

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 July 2021

Amortisation

Impairment loss recognised

Closing value at 30 June 2022

Carrying Amount at 30 June 2022

(1,377)

(1,918)

-

(3,295)

15,637

(577)

(803)

-

(1,380)

2,637

4,856

806

(230)

5,432

(1,214)

(490)

-

(1,704)

3,728

3,775

1,081

-

4,856

(542)

(672)

-

(1,214)

3,642

180

51

-

231

(37)

-

-

(37)

194

-

180       

- 

180

-

(37)

-

(37)

143

27,985

2,411

(230)

30,166

(5,926)

(3,028)

(145)

(9,099)

21,067

26,724

1,261

-

27,985

(2,496)

(3,430)

-

(5,926)

22,059

6465Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

(a) Marketing-related intangibles
Market-related intangibles represent website development. 
They have been assessed as having an effective life of 
five years.

(b) Brand Name and Customer 
Contracts
Brand	names	and	customer	contracts	acquired	in	a	
business	combination	that	qualify	for	separate	recognition	
are recognised as intangible assets at their fair values.

Brand names and customer contracts are amortised on a 
straight-line	basis	over	their	estimated	useful	lives	of	five	
to ten years.

(c) Capitalised software
Costs relating to the research phase of the project are 
expensed while costs relating to the development phase are 
capitalised as Capitalised Software when the project meets 
the	definition	of	an	asset;	and	is	identifiable.	The costs	
capitalised are being amortised over a useful life of four 
to six	years.

Included in capitalised software is $2.59m of capitalised 
labour and other directly attributable costs. The capitalised 
labour in progress which has not started amortisation 
relates to product and service customer platform 
enhancements. The remaining balance of capitalised 
software relates to internal developed software platforms 
eligible to begin amortisation during the year. 

16. Other assets
Other assets consist of the following:

Other prepayments

Inventory

Bond payments

Other 

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

3,057

2,878

201

123

617

200

74

257

Other assets - current

3,998

3,409

Other prepayments

Other assets - non-current

36

36

835

835

17. Trade and other payables

20. Business Acquisitions

Details	of	the	net	assets	acquired	and	goodwill	are	as	follows:

Trade creditors

Accrued liabilities

Deposits received in advance

Other creditors

Total trade and other payables

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

11,737

1,442

289

1,198

14,666

11,917

888

231

1,857

14,893

All amounts are short-term. The carrying values of trade 
and other payables are considered to be a reasonable 
approximation of fair value.

18. Other Liabilities

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

GST	and	PAYG	due	to	ATO

3,904

2,804

Payroll tax provision

Other

111

108

186

-

Other liabilities - current

4,123

2,990

19.  Employee Benefits 
Provisions

Current 

Annual leave

Long service leave

Wages payable

Superannuation payable

Accrued bonuses and sales commission

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

1,796

2,007

935

13

682

110

934

61

738

167

Employee benefits provisions - current

3,536

3,907

Non-current 

Long service leave

Employee benefits provisions  
- non-current

487

487

451

451

New Domain Services
On 7 December 2022, the Company completed the 
acquisition	of	New	Domain	Services,	a	premium	domain	
email and webhosting services business with 25,000 
customers with normalised revenue of $2 million and 
normalised	EBITDA	of	$1.2	million.	The	Company	acquired all	
of	the	shares	in	Bachco	Pty	Ltd	and	Terrific.com.au	Pty Ltd.

The	acquisition	was	funded	from	existing	cash	reserves	and	
from	the	Group’s	acquisition	debt	facility	with	CBA.	

The	acquisition	price	was	$5	million	with	$3.5	million	paid	
in	cash	at	Completion	and	deferred	payments	of	$1.5 million	
payable within 12 months of Completion. A deferred 
payment of $0.5 million was paid on 14 July 2023. 

An earn-out may be payable in respect of revenue growth 
for	the	six-months	ended	30	June	2023	and	for	the	financial	
year ending 30 June 2024. 

The	purpose	of	the	acquisition	is	to	drive	revenue	growth	
in corporate domains services. New Domain Services has 
been integrated with the Group’s Melbourne IT business and 
New Domain vendor Jonathan Horne has been appointed 
as	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	the	combined	business.	It	is	
expected	that	the	acquisition	will	also	benefit	the	broader	
Webcentral business as customer services changes, 
process improvements and product innovation are rolled 
out to Webcentral’s business. 

The	goodwill	value	of	$5.55	million	identified	in	relation	to	
the	acquisition	is	provisional	as	the	Company	continues	
to	obtain	information	in	relation	to	the	acquisition	and	
determine the fair value of assets and liabilities.

The	acquisition	of	New	Domain	Services	has	been	assessed	
under	the	requirements	of	AASB	3:	Business Combinations 
and	has	been	assessed	to	meet	the	requirements	of	a	
business combination.

Fair value of consideration transferred

Note

$000

Amount settled in cash

Deferred payments

Contingent consideration

Total consideration

Recognised amounts of identifiable net assets

Other assets

Total current assets

Prepayment of domain name registrations

Property,	plant	and	equipment

Deferred tax asset

Intangible assets

Total non-current assets

Contract liabilities – current

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liability

Employee	benefits

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Contract liabilities – non-current

Total non-current liabilities

Identifiable net assets

Goodwill on acquisition

Consideration transferred settled in cash

Net cash outflow on acquisition

Acquisition	costs	charged	to	expenses

3,500

1,500

203

5,203

32

32

88

8

619

a

1,554

2,269

(1,201)

(57)

(466)

(76)

(70)

(1,870)

(775)

(775)

(344)

5,547

3,500

3,500

20

6667Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

a. Identifiable intangible asset – customer contracts
An intangible asset has been recognised in relation to the 
customer relationships held by New Domain Services at the 
time	it	was	acquired	by	the	Company.	The	asset	has	been	
valued under the Multi-Period Excess Earnings Method 
(MPEEM)	whereby	an	estimate	of	future	cash	flows	has	been	
discounted to present-value. The key assumptions used in 
the valuation are the forecast revenue growth of 2.5% p.a., 
observed customer churn of 20% p.a. and weighted average 
cost of capital of 10-11%.

Acquisition-related	costs	of	$20,000	are	not	included	as	
part of consideration transferred and have been recognised 
as	an	expense	in	the	consolidated	statement	of	profit	or	
loss,	as	part	of	acquisition	expenses.

The purchase agreement included two potential earn-out 
amounts payable in cash if the combined Melbourne IT and 
New Domain Services businesses achieve revenue growth 
targets for the six-month period ending 30 June 2023 and 
for	the	financial	year	ending	30	June	2024.	The	contingent	
consideration amount has not been adjusted to present 
value amount as the adjustment would be immaterial.

The goodwill that arose on the combination can be 
attributed to the revenue synergies and growth in the 
corporate domains services business expected to be 
derived from the combination and the value of the 
workforce of New Domain Services which cannot be 
recognised as an intangible asset. Goodwill has been 

Movements in ordinary shares on issue

allocated to the cash-generating unit of Webcentral 
as at 30 June 2023. The goodwill that arose from this 
business combination is not expected to be deductible 
for tax purposes.

From	the	date	of	the	acquisition	to	30	June	2023,	
New Domain	Services	contributed	$0.9	million	revenue	
and $0.5 million	profit	to	the	Group’s	EBITDA.	If	the	business	
was	acquired	at	the	beginning	of	the	financial	year,	New	
Domain Services would have contributed $1.54 million 
revenue	and	$0.86	million	profit	to	the	Group’s	EBITDA.
21. Issued Capital 
During the period, 1,000,000 ordinary shares were issued 
to the vendors of the ColoAu business to satisfy the earn-
out	payable	in	respect	of	the	ColoAu	acquisition	in	July	
2020, 346,611 ordinary shares were issued pursuant to the 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan and 2,088,646 ordinary shares 
were issued under the Employee Share Plan. During the 
year, 5,401,820 ordinary shares were cancelled pursuant 
to an	on-market	buy-back.

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022

$’000

Issued and paid-up capital

Ordinary shares each fully paid

200,521

201,301

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

Number of shares

$'000

Number of shares

$'000

Beginning of the financial period

331,092,792

201,301

114,261,123

80,061

- Issue of shares to vendor

- Issues of shares under Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

-	Acquisition	of	subsidiaries	through	internal	

reorganisation

1,000,000

346,611

-

137

52

-

-

-

-

-

212,902,341

121,144

Ordinary Shares
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends 
and the proceeds of winding up the company in proportion 
to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The 
fully paid ordinary shares have no par value.

On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in 
person or by proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each 
share shall have one vote.

Share Based Payments  
– Employee Shares
On 31 March 2023, 2,088,646 ordinary shares were issued to 
employees under an Employee Share Plan as free shares.   

Shares	acquired	under	this	plan	carry	all	of	the	same	rights	
and obligations of other shares, except for any rights 
attaching to shares by reference to a record date prior to 
the date of issue or transfer.

Share Based Payments – Options
During the year the Group issued 6,100,000 options to key 
management personnel under the Executive and Director 
Share	Option	Plan	and	the	Executive	Equity	Plan	as	a	means	
of rewarding and incentivising key employees.

Further details of the performance rights, including details of 
rights	issued	during	the	financial	year,	are	set	out	in	Note 23.

There were 20,000,000 performance rights and 26,995,000 
unlisted options on issue at the end of the year.

Treasury Shares
The loans granted under Executive and Director Share Plan 
(Note 23) are limited in recourse over the shares issued on 
exercise of the options, and the Company placed a holding 
lock over these shares to secure repayment. These shares 
were treated as treasury shares. No treasury shares were 
issued during the year (2022: 2,000,000).

Movements in treasury shares:

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

22.   Reserves

Share-based payments reserve

Other reserve

Foreign currency reserve

Reorganisation reserve

Total

Share-based payment reserve

Balance at the beginning of the period

Arising on share-based payments

Balance at the end of the year

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

13,017

5,450

288

11,471

4,436

236

(150,804)

(150,804)

(132,049)

(134,661)

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

11,471

1,546

13,017

6,649

4,822

11,471

The share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the 
value	of	equity-settled	share-based	payment	transactions	
provided to employees, including KMP, as part of their 
remuneration. Refer to note 23 for further details of 
these plans.

 Other reserves

Balance at the beginning of the period

Change	in	fair	value	of	equity	
instruments

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

4,436

1,014

5,379

(943)

Balance at the end of the year

5,450

4,436

Other	reserves	represent	the	fair	value	reserve	(for	equity	
investments	at	fair	value	through	equity).	The	fair	value	
reserve	of	financial	assets	at	FVOCI	is	used	to	record	
changes	to	the	fair	value	of	non-current	financial	asset	
as disclosed	in	note	27	to	the	financial	statements.

-  Cancellation of shares through share buyback

(5,401,820)

(955)

- Shares issued following exercise of options

- Share issued as consideration for services

- Shares issued following exercise of performance rights

- Cancellation of shares – unmarketable parcel facility

- Transaction costs for share issue

-

-

-

-

-

-

125,000

200,000

5,000,000

(4,278,509)

-

-

-

-

(14)

-

Shares issued and fully paid

327,037,583

200,521

328,209,955

- Issue of shares to employees under Employee Share Plan

2,088,646

-

-

-

882,837

2,000,000

- Issue of shares under ESOP

End of the financial period

329,126,229

200,521

331,092,792

201,301

-

25

90

1,000

(1,005)

(14)

201,301

-

-

Number of 
shares

2,000,000

-

-

-

Beginning of the 
financial period

-	Acquisition	of	
subsidiaries 
through internal 
reorganisation

- Cancellation of 
treasury shares 
held by 5G 
Networks Limited

- Issue of shares 
under ESOP

End of the financial 
period

2,000,000

$'000

Number of 
shares

$'000

 Foreign currency reserve

Balance at the beginning of the period

-

-

-

-

Currency translation differences

69,524,461

(11,196)

Balance at the end of the year

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

236

52

288

272

(36)

236

The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record 
exchange differences arising from the translation of the 
financial	statements	of	foreign	subsidiaries.

-

(69,524,461)

11,196

-

-

2,000,000

2,000,000

-

-

6869 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

Forfeited during the year2

(1,700,000)

(900,000) 

2022 Options – Executive (4)

260,000

3/10/2022

N/A

3/10/2025

Outstanding at year end  

44,070,000 35,110,000

2022 Options – Executive (5)

2,000,000

14/12/2022

14/12/2023

14/12/2027

 Reorganisation reserve

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

Balance at the beginning of the period

(150,804)

-

Acquisition	of	subsidiaries

Elimination of Non-Controlling Interest

Reclassification	of	shares	still	held	by	
5GN in WCG

Share issue costs

-

-

-

-

(132,340)

(29,536)

11,196

(124)

Balance at the end of the year

(150,804)

(150,804)

Reorganisation reserve is used to record any difference 
arising when applying a book-value method to business 
combinations under common control.

23. Share-based Payments 
- Performance Rights 
and Options
The Group operates two long-term incentive (LTI) plans as a 
means of rewarding and incentivising directors, executives 
and senior leaders of the Group.

The Webcentral Executive and Director Share Option Plan 
(ESOP) was adopted in December 2020 for directors and 
executives	of	the	Group.	The	Webcentral	Executive	Equity	
Plan (EEP) was adopted in April 2022 for executives and 
senior leaders of the Group.

The key criteria for options issued under the ESOP and 
EEP during the year are the completion of tenure periods 
between one and three years and the achievement of 
individual KPIs.

The Performance Rights and Options will not give the holder 
a	legal	or	beneficial	interest	in	ordinary	fully	paid	shares	in	
the Company until those Performance Rights and Options 
vest. Prior to vesting, Performance Rights and Options do 
not carry a right to vote or receive dividends. When the 
Performance Rights and Options have vested, ordinary fully 
paid shares will be allocated, and these shares will rank 
equally	with	existing	Company	shares.	

(a) Rights and options held at the 
beginning of the reporting period 
There were 35,110,000 rights and options held as at 1 July 
2022 in relation to the ESOP and EEP. 

(b) Movement of rights and options 
during the reporting period 
 The following table summarises the movement in 
performance rights and options issued during the year:

2023
Number

2022
Number

Outstanding at the beginning of the year  

35,110,000 13,400,000 

Granted during the year1

10,660,000 29,610,000 

Vested and exercised during the year

Lapsed during the year

- (7,000,000) 

-

-

1.  During the year, 6,650,000 Options were issued under the ESOP and 4,010,000 Options 

were issued under the EEP.

2.  During the year, 600,000 Options were forfeited under the ESOP and 1,100,000 were 

forfeited under the EEP.

(c) Rights and options vested during 
the reporting period 
During the year, no Performance Rights were vested (2022: 
10,000,000) and 350,000 Options were vested (2022: 
2,000,000). 

(d) Rights and options forfeited during 
the reporting period 
During the year, 600,000 Options were forfeited by 
employees (2022: 900,000) with a weighted average 
exercise price of zero (2022: nil) under the ESOP and 
1,100,000 Options were forfeited by employees (2022: nil) 
with a weighted average exercise price of zero (2022: nil) 
under the EEP. 

(e) Rights and options held at the end of the reporting period 
The following table summarises information about Performance Rights and Options held by Directors and employees as at  
30 June 2023. 5,000,000 Performance Rights and 350,000 Options are exercisable at 30 June 2023 (2022: 5,000,000 Rights): 

Issue Date and Type 

Number

Grant date 

Vesting date 

Expiry date 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual life 

2020 Performance Rights - Director 

5,000,000 

18/12/2020 

22/09/2021

18/12/2025 

$0.20 

2021 Performance Rights - Director 

15,000,000

22/12/2021

N/A

21/12/2026

       $0.45

2021 Options - Director 

4,500,000 

22/12/2021 

22/12/2023

21/12/2026 

2021 Options - Executive (1) 

250,000 

01/02/2021 

01/02/2023 

01/02/2026 

2021 Options - Executive (2) 

100,000 

29/03/2021 

29/03/2023 

29/03/2026 

2021 Options – Executive (3)

4,500,000

15/07/2021

15/07/2023

15/07/2026

2022 Options – Executive (1)

260,000

13/04/2022

N/A

13/04/2025

2022 Options – Executive (2)

4,100,000

02/06/2022     

02/06/2024     

02/06/2027

2022 Options – Executive (3)

2,600,000

1/09/2022

1/09/2024

1/09/2027

2022 Options – Executive (6)

2,000,000

14/12/2022

14/12/2024

14/12/2027

2022 Options – Executive (7)

250,000

14/12/2022

14/12/2024

14/12/2025

2023 Options – Executive (1)

3,250,000

29/06/2023

29/06/2025

29/06/2028

44,070,000 

2.47

3.48

3.36

2.59

2.75

3.04

1.79

3.92

4.17

2.26

4.46

4.46

2.46

5.00

3.56

   $0.45 

$0.485 

$0.485 

$0.45

$0.26

$0.25

$0.20

$0.20

$0.17

$0.17

$0.17

$0.11

 $0.26 

(f) Pricing model: LTI grants 
The fair values of options granted were determined using a variation of the binomial option pricing model that takes into 
account factors	specific	to	the	Executive	Share	Plan,	such	as	the	vesting	period.	The	following	principal	assumptions	were	
used in	the valuation:

Share price

Dividend yield

Expected 
volatility

Risk-free interest 
rate

Fair value per 
option

2020 Rights

2021 Rights

2021 Options

2021 Options (1)

2021 Options (2)

2021 Options (3)

2022 Options (1)

2022 Options (2)

2022 Options (3)

2022 Options (4)

2022 Options (5)

2022 Options (6)

2022 Options (7)

2023 Options (1)

2023 Options (2)

$0.415

$0.465

$0.465

$0.44

$0.53

$0.475

$0.275

$0.225

$0.175

$0.145

$0.16

$0.16

$0.16

$0.13

$0.13

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

2.9%

3.6%

3.1%

3.1%

3.1%

3.8%

3.8%

73.4%

45.0%

45.0%

73.4%

73.4%

73.4%

73.4%

73.4%

96.1%

94.6%

93.3%

93.3%

93.3%

92.8%

92.8%

0.38%

1.27%

1.27%

0.42%

0.68%

0.69%

2.74%

3.28%

3.50%

3.70%

3.06%

3.06%

3.06%

3.93%

3.93%

$0.3031

$0.192

$0.3031

$0.16

$0.23

$0.205

$0.20

$0.09

$0.08

$0.06

$0.07

$0.08

$0.07

$0.06

$0.05

7071Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

The expected	volatility	was	determined	using	the	group's	
average	five-year	share	price.	The	risk-free	rate	is	derived	
from the yield on Australian Government Bonds of an 
appropriate term. The weighted average fair value of the 
performance rights and options granted during the year 
was $0.15	(2022:	$0.42).

The total consolidated share-based payment expense 
for the	year	was	$1.55	million	(2022:	$8.83	million).

24. Dividends
During the year a dividend of $0.005 (half a cent) per 
ordinary share was paid in respect of the year ended 
30 June	2022		(2022:	nil).

The Directors have not recommended the payment of 
a	final	dividend	in	respect	of	the	financial	year	ended	
30 June 2023.

25. Parent Information 
The following information has been extracted from the 
books and records of the parent and has been prepared 
in accordance	with	Australian	Accounting	Standards.

The parent entity for the group is Webcentral Limited 
and	following	information	is	the	financial	position	for	
Webcentral Limited.

Parent Entity Statement of Financial 
Position
As at 30 June 2023

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net Assets

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

72,415

73,273

17,219

16,063

89,634

89,336

82,502

6,382

71,479

4,823

88,884

76,302

750

13,034

Contributed	equity

218,859

219,646

Share-based payments reserve

5,830

4,285

Reorganisation reserve

(104,762)

 (104,762)

Foreign currency reserve

Profit	reserve

Retained earnings

Total Equity

53

200

(1,941)

(1,479)

(117,289)

(104,856)

750

13,034

Loss of the parent entity

Total comprehensive loss of the parent 
entity

(11,746)

(14,160)

(10,680)

(15,139)

Guarantees
During the reporting period, each of the companies in the 
Group, including Webcentral Limited provided a cross 
guarantee to CBA for the facilities provided by CBA (refer 
note 27).

Contingent Liabilities
The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as 
at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: Nil).

26. Controlled entities
Investments in controlled entities are initially recognised at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given. Following initial 
recognition, investments are measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

The	consolidated	financial	statements	include	the	financial	statements	of	Webcentral	Limited	and	the	subsidiaries	in	the	
following table:

Name

Country of Incorporation

Equity Holding at 30 June 2023

Equity Holding at 30 
June 2022

5G Networks Pty Ltd

5G Network Operations Pty Ltd

Enspire Australia Pty Ltd

Asian	Pacific	Telecommunications	Pty	Ltd

Anittel Pty Ltd

Hostworks Pty Limited

Hostworks Group Pty Limited

Logic Communications Pty Ltd

Modular IT Pty.Ltd.

Australian	Pacific	Data	Centres	Pty	Ltd

5G Networks Finance Pty Ltd

Intergrid Group Pty Ltd

Web Marketing Experts Pty Ltd

Nothing But Web Pty Ltd

Domainz Limited

Uber Global Pty Ltd

Names	By	Request	Pty	Ltd

Uber Business Pty Ltd

Netregistry Group Pty Ltd

Netregistry Pty Ltd

Netregistry Wholesale Pty Ltd

Netregistry Services Pty Ltd

Netregistry Operations Pty Ltd

Netregistry Domains Pty Ltd

Webcentral Services Pty Ltd

ACN 132 400 787 Pty Ltd

Planetdomain Pty Ltd

ACN 063 963 039 Pty Ltd

ACN 139 714 686 Pty Ltd

Bachco Pty Ltd

Terrific.com.au	Pty	Ltd

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

1.  Webcentral Limited and its subsidiaries were controlled by 5G Networks Ltd until the merger of 5G Networks Ltd with Webcentral Limited in November 2021.

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

N/A

N/A

7273Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

27.   Financial Risk Management
The	main	risks	the	Group	is	exposed	to	through	its	financial	instruments	are	interest	rate	risk,	liquidity	risk	and	credit	risk.

Financial Risk Management Objectives
The	Group’s	financial	instruments	consist	mainly	of	deposits	with	banks,	local	money	market	instruments,	accounts	receivable	
and payable, loans to and from subsidiaries, and leases.

The	main	purpose	of	non-derivative	financial	instruments	is	to	raise	finance	for	Group	operations.

The Group does not have any derivative instruments at 30 June 2023 or 30 June 2022.

The	totals	for	each	category	of	financial	instruments,	measured	in	accordance	with	AASB	9	as	detailed	in	the	accounting	policies	
to	these	financial	statements,	are	as	follows.

Amortised 
cost

$’000

FVTPL

$’000

FVOCI

$'000

Total

$’000 

30 JUNE 2023

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Unsecured loans

Other investments

Total financial assets

30 JUNE 2023

Non-current borrowings

Non-current lease liabilities

Current borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Other	financial	liabilities

Total financial liabilities

30 JUNE 2022

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Unsecured loans

Other investment

Total financial assets

30 JUNE 2022

Non-current borrowings

Non-current lease liabilities

Current borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Other	financial	liabilities

Total financial liabilities

4,498

4,664

-

-

9,162

-

13,229

29,158

14,666

3,937

-

60,990

5,367

3,625

-

-

8,992

25,359

14,784

571

14,893

3,456

-

59,063

-

-

424

-

424

-

-

-

-

-

2,182

2,182

-

-

424

-

424

-

-

-

-

-

1,250

1,250

-

-

-

725

725

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,198

5,198

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4,498

4,664

424

725

10,311

-

13,229

29,158

14,666

3,937

2,182

63,172

5,367

3,625

424

5,198

14,614

25,359

14,784

571

14,893

3,456

1,250

60,313

Borrowings	include	the	following	financial	liabilities:

CURRENT 

At amortised cost:

Obligations under bank loan1

NON-CURRENT

At amortised cost:

Obligations under bank loan1

Consolidated

2023
$’000

2022
$’000

29,158

29,158

571

571

-

-

25,359

25,359

Security arrangements
1 

The bank loans are from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and they are secured 
with	a	fixed	charge	over	particular	assets	and	a	floating	charge	over	other	collateral.

On 23 August 2023, CBA approved an amendment to the 
Net Leverage Ratio covenant in relation to the period 
ended 30 June 2023 to increase it to 3.50 times. There 
was	no	financial	impact	to	the	Group	and	all	other	financial	
covenants and undertakings under the Debt Facility 
Agreement were met in relation to the period ended 30 
June	2023.	The	Group	expects	to	comply	with	all	financial	
covenants	for	FY24.	As	the	amendment	was	received	after	
reporting	date,	the	Group	is	required	to	classify	an	amount	
of $25.1 million as a current liability in the Statement of 
Financial Position even though these amounts are not 
repayable within 12 months of reporting date.

Fair Value Measurement of Financial 
Instruments
The	Group	measures	financial	instruments	such	as	
derivatives at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value 
is the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid 
to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date. The fair-
value measurement is based on the presumption that the 

transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes 
place either:

•  in the principal market for the asset or liability, or 

•  in the absence of a principal market, in the most 
advantageous market for the asset or liability

The fair value of an asset or liability is measured using the 
assumptions that market participants would use when 
pricing the asset or liability, assuming that the market 
participants act in their economic best interest.

The	Group	uses	valuation	techniques	that	are	appropriate	
in	the	circumstances	and	for	which	sufficient	data	are	
available to measure fair value, maximising the use of 
relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of 
unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or 
disclosed	in	the	financial	statements	are	categorised	within	
their fair-value hierarchy, described as follows, based on 
the	lowest	level	of	input	that	is	significant	to	the	fair	value	
measurement as a whole:

•  Level 1 - Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active 

markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•	 Level	2	-	Valuation	techniques	for	which	the	lowest	level	
input	that	is	significant	to	the	fair	value	measurement	
is directly or indirectly observable.

•	 Level	3	-	Valuation	techniques	for	which	the	lowest	level	
input	that	is	significant	to	the	fair	value	measurement	
is unobservable.

For	assets	and	liabilities	that	are	recognised	in	the	financial	
statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group 
determines whether transfers have occurred between 
levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation 
(based	on	the	lowest	level	input	that	is	significant	to	the	
fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each 
reporting period.

The	following	table	provides	the	fair	value	measurement	hierarchy	of	the	Group’s	financial	assets	and	liabilities	as	at	30	June	2023:

Fair value measurement using

Note

Date of 
valuation

TOTAL

Quoted prices in 
active markets 
(Level 1)

Significant 
observable inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant 
unobservable inputs 
(Level 3)

$’000

$’000

 $’000

$’000

ASSETS / (LIABILITIES) MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE:

Financial assets

Investment in The Pistol shares

Unsecured loans

Financial liabilities

30-Jun-23

30-Jun-23

725

424

Contingent consideration

30-Jun-23

2,182

There have been no transfers between Level 1, 2 and 3 during the period.

-

-

-

-

-

-

725

424

2,182

7475 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

Capital Management

For the purpose of the Group's capital management, 
capital	includes	issued	capital,	all	other	equity	reserves	
attributable	to	the	equity	holders	of	the	parent	and	
debt capital, principally raised from the Group’s banking 
partners, but inclusive of other debt-like instruments, 
such as earn-outs due. The Board’s primary objective 
is to maximise the value of the Group’s operations to 
its shareholders.  

The	Group	manages	its	capital	structure	and	financing	
facilities and makes adjustments in light of changes in 
economic	and	market	conditions,	requirements	of	the	
business	operations	and	requirements	of	its	financial	
covenants. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Group may raise or repay debt, adjust the dividend 
payment	to	shareholders,	return	capital	to shareholders,	
issue new shares, or sell assets to fund these activities.

Liquidity Risk
The	Group	manages	liquidity	risk	by	monitoring	forecast	
cash	flows	and	ensuring	that	adequate	unutilised	borrowing	
facilities are maintained.

Cash	flows	realised	from	financial	assets	in	the	table	
below	reflect	management’s	expectation	as	to	the	timing	
of realisation.  Actual timing may therefore defer from 
that disclosed.	

The	table	below	sets	out	the	available	financing	facilities	
as at	30	June	2023:

Total facility 
amount

Amount drawn 

$’000

34,600

$’000

30,067

Unused 
financing 
facilities

$’000 

4,533

34,600

30,067

4,533

CBA loan 
facilities

Total

Credit Risk
The maximum exposure to credit risk, excluding the value 
of any collateral or other security, at balance date to 
recognised	financial	assets,	is	the	carrying	amount,	net	of	
any provisions for impairment of those assets, as disclosed 
in	the	balance	sheet	and	notes	to	the	financial	statements.

There are no material amounts of collateral held as security 
at 30 June 2023 or 30 June 2022.

Credit risk is managed on a Group basis and reviewed 
regularly by the Board. It arises from exposures to 
customers	as	well	as	through	deposits	with	financial	
institutions.

The following table provides information regarding the 
credit risk relating to cash and money market securities 
based on Moody’s counterparty credit ratings.

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

4,498

4,498

5,367

5,367

The	table	below	sets	out	the	maturity	periods	of	the	financial	liabilities	of	the	consolidated	Group	as	at	30	June	2023	and	
30 June	2022.	All	carrying	amounts	of	IT	equipment	finance	are	undiscounted	contractual	cash	flows.	

Aa3	rated	cash	&	cash	equivalents

Total 

Contracted maturities at 30 June 2023

< 6 Months

6-12 Months

1-2 Years

2-5 Years

>5 Years

Trade & Other Payables

Borrowings

Interest on Borrowings

Other Financial Liabilities

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

 $’000

14,666

281

37

-

-

289

29

2,182

-

566

37

-

-

28,022

18

-

Contracted maturities at 30 June 2022

< 6 Months

6-12 Months

1-2 Years

2-5 Years

>5 Years

Trade & Other Payables

Borrowings

Interest on Borrowings

Other Financial Liabilities

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

 $’000

14,893

315

37

-

-

256

30

1,250

-

497

43

-

-

24,862

12

-

Total

$’000

14,666

29,158

121

2,182

Total

$’000

14,893

25,930

122

1,250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The Group does not have any material credit risk exposure 
to any single receivable or group of receivables under 
financial	instruments	entered	into	by	the	Group.

The Group has recognised an impairment loss of nil (2022: 
Loss	of	$578,000)	in	profit	and	loss	in	respect	of	impairment	
provision	for	receivables	for	the	year	ended	30 June	
2023. The movements in the provision for impairment of 
receivables were outlined in Note 10.

Interest Rate and Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such 
as interest rates will affect the Group’s income or the value 
of	its	holdings	of	financial	instruments.	The	objective	of	
market risk management is to manage and control market 
risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while 
optimising returns.

At 30 June 2023, the Group is exposed to changes in market 
interest rates through bank borrowings at variable interest 
rates.	All	of	the	Group’s	equipment	loans	and	leases	are	at	a	
fixed	interest	rate.

The Group’s long-term borrowings, totalling $24,150,000 
are interest only payment loans. Monthly cash outlays of 
approximately	$115,000	per	month	are	required	to	service	
the	interest	payments.	An	official	increase	/decrease	in	
interest rate of 150 basis points would have an adverse/
favourable effect before tax of $369,000 per annum. 
The percentage	change	is	based	on	the	expected	volatility	
of interest rates using market data and analysis forecasts. 
No principal	repayments	are	required	until	March	2024	in	
respect	of	the	acquisition	facility	and	July	2025	in	respect	
of the Term Facility.

Treasury Risk
The Board’s overall risk management strategy seeks to 
assist	the	consolidated	Group	in	meeting	its	financial	
targets, whilst minimising potential adverse effects on 
financial	performance.

Foreign Currency Risk
The Group conducts some of its business in US dollars 
('USD') and is therefore exposed to movements in the AUD/
USD dollar exchange rate. The Group actively manages the 
gross margin risk by its foreign currency risk management 
strategy. 

Both the functional and presentation currency of the 
Group is in Australian dollars (AUD). The consolidated 
Group contains functional currencies in USD and NZD. 
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded 
in the functional currency at the exchange rates ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date.

The exchange differences arising on the retranslation 
are taken directly to other comprehensive income. On 
disposal of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount 
recognised in other comprehensive income relating to 
that particular foreign operation is recognised in the 
determination	of	profit	and	loss	for	the	year.

At 30 June 2023, the Group had the following exposures 
to USD denominated assets and liabilities, where the 
functional currency is not USD. The Group's exposure to 
foreign currency changes for all other currencies is not 
material. Assets and liabilities that are designated in cash 
flow	hedges	are	not	included:

Financial assets 

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Net exposure 

30-Jun-23

30-Jun-22

$’000

$’000

235

200

435

344

234

578

(2,381)

(2,534)

(1,946)

(1,956)

7677 
Notes to the Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements

29.   Auditors' remuneration

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

During the year ended 30 June 2023, the following fees were 
paid or payable for services provided by Grant Thornton:

Audit and review

Taxation compliance services

Due diligence services

443,481

114,111

-

427,535

203,155

75,000

557,592

705,690

30.  Events subsequent to 
reporting date
On 23 August 2023, CBA approved an amendment to the 
Net Leverage Covenant in relation to the period ended 30 
June 2023 to increase it to 3.50 times. 

There has not been any other matter or circumstance 
in the interval between the end of the year and the 
date of this report that has materially affected or may 
materially affect the operations of the Group, the results 
of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in 
subsequent	financial	periods.

The following sensitivity is based on foreign currency risk 
exposures in existence at the reporting date.

At 30 June 2023, had the AUD moved as illustrated in the 
table below with all other variables held constant, post-tax 
profit	and	equity	would	have	been	affected	as	follows:

Net profit
Higher / (Lower)

Equity
Higher / (Lower)

2023
$000

2022
$000

2023
$000

2022
$000

175

(214)

173

(211)

175

(214)

173

(211)

Consolidated

- AUD/USD +10%

- AUD/USD -10%

The Group also has exposures to foreign exchange 
when retranslating foreign currency subsidiaries into 
AUD.	The sensitivity	range	has	been	determined	using	
an expected range of 0.636 to 0.778 USD/AUD for the 
retranslation of USD denominated balances for the 
forthcoming year. The Group has determined that 
the sensitivity for the Group’s exposure to the NZD 
is not material.	

Sensitivity Analysis
As	the	Group’s	equipment	loans	are	not	material	to	the	
Group	and	at	a	fixed	interest	rate,	no	sensitivity	analysis	has	
been performed, as any +/- variation in interest rates would 
not	have	a	material	impact	on	the	post-tax	profit	for	the	
remaining period of the loans.

A change in interest rates on the Cash on Deposit would 
not have a material impact to the Group and therefore no 
sensitivity analysis has been performed.

Debt Maturity and Refinancing Risk
Refinancing	risk	is	the	risk	that	the	Group	is	not	able	to	
refinance	the	full	amount	of	its	ongoing	debt	requirements	
on appropriate terms and pricing. The Group is not 
expected to have a material exposure to this risk in respect 
of the Group’s debt facilities with CBA as it is forecast to 
comply	with	all	financial	covenants	and	other	obligations	
under these facilities and it has a strong relationship 
with CBA.
28. Related party disclosures 
Subsidiaries
Details relating to subsidiaries are included in Note 26.

Ultimate and direct parent
Webcentral Limited is the ultimate parent entity in the 
wholly owned Group comprising the Company and its wholly 
owned controlled entities.

Key Management Personnel (KMP) 
Compensation

Consolidated

2023

$’000

2022

$’000

Short-Term	Employee	Benefits

1,693

1,330

Post-Employment	Benefits

Termination Payments

Share based Payments

Total 

125

-

1,132

2,950

92

-

2,606

4,028

Detailed remuneration disclosures are provided in the 
remuneration report on pages 27 to 33.

Transactions with related parties
During the year, the Group has conducted the following 
related party transactions:

•  A total of $213,191 (2022: $154,294) was paid to Studio 
Inc., an entity related to Joe Demase, for the design of 
marketing materials for the Group. All transactions are 
carried at commercial third-party rates

•  A total of $18,315 were paid to Mr Hunter Demase for 
sales consulting services (2022: nil). All transactions 
are carried	at	commercial	third-party	rates.

Terms and conditions of related party 
trading transactions
Purchases from related parties are made at arm’s length 
at normal market prices and on normal commercial terms.  
The Group settles related party trade payables according 
to	the	payment	conditions	confirmed	by	the	supplier	of	
invoices and are non-interest bearing and generally on 
30 day	terms	from	invoice.

Transactions with key management 
personnel
The table below provides aggregate information relating to 
the Company’s loans to key management personnel during 
the year:

Balance at the start of the year

Repayment from KMP

Balance at the end of the year

2023

$’000

128

-

128

Under the Executive Share Plan the Company may loan its 
Executives some or all of the amount of the exercise price 
for options exercised. Such loans are non-recourse and no 
interest is charged in respect of the loan amounts.

7879Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditors’ Report

1. 

In the Directors’ opinion:

(a)	

The	financial	statements	and	notes	of	Webcentral	Limited	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2023	are	in	accordance	with	the	
Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)	

(ii) 

giving	a	true	and	fair	view	of	the	Group's	financial	position	as	at	30	June	2023	and	of	its	performance	for	the	
financial	year	ended	on	that	date;	and

complying with Australian Accounting Standards (Including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the 
Corporations Regulations 2001;	and

(b) 

There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due 
and payable.

2.	 The	Directors	have	been	given	the	declaration	required	by	Section	295A	of	the	Corporations Act 2001 from the Chief 

Executive	Officer	and	Chief	Financial	Officer	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2023.

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the Members of Webcentral Limited 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd 
Level 22 Tower 5 
Collins Square 
727 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3008 
GPO Box 4736 
Melbourne VIC 3001 

T +61 3 8320 2222 

3.	 Note	2	confirms	that	the	consolidated	financial	statements	also	comply	with	international	financial	reporting	standards.

Opinion 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors made pursuant to section 303(5) of the Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Joe Demase 

Managing Director 

Melbourne, 22 September 2023

We have audited the financial report of Webcentral Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries (the Group), 
which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2023, the consolidated 
statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity 
and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the Directors’ declaration.  

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 
2001, including: 

a 

b 

giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its performance 
for the year ended on that date; and  

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those 
standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section 
of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements 
of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence 
Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion. 

Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of 
the financial report of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these 
matters.  

www.grantthornton.com.au 
ACN-130 913 594 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 ACN 127 556 389. 
‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or 
refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Limited is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). 
GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member 
firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and are not liable for one 
another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 
556 389 ACN 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards 
Legislation. 

8081 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

Independent Auditors’ Report

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Going Concern – Note 2

Revenue Recognition – Note 5 

In the financial year ended 30 June 2023, the Group recorded 

Our procedures included, amongst others: 

revenue of $96,138,000. There is a risk of potential 

overstatement of revenue given there is pressure placed on 

•  Obtaining an understanding of the processes and controls 
used by the Group in evaluating contracts under the five-

the performance of the Group against market expectations.   

step model of AASB 15 Revenue Contracts with 

The Group offers diverse and services to its customers that 

Customers; 

require different patterns of revenue recognition due to 

•  Reviewing revenue recognition policies of individual 

varying contractual terms, which require the identification of 

customer agreements and contractual arrangements to 

performance obligations and the determination of how the 

ensure compliance with AASB 15;  

Group satisfies those obligations. 

This area is a key audit matter because of the financial 

•  Selecting a sample of revenue transactions to verify that 

revenue was being recognised in accordance with revenue 

significance of revenue to the consolidated statement of profit 

recognition policies; 

or loss and other comprehensive income, and the judgement 

involved in determining appropriate revenue recognition for 

these various services. 

•  Analytically reviewing revenue streams against forecasts 
and prior corresponding period to identify and assess 

potential anomalies; 

•  Testing the accuracy of deferred revenue recorded by the 

Group during the period; and 

•  Evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements for 

appropriateness and consistency with accounting 

standards. 

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets Impairment 
Assessment – Note 14 and Note 15 

As disclosed in Note 14 and Note 15 of the financial report, 

Our procedures included, amongst others: 

goodwill amounted to $50,280,000 following the acquisition of 

•  Assessing management’s determination of the Group 

New Domains and the impairment loss recognised during the 

period.  

having three CGUs based on the nature of the business 

and the economic environment in which they operate; 

At 30 June 2023, Webcentral Limited also has other 

•  Reviewing the impairment model for compliance with 

intangibles of $21,067,000 consisting of customer contracts, 

AASB 136 Impairment of Assets; 

brand names, capitalised software and marketing related 

intangibles. 

In accordance with AASB 136 Impairment of Assets, goodwill 

acquired in a business combination must be allocated to the 

Group’s cash generating units (“CGUs”). For each CGU to 

which goodwill has been allocated, the Group is required to 

assess if the carrying value of the CGU is in excess of the 

recoverable value. 

The goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment 

assessment has been assessed as a key audit matter due to 

the judgement required by management in preparing a value 

in use model to satisfy the impairment test as prescribed in 

AASB 136, including the significant estimation involved in 

•  Assessing whether management has the requisite   

expertise to prepare the impairment model; 

−  Assessing the reasonableness and appropriateness of 
inputs and assumptions to the model, with involvement 

of our internal valuation specialist; 

−  Evaluating management’s future cash flow forecasts 
and obtain an understanding of the process by which 

they were developed; 

−  Assessing management’s key assumptions for 

reasonableness and obtaining available evidence to 

support key assumptions; 

−  Considering the reasonableness of the revenue and 

forecasting of future cash flows and applying an appropriate 

cost forecasts against prior year forecasts and current 

discount rate which inherently involves a high degree of 

year actuals; 

estimation and judgement by management. 

−  Performing sensitivity analysis of the key assumptions; 

−  Testing the underlying calculations for mathematical 

accuracy of the model; and 

•  Evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements for 

appropriateness and consistency with accounting 

standards. 

For the year ended 30 June 2023, the Group recorded a loss 

Our procedures included, amongst others:

after tax of $19,019,000, operating cash inflows of

• Assessing the cash flow forecast prepared by

$8,021,000, financing cash outflows of $4,865,000 and a 

deficit of current assets to current liabilities of $62,214,000.

management for at least 12 months from the anticipated

date of signing the financial statements and evaluating the

At the year end, the Group had cash on hand of $4,498,000, 

reasonableness of inputs and assumptions used in the

and available debt facilities of $4.5 million, of which 

forecast;

$1.5 million is for the purpose of business acquisitions.

Accordingly, testing the availability of sufficient funding for the 
Group to meet its key obligations is considered to be a key 
part of our going concern assessment. This has been
assessed as a key audit matter due to the judgement required 
by management in preparing their forecasts, preparing their 
solvency assessment and evaluating their ability to continue 

as a going concern.

• Analysing and challenging key assumptions in Webcentral
Limited’s budget for the twelve-month period from the

expected date of signing;

• Discussing with management their future plans for the

Group;

• Reviewing ASX announcements to gather an
understanding of the strategy of the business;

•

Inquiring of management as to whether they are aware of

any events or conditions beyond the period of

management’s assessment that may cast significant doubt

on Webcentral Limited’s ability to continue as a going

concern;

• Reviewing the solvency position of the Group and
assessing the solvency position paper prepared by

management;

• Substantively testing the balances included in the solvency
workings prepared by management and evaluating any

items which have been excluded/included from this

assessment; and

• Evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements for

appropriateness and consistency with accounting

standards.

Acquisition of New Domains – Note 20

On 7 December 2022, the Group acquired New Domain 

Our procedures included, amongst others:

Services, a premium domain reseller and hosting provider.

The acquisition price was $5,000,000 and goodwill recognised 

in respect of the acquisition was $5,547,000.

• Reading the executed acquisition agreements and
determining if the transaction meets the business

combination requirement in line with the Australian

The transaction requires management to consider if the 

Accounting Standards (AASBs);

purchase consideration constitutes an acquisition of a 

business combination under AASB 3 Business Combinations.

•

Testing the accuracy of the purchase consideration against

the executed acquisition agreements;

Accounting for these transactions is a complex and 

judgmental exercise requiring management to determine the 

fair value of acquired assets and liabilities as well as the 

goodwill arising on acquisition and as a result has been 

assessed as a key audit matter.

• Assessing the fair values of the acquired assets and

liabilities recognised, including:

− Assessing the valuation of identified intangible assets
recognised as part of the purchase price allocation

calculations; and

− Assessing the mathematical accuracy of any identified

intangibles calculations;

• Assessing the appropriateness of accounting policies,

including compliance with the AASBs; and

• Evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements for
appropriateness and consistency with the accounting

standards.

#10212419v2 

#10212419v2

Grant Thornton Australia Limited 

Grant Thornton Australia Limited

8283 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

Independent Auditors’ Report

Information other than the financial report and auditor’s report thereon 

Responsibilities

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Remuneration Report 
in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd
Chartered Accountants

M A Cunningham
Partner – Audit & Assurance

Melbourne, 22 September 2023

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included 
in the Group’s annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023, but does not include the financial report and our 
auditor’s report thereon.  

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.  

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report, or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.  

Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial report  

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair 
view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal 
control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

In preparing the financial report, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report  

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance 
with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.  

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and 
Assurance Standards Board website at:  http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1_2020.pdf.This 
description forms part of our auditor’s report.  

Report on the remuneration report 

Opinion on the remuneration report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 27 to 33 of the Directors’ report for the year 
ended 30 June 2023.  

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Webcentral Limited, for the year ended 30 June 2023 complies 
with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

#10212419v2 

Grant Thornton Australia Limited 

#10212419v2

Grant Thornton Australia Limited

8485 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information 

Shareholder information 

Voting Rights
The	voting	rights	attached	to	each	class	of	equity	securities	
are set out below:

Ordinary Shares
On a show of hands every member present at a meeting 
in person, or by proxy, shall have one vote, and upon a poll 
each share shall have one vote.

The Number and Class of Restricted 
Securities Subject to Voluntary 
Escrow that are on Issue
Voluntary Escrow

There are no securities subject to Voluntary Escrow.

The shareholder information set out below was applicable 
as at 15 September 2023. 

Webcentral Limited
Issued capital ordinary shares: 329,126,229 as at 15 
September 2023.

Substantial Shareholders 
Substantial	shareholders	and	the	number	of	equity	
securities in which it has an interest, as shown in the 
Company’s register of Substantial Shareholders is:

Holder

J D Management Pty Ltd, JMD 
Superannuation Fund, Studio 
Incorporate Pty Ltd and Joseph 
Demase

Boutique	Capital	Pty	Ltd	ATF	
Tectonic Opportunities Fund

Shares

%

56,515,128

17.27%

24,320,007

6.05%

Total

80,835,135

23.32%

Distribution of Equity Shares

Range

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

Total

Ordinary Shares

Number Held

Number of Holders

228,065

11,530,718

13,227,013

66,026,225

238,114,208

329,126,229

394

3,992

1,773

2,303

308

8,770

There were 4,554 unmarketable parcels as at 
15 September 2023.

The 20 Largest Holders of Each Class of Quoted Equity Securities

%

17.5%

8.4%

6.2%

2.0%

2.0%

1.9%

1.1%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.6%

1.0%

0.6%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

1,504,284

1,474,333

1,470,588

1,470,588

1,460,204

154,382,984

46.9%

Holder

J	D	MANAGEMENT	GROUP	PTY	LTD

BNP	PARIBAS	NOMINEES	PTY	LTD

PACIFIC	CUSTODIANS	PTY	LIMITED

J	P	MORGAN	NOMINEES	AUSTRALIA	PTY	LIMITED

CITICORP	NOMINEES	PTY	LIMITED

HSBC	CUSTODY	NOMINEES	(AUSTRALIA)	LIMITED

MR	ALBERT	SAYCHUAN	CHEOK	&	MR	ERIC	VICTOR	CHEOK

ECKERT	INVESTMENTS	PTY	LTD

ARKTREE	NOMINEES	PTY	LTD

MOLINI	INVESTMENTS	PTY	LTD

MR	GARRY	EDWIN	WHITE

HL	GANGI	PTY	LTD

NZAU	INVESTMENTS	PTY	LTD

HSBC	CUSTODY	NOMINEES	(AUSTRALIA)	LIMITED	-	A/C	2

Number

57,628,060

27,715,876

20,330,076

6,503,131

6,479,979

6,341,709

3,714,018

2,526,666

2,512,438

2,500,001

2,000,000

3,356,064

1,833,334

1,788,323

MR	GIANNI	ANDREA	VERROCCHI	&	MRS	DEANNE	JOSELYN	VERROCCHI

1,773,312

ALBERT CHEOK

MR	GIUSEPPE	ANTHONY	MAZZACCA

GANGI	SERVICES	PTY	LTD

PAC	EQUITIES	PTY	LTD

MR SAMUEL SCOTT NUNAN

Total

Unissued equity securities

Number of options issued: 46,995,000 

Securities exchange

The Company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

8687Webcentral	Head	Office 

Level 7, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000 

88