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FY2019 Annual Report · K+S
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2019
Steadfast Group
Annual Report

01

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Values

We are united 
We achieve 
We are strong

None of us is as 
good as all of us

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019

Contents

02

03

04

07

08

10

12

Our key market

Our clients 

Our business

Our partners

13

14

16

18

Message from the Chairman

Message from the Managing  
Director & CEO

Message from the Chief  
Financial Officer

Board of Directors

Key strategy: our insurTech

20

Senior Management Team

Key strategy: international growth 

22

Corporate and Social Responsibility, 
Environmental, Social and Governance 

2019 financial highlights

39

2019 financial report

Vision: Continually grow shareholder 
value through our leading general 
insurance distribution model and 
related businesses domestically and 
internationally.

Mission: Deliver value to our broker 
network by being a market leader and 
an innovator in insurance broking.

Steadfast Group

Key market 

Steadfast Group was established in 1996 and is the 

The intermediated general insurance market consists  

largest general insurance broker network and the 

of insurance brokers and underwriting agencies. Australia 

largest underwriting agency group in Australasia, with 

is Steadfast Group’s largest market, with intermediated 

growing operations in Asia and Europe. We have grown 

gross written premium of $22 billion generated in 2018, 

the Steadfast Network to 398 brokerages (of which 

of which our Network and agencies have a 31% share.

We are a key distribution channel for our insurer 

partners as the Steadfast Network has a large and  

diverse client base across Australia.

Steadfast Group has equity in 65), built a portfolio of 26 

underwriting agencies and we have a 40% interest in the 

unisonSteadfast network of 267 brokerages. Our business 

model is designed to allow us to achieve sustainable 

growth via our Network brokerages and the equity 

positions we hold within the Network. 

Our Steadfast Underwriting Agencies offer cover for the 

entire market and are also supported by the Steadfast 

Network. 

Australian intermediated  
general insurance market1

$22bn
intermediated
market

Steadfast N e t w o r k 
 brokers FY19   $ 5 .

7

b

n

)

Intermediate

d ($

2

n

b

4

ealth $ 2
te h

a
v
i
r
P

$97bn
Australian
insurance
market

d
e
t
a
i
d
e
m

r
e

t

n

i

-

n

o

N

L

if
e $

25bn

n

N o

2

b

n

)

G

e

n

e

r

a

l

$
4
8
b
n

n
b
6
2
$
(
)
t
c

- i n t e r m ediated (dire

1 APRA Quarterly General Insurance Performance Statistics (March 2019), Steadfast Group  
and APRA Intermediated General Insurance Performance Statistics (December 2018). 

02

26%

Steadfast brokers' 
share of the 
Australian market

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our clients

Steadfast Group is primarily focused on the small-to-

medium enterprise (SME) market. The SME market is 

advice-driven, which means that client relationships are 

key to Steadfast Network brokers, and the Underwriting 

Agencies who provide niche advice and products for 

brokers. 

These relationships ensure that the SME market is more 

stable than the sometimes fickle corporate market.

Diversified product offering and client base

Steadfast Network brokers and Underwriting Agencies 

offer a diverse range of general insurance products to 

their clients across Australasia. This diversity of product 

and client base supports sustainable sales growth.

84% of Steadfast 
Network clients are 
small-to-medium 
enterprises and 12% 
are retail.

Diversified by client base
Diversified by client base

Diversified by product 
Diversified by product 

Diversified by geography
Diversified by geography

  Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs)

84%

  Business pack 

  Retail – home and motor

  Corporate

  Retail – other

11%

4%

1%

  Commercial motor

  Retail 

  Commercial property and ISR

  Liability

  Professional risks 

  Statutory covers 

  Strata

  Rural and farm 

  Construction and engineering 

  Other

20%

14%

12%

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

4%

4%

6%

  VIC 

  NSW

  QLD

  WA

  NZ

  SA

  TAS 

  ACT

  NT

33%

21%

16%

13%

7%

5%

3%

1%

1%

03

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Our business

Steadfast Group has three business streams focused  

on servicing general insurance clients.

Steadfast Group (listed on the ASX)

1. Steadfast Network

2. Steadfast Underwriting 
Agencies

3. Complementary  
businesses

398 general insurance 

brokerages with over 1,900 

offices

26 underwriting 
agencies

7 businesses supporting the  
Steadfast Network and Steadfast 
Underwriting Agencies

Steadfast Group has equity  

holdings in 65 brokerages

Steadfast Group has equity holdings 
in all 26 underwriting agencies

Mixture of wholly owned, part-
owned and joint venture businesses

267 brokers in the unisonSteadfast 
Network (see page 11)

1. Steadfast Network

As the largest general insurance broker network in 

Australasia, brokerages receive superior market access 

and exclusive products and services backed by the 

scale and expertise of the Group. This allows them 

to focus on servicing the clients’ insurance and risk 

management needs.

04

Why use an  
insurance broker?

Insurance brokers  
are qualified 
professionals who 
advise their clients on 
their risk management 
needs. Brokers act on 
behalf of their clients 
to arrange appropriate 
coverage with insurers 
and assist clients with 
any claims process.

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019

Worldwide office network  
(excluding unisonSteadfast)

1

UK

47

Asia

16

NT

381

QLD

WA

200

117

SA

545

NSW

478

ACT

27

VIC

30

TAS

97

North  
Island

23

South 
Island

1.Steadfast Network

Key benefits to brokers include: 

Steadfast Network GWP ($bn)1

Market-leading  

policy wordings

Exclusive access to 

Steadfast proprietary 

technology

398

brokers in the  

Steadfast Network

160+

exclusive products  

Tools and support 

and services

$bn

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

6.1

5.3

5.0

4.4

4.5

4.1

3.9

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

1Excludes unisonSteadfast

05

2. Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

Steadfast Underwriting 
Agencies is the largest 
underwriting agency 
group in Australasia.

The agencies extend our intermediated general insurance 

distribution by offering brokers, inside and outside of the 

Steadfast Network, specialised products and capacity in 

niche markets.

06

Steadfast Underwriting  
Agencies GWP ($m)

1,173

914

745

777

$m

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

145

385

0

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

3.  Complementary businesses 

Seven complementary businesses support the 

operations of the Steadfast Network and Steadfast 

Underwriting Agencies and provide an EBITA 

contribution to the Group.

Our partners

Major insurer partners 

Over our 23 year history, 

Steadfast Group has developed 

strong relationships with 

carefully selected insurers, 

underwriting agencies, 

premium funding and strategic 

partners that support the 

Steadfast Network.

Strategic partner

Premium funding partners

07

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Client

Steadfast Network 
Brokers

Client relationship 
management and back  
office system

Powered by

Steadfast Client  
Trading Platform

Contestable digital 
marketplace

Powered by

Insurer partners

Steadfast  
Underwriting 
Agencies

Powered by

Key strategy: our insurTech

Steadfast Technologies provides exclusive, market-leading 

technology to support broker and underwriting agency 

operations and facilitate interactions with our insurer 

partners to support client outcomes.

This technology positions us as a global leader in 

insurance technology (insurTech) and facilitates our 

strong market position.

  Virtual Underwriter: powers the Steadfast Client 
Trading Platform (SCTP), a contestable digital marketplace 

giving brokers automated access to all insurers who 

connect to the platform allowing comparison of policies 

and prices on a single screen.

  Insight: client relationship management and  
back office system for brokers offering a single view  

of their business.

  UnderwriterCentral: underwriting agency 
management system which manages the entire  

policy lifecycle.

A global leader  
in insurance 
technology.

08

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019

SCTP benefits for clients:

SCTP benefits for brokers:

SCTP benefits for insurers:

  Contestable digital marketplace 

  Automated market access to 

  Automated access to Steadfast 

generating improved pricing 

leading insurers. 

Network for all policies placed 

competition and coverage. 

  Market-leading policy wordings. 

  Market-leading policies. 

  Fixed commission, same  

  Instant policy issue, maintenance 

for all insurers. 

and renewal, all on a market 

contestable basis. 

  Linked and supported by the 

Steadfast claims triage team. 

  In-depth data analytics. 

  Stimulates advisory discussions 

with clients on their insurance 

programs with the major market 

players.

on the platform.

  Significantly reduced technology 

and distribution costs. 

  Data analytics and market insights, 

live at all times .

  Updated policy wordings, based  

on prior claims scenarios.

General insurance lines live on SCTP

 Business pack

 Strata (in beta testing)

 Professional risks

  Domestic home

  Commercial property and 

 Domestic motor

industrial special risks

 Landlords 

 Liability

 Commercial motor 

Major insurer partners and Underwriting 
Agencies live on the SCTP

2023 platform target

60% 

of 80% of available 
GWP to be transacted 
on SCTP.

09

Key strategy: international growth

Expanding our markets

While we are primarily focused on our Australian and New Zealand markets, 

we are also growing our international presence to create geographically 

diverse revenue streams. We are doing so with a low-risk, ‘capital-light’ 

strategy where we either build revenue streams to self-fund expansion or 

acquire an equity stake in an existing global network (unisonSteadfast).

62 

network brokers in  

New Zealand and Asia

2

3

Replicating our model in  
New Zealand

The Steadfast Network model has 

been successfully replicated in 

jurisdictions where there is a similar 

insurance market, strong regulatory 

framework and demand from 

brokers to join a network offering 

market-leading policy wordings, 

market competitive pricing and a 

range of products and services that 

give them a competitive edge. 

Agreements with insurer partners 

create professional services fees with 

additional products and services 

made available to each jurisdiction 

as demand grows.

Asia is our next market to roll 

out the Steadfast model with 

variations according to geographic 

requirements.

10

1

Steadfast offices: 1. New Zealand 2. Asia 3. London

unisonSteadfast

A global broker network to access new 

markets for the Steadfast Network via inbound 

and outbound insurance placements.

Steadfast Group has a 40% stake in unisonSteadfast  

which is one of the largest global networks of  

general insurance brokerages with 267 brokerages  

across 135 countries.

267 

brokerages

135

countries

Head office: Hamburg, Germany

Recent developments

  GWP aggregation – analysis of global  

GWP generated by unisonSteadfast brokers.

  Global insurers – meetings held with senior executives 

at global insurers to discuss improved distribution 

through unisonSteadfast network.

  Seeking to increase professional indemnity (PI) cover 

for unisonSteadfast brokers - creation of first new 

product for unisonSteadfast brokers.

600+ 

referrals between the 

Steadfast Network and 

unisonSteadfast

11

Steadfast Group Annual Report 20192019 financial highlights

Underlying NPAT

Underlying EPS (NPAT)

Total dividend

$89m

up 19% year-on-year

11.3cps 8.5cps

up 16% year-on-year

up 13% year-on-year

Underlying revenue
$688m up 21% year-on-year

Total billings 

$m

800

700

600

500

400

300

688

567

491

459

299

200

156 173

100

0

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

$8.4bn+

Steadfast Network brokers, Steadfast 
Underwriting Agencies GWP plus 
fees, levies, taxes

Underlying EBITA, excluding impact 
from dividend income and mark-to- 
market adjustments for JLG investments
$193m up 18% year-on-year 

$m

200

150

100

50

0

193

164

143

130

90

62

57

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

Steadfast Network GWP
$6.1bn up 16% year-on-year

Steadfast Underwriting 
Agencies GWP
$1,173m up 28% year-on-year

Steadfast Client Trading 
Platform GWP
$440m up 91% year-on-year

6.1

5.3

5.0

4.4 4.5

4.1

3.9

$m

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

114

145

1,173

914

777

745

385

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

0

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

500

400

300

200

100

0

440

231

98

40

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

$m

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

12

corporate activity, as at 30 June 2019. This excludes the 

debt referable to IQumulate Premium Funding which is 

ring-fenced (i.e not cross-collateralised) from the rest of the 

Group (as the debt has corresponding premium funding 

receivables that act as security against the premium funding 

lending). 

Governance 

Steadfast Group continues to adhere to the corporate 

governance principles as set out by the ASX Corporate 

Governance Council. Our governance framework and 

robust risk management strategies are set out in more detail 

on page 37 and I am pleased to note another year in which 

there were no material departures from these principles. 

Message from the Chairman

Recent initiatives 

Since year end, Steadfast has announced the launch of  

The Directors are pleased to report a FY19 result at 

its takeover offer for IBNA Limited which has the potential 

the top end of our guidance range, as upgraded in 

to add an additional 79 members to the network. This will 

October 2018. This was driven by an 18% increase 

involve the issue of up to $70 million of shares (at $3.28) 

in underlying earnings before interest, tax and 

with a potential annualised uplift to underlying EBITA of  

amortisation (EBITA) and a 19% increase in underlying 

$8 million.

net profit after tax (NPAT). Pleasingly, we reported 

underlying earnings per share of 11.27 cents, an uplift 

of 16%, which places us in the top quartile of ASX200 

peers. 

These excellent results continue the Group's 

strong performance since listing in 2013. Our total 

shareholder return was 28% for the year and since 

listing has been 239%.

Dividend

The Board has declared a fully-franked final dividend of 5.3 

cps, up 13% from last year. This takes the total dividend to 

8.5 cps (fully-franked). The 2019 total dividend represents a 

payout ratio of 76%, in-line with our target range of 65% – 

In addition we have offered Steadfast Network brokers the 

opportunity to forego future rebates of professional service 

fees in exchange for shares or cash using an 8.32 times 

multiple and a $3.28 share price.

Given the above, and the pipeline of acquisitions, the Board 

has announced a fully underwritten placement to raise 

approximately $100 million and an accompanying Share 

Purchase Plan.

The impact of these initiatives to the outlook are covered 

on page 15 in the Managing Director & CEO's message. The 

accounting treatment is covered on page 16 in the Chief 

Financial Officer's message.

85% of underlying net profit after tax, adjusting for non-

Thank you 

trading items.

Capital management 

We continue to be prudent with our capital as we assess 

potential acquisition opportunities against disciplined 

criteria. We made a total investment of $136 million during 

FY19. This included 7 new acquisitions and 12 increases in 

our equity holdings in Steadfast Network brokerages and 

underwriting agencies. 

Our total Group gearing ratio is 23.9% which is within the 

Board-mandated Group maximum of 30%. Long-term 

corporate debt facilities of $385 million are in place with 

$90 million of unutilised capacity available to fund future 

I would like to thank all of our employees, led by our highly 

experienced Managing Director & CEO Robert Kelly, for 

their amazing efforts to deliver such excellent results for our 

shareholders.

This performance would not have been possible without 

the contribution from Steadfast brokers, Steadfast 

Underwriting Agencies and complementary businesses. 

I would also like to extend my gratitude to my fellow 

Board Directors who continue to be focused on strong 

governance and driving shareholder value. 

We look forward to another great year ahead.

Frank O’Halloran, AM 
Chairman

13

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Message from the  
Managing Director & CEO

I’m pleased to report that FY19 was another record 

Takeover offer for IBNA

year for Steadfast Group. We reported underlying 

IBNA is an outstanding Australian general insurance broker 

earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) 

network with 79 brokers placing $1.25bn of GWP annually. 

of $193 million and underlying net profit after tax 

We recently announced a takeover offer for IBNA to 

(NPAT) of $89 million. This strong performance was 

support its brokerages to join the Steadfast Network. IBNA 

driven by organic and acquisition growth from our 

brokerages have expressed interest in joining our Network 

Steadfast brokerages and underwriting agencies. 

to take advantage of the 160 products and services that 

Steadfast Network

We grew Steadfast Network gross written premium 

we offer to support their businesses, particularly our 

insurance technology (“insurTech”). 

(GWP) to $6.1 billion in FY19, up from $5.3 billion in FY18. 

We look forward to welcoming these brokerages to our 

This was driven by continuing moderate premium price 

Network as we continue to grow our presence as the 

rises and new brokerages joining the Network. 

largest general insurance broker network in Australasia1. 

We now have 398 brokerages in the Network with 

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies 

21 having joined in FY19. We have 336 brokerages in 

The Steadfast Underwriting Agencies generated over 

Australia and have continued to grow our international 

$1.17 billion of GWP, a 28% uplift over FY18. Their niche 

presence with 48 in New Zealand and 14 in Singapore.  

expertise allowed them to grow market share which, 

We also have a 40% interest in unisonSteadfast Network 

combined with a rising premium price environment,  

of 267 brokerages across the globe. 

led to underlying EBITA growth of 25%.

1 Steadfast Group and APRA Intermediated General Insurance Performance 
Statistics (December 2018).

14

We now have 26 agencies since the additional of heavy 

Outlook

vehicle specialists, HMIA, to our portfolio during FY19. 

We saw moderate premium price increases by strategic 

Our insurTech

Our market-leading technology continues to gain 

traction with our broker network. Over $400 million of 

partners across our key market in FY19. We expect this 

trend to continue through FY20 as insurers look to 

improve their profitability. 

GWP was transacted on the Steadfast Client Trading 

We will continue to focus on rolling out and driving 

Platform (SCTP) in FY19 as brokers took advantage of the 

usage of our technology as we target 60% of the 80% of 

efficiency and full market view that the platform offers. 

available GWP that can be transacted via the SCTP. This 

As the final few major insurer partners join the platform, 

will drive improved outcomes for clients and offer fixed 

brokers will continue to increase their usage.

remuneration for brokers via all insurers that participate.

Acquisitions

Our acquisitions made a solid contribution to underlying 

EBITA growth in FY19. Of particular note were our 

acquisitions of Community Broker Network (CBN) 

and the remaining 50% of Macquarie Pacific Funding 

Our FY20 guidance is underlying EBITA of between  

$215 million and $225 million, underlying NPAT of 

between $100 million and $110 million. This equates 

to 5% to 10% growth in underlying earnings per share 

(NPAT)1 :

(renamed IQumulate), thus growing our presence in the 

  Strategic partners continuing to drive moderate 

strategically important authorised representative and 

premium price increases;

premium funding markets.

 Increased contribution from insurTech;

Steadfast Client Trading Platform GWP ($m)

  Ongoing technology investment;

500

400

300

200

100

0

440

231

98

40

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

$6.1bn

 Steadfast Network GWP

$89m

 Underlying NPAT

  Minimum 80% acceptance of IBNA takeover offer;

  PSF Rebate Acquisition proceeds with minimum 33% 

take up by Network brokers (of which 20% requesting 

cash)2; and

  Completion of a fully underwritten placement to raise 

approximately $100 million and accompanying Share 

Purchase Plan.

Refer to pages 48 to 52 on key risks.

Thank you

I would like to thank our employees, Board members, 

Steadfast Network brokers, Steadfast Underwriting 

Agencies, complementary business and strategic 

partners for contributing to our record performance this 

year. I would also like to thank all our shareholders for 

their ongoing support. 

We have had another great year but there is much more 

to achieve and I look forward to working with all of our 

stakeholders for many years to come. 

Robert Kelly 
Managing Director & CEO

1 Includes allowance for issue of new shares for the equity raising and IBNA 
and Steadfast Network transactions.

2 The PSF Rebate Acquisition and its structure should it proceed, remains subject 
to further consideration and approval of the Board.

15

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Message from the  
Chief Financial Officer

FY19 was another record year for Steadfast Group 

where we delivered strong shareholder returns 

whilst maintaining our solid balance sheet. 

Earnings per share and dividend growth

Strong organic (+11%) and acquisition (+7%) underlying 

EBITA growth drove underlying diluted EPS (NPAT) 

of 11.27 cents per share (+16%) allowing the Board to 

declare a total dividend of 8.5 cents per share (+13%). 

This was achieved while we continue to invest in our 

market-leading technology platform to enhance the 

Group’s long-term offering and earnings potential. 

As expected for a working capital and capital 

expenditure-light business, the earnings were 

translated into cash flow throughout the year. This 

cash has been utilised to fund further acquisitions 

and pay increased dividends to shareholders. 

Balance sheet 

We continue to invest 
in our market-leading 
technology platform to 
enhance the Group’s  
long-term offering and 
earnings potential.

IQumulate acquisition  

We acquired the remaining 50% of Macquarie Premium 

Funding (renamed IQumulate) in FY19. This will bring 

further debt onto the Group's balance sheet which will be 

offset by premium funding receivables that act as security 

for these loans. The premium funding debt and assets are 

ring-fenced (i.e not cross-collateralised) from the Group's 

corporate borrowings.

Reconciliation of earnings 

Steadfast Group’s balance sheet remains strong, during 

Page 17 shows the reconciliation of earnings between  

FY19 we increased our debt facilities by $100 million to 

the statutory profit and the underlying earnings.

$385 million. These facilities have now been extended to 

August 2021. 

On the assumption that the IBNA Limited takeover 

and the Steadfast Network brokers offer proceeds, it is 

With our recent initiatives including the takeover offer for 

anticipated that, under Australian Accounting Standards, 

IBNA Limited and the opportunity for Steadfast Network 

any consideration paid will be expensed in the Group’s 

brokerages to capitalise their PSF rebates, together with 

FY20 statutory accounts (and could result in a statutory 

our continual strong pipeline of acquisitions, we have 

loss). This will, however, be excluded from normalised 

announced a fully underwritten placement to raise 

underlying earnings.

approximately $100 million with an accompanying  

Share Purchase Plan. 

18%

underlying EBITA growth FY19

19%

underlying NPAT growth FY19

16

This expense (which is expected to cause a statutory loss) 

FY19 underlying EBITA mix (IFRS)

will be normalised in Steadfast Group's FY20 financial 

results to reflect the true underlying position of the 

business.

Our financiers have agreed that this expense will not be 

counted for financial covenant purposes.

Our ability to pay franked dividends in FY20 will be 

unaffected, as they can be funded via the Undistributed 

Profits reserve.

Year ended 30 June, $million

2019

2018

Underlying Revenue

Underlying EBITA

Underlying NPAT

Underlying NPATA

Underlying EPS (NPAT)

688.3

193.3

89.2

114.1

11.27

567.0

164.1

75.0

97.3

9.71

Underlying EPS (NPATA)

14.42

12.60

Reconciliation of earnings:

Statutory comprehensive income 
after tax

Change in value and sale of 
investments

Share-based payment expense on 
share options and executive loans  
and shares

Deferred acquisition adjustments

Impairments

Non-recurring costs from closure of 
residential builders agency

Other

Underlying NPAT

Underlying NPAT growth

Amortisation 

Underlying NPATA1

Underlying NPATA growth

103.8

75.9

(14.6)

(0.2)

–

0.1

–

–

(0.1)

89.2

(0.4)

(3.1)

2.3

0.5

-

75.0

19.0%

12.9%

24.9

114.1

22.3

97.3

17.3% 

11.6%

*For further information refer note 4 to the accounts.

Thank you 

Significant time and effort go into the collation of the 

financial data for the Group, including from across a 

number of businesses, so that stakeholders obtain quality, 

reliable and timely data. My thanks go to all who have 

participated in their collation.

Stephen Humphrys 
Chief Financial Officer

Investments in Steadfast equity brokers

48%

Investments in Steadfast  
Underwriting Agencies

  Earnings from other businesses

44%

8%

Underlying earnings per share (NPAT) 

and dividend growth (cents per share)

12
12

10
10

8
8

11.3
11.3

8.5
8.5

9.7
9.7

8.9
8.9

7.5
7.5

7.0
7.0

8.1
8.1

7.2
7.2

6.2
6.2

6.0
6.0

6
6

5.4
5.4

5.0
5.0

4.5
4.5

4
4

2
2

0
0

FY13
FY13

FY14
FY14

FY15
FY15

FY16
FY16

FY17
FY17

FY18
FY18

FY19
FY19

  Underlying earnings per share (NPAT)

  Dividend per share

Underlying net profit after tax ($m)

$m

100

80

60

40

20

0

89.2

75.0

66.4

60.4

42.1

32.4

28.1

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

1Calculated on consistent basis since IPO

17

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019 
 
 
Board of Directors

18

Frank O’Halloran, AM 

Non-Executive Chairman (independent)

Frank had over 35 years’ experience at QBE where he  

was Group CEO from 1998 until 2012. He also worked with Coopers 

& Lybrand for 13 years where he started his career as a Chartered 

Accountant. Frank was President of the Insurance Council of Australia 

from 1999 to 2000 and was inducted into the International Insurance 

Hall of Fame in 2010. He was the Chairman of The Salvation Army 

Sydney Appeal and Fund Development Committee from 2013 to 2019.

Robert Kelly 

Managing Director & CEO

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has over 50 years’ experience in the 

insurance industry. He is ranked the second most influential person in 

insurance by Insurance News, and was awarded the ACORD Rainmaker 

Award in 2014. Robert is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, a Fellow 

of NIBA, a Senior Associate of ANZIIF, a Certified Insurance Professional, 

Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors 

and sits on the ACORD Board in New York. Robert is also a Director of 

ASX-listed Johns Lyng Group Limited and not-for-profit organisation 

KidsXpress.

David Liddy, AM 

Non-Executive Director (independent)

David has over 40 years’ experience in banking, including postings 

in London and Hong Kong. He was Managing Director of Bank of 

Queensland from 2001 to 2011. David is a Director of EML Payments 

Limited. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Gai McGrath 

Non-Executive Director (independent)

Gai has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services and legal 

industries. This includes 12 years with Westpac Group where she was 

General Manager of Westpac’s retail banking business in Australia from 

2012 to 2015 and in New Zealand from 2010 to 2012. Gai is a Director of 

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia Limited (where she also chairs 

the Audit Committee), IMB Bank (where she chairs the People & Culture 

Committee and Financial Planning Committee), HBF Health Limited and 

Toyota Finance Australia Limited.

Anne O’Driscoll 

Non-Executive Director (independent)

Anne has over 30 years' business experience. A Chartered Accountant 

since 1984, she was CFO of Genworth Australia from 2009 to 2012 

following more than 13 years with IAG. Anne is on the Board of 

Infomedia Limited, FINEOS Corporation Holdings Plc, Commonwealth 

Bank’s insurance subsidiaries (CommInsure) and MDA National 

Insurance Pty Ltd. She is a Fellow of ANZIIF, a Graduate member of the 

Australian Institute of Company Directors and a graduate of Harvard’s 

Advanced Management Program.

Philip Purcell

Non-Executive Director (independent)

Philip has over 40 years’ experience in the insurance and legal 

industries. He has been a partner at Dunhill Madden Butler, 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal and Ebsworth & Ebsworth, and has  

held two Board positions with GE in Australia. Philip consults to  

clients who are engaged in commercial transactions or mediation  

of commercial disputes.

Greg Rynenberg 

Non-Executive Director (independent)

Greg has over 40 years' experience in the general insurance broking 

industry with 35 years spent running his own business, East West 

Group. East West Group is a Steadfast Network Broker not owned by 

Steadfast and includes an underwriting agency which provides services 

to Steadfast Network Brokers. Greg is a Qualified Practising Insurance 

Broker, Fellow of NIBA and an Associate of ANZIIF. He holds an 

Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (General Insurance Broking) and 

was named NIBA Queensland Broker for 2014.

19

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Senior Management Team

Robert Kelly
Managing Director & CEO

Stephen Humphrys 
Chief Financial Officer

Samantha Hollman 
Chief Operating Officer

Robert co-founded Steadfast  
and has over 50 years’ experience in the 
insurance industry. He is ranked the second 
most influential person in insurance by 
Insurance News, and was awarded the 
ACORD Rainmaker Award in 2014. Robert 
is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, 
a Fellow of NIBA, a Senior Associate of 
ANZIIF, a Certified Insurance Professional, 
Graduate member of the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors and sits 
on the ACORD Board in New York. Robert 
is also a Director of ASX-listed Johns 
Lyng Group Limited and not-for-profit 
organisation KidsXpress.

Stephen joined Steadfast in 2013 and has 
over 30 years’ experience as a Chartered 
Accountant and extensive experience in 
acquisitions and integrations. As Managing 
Director of Moore Stephens Sydney for 10 
years and Chairman of Moore Stephens 
Australasia for three, Stephen played a key 
role in placing Moore Stephens into the top 
10 accounting firms in Australia. Stephen 
is a Fellow of Australia and New Zealand 
Chartered Accountants.

Samantha has 25 years' experience in the 
insurance industry including 19 years at 
Steadfast. She was promoted to COO in 
September 2016 to direct and manage 
operational activities of the organisation 
and to ensure the implementation of the 
overall strategy. Samantha works closely 
with the Managing Director & CEO and the 
Board to implement strategic initiatives for 
the Group on a national and international 
level. Samantha sits on the unisonSteadfast 
Supervisory Board. 

Simon Lightbody 
Chief Executive Officer  
Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

Allan Reynolds 
Executive General Manager 
Direct, New Zealand & Asia

Nick Cook 
Executive General Manager 
Partner & Broker Services

Simon has worked in the insurance 
industry for over 25 years in both the UK (at 
Lloyd’s of London) and Australia, including 
nine years within his own business, 
Miramar Underwriting Agency (Miramar). 
Steadfast entered into the underwriting 
agency market in 2005 as a 50% joint 
venture partner of Miramar and acquired 
the remaining balance in August 2013.

Allan joined Steadfast in 2002, and 
in April 2015 took on the Direct, New 
Zealand & Singapore portfolios. With a 
background in product development 
and distribution, corporate strategy and 
portfolio management, Allan has more 
than 40 years' experience in general 
insurance. He holds a Diploma of Business 
Studies (Insurance), is a Certified Insurance 
Professional and is a Fellow, honorary 
member and Chairman of ANZIIF.

Nick, who joined Steadfast in February 
2015, had over 15 years’ experience at 
Zurich Financial Services, including three 
as the Head of Customer & Proposition 
Development (where he was responsible 
for the performance of Zurich products 
& propositions in the marketplace) and 
nine years as a distribution manager. He 
is an Associate ANZIIF member and has 
graduated from both the AGSM Leadership 
Program and the Prosci Organizational 
Change Management Program.

20

Peter Roberts 
Executive General Manager 
Business Solutions 

John O'Herlihy 
Executive General Manager - 
Operations & Acquisitions

Jeff Papps 
Executive General Manager - 
Operations & Acquisitions

Peter joined Steadfast in 2013 and 
focuses on back office outsourcing 
opportunities for the Group. He was also 
Managing Director of White Outsourcing 
until stepping down on 30 June 2016 
to concentrate on his role at Steadfast 
Business Solutions. Peter has over 25 years’ 
experience in accounting and back office 
services to the financial services sector, is 
a member of Australia and New Zealand 
Chartered Accountants, and commenced 
his career in accounting with KPMG. Peter 
is a company secretary of Steadfast.

John joined Steadfast in 2012 and is joint 
lead of the Operations and Acquisitions 
team. Having completed his professional 
accounting training with KPMG in 1996, 
John has spent over 15 years working 
within the insurance industry. During 
this time he has held a number of senior 
finance and operational roles in both 
North America and Australia specialising 
in corporate transactions. John is now 
a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants Ireland.

Jeff joined Steadfast in 2012 and is joint 
lead of the Operations and Acquisitions 
team. Prior to joining Steadfast, Jeff  
worked for PwC specialising in financial 
services. After transferring from London  
to Sydney in 1998, he focused on mergers 
and acquisitions, leading domestic and 
cross border transactions and listings 
across Australia, Asia, Europe and North 
America. Jeff is a Member of the Institute  
of Chartered Accountants in England  
and Wales.

Duncan Ramsay
General Counsel

Duncan began with Steadfast in June 2014 
after 20 years at QBE. He was Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary. Duncan's 
career commenced in 1986 with Freehills 
in  Sydney. He holds degrees in commerce 
and law, and a graduate certificate in applied 
risk management. Duncan is a Fellow 
of ANZIIF and the Governance Institute 
of Australia, as well as a graduate of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Linda Ellis 
Group Company Secretary  
& Corporate Counsel

Martyn Thompson 
Executive General Manager - 
Corporate Development

Linda is Group Company Secretary & 
Corporate Counsel at Steadfast Group Limited 
and has been part of the Executive team since 
2013. Before joining Steadfast, she specialised 
in mergers and acquisitions and worked 
in Sydney and London at global law firms.
Linda is a Graduate member of the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors, holds a BEc 
and LLB (Hons I) from The University of 
Sydney and is on the boards of Abbotsleigh 
School for Girls, Mosman Preparatory School 
and the advisory board of Heads Over Heels.

Martyn recently joined Steadfast with 
over 35 years’ experience as an Insurance 
Broker, the previous 29 years working in 
senior roles for the global Broker, Willis 
Towers Watson. During this tenure he was 
National Client Service Director responsible 
for implementing service platforms and 
standards across the network including 
providing risk and insurance solutions 
to many ASX companies, government 
and Multi-National organisations. He is a 
Senior Associate ANZIIF, holds a Diploma 
of Financial Services and a Graduate 
Certificate in Business Administration.

21

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019As part of our culture, a 
commitment to doing the 
right thing and acting 
responsibly are key planks 
of our commitment to CSR 
and ESG standards.

22

Corporate and Social  
Responsibility (CSR), 
Environmental, Social 
and Governance (ESG)

Our approach to CSR and ESG

Steadfast’s long term sustainability is enhanced by our 

CSR program and by our focus on ESG considerations. 

Our Board considers that CSR and ESG are important 

elements of acting in the best interests of our 

shareholders as we continue to develop our long term 

sustainability as a business. As part of our culture, 

a commitment to doing the right thing and acting 

responsibly are key planks of our commitment to CSR 

and ESG standards. In the process:

  We engage our people. We demonstrate that we care 

about them and the issues that are important to them.

  Our businesses feel proud of being part of the Steadfast 

Group.

  Client outcomes are better when culture is ethical and 

responsible. 

  We make a positive impact in our communities.

  We have better long term sustainability and 

performance in the best interests of our stakeholders.

23

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019i o n

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Corporate and Social 
Responsibility Program

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24

 
 
 
 
Our CSR framework

We have considered how we can help make a difference to some of the world's most pressing environmental 

and social challenges, through our CSR program to our business and sphere of influence. We have formulated five 

principles which align with our business and culture and where we can have the most impact. 

Steadfast’s CSR program is centred on these five principles: 

Contribute to climate action

Promote gender equality

Our relationship with Sustainability Ambassador,  

We are committed to gender equality as a sound 

Tim Jarvis AM, provides Steadfast with an opportunity 

business practice and because it is the right thing to do. 

to contribute on climate change and the transition to a 

Diversity and inclusion is important in our business and 

lower-carbon economy.

we also promote gender equality through supporting 

 Steadfast Sustainability Ambassador: Tim Jarvis AM. 

 Energy efficiency. 

 Carbon offsetting.

initiatives outside Steadfast.

 Diversity & inclusion. 

 Heads Over Heels. 

 Dive In festival. 

 Woman in Insurance.  

 Wear it Purple.

Help reduce poverty

Support work opportunity

Insurance protects individuals and businesses when 

Insurance is a key factor in enabling sustainable economic 

disaster strikes, providing a safety net against poverty and 

growth. We provide insurance products that support 

building financial wellbeing. Our brokers and underwriting 

decent work such as through our workers’ compensation 

agencies are proud to provide their clients with insurance 

solutions business, accident & health solutions and life 

solutions and advice.

 Our brokers, underwriting agencies and their clients. 

  Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Sydney  

Launch sponsor.

 Steadfast Foundation.

Encourage health and wellbeing

Steadfast is committed to good health and wellbeing 

outcomes for our people and much of our charity 

giving is directed to improving health outcomes in our 

community.

 Employee attraction, retention and engagement. 

 Health, safety & wellbeing. 

 Steadfast Foundation.

insurance solutions. Our support for Indigenous people 

aims to provide opportunities for work and growth. 

 Our brokers and their clients. 

 Industry engagement & leadership. 

 Reconciliation Action Plan. 

 Indigenous Engagement Ambassador. 

 Investment in Origin Insurance. 

 Human rights and modern slavery. 

 Governance framework. 

 Date protection & privacy.

ESG

Our ESG approach is evolving.

Our ESG initiatives overlap with 

our CSR framework and we set 

them out under the three pillars 

of environmental, social and 

governance in the following pages.

25

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Environmental

Steadfast’s Sustainability Ambassador,  
Tim Jarvis AM 

Tim Jarvis AM wears many hats and one of those is 

Steadfast’s sustainability ambassador.

Tim is a polar explorer, environmental scientist, author, 

public speaker and film maker. Tim holds Masters 

degrees in environmental science and environmental 

law. He was conferred a Member of the Order of 

Australia (AM) for services to the environment, 

community and exploration in the 2010 Australian 

honours list and was voted Conservationist of the Year 

in 2016 by the Australian Geographic Society. In 2013, 

Tim successfully recreated Sir Ernest Shackleton's epic 

crossing of the Southern Ocean. 

Tim speaks regularly to Steadfast businesses, 

highlighting the importance of environmental 

sustainability and providing practical guidance on 

what steps individuals and businesses can take to 

become more environmentally sustainable.

Energy efficiency

We look for opportunities to reduce our environmental 

impact and improve energy efficiency. An example 

of a recent initiative is changing over the lighting in 

head office to Light Emitting Diode (LED) to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the considerable up 

front cost, there was a compelling business case due 

to the reduction in ongoing energy and maintenance 

costs.

Carbon offsetting

Steadfast demonstrates its commitment to minimising 

the impact we have on the environment by offsetting 

the carbon emissions of the Senior Management 

Team’s corporate travel.

Our carbon offsets reflect Steadfast’s CSR priorities. 

We direct our carbon offsetting to support local 

communities in Africa with a focus on empowering 

women and addressing the effects of climate change  

on local communities.

26

South Georgia, 2018 
Credit: Miles Rowland

Tim speaks regularly 
to Steadfast businesses, 
highlighting the importance  
of environmental 
sustainability and providing 
practical guidance on 
what steps individuals 
and businesses can 
take to become more 
environmentally sustainable.

Steadfast Convention, Gold Coast, 2019

Social

Our culture and values

Building a culture that supports and enables us to 

possible. Tools include access to helplines, calculators, 

achieve our purpose, vision and strategy in an ethical 

legal and compliance advice and broker development 

and responsible manner is a strategic priority for 

support. We provide advice and services including 

Steadfast. Culture is key to ensuring that how we go 

webinars and professional development days to support 

about doing our work is just as important as what gets 

our brokers in meeting their regulatory obligations, both 

achieved. All our people undertake training on the 

under their Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSL) 

standards of behaviour that are expected and these 

and generally at law.

are also encapsulated in our corporate governance 

policies such as our code of conduct. All our people 

have culture and values KPIs and the Board has charged 

the executives with the responsibility of setting the tone 

from the top in all aspects of their interactions and work.

Our brokers and their clients

We prioritise what matters to our brokers and strive to 

deliver an outstanding broker service to enable Steadfast 

Our Steadfast Client Trading Platform (SCTP) provides 

Steadfast brokers and their clients with choice across 

leading insurers and ‘best in class’ product wordings.  

The SCTP provides real time, full policy life cycle 

capability accessed through the Steadfast Virtual 

Underwriter. This ensures our brokers can provide clients 

with insurance solutions from a range of insurers 

 quickly and efficiently.

Network brokers to thrive. We provide over 160 products 

Steadfast performs an annual ‘Your Shout’ survey of its 

and services to enable them to provide best in class 

brokers. Our brokers indicate that they continue to be 

solutions for their clients and run the best business 

very pleased with the products and service offerings 

Steadfast provides. We strive for continual improvement 

in levels of broker satisfaction.

27

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Social Continued

The Steadfast Convention is the largest insurance 

industry convention in Australia. In 2019, we celebrated 

the 21st Steadfast Convention. The Marketplace is always 

a hive of activity, this year made up of 9 gold sponsors, 

10 silver sponsors and 86 exhibitors. A key focus of 

the convention presentations was the themes of the 

Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, 

Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (the 

Royal Commission), including the importance of always 

working in the best interest of customers and adhering 

to best practice standards. 

Industry engagement and leadership

A number of our senior executives hold leadership roles 

within the industry such as serving on the board of 

industry bodies. Our executives contribute by speaking 

an industry events and judging industry awards. Our 

executives are recognised throughout the industry and 

receive accolades for their leadership and contribution. 

Working with the industry body, National Insurance 

Brokers Association, Steadfast continues to play a 

leading role in seeking to ensure that the insurance 

broker industry stays strong, delivers excellent outcomes 

for customers and meets its legal and ethical obligations 

from a regulatory perspective.

Steadfast welcomed the final report of the Royal 

Commission. It did not generally raise concerns of 

misconduct within insurance broking of general 

insurance. Nonetheless, the Royal Commission and its 

implications provide an opportunity for the industry, 

including Steadfast, to reflect on our practices. 

We will continue to make adjustments to our practices, 

and lead the way, on our journey of continual 

improvement as best practice in insurance broking 

continues to evolve.

Steadfast sponsors a number of industry awards and 

functions including the ANZIIF awards, Mansfield Awards, 

the Northern Territory Insurance Conference and the 

NIBA Conference.

28

Building a culture 
that supports and 
enables us to achieve 
our purpose, vision 
and strategy in an 
ethical and responsible 
manner

Diversity and Inclusion

Steadfast is committed to increasing and supporting 

diversity. This flows naturally from our values and is an 

important part of our culture. Steadfast believes that we 

perform better as a business with diverse people and an 

inclusive culture. It helps us attract, retain and motivate 

the best people. We are proud of our considerable 

gender, ethnic and age diversity and are committed to 

inclusion at all levels regardless of sexual orientation, 

gender identity, age, disability, ethnicity, religious beliefs, 

cultural background or socio-economic background. We 

do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or vilification 

and staff undergo training to support our commitment 

to inclusion. 

Steadfast offers flexible work practices to assist our 

people fulfil their responsibilities outside work. We have 

training programs to prepare our people, particularly 

those we have identified as high potential, for senior 

positions and we actively create opportunities such as 

appointing them to boards within the Steadfast Group, to 

assist professional development.

We are formulating specific numerical targets to further 

improve gender diversity. Our Board receives regular 

gender diversity reporting and gender diversity is an 

important consideration in executive development and 

succession planning. Steadfast undertakes regular gender 

pay equity audits and acts to remedy any inconsistencies 

to drive gender pay equity.

Steadfast is currently furbishing a parents’ room in our 

head office. This will be of great practical support for the 

increasing number of new parents in our team and ease 

their transition back to work.

Gender
We are committed to gender diversity at all levels

Non-executive directors

Key management personnel

Senior executives

  Female 

  Male 

30%

70%

  Female 

  Male 

20%

80%

  Female 

  Male 

31%

69%

Group-wide employees 

Promotions and transfers

Participants in our manager 
development program

  Female 

  Male 

55%

45%

  Female 

  Male 

70%

30%

  Female 

  Male 

60%

40%

Ethnic
Steadfast has considerable ethnic diversity

Head office employees 
place of birth

Workforce language diversity

  Born outside of Australia 

  Born in Australia 

52%

48%

   Non-English speaking background  40%

  English speaking background 

60%

Age
We have excellent age diversity

Age diversity (Group wide)

  Under 30 years old 

  Between 30 and 50 years old 

  Over 50 years old 

28%

61%

21%

Social Continued

Head Over Heels Portfolio Event, March 2019, Sydney

Jobsupport

Head Over Heels

Dive In

Steadfast employs two people from 

Steadfast supports gender diversity 

Steadfast supports Dive In – an annual 

Jobsupport who are making a valuable 

through its sponsorship of Heads Over 

weeklong festival for diversity and 

contribution to the day-to-day running 

Heels. Two of our executives also sit on 

inclusion in insurance. Dive In is a global 

of our head office. Jobsupport is the 

the Heads Over Heels advisory council. 

movement in the insurance sector to 

leading employment service for people 

Heads over Heels is a not-for-profit 

support the development of inclusive 

with intellectual disability in Australia 

organisation that actively supports women 

workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable 

and specialises in providing high quality 

entrepreneurs through providing access to 

people to achieve their potential by raising 

solutions for employers and support 

influential business networks. Its mission is 

awareness of the business case and 

for job seekers and employees with 

to eliminate the discrimination and gender 

promoting positive action for diversity in 

intellectual disability.

inequality faced by women entrepreneurs 

all its forms. 

in Australia through enabling access to the 

business connections they need to grow 

their companies.

Women in Insurance

Wear it Purple

Steadfast supports Women In Insurance, 

Steadfast supports Wear It Purple Day 

a not-for-profit organisation which was 

which strives to foster supportive, safe, 

established to provide a forum to support 

empowering and inclusive environments 

and develop women working in the 

for rainbow young people. Wear it Purple 

was founded in 2010 in response to global 

stories of real teenagers, real heartache 

and several young people taking their own 

lives following bullying and harassment 

resulting from the lack of acceptance of 

their sexuality or gender identity.

insurance industry. 

30

Support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait  
Islander peoples

Reconciliation Action Plan

Steadfast has committed to the development of our first 

It is through these relationships that we seek to have a 

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as part of our broader 

positive impact within our sphere of influence. 

commitment to CSR and diversity and inclusion.

We intend to explore opportunities to assist Aboriginal 

Steadfast’s RAP commitment lays the foundations for 

and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our sphere of 

us to establish meaningful and long-term relationships 

influence – particularly employment and enterprise. 

and contribute to reconciliation in a structured, relevant 

As well as seeking to employ more Aboriginal and 

and respectful way. We recognise that the pillars 

Torres Strait Islander peoples, we have invested in a 

of reconciliation include respect, relationships and 

business, Origin Insurance. It was founded and is run and 

opportunities and these are our guiding principles as we 

majority-owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

begin our reconciliation journey. 

people who we are supporting and we envisage it will 

We are committed to raising awareness and encouraging 

a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

continue to have a strong positive impact for Indigenous 

Australians as it grows. 

Islander peoples - including their culture, history, 

Steadfast has an entrepreneurial culture and we intend 

achievements and aspirations - throughout Steadfast. In 

to continue to explore opportunities to act within our 

this way we are building respect which will be critical to 

sphere of influence, and through our relationships, to 

achieving positive results.

help forge reconciliation.

We are both using existing relationships and forging new 

relationships, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

communities through our business relationships. 

Indigenous Engagement Ambassador 

Steadfast has appointed David Liddiard OAM 

as our Indigenous Engagement Ambassador. 

For the past three decades, David has been 

committed to closing the education, health 

and wellbeing and employment gaps 

between Indigenous and non-Indigenous 

Australians. David is a Ngarabal from 

Northern NSW and a well-known passionate 

advocate of Indigenous Australians.

David’s role includes representing Steadfast’s 

Indigenous commitment and programs, 

providing advice and facilitating Indigenous 

engagement and supporting the business 

interests of Steadfast.

31

David Liddiard OAM

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Social Continued

Support for Indigenous children to  
participate in sport

Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA), a Steadfast 

business, is a platinum partner of Central Coast Academy 

of Sport. 

UAA is in its fifth year of sponsoring the annual 

Indigenous Talent Program to ‘unearth’ local Indigenous 

talent from the Central Coast region and then provide 

scholarships to CCAS sports programs. The scholarships 

provide a localised training environment for eligible 

aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to 

access quality development opportunities and support 

for a number of sports. Each year, UAA provides 16 

scholarships. Thousands of young Indigenous youth  

have benefitted from the program since inception.

We are 
committed to 
raising awareness 
and encouraging 
a deeper 
understanding 
of Aboriginal 
and Torres Strait 
Islander peoples.

UAA is a platinum partner of Central Coast Academy of Sports

32

Human Rights and Modern Slavery

Steadfast rejects any form of modern slavery such as 

slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. 

We are committed to implementing controls to ensure 

it does not occur in our business and raising awareness 

about it in our own business and supply chain. We 

respect the human rights of our employees, customers 

and those of our suppliers and business partners. We 

aim to identify and manage risks related to human 

rights across our business and through our supply chain 

management. 

We manage and mitigate 
emerging threats, including 
cyber threats, by seeking to 
adhere to all legislation and 
appropriate risk management 
standards.

Steadfast is committed to complying with relevant laws, 

community expectations and ethical standards related 

Privacy and security

to human rights and modern slavery in respect of our 

Security of data and information is integral to building 

employees and business. Employees are encouraged 

and maintaining trust with our brokers and strategic 

to report any genuine concerns about modern slavery 

partners and is critical for our brokers to build 

relating to our people, business or supply chain. 

relationships with their customers. We are committed 

Steadfast acknowledges the potential for modern 

slavery to occur in our supply chains. Our suppliers are 

expected to manage their business in an ethical manner 

respecting human rights. In particular, suppliers are 

expected to ensure that all employees and contractors 

are legally entitled to work and no bonded, forced or 

involuntary labour, child labour, human trafficking or 

other forms of slavery employed in the delivery of their 

products and services to Steadfast.

to protecting privacy and data security through 

implementing appropriate policies and procedures 

throughout our business, including in our technology 

platforms such as INSIGHT, our broker operating system. 

We manage and mitigate emerging threats, including 

cyber threats, by seeking to adhere to all legislation and 

appropriate risk management standards.

33

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Social Continued

Employee attraction, retention and 
engagement

We are very proud of our culture and our approach to 

We test our employee engagement through annual 

CSR, including diversity and inclusion. We know that 

engagement surveys and analysis of retention and 

these are important to our people. They are important 

turnover, using the insights to find out what is important 

aspects of our employee attraction, retention and 

to our people and how we can keep improving. Our 

engagement strategy.

We invest in developing our people. Steadfast has a 

formal talent development strategy and we actively 

develop our people. We have a dedicated training 

and development manager who delivers a substantial 

employee engagement surveys continue to place 

Steadfast in the ‘highly engaged’ zone of the engagement 

spectrum and is 10% above the Australian industry 

norm. Our levels of both voluntary and involuntary staff 

turnover are well below the industry average. 

number of training programs throughout the year at 

Steadfast offers an Additional Leave Purchase Scheme 

all levels. Steadfast’s College of Leadership offers our 

enabling our people to salary sacrifice to acquire 

current and future leaders the opportunity to develop 

additional annual leave to facilitate a better balance 

while exposing them to forward-thinking, relevant and 

between professional and personal lives.

practical leadership methodology and application. In 

addition to leadership and management training, our 

people participate in annual development planning to 

ensure their continued technical and non-technical 

development.

Steadfast has introduced a Short-Term Employee 

Incentive Scheme to increase market competitiveness 

and attract, retain and motivate our people. The scheme 

has been designed to ensure goal alignment throughout 

the business and also provides our people with the 

We continue to implement initiatives designed to 

opportunity to receive shares in Steadfast. As well as 

engage employees and build relationships, such as our 

salary and incentive arrangements, Steadfast offers a 

intranet, regular staff meetings and briefings, a formal 

wide-reaching benefits program for our people including 

performance review process, participation in a number 

travel insurances and discounts on a wide range of 

of community events, social activities and an off-site  

consumer goods and cars.

bi-annual workshop. 

We have a graduate program and a school leavers’ 

Steadfast has a volunteer day. We encourage our people 

summer intern program. We are delighted in the quality 

to volunteer, on a day of paid employment, at a charity 

of people who have joined us, and stayed, through these 

of their choice. This initiative also strengthens the link 

programs.

between Steadfast and the Steadfast Foundation as 

we encourage our people to volunteer for a charity 

supported by the Steadfast Foundation.

34

Health, safety and wellbeing

We actively promote the health, safety and wellbeing of 

our people. We have had no material work, health and 

safety incidents.

Our Board receives regular work, health and safety 

(WHS) reports and we are in the process of undergoing 

a comprehensive WHS external audit to review 

and practices and procedures and recommend 

improvements in these and WHS Board reporting. We 

have recently engaged with businesses within our 

Group to review their WHS compliance. We have a 

work, health and safety committee to provide a forum 

for our people to suggest initiatives and raise any 

concerns. 

We have recently renovated one floor of our head 

office. This has produced a fresh and innovative office 

space that boosts employee wellbeing through a better 

working environment. Our office layouts encourage 

collaboration and interaction, making it easier to 

exchange information and share ideas. 

Each desk in the new fitout is a sit and stand desk to 

promote better health. We arrange regular visits by 

ergonomic consultants to help employees set up their 

desks and provide ongoing guidance on posture.

Steadfast has implemented a comprehensive health 

and wellbeing program. Some of our initiatives include 

complimentary:

 Life, total & permanent disability insurance.

 Health assessments and flu shot.

  Access to confidential external Employee Assistance. 

Programs (EAPs) for counselling to support mental 

health.

 Workplace health and safety training.

  A range of education and awareness of key health and 

wellbeing issues including physical fitness, nutrition, 

mental health and stress management.

 On-site yoga classes.

 Participation in the City 2 Surf.

 Fresh fruit bowls. 

Red Shield Appeal 2019 – Sydney Launch Event

Steadfast Foundation

The Steadfast Foundation is in its 8th year. In 2018, a 

second Foundation was also established by our New 

Zealand businesses to support local charities.

Steadfast created the Steadfast Foundation to facilitate 

grants and charitable contributions that support 

charities helping people to overcome adversity, with 

approximately $470,000 donated during the 2018/19 

financial year. Charities are often chosen based on the 

recommendations of Steadfast brokers, and include 

cancer research and support, mental health, children’s 

Steadfast supports flexible workplace initiatives to 

causes and charities supporting domestic violence, the 

recognise and respond to people’s different needs at 

homeless and disadvantaged. Some of the charities 

different stages of their lives and to help our people 

the Steadfast Foundation supported this year include: 

balance personal obligations with their careers. We offer 

Assistance Dogs; Breast Cancer WA; Cancer Patients 

paid parental leave at 12 weeks’ full pay. We engage 

Foundation; Create Foundation; EB Research; Make 

with our people when they are on parental leave, if they 

A Wish; Mary’s House; McGrath Foundation; Prostate 

wish, to maintain a sense of connectedness and ease 

Cancer; Salvation Army and Starlight Children’s’ 

the transition back to work.

Foundation.

35

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019One example of a Steadfast business 

giving back is Community Broker 

Network (CBN). One of the ways CBN 

supports the community is through 

its support of Lifeline. CBN employees 

are encouraged to volunteer at 

Lifeline and the CBN conference in 

July 2019 raised $53,000 for Lifeline 

in donations from CBN authorised 

brokers. Lifeline is a national charity 

providing all Australians experiencing a 

personal crisis with access to 24 hour 

crisis support and suicide prevention 

services.

Steadfast’s CEO Robert Kelly at St Vincent’s de Paul’s 2019 CEO Sleepout

36

Social Continued

Other charities we support 

Steadfast has sponsored the Sydney Launch of the Red 

Shield Appeal for four years. This partnership with the 

Salvation Army has helped raised vital funds for The 

Salvation Army, as well as helping to raise awareness 

of The Salvation Army’s biggest fundraising campaign, 

the Red Shield Appeal. Each year The Salvation Army 

appeals to the Australian community to ensure The 

Salvation Army can give hope where it is needed most 

through the Salvos’ social welfare and community 

service programs. This includes providing shelter for 

people experiencing homelessness, assisting families in 

crisis through practical support and financial counselling, 

and guiding people with addictions through to a clean, 

healthy lifestyle.

Steadfast supports Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Our MD & CEO, 

Robert Kelly, participated for his second time in 2019 and 

was the highest fundraiser at the Sydney event. Steadfast 

is proud to support his efforts to assist Australians 

experiencing homelessness, to raise awareness and bring 

home the realities of homelessness.

Steadfast supports the Starlight Children’s Foundation. 

Each year Steadfast is represented at the Starlight 

Ball and we donate to support the Starlight Children’s 

Foundation in fulfilling its mission ‘To brighten the lives 

of seriously ill children and their families”.

Many Steadfast businesses also have their own social 

responsibility programs and actively support and donate 

to community causes. In aggregate, businesses within 

our Group gave approximately $180,000 to charity in 

the FY19 year. In addition, $275,000 was raised at the 

Steadfast Convention to support Black Dog Institute 

from the generous donations of Steadfast brokers, our 

strategic partners and individuals.

Governance

Our governance framework

Steadfast is committed to high standards of corporate 

governance so that our decisions and actions are based 

on the principles of transparency, integrity, responsibility 

and performance which promote the long term 

sustainability and ongoing success of our business. We 

strive to maintain a compliant and ethical culture in our 

business practices.

Steadfast’s governance framework is crucial for the 

continuing success of its operations and long term 

viability and for protecting the interests of shareholders 

and other stakeholders. Our governance framework 

is explained in our Corporate Governance Statement. 

Our Board and Committee charters and corporate 

governance policies form part of our governance 

framework. These are all available on the corporate 

governance section of our investor website.

Our Board

Steadfast has a strong Board and Chairman. All of our 

non-executive directors (NEDs) are independent. All of 

our NEDs are also on each of our board committees: 

 Audit & Risk Committee.

 Nomination Committee and Remuneration.

 Succession Planning Committee. 

Our Board is responsible for demonstrating leadership, 

defining Steadfast’s purpose and setting its strategic 

objectives. The Board oversees management’s 

implementation of our strategy, performance generally 

and instilling of values and culture. The Board monitors 

the effectiveness of Steadfast’s governance practices. The 

Board charter sets out the respective roles of the Board 

and management. The Board is structured to collectively 

have the skills, experience and industry knowledge to 

enable it to add value and discharge its duties effectively.

Our Senior Management Team is responsible for 

implementing strategy and instilling and reinforcing our 

values and culture within our governance framework.

Code of conduct

Steadfast is committed to maintaining 

high ethical standards in how we conduct 

our business. Our code of conduct sets 

the standards we expect of our directors, 

employees and contractors and the 

expectation that employees act at all 

times consistently with Steadfast’s values 

and ethical standards, including in a legal, 

ethical and responsible manner. Material 

breaches of our code of conduct carry 

serious consequences and are reported to 

the Board.

Whistleblowing

Steadfast encourages employees to speak 

up when they see wrongdoing. We are 

committed to maintaining and continuously 

improving our strong legal, ethical and 

responsible culture. Whistleblowing plays an 

important role in increasing transparency 

and improving our culture.

Our whistleblower policy sets out how 

employees can report concerns they 

may have about misconduct involving 

Steadfast or any of its related companies. 

It also sets out our approach to supporting 

whistleblowers and how Steadfast will 

protect them from harm. It explains what 

steps Steadfast will take to investigate a 

whistleblower’s concerns.

Anti-bribery & corruption

Steadfast prohibits the giving of bribes or 

other improper payments to public officials 

as these are serious criminal offences 

and can damage our reputation and are 

contrary to our legal, ethical and responsible 

culture. Steadfast has controls around the 

giving and receiving of gifts and hospitality 

and provides training for staff about 

how to recognise and deal with bribery 

or corruption. Material breaches of the 

policy carry serious consequences and are 

reported to the Board.

37

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Governance Continued

Compliance with law

Executive remuneration

Steadfast is subject to extensive legal and 

regulatory requirements and obligations, 

and business and ethical standards across 

our business activities.

Compliance with these is critical to enable 

us to deliver our strategy and create long-

term value for our shareholders. Our people 

must comply with all relevant laws and 

regulations as well as the technical and 

ethical requirements of relevant regulatory 

and professional bodies. 

Remuneration is a key driver of culture 

and a focus for investors. Steadfast aims 

to reward its executives with a level of 

remuneration commensurate with their 

responsibilities and position and their ability 

to influence shareholder value creation. 

Our incentive schemes are designed to 

align the interests of shareholders and 

executives, attract and retain high quality 

executives and encourage executives to 

strive to ensure that Steadfast outperforms 

the market on an ongoing basis without 

Steadfast provides mandatory compliance 

rewarding conduct that is contrary to 

training so that our employees understand 

Steadfast’s values or risk appetite. Steadfast 

all relevant laws, regulations and internal 

policies and how to adhere to them and 

sets key performance indicators for each 

executive which are linked to our culture 

apply them in their daily work. Employees 

and aligned to our strategic plan.

must report all actual and potential 

breaches of law or regulations immediately.

Risk management

Steadfast has a sound risk management 

framework and regularly reviews the 

Succession planning

Steadfast has a Board committee 

responsible for remuneration and 

effectiveness of that framework. We have 

succession planning. The Board takes 

a board committee which oversees risk, 

succession planning and executive and 

is chaired by an independent director 

employee development very seriously  

and whose members are all independent 

– for the Board, the Senior Management 

directors. Steadfast considers that 

Team as well as for the leaders of our 

recognising and managing risk is a crucial 

businesses. Senior management is 

responsible for succession planning 

throughout the business. Succession 

planning and executive and employee 

development is critical for the long term 

success of Steadfast.

role of both the Board and management.

Tax

Steadfast has set a low tolerance for tax 

risk and seeks to comply with all applicable 

tax laws, regulations and disclosure 

requirements and to pay the amount that is 

legally required to be paid in all jurisdictions 

in which we operate. The Board has 

oversight of tax governance and the CFO 

is responsible for tax risk management and 

ensuring implementation of Steadfast’s tax 

risk framework.

38

2019 Financial Report

Directors’ report

Remuneration report – audited

Lead auditor’s independence declaration

Financial statements

Consolidated statement of profit or loss  
and other comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Note 1. General information

Note 2.

Significant accounting policies

Note 3.

Critical accounting judgements,  
estimates and assumptions

Note 4. Operating segments

Note 5.

Earnings per share

Note 6. Dividends 

Note 7.

Intangible assets and goodwill

Note 8. Borrowings

Note 9.

Notes to the statement of changes  
in equity and reserves

Note 10. Business combinations

Note 11. Subsidiaries

Note 12.

Investments in associates

Note 13.

Investment in joint ventures

Note 14. Trade and other receivables

Note 15. Property, plant and equipment

Note 16. Financial instruments

Note 17. Contingencies

Note 18. Commitments

Note 19. Events after the reporting period 

Note 20. Share-based remuneration

Note 21. Taxation

Note 22. Notes to the statement of cash flows

Note 23. Related party transactions

Note 24. Parent entity information 

Note 25. Remuneration of auditors

Directors’ declaration

Independent auditor’s report

Shareholders' information

40

56

79

80

82

84

86

87

87

97

99

103

104

106

108

111

113

117

120

122

123

124

124

127

127

127

128

130

133

133

135

136

137

138

143

3939

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial statements of Steadfast Group Limited (Steadfast or 
the Company), its subsidiaries and interests in associates and joint ventures (collectively Steadfast Group or the Group) for the 
financial year ended 30 June 2019 (FY19) and the auditor’s report thereon.

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company at any time during or since the end of the financial year are as follows. Directors were in office 
for the entire period unless otherwise stated.

Name 

CHAIRMAN

Frank O’Halloran, AM

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO

Robert Kelly

OTHER DIRECTORS

David Liddy, AM

Gai McGrath

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Date of appointment

21 October 2012

18 April 1996

1 January 2013

1 June 2018

1 July 2013

1 February 2013

10 August 1998

DIRECTORSHIPS OF OTHER LISTED COMPANIES

Directorships of other listed companies held by the Directors in the three years preceding the end of the financial year are as 
follows:

Name 

Frank O’Halloran, AM

Robert Kelly

David Liddy, AM

Gai McGrath

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Company

None

Period of directorship

Johns Lyng Group Limited

Since 16 November 2017

Collection House Limited

March 2012 to November 2016

EML Payments Limited

Genworth Mortgage Insurance  
Australia Limited

Since April 2012

Since August 2016 

Investa Office Fund

Infomedia Limited

None

None

October 2017 to December 2018

Since December 2014

Particulars of the Directors’ qualifications and experience are set out under Board of Directors on page 18.

Particulars of the Company Secretaries’ qualifications and experience are set out under Senior Management Team on page 21.

40

DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS

The number of Directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of Directors) and number of meetings attended by 
each of the Directors of the Company during the financial year were as follows:

Board

8 

Audit & Risk 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration & 
Succession Planning 
Committee

4

4

5

Eligible to 
attend as a 
member

Attended 
as a 
member

Eligible to 
attend as 
a member

Attended 
as a 
member

Eligible to 
attend as 
a member

Attended  
as a 
member

Eligible to 
attend as 
a member

Attended 
as a 
member

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

-

4

4

4

4

4

4

-

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

5

-

5

5

5

5

5

5

-

5

5

5

5

5

Total number of meetings held

Director

Frank O’Halloran, AM

Robert Kelly

David Liddy, AM

Gai McGrath

Anne O’Driscoll

Philip Purcell

Greg Rynenberg

Particular details of the responsibilities of the members of the Board and the various committees are set out in the Corporate 
Governance Statement in this report, and are also available in the corporate governance section of the Steadfast Investor 
website (http://investor.steadfast.com.au/).

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the Group during the financial year were the provision of services to Steadfast Network brokers, the 
distribution of insurance policies via insurance brokerages and underwriting agencies, and related services.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

There were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group. The Group continued to acquire insurance brokers and 
underwriting agencies during the year, as well as acquiring the remaining 50 percent interest in IQumulate Premium Funding 
Pty Ltd (formerly Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited). Refer Note 10. 

41

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

A. OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

The trading results for the year are summarised as follows (refer Note 4):

Revenue – consolidated entities

Expenses – consolidated entities

EBITA* – consolidated entities

Share of EBITA from associates and joint ventures

EBITA before non-trading items and adjustments for investment in listed securities

Dividends and mark to market adjustments for investment in listed securities

EBITA before non-trading items

Finance costs

Amortisation expense

Profit before income tax before non-trading items

Income tax expense on profit before non-trading items

Profit after income tax before non-trading items

Non-controlling interests in profit after tax before non-trading items

Underlying net profit after income tax attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited 
(Underlying NPAT)

Non-trading items:

Income

Expenses

Income tax benefit/(expense) on non-trading items

Non-controlling interests

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

688,263

567,014

(519,903)

(427,511)

168,360

139,503

24,969

24,567

193,329

164,070

820

1,500

194,149

165,570

(14,610)

(28,648)

(10,578)

(25,219)

150,891

129,773

(43,986)

(40,844)

106,905

(17,708)

88,929

(13,967)

89,197

74,962

15,018

-

(89)

(281)

4,193

(3,026)

255

(530)

Net profit after income tax attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited (NPAT)

103,845

75,854

Other comprehensive income/(expense) attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

1,508

(200)

Total comprehensive income after income tax attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

105,353

75,654

Underlying diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

Statutory diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

11.27

13.12

9.71

9.83

*  EBITA refers to earnings before finance costs, tax and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

Refer Note 4 for reconciliation of underlying earnings (i.e. before non-trading items) to statutory earnings.

The underlying profit attributable to the Group after income tax, before non-trading items was $89.197 million compared to 
$74.962 million in 30 June 2018. The increase was mainly due to: 

•  revenue and profit growth generated by the existing businesses;
•  improved margins in these businesses derived through overall premium rate increases and efficiency gains;
•  increased professional services fee revenue in Australia and New Zealand; and
•  acquisitions of interests in further businesses.

This additional profit was partially offset by higher income tax expense mainly from higher earnings. 

There was an increase in non-trading net gains during the year. Included in non-trading net gains are:

•  profits recognised as a result of re-measuring to fair value the equity interests in businesses that changed from associates or 

joint ventures to subsidiaries;

•  profit on sale of investments; and
•  income reported from downwards revised estimates of deferred acquisition payments where earnout arrangements existed.

42

Some of the financial data in section A on the previous page, namely the EBITA-related and non-trading items, are not 
disclosed in accordance with current Australian Accounting Standards requirements. However, all financial data is based on 
the information disclosed in the audited financial statements and notes to the financial statements of the Group and follow 
the recognition requirements of Australian Accounting Standards.

B. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

I. Financial position

The total assets of the Group as at 30 June 2019 were $2,157.197 million compared to $1,745.265 million as at 30 June 2018. 
The increase was mainly attributable to the addition of assets from acquired businesses throughout the year as detailed in 
Note 10 to the financial statements and the growth of the business.

Total liabilities of the Group as at 30 June 2019 were $1,061.945 million compared to $688.286 million as at 30 June 2018. 
The increase was mainly attributable to the assumption of liabilities from the newly acquired businesses and the additional 
debt utilised to fund the acquisitions, and the growth of the business.

The increase in the Group’s equity from $1,056.979 million at 30 June 2018 to $1,095.252 million at 30 June 2019 largely 
reflects the retention of profits (net of dividends paid) and the reduction in retained earnings as a result of adopting new 
accounting standards. Refer Note 2B.

The Group increased the multibank syndicated facility by $100.000 million to $385.000 million during FY19. As at balance date 
the Group had the capacity to borrow an additional $90.472 million from this facility. Subsequent to balance date this facility 
was extended by one year to August 2021.

During the financial year the Group acquired the remaining interest of joint venture IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd 
(IQumulate), previously Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited. IQumulate became the lender of record for its premium 
funding receivables in late June 2019. As new loans are written, this will bring all premium funding receivables onto the 
consolidated statement of financial position as receivables with the corresponding indebtedness to financiers recognised as a 
liability. 

The Group has applied AASB 9 Financial Instruments and AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers from 1 July 
2018. The implementation of AASB 9 and AASB 15 resulted in the reduction of $1.699 million and $15.145 million respectively, 
to both retained earnings and net assets as at 1 July 2018. In addition, as part of the project undertaken in relation to the 
adoption of AASB 15 and AASB 9, including a comparison to global practices, the Group has also determined that it should 
no longer recognise a receivable in relation to the insurance premiums owed by policyholders upon entering into a policy. 
This is in recognition of the role of the Group’s insurance intermediaries and as such, they are not liable as principals for the 
insurance premiums. Similarly, the Group will not recognise a liability for insurance premiums payable to the insurer until cash 
is received from the policyholder. The impact of the change is a reduction in receivables from broking/underwriting agency 
operations and a reduction in payables on broking/underwriting agency operations. Fee and commission receivable is now 
included in trade and other receivables. The consolidated statement of financial position comparatives have been restated for 
this change in presentation. The change has no impact on the net assets of the Group.

II. Cash from operations

The net inflows of $161.348 million include net inflows from operating activities of $117.650 million and a net inflow of 
$43.698 million to broking accounts.

The net operating cash flows, before broking trust account movements of $117.650 million, are 22% higher than those for the 
prior period, reflecting the continued growth of the Group. This amount represents the continued strong conversion of profit 
into cash inflows from which the dividends paid were funded, leaving the remaining free cash flow available for corporate 
activities, including acquisition of further business interests.

III. Capital management 

As at 30 June 2019, the Company had a total of 793.036 million ordinary shares on issue which is unchanged from 30 June 
2018. Shares were acquired on market for shareholders who opted to reinvest under the Company’s dividend reinvestment 
plan (DRP). The Company also funded the on market acquisition of shares by an employee share trust holding shares to meet 
obligations to Key Management Personnel (KMP) under share-based remuneration. 

The Board leverages the Group’s equity, adopting a maximum 30.0% total gearing ratio excluding premium funding 
operations. The total gearing ratio is defined as total borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries excluding premium 
funding borrowings: total Group equity and total borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries excluding premium funding 
borrowings. As at 30 June 2019, the Group’s total gearing ratio was 23.9% (2018: 17.5%). Refer Note 9C.

43

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

STRATEGY AND PROSPECTS

Steadfast’s business strategy is to continually grow shareholder value through continued expansion of the Steadfast insurance 
distribution model and related businesses domestically and internationally. The table below details the key strategies of the 
Group together with FY19 accomplishments and prospects for future years. Considerable achievements were delivered on 
each of the ongoing strategic objectives. Steadfast Group has a robust risk management framework which includes regularly 
assessing industry and Company-specific risks relevant to the Group and its prospects. The assessment of key risks and the 
strategies in place to manage them are detailed in the next section.

The table below details the key strategies of the Group in FY19 together with FY19 accomplishments to date and future 
prospects.

Strategy

FY19 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

•  Refreshed services to Network based on 

•  Continue to create competition for products 

for the benefit of the Network’s clients
•  Continue to develop the Steadfast brand
•  Continue to enhance and communicate the 

Network value proposition

•  Continue to attract new brokers to the 

Network

•  Provide marketing and business 

development initiatives to the Network
•  Continue to expand the services offered
•  Maintain the Steadfast Convention as the 
premier event in general insurance in 
Australia

•  Continue to grow Steadfast Direct
•  Continue to improve back and middle office 

functionality

•  Continued product development
•  Continued expansion of Steadfast Business 

Solutions

•  Continued provision of risk management 

services to the Network

•  Continue to grow the Superbinder
•  Continue to negotiate, and seek new 
opportunities with strategic partners 
including expanding our product range

•  Continue to develop international in-bound 

and out-bound referrals

•  Continue to develop Steadfast Placement 

Solutions

•  Launch Steadfast London broker
•  Continue to grow Steadfast Asia
•  Continue SCTP and technology initiatives

•  Continue FY19 strategic initiatives and build 

on FY19 achievements

annual “Your Shout” survey including broker 
playbook & broker best practice Professional 
Development (PD) series & webinars 
supporting Network brokers through the 
post Hayne regulatory environment
•  Substantially increased broker usage of 

services

•  Regular communication with Network 

brokers further enhanced, including Town 
Hall meetings, training workshops, webinars,  
The Cover, which is distributed fortnightly
•  Extensive interaction between state-based 
Broker Network team and Network brokers

•  Steadfast Convention — again managed 
entirely in-house and continues to be 
the premier event in general insurance in 
Australia

•  Broker tools continue to be delivered across 

the Network

•  Continue to expand middle and back office 
services to Network via Steadfast Business 
Solutions

•  Enhanced risk management tools
•  Partnerships between underwriting agencies 

and strategic partners enhanced and 
working effectively

•  Product range with strategic partners 

expanded

•  SCTP and technology developments
•  Steadfast New Zealand and Asia highlighted 

below

•  New strategic partners continue to provide 
the Network with products and services to 
the Network that support the broker 
•  Steadfast Convention continues to be 
extremely well supported by strategic 
partners

•  New strategic partners added to SCTP panel
•  Superbinder – added more syndicates and 

expanded capacity

Maintain and develop 
premier service 
offering to Steadfast 
Network brokers

Maintain, build and 
enhance our strategic 
relationships

44

Strategy

FY19 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

Drive growth  
organically and  
through acquisitions

•  12 new Australian brokers joined the 

•  Continue to apply strict cultural, risk and 

financial acquisition guidelines

•  Continue to implement management buy-

ins, hubbing and the co-owner model

•  Continue to enhance and communicate the 

Network value proposition

•  Proactively seek out acquisition 

opportunities including from the broader 
broker market

•  Add new brokers to the Network
•  Drive increased profitability in some of the 

underlying businesses

•  High customer retention strategies
•  Moderate price increases from strategic 

partners to continue

Network; 9 new brokers joined the Network 
outside of Australia

•  Organic EBITA growth of $17.9m
•  Acquisition EBITA growth of $11.3m
•  $117m net total investment in businesses
•  Initiatives executed to drive increased 

profitability in underlying businesses and 
support organic growth

•  Acquisition of equity in 4 new brokers/

underwriting agencies & increased holding 
in 12 equity brokers/underwriting agencies

•  Indirect investments in 3 additional 

brokerages and ARs which were acquired by 
existing equity investments (bolt-ons)
•  3 equity investments in new start-ups
•  Additional brokers added to SBS accounting 

services

•  All acquisitions executed against disciplined 

criteria

•  Continued to assess potential acquisitions in 

the acquisition pipeline

•  Formation of Steadfast Risk Services to 

provide Engineering Survey Reports as well 
as Risk Advisory Services

Expand and solidify 
our international reach

•  Continued underlying business expansion 

•  Continue to investigate potential equity 

offshore

opportunities offshore

•  Develop Steadfast Asia network 
•  Continue to leverage strategic relationships 

to expand offshore

•  Continue to expand operating businesses 

offshore

•  Maximise the value of the unisonSteadfast 

relationship

•  Continue to expand and promote the 

London office and Steadfast’s Lloyd’s broker 
to the Network

•  Further grow Superbinder GWP including 

through our international network

•  New Zealand: 7 new brokers joined the 

Network

•  Launched the first ever contestable platform 
for SME business in New Zealand, with NZI 
and Ando 

•  Established NZ Foundation for charity
•  Steadfast Asia: additional broker joined 
Network, number of brokerages is 14, 
represented by 47 offices

•  Continued collection and collation of GWP 

data for unisonSteadfast to understand 
footprint

•  unisonSteadfast relationship further 

enhanced and developed

•  Outbound and inbound placement requests 

increased through unisonSteadfast

•  Extensive engagement with global strategic 

partners about offshore expansion 
opportunities 

•  Lloyd’s broker licence successfully 

completed 

•  London office: placement services expanded 
and increasing business being placed for 
Steadfast and non-Steadfast brokers

•  Superbinder renewed and writing increasing 

GWP including through SCTP

45

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

Strategy

FY19 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

Grow the Steadfast 
Client Trading Platform 
(SCTP)

•  SCTP rollout and growth continued
•  $440m GWP placed on SCTP, increased 91% 

•  Drive superior client outcomes through 

increased SCTP usage 

year on year

•  Continue to develop and add further 

•  8 strategic partners live on panel for 

product lines

Continue to develop 
and rollout our 
technology platforms

Business Pack

•  15 strategic partners live on SCTP
•  Further wordings developed and in review 

with strategic partners

•  Steadfast broker SCTP site enhancement 
•  Bulk import team successfully supported 

brokers in migrating to SCTP

•  Ongoing training and support for brokers 

using SCTP

•  SCTP Liability auto-rating in Pilot with launch 

to Network in July 2019

•  Implemented enhanced security policies 

and procedures

•  Enhanced efficiency projects
•  SCTP: see above
•  INSIGHT enhancements continued, further 

broker migrations completed, training 
provided

•  UnderwriterCentral: enhancements and 
further development continued, new 
products delivered, further migrations 
completed, business processes improved
•  Launched new investor relations website

•  Continue to add new strategic partners
•  Continue implementation of auto-rating 

interfaces with strategic partners

•  Continue to provide training and support to 
brokers including importing broker business
•  Successful completion of IBNA acquisition 

will provide further SCTP volumes

•  Continue to focus on delivering strong 
outcomes for our businesses and their 
clients

•  Continue to enhance security and efficiency
•  INSIGHT: continue to enhance and drive 

migrations

•  UnderwriterCentral: continue to enhance, 

expand and complete further rollouts

46

Strategy

FY19 achievements

Prospects and strategic initiatives

Continue to enhance 
organisational 
capability and 
sustainability

•  FY19 financial results within guidance range 

•  Continue FY19 strategic initiatives and build 

provided to shareholders

on FY19 achievements

•  Executed $100m increase in syndicated 

•  Further develop a culture of excellence 

debt facility to $385m, within Group gearing 
tolerance

•  MD & CEO agreed to remain in his role until 

end 2022

•  Efficiencies driven with various internal 

initiatives successfully executed

•  Broker and underwriting agency margins 

further improved

•  Continuous review of industry and 

implications of the Royal Commission final 
report to ensure Steadfast remains industry 
leader 

•  Engagement on issues of conflicted 

remuneration where they exist in general 
insurance in anticipation of the review 
recommended by the Royal Commission
•  Strong corporate governance and ongoing 
improvements in risk management and 
governance policies and procedures
•  Brand kept reputable and strong, brand 

that drives business performance including 
further enhancing systems and structures 
for staff development, succession planning, 
TOGETHER behaviour initiative, 360 degree 
assessment and appraisal

•  Optimise funding structure and financing
•  Continue to drive further efficiencies and 

challenge expense base

•  Continue to improve margins in underlying 

businesses

•  Continue to engage and prepare for review 
into conflicted remuneration recommended 
by Royal Commission

•  Continue Human Resources initiatives to 
further enhance Steadfast as an employer 
of choice that fosters the development and 
wellbeing of staff

•  Further create brand awareness, promote 

and protect brand

•  Meet or exceed expectations of all key 

awareness grown

stakeholders

•  Continue to promote strong corporate 

governance including risk management and 
sustainability

•  Continue to promote an ethical culture
•  Provide technology solutions that support 
the key strategies and promote ongoing 
sustainability of Steadfast

•  Ensure remuneration practices are designed 

to retain and attract quality staff
•  Continue to build talent pipeline
•  Continue to be an industry leader in 

innovation and seek opportunities to ensure 
Steadfast remains strong and viable

•  Contribute to the community by supporting 
charities through the Steadfast Foundation, 
sponsorships and other initiatives

•  Strong, dynamic, ethical culture continues. 
Review of culture and values undertaken
•  Further developed a culture of excellence 

that drives business performance including 
further enhancing programs for staff and 
leadership development and training, 
succession planning and appraisal

•  Substantial contribution to community 

through corporate and social responsibility 
initiatives including Steadfast Foundation, 
Aboriginal reconciliation initiatives

•  Substantial contribution to the industry 

through sponsorships and other initiatives 
including Women in Insurance and the Dive 
In Festival supporting diversity and inclusion
•  A highly engaged workforce: engagement 

survey results in highly engaged zone

•  Delivered on numerous effective employee 
engagement and development strategies, 
health & wellbeing strategies

•  Recruited numerous new roles and awarded 
promotions; graduate program continues 
successfully

47

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

RISKS

In seeking to achieve its strategic goals, Steadfast is subject to a number of risks that may materially adversely affect operating 
and financial performance. Steadfast adopts a rigorous risk management process, which is an integral part of the Company’s 
corporate governance structure, and monitors those risks to which it is exposed that are outside the Group’s control. Some of 
the key risks include:

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

Investment and  
acquisition risk:

A.  Acquiring and 
holding equity 
in operating 
businesses

•  Insufficient funding to capitalise on 

•  Ongoing monitoring of available capital and 

opportunities

resources 

•  Deficiencies in due diligence by Steadfast
•  Transition to new owners may be disruptive 

and costly

•  Potential unknown or contingent liabilities
•  Reliance on partners performing 

satisfactorily

•  Experienced management team to assess 

opportunities and risks
•  Stringent due diligence
•  Selecting acquisitions that are expected to 
transition well and have good cultural fit

•  Tight acquisition and shareholders’ 

agreements

•  Thorough transition management
•  Close oversight of ongoing operations, 

profit and profit margins, including 
continual reporting and reviews

•  Business continuity planning
•  Earn-out / deferred consideration 

arrangements

B.  Investment 

impairment risk

•  Investments that are subject to a permanent 

decrease in value, with the subsequent 
impairment resulting in an expense for the 
Group

•  Close monitoring of investments
•  Steadfast works with management of 

businesses in which Steadfast is invested to 
optimise results

48

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

Reduction in income  
caused by:

A.  Loss of Steadfast 
Network brokers

B.  Reduction in 
Professional 
Services fees, 
commission or 
advice fees

•  Network brokers can leave the Steadfast 

Network at any time, potentially resulting in 
a reduction in Professional Services fees for 
Steadfast

•  Strategic partners may seek to reduce 

Professional Services fees paid to Steadfast

•  Strategic partners may seek to reduce 
remuneration paid to brokers and/or 
agencies

•  Potential reduction in remuneration if 

strategic partners are lost and not replaced 
within appropriate timeframe

•  Potential reduction in broker remuneration 
due to change in remuneration structures 
driven by strategic partners, clients or 
regulators. 

C.  Reduction in GWP 
in the Australian 
and New Zealand 
general insurance 
markets

•  Steadfast Group has a number of revenue 
sources linked to size and growth of GWP 
in the Australian and New Zealand markets

•  GWP is influenced by factors including 

pricing decisions by strategic partners and 
level of demand for general insurance 
products (which can be influenced by 
economic conditions)

•  Any softening in local and global economic 
conditions would be expected to lead to a 
softening in the level of GWP

Loss of capacity for 
underwriting agencies

•  Risk the underwriter withdraws capacity for 
strategic reasons (exit of lines of business or 
country exit)

•  Risk an underwriter withdraws due to 

uneconomic underwriting results

•  Provision of excellent services and support 
to Steadfast Network brokers, including 
Steadfast Client Trading Platform (SCTP)
•  Considerable ongoing engagement with 
Network brokers, including seeking and 
addressing feedback

•  Conversion of Network brokers to Steadfast 

proprietary INSIGHT broking system

•  Continue to provide excellent value 
proposition and service to clients
•  Diversity of earnings via a number of 

revenue sources, e.g. Professional Services 
fees, profits from operating businesses 
derived from commission, fees and other 
revenue

•  Continue to engage strategic partners and 
offer a powerful value proposition to them 
(including SCTP) to justify the Professional 
Services fees and commission rates

•  Operating businesses seek to increase fees 
to mitigate any loss of commission arising 
from reduced premiums

•  Significant effort expended in maintaining 

and strengthening relationships with 
strategic partners, most of whom are 
longstanding

•  Continually adding new strategic partners

•  Initiatives to increase the size of the 
Steadfast Network, make further 
investments in insurance brokers and 
underwriting agencies and other strategic 
initiatives (including increasing fee income) 
have the capacity to partially offset pressure 
on profitability of any softening in GWP

•  Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, 
which accounts for 85%+ of Steadfast’s 
total GWP sold through the Steadfast 
Network, has historically experienced higher 
growth in GWP with less volatility compared 
to the large corporate sector

•  Growth opportunities in other markets, e.g. 
Steadfast Direct, Asia and other international 
markets

•  Longstanding delivery of acceptable results 

to underwriters 

•  Longstanding strong relationships with both 
incumbent underwriters and/or alternative 
capacity to ensure replacement capacity is 
available 

•  Steadfast Underwriting Agencies (SUA) has 
a diverse range of specialist products and 
capacity providers 

•  Establishment of London Superbinder 

provides better access to deeper insurance 
markets

49

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

Increased competition  
or industry disruption:

A.  Increased 

competition or 
market change

•  Increased competition from new entrants 
and existing market participants, including 
increased commoditisation of business 
insurance products

•  Diversity in investments (i.e. portfolio of 

underwriting agencies, premium funding 
and complementary services as well as 
insurance broking)

•  Changes in the remuneration model for 

insurance brokers or underwriting agencies
•  Increased competition or change in market 

•  Diversity in earnings (e.g. Professional 
Services fees as well as profits from 
investments)

structure for premium funding

•  Geographical spread of the businesses of 

•  More customers buying direct from 

subsidiaries and associates

strategic partners through the internet

•  Continue to develop the Steadfast Direct 

offering

•  Provide leading technology solutions to 

retain and attract customers

B. Disruption risk

•  Risk of business model disruption due to 

•  Steadfast constantly monitors and evaluates 

external factors including, but not limited to 
technological developments, new business 
models developed by existing competitors 
and regulation changes

international and local developments 
impacting the Steadfast business model and 
other industries to learn about disruption 
opportunities as they emerge

•  Develop leading technology offering to 

enable intermediaries to be more efficient 
and effective

C. Regulatory risk

•  The Hayne Royal Commission has 

•  Work with key industry groups to proactively 

recommended that the Government 
in consultation with ASIC review the 
effectiveness of measures that have been 
implemented by Government, regulators 
and financial services entities to improve 
quality of financial advice. This review is 
to be undertaken by December 2022. 
The review will consider whether each 
remaining exemption to the ban on 
conflicted remuneration (specifically 
commissions) remains justified, including 
the exemptions for general insurance 
products and consumer credit insurance 
products. These changes may impact 
Steadfast Group’s remuneration structure.

•  Risk that Steadfast’s subsidiaries and 

associates may not individually comply with 
their Australian Financial Services Licence 
requirements or financial services regulation 
more generally and their licence may be in 
the worst case suspended or withdrawn
•  Risk that regulatory changes may impact 
the Group’s or entities within the Group’s 
business model either through costly 
and burdensome regulations or from 
the structure and management of the 
operations. 

engage with the Government and 
regulators on the benefits to clients of the 
current operating model for our industry

•  Along with other broker representative 
organisations, the Group monitors 
and consults on regulatory changes 
with regulators to ensure changes are 
introduced in the most efficient way for 
the industry and to minimise unintended 
consequences

•  Continue to implement Steadfast Client 

Trading Platform, a contestable marketplace 
with consistent commission rates
•  Initial due diligence on acquisitions 

includes reviews of historical and current 
compliance. Steadfast also provides a range 
of services to advise and assist the entities 
within the Group with regulatory change 
and compliance

•  Continue to monitor the entities within the 

Group from an operations viewpoint

•  An ongoing internal audit program, which 

includes a review of compliance

50

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

International 
expansion risk

•  Steadfast business model, skills, services 

and experience may not be transferable and 
successful in other countries

•  Seek to invest in offshore opportunities in a 
capital-light manner whilst proving business 
opportunity

•  Management may lose focus on domestic 

•  Due diligence is performed on each 

operations resulting in missed opportunities 
or operational issues may not be addressed 
on a timely basis

Technology & Cyber 
security

•  Cybercrime targeting Steadfast may 

materially negatively impact the ability to 
deliver services to clients and to safeguard 
broker, agency and client data

•  Failure of key internal and cloud systems 

would be detrimental to business 
performance and ability to deliver services

•  Migration, implementation or other 
IT failure issues for INSIGHT and 
UnderwriterCentral systems may adversely 
impact business growth

country to ensure Steadfast will add value 
to the country. Steadfast takes time to 
assemble a compelling deliverable offer for 
each new market

•  Appropriate resources engaged in both 
domestic and international operations. 
Resource levels regularly monitored and 
operating performance levels reviewed 
using internal and external inputs

•  Monitoring percentage of funds invested 
overseas including regional allocation

•  A security roadmap underpinned by an 
ongoing improvement program that is 
led by an IT security officer is in place to 
minimise the occurrence and the impact of 
cybercrime

•  Processes in place and being further 

developed based on industry best practice, 
which are designed to maintain system 
availability and support ongoing business 
operations

•  Dedicated teams focussing on migration, 
implementation, continued development 
and support are in place with processes 
validated through a program for external 
compliance audits aimed at sustainable 
performance

•  Cyber insurance policies held

51

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

Risk

Description

Risk management strategies

People, conduct and  
culture risk:

A. Loss of key people

•  Loss of key executives
•  Loss of key individuals in operating 

businesses with consequential material 
business interruption

•  Potential loss of key customer relationships

B.  Fraud or 

•  Fraud or embezzlement

embezzlement of 
Group or client 
funds

C.  Conduct and 
culture risk

•  Employees may act in a way that is not 

consistent with the expected behaviours, 
culture and values of the Group. This 
can result in financial loss or reputational 
damage that impacts the relationship with 
clients, brokers, partners, regulators and/or 
stakeholders. 

•  Succession planning
•  Appropriate earn-outs, shareholdings and 
restraints to protect ongoing business

•  Market competitive remuneration
•  Career development opportunities
•  Long-term incentive arrangements

•  Appropriate policies and procedures 
implemented and regularly reviewed

•  Fidelity insurance held
•  INSIGHT broker system improving day-to-
day broker transparency, system controls 
and audit trails

•  Established internal audit program across 

investees

•  Effective tone set from the top
•  Employ people who fit the culture
•  Regular performance reviews and feedback 

for staff

•  Staff training
•  Regular monitoring and governance 
•  360 degree assessments, based on 

TOGETHER initiative, Steadfast’s core 
cultural behaviours

52

DIVIDENDS

Details of dividends paid or declared by the Company are set out in Note 6 to the financial statements.

During the financial year ended 30 June 2019, a final dividend for 2018 of 4.7 cents per share and an interim dividend for 2019 
of 3.2 cents per share were declared and paid, both fully franked.

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

•  On 20 August 2019, the Board declared a final dividend for 2019 of 5.3 cents per share, 100% franked. The dividend will be 

paid on 20 September 2019.

•  The $385.000 million multibank syndicated facility (corporate facility) with Macquarie Bank and ANZ Banking Group was 

extended a further year in August 2019 with a revised maturity date of August 2021.

•  Steadfast Group has launched a takeover bid for Insurance Brokers Network Australia Limited (IBNA), with up to $70.000 

million of scrip to be issued to IBNA members should the offer be accepted. This is expected to produce an additional circa 
$8.000 million in annual pre-tax underlying earnings to the Group. The consideration paid will be expensed in accordance 
with accounting standards in the Group's FY20 statutory accounts (and could cause a statutory loss) and will be excluded 
from normalised underlying earnings.

•  In July 2019 the Group announced that it will seek expressions of interest from Steadfast Network brokerages in Australia 
and New Zealand to receive either cash or shares in exchange for renouncing rights to rebates from professional service 
fees (PSF rebate) from 1 July 2019. The outcome is yet to be determined. It is anticipated that any consideration to be paid 
(being the issue of shares or payment of cash) will be expensed in accordance with accounting standards in the Group's 
FY20 statutory accounts (and could cause a statutory loss) and will be excluded from normalised underlying earnings.
•  The premium funding debt facility of IQumulate that commenced in June 2019 has continued to be drawn upon, with a 

corresponding increase in premium funding receivables as security against these loans.

•  The Group is undertaking a fully underwritten placement to raise approximately $100.000 million together with an 

accompanying Share Purchase Plan.

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS

The Group’s ongoing business strategy is to grow shareholder value through maintaining and growing its market position in 
the provision of insurance and related services, with a core focus on general insurance intermediation. Please refer to the 
Strategy and Prospects section of the Directors’ report.

The Group continues to work closely with the management team of each acquired business, and allow each business to 
operate in a manner consistent with the Group’s co-ownership model. In most cases, this model involves ongoing equity 
participation of key management personnel in the business acquired.

Our FY20 guidance* is underlying EBITA of between $215.000 million and $225.000 million and underlying NPAT of between 
$100.000 million and $110.000 million. This equates to 5% to 10% growth in underlying earnings per share (NPAT). This is 
subject to:

•  strategic partners continuing to drive moderate premium price increases;
•  increasing contribution from Steadfast Client Trading Platform; 
•  ongoing technology investment;
•  a minimum 80% acceptance of the proposed Insurance Brokers Network Australia Limited (IBNA) takeover offer; 
•  a minimum 33% acceptance of the proposed PSF rebate capitalisation offer through the issuance of ordinary shares; and
•  the completion of the fully underwritten placement to raise approximately $100.000 million and accompanying Share 

Purchase Plan.

*Refer to pages 48 to 52 on key risks.

53

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

The Group’s operations are not subject to any particular significant environmental regulations under a law of the 
Commonwealth or under State or Territory legislation.

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF OFFICERS

In accordance with its Constitution, and where permitted under relevant legislation or regulation, the Company indemnifies 
the Directors and Officers against all liabilities to another person that may arise from their position as Directors or Officers 
of the Company and its subsidiaries, except if, in the Board’s reasonable opinion, the liability arises out of conduct that is 
fraudulent, criminal, dishonest or a wilful default of the Directors’ or Officers’ duties. 

In accordance with the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001, the Company has insured the Directors and Officers against 
liabilities incurred in their role as Directors and Officers of the Company. The terms of the insurance policy, including the 
premium, are subject to confidentiality clauses and therefore the Company is prohibited from disclosing the nature of the 
liabilities covered and the premium paid. 

NON-AUDIT SERVICES

During the financial year, KPMG, the Group’s auditor, performed certain other services in addition to their statutory duties.

The Board has considered the non-audit services provided by the auditor and is satisfied that the provision of those non-audit 
services is compatible with, and did not compromise, the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 
for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services engagements were subject to the corporate governance procedures adopted by the Group, and have 
been reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee to ensure they do not affect the integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

•  the non-audit services provided do not undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in 

APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, as they did not involve reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own work, 
acting in a management or decision-making capacity for the Group, acting as an advocate for the Group or jointly sharing 
risks and rewards.

Details of the amounts paid to the auditor of the Group, KPMG, and its network firms, for audit and non-audit services 
provided during the financial year are provided in Note 25 to the financial statements.

LEAD AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

The lead auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 79 and forms part of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 
30 June 2019.

54

Dear Shareholders

On behalf of Steadfast Group Board, I am pleased to present the Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 June 2019.

The purpose of this report is to outline Steadfast Group’s approach to remuneration for Executives and Non-Executive 
Directors, and in particular, the links between Steadfast Group’s remuneration framework and business strategy, performance 
and reward.

The Group reported underlying earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) of $193 million and underlying net profit 
after tax (NPAT) of $89 million. This represents an 18% increase in underlying EBITA and a 19% increase in underlying NPAT 
over the prior year; and is at the top end of Steadfast Group’s guidance range which was upgraded in October 2018.

Steadfast Group is committed to ensuring its remuneration framework rewards decision making by Executives that is aligned 
with the long-term interests of shareholders. This is achieved through allowing Steadfast Group’s people to be rewarded 
financially in the form of both short and long-term remuneration as shareholder value is created. The objectives of Steadfast 
Group’s remuneration framework are to:

•  maintain market competitive remuneration that enables the Group to attract and retain key talent;
•  align remuneration to the Group’s strategic and business objectives and the creation of shareholder value;
•  be fair, transparent and easily understood by all stakeholders; and 
•  be acceptable to shareholders and meet community expectations.

The Board continually reviews Steadfast Group’s existing remuneration arrangements to ensure that our framework is fit-
for-purpose and continues to support our strategic and business objectives. In particular, the Board focuses on ensuring the 
remuneration framework supports sustainable long-term value creation for Steadfast Group shareholders while also retaining 
and attracting Executives in a dynamic business environment. In making any adjustments, our remuneration principles of 
simplicity, fair and transparent, shareholder aligned and competitive are followed. 

We believe our remuneration structure has clearly demonstrated delivering Group results in the best interests of our 
shareholders. I am pleased to report that the Group’s underlying EPS growth for the financial year was 16% or 11.27 cents per 
share. The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) since listing in 2013 has been 239%.

There were no significant adjustments made to remuneration outcomes in the current year under review. No material 
changes in our remuneration structure have been proposed for the 2019/20 year. In summary, the Board has sought to 
ensure our Key Management Personnel (KMP) think and act like owners of Steadfast Group, and so rather than pay out cash 
rewards for STI and LTI, the majority of our rewards are made in equity.

We welcome any feedback you may have on our remuneration framework as we continue to ensure it is meeting the needs 
and expectations of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board, we recommend this report to you.

David Liddy AM 
Chairman, Remuneration and Succession Planning Committee

55

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Remuneration Report 

1.

1.1

2.

2.1

Introduction

Key management personnel

Remuneration outcomes for 2019

Link between Steadfast’s performance and remuneration

2.2 Maximum potential and actual STI and LTI outcomes

2.3

2.4

3.

3.1

Targeted maximum potential and actual remuneration mix

STI and LTI vesting information

2019 Remuneration explained

Remuneration framework

3.1.1 Target remuneration mix

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

Fixed remuneration

Short-term incentives

Long-term incentives

Keeping executives’ and shareholders’ interest aligned

4.0

Remuneration in detail

4.1

4.2

4.3

Statutory remuneration disclosure

Conditional rights

Executive service agreements

4.3.1 Retrenchment entitlements

4.3.2 Termination under other situations

5.

5.1

Non-Executive Director remuneration

Fee structure and policy

5.2 Minimum shareholding requirement

5.3

Remuneration details for Non-Executive Directors

6.

6.1

Additional information

Remuneration governance

6.1.1 Role of the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee

6.1.2 Use of remuneration consultant

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.5

Valuation of conditional rights

Shareholdings

Executive loans

Related party transactions

57

57

58

58

62

63

63

64

65

65

67

67

68

70

71

71

72

72

72

72

73

73

73

74

74

74

74

75

75

76

77

78

5656

Remuneration Report – Audited

1. INTRODUCTION

The Remuneration Report outlines Steadfast’s remuneration philosophy, framework and outcomes for the financial year 
ended 30 June 2019 (FY19) for all key management personnel (KMP), including all Non-Executive Directors and the Executive 
Team made up of the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) and certain direct reports. KMP are those 
persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity, directly and 
indirectly.

1.1 Key management personnel

The current KMP of the Group for the entire financial year unless otherwise stated, are as follows: 

Name

Role

Date of appointment

Non-Executive Directors

Frank O’Halloran, AM(a)(d)

Chairman, Non-Executive Director

David Liddy, AM(b)(d)

Non-Executive Director

Gai McGrath(d)

Non-Executive Director

Anne O’Driscoll(c)(d)

Non-Executive Director

Philip Purcell(d)

Non-Executive Director

Greg Rynenberg(d)

Non-Executive Director

Executive Director

21 October 2012

1 January 2013

1 June 2018

1 July 2013

1 February 2013

10 August 1998

Robert Kelly 

Managing Director & CEO

18 April 1996

Other key management

Stephen Humphrys

Chief Financial Officer

Samantha Hollman

Chief Operating Officer

CEO, Steadfast Underwriting Agencies 

Executive General Manager – Direct, New Zealand & Asia

5 December 2002

Group Company Secretary & Corporate Counsel

3 June 2013

2 January 2013

4 January 2000

1 January 2015

Simon Lightbody

Allan Reynolds 

Linda Ellis

Table notes

(a)  Frank O’Halloran is Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

(b)  David Liddy is Chairman of the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee.

(c)  Anne O’Driscoll is Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee.

(d)  All Non-Executive Directors listed in the table above are independent directors.

57

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

2. REMUNERATION OUTCOMES FOR 2019

The following table outlines the returns the Group delivered to its shareholders.

2.1 Link between Steadfast’s performance and remuneration

Earnings per share (EPS) is used as a core financial measure for determining incentives payable to the Executive Team for 
FY19, and together with achievement against annual individual key performance objectives, remains the financial performance 
measure for short-term incentives (STI). The EPS used in determining STI and the long-term incentive plan (LTI) for FY19 
excludes non-trading income and expenses approved by the Board. This is consistent with prior year calculations.

In addition to EPS growth, the Board has adopted Total Shareholder Return (TSR) as a second financial performance measure 
for LTI awarded in August 2016 and beyond. This is a result of the Board’s ongoing review of remuneration strategy to further 
strengthen the alignment between shareholder returns and executive remuneration. There were no changes in FY19. 

TSR is calculated as the change in share price plus dividends declared and any capital returns measured over the financial year 
together with a future three-year vesting period. 

58

Historical data pertaining to the key financial metrics involved in calculating STI and LTI are shown in the table below. 

Reported net profit attributable to owners of the 
Company

42,104

73,480

66,792

75,854

103,845

2015
$'000

2016
$'000

2017
$'000

2018
$'000

2019
$'000

The reconciliation on the reported EPS to the underlying EPS used for STI and LTI is as follows:

2015(a)
$’000

2016
$’000

2017
$’000

2018
$’000

 2019
$’000

Reported net profit attributable to owners of the 
Company

Less: non-trading income (Note 4 (i))

Add: non-trading expenses (Note 4 (i))

Less: non-trading tax effect (Note 4 (i))

Less: non-controlling interests in non-trading items 
(net of tax)

Less: share of EBITA from associates and joint 
ventures 

Underlying net profit attributable to owners of the 
Company (Note 4)

Underlying diluted EPS (cents per share) (Note 5A)

Growth from prior financial year (%)

Growth required for minimum STI (%)

Growth required for maximum STI (%)(c)

UBS weighted EPS growth for industrial  
companies (%)(b) 

UBS weighted EPS growth for finance sector (%)(b)

Opening share price ($)

Closing share price ($)

Change in share price (cents per share)

Dividends declared per share (cents per share)

TSR for the year (cents per share)

TSR for the year (%)

Dividend paid

Table notes

75,854

103,845

42,104

(3,186)

3,302

(126)

-

-

73,480

(27,173)

18,572

(4,551)

119

-

66,792

(8,449)

7,866

884

(4,193)

3,026

(255)

(554)

530

(147)

-

(15,018)

-

89

281

-

42,094

60,447

66,392

74,962

89,197

7.24

16.4%

5.0%

15.0%

5.8%

3.6%

1.26

1.62

36.0

5.0

41.0

32.5%

23,611

8.09

11.8%

5.0%

12.5%

(3.0%)

(4.6%)

1.62

1.98

36.0

6.0

42.0

8.87

9.6%

5.0%

10.0%

6.4%

3.0%

1.98

2.66

68.0

7.0

75.0

25.9%

40,297

37.9%

46,485

9.71

9.5%

5.0%

10.0%

6.8%

(1.8%)

2.66

2.81

15.0

7.5

22.5

8.5%

55,195

11.27

16.1%

5.0%

10.0%

0.3%

(0.9%)

2.81

3.51

70.0

8.5

78.5

27.9%

62,649

(a)  The diluted EPS is adjusted for the bonus element of the rights issue completed in March 2015.

(b)  Data sourced from Australian Equity Strategy report published by UBS in July 2019. Figures shown for 2018 above are 

actual (figures in 2018 Annual Report were estimates). Figures shown for 2019 are estimates.

(c)  Figures represent growth required for maximum STI granted in August 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

59

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

Underlying diluted EPS (cents per share) 

The graph below shows the base, minimum, maximum and actual underlying diluted EPS (cents per share) used for 
determining STI and LTI for the financial years ended 30 June 2013 to 30 June 2019. The underlying diluted EPS for the prior 
financial year is the base used for calculating growth for the following financial year. 

No STI is payable if the growth in underlying diluted EPS is less than 5%. The maximum STI is awarded if the underlying diluted 
EPS growth is 15% or higher for the awards granted in August 2014 and 2015; 12.5% or higher for awards granted in August 
2016; 10% or higher for awards granted in August 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Underlying diluted EPS growth accounts for 75% weighting on LTI awards granted in August 2016 and beyond (previously: 
100%), which is not payable unless at least 5% straight line growth is achieved over a future three-year vesting period for the 
LTI awards in August 2017 and beyond (previously: 5% compound growth).

The underlying diluted EPS growth in FY19 was 16.1%, which was well ahead of initial expectations due to actions taken by 
management during the year, including:

•  outperformance by a number of our businesses particularly underwriting agencies with strong market share growth;
•  strategic acquisitions; and
•  continued growth of the Steadfast Network.

Underlying diluted EPS (for awards granted in August of the financial year)

11.27

9.71

8.87

8.09

7.24

6.22

5.22

FY13*

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

Base EPS

Min 5% growth

Max 10-15% growth

Actual EPS

*  FY13 data is based on pro-forma financial information as if the Group operations, which listed in August 2013, had operated 

as the Group for FY13.

60

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 

The graph below shows the Company’s TSR in FY19 as well as the cumulative TSR since FY17, compared against the median 
TSR of the top 200 ASX companies excluding those in the mining industry (peer group).

TSR accounts for 25% weighting on LTI award granted in August 2016 and beyond (previously: nil weighting), which is not 
payable unless at least at or above 50th percentile (August 2016 grants: at average) of the peer group is achieved over the 
reporting year and the future three-year vesting period.

100.0%

FY19 TSR

FY18 - FY19 TSR

FY17 - FY19 TSR

90.0%

80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

TSR = 88.9%

11.6%

77.3%

TSR = 27.9%

3.0%

24.9%

75th percentile
23.2%

50th percentile
5.5%

TSR = 38.0%

6.0%

32.0%

75th percentile
38.1%

50th percentile
12.8%

FY19
SDF

Share price

Dividend

FY18-FY19
SDF

FY17-FY19
SDF

75th percentile
57.3%

50th percentile
32.4%

61

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019 
Directors’ Report continued

2.2 Maximum potential and actual STI and LTI outcomes

All participants of the STI and LTI schemes have to achieve at least 60% of their annual key performance objectives to be 
eligible for any incentive payments.

The MD & CEO’s performance against his annual key performance indicators (KPIs) set at the beginning of FY19 is set out 
below:

FY19 performance measures

Weighting %

Achieved % Comments

•  Achieve or exceed budgeted growth  

of 11.3% in underlying NPAT

•  Maintain or improve EBITA margin 

(aggregated) of 31%

•  Further development of key staff including 
increased delegation of responsibilities

•  Achieve FY19 target for net improvement 
over prior year in NPAT of $1.5m from 
Steadfast Client Trading Platform (SCTP)

•  Achieve organic growth in revenue of  

at least 5%

•  Grow Steadfast Network

•  Generate new fee revenue from the 

Singapore Network and unisonSteadfast

•  Successful implementation of INSIGHT 

and back office technologies to improve 
efficiencies

20

15

15

10

10

10

10

10

100

20

Actual growth is 19% in underlying NPAT

Traditional brokers 32%, reduced to 29% in total 
due to acquisitions

Material progress in developing key staff and 
delegation increased

12

10

SCTP slightly behind target due to delays from 
strategic partners

5

10

Achieved 12.6% organic growth in revenue

Steadfast Network brokers grew from 377 to 
398

Some new fee revenue generated but progress 
is slow

Continued strong progress in broker 
participation

10

5

8

80

The above scorecard shows more than 60% of KPIs were achieved.

The table below provides details of maximum potential STI and LTI, and actual STI and LTI awarded to KMP.

Maximum 
STI  
potential  
(% of 
fixed pay)

Actual STI 
outcome(a) 
(% of 
fixed pay)

STI – cash 
outcome 
(60% of 
outcome)  
$

Fixed pay  
$

STI – 
deferred 
equity 
award 
outcome 
(40% of 
outcome) 
$(b)

Maximum 
LTI 
 potential  
(% of 
fixed pay)

Actual LTI 
outcome(a) 
(% of 
fixed pay)

LTI – 
deferred 
equity 
award 
outcome  
$(b)

Robert Kelly

1,015,000

150.00%

150.00%

913,500

609,000

100.00%

100.00%

1,015,000

Stephen Humphrys

557,000

100.00%

100.00%

334,200

222,800

Samantha Hollman

463,500

100.00%

100.00%

278,100

185,400

Simon Lightbody

479,000

100.00%

100.00%

287,400

191,600

Allan Reynolds 

Linda Ellis

Table notes

430,000

260,750

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

129,000

86,000

50.00%

78,225

52,150

75.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

75.00%

417,750

50.00%

231,750

50.00%

239,500

50.00%

215,000

50.00%

130,375

(a)  All participants of the FY19 STI and LTI schemes have exceeded the 60% non-financial performance hurdle and therefore 

are eligible.

(b)  The number of conditional rights to be granted to the Executive Team has been determined by the dollar value of the 

deferred equity award (DEA) outcome divided by the weighted average share price over the five trading days prior to the date 
of this report. The LTI award outcome is subject to meeting future financial performance hurdles detailed in Section 3.4.

62

2.3 Targeted maximum potential and actual remuneration mix for FY19

Robert Kelly Targeted Maximum
Robert Kelly Actual

Stephen Humphrys Targeted Maximum
Stephen Humphrys Actual

Samantha Hollman Targeted Maximum
Samantha Hollman Actual

Simon Lightbody Targeted Maximum
Simon Lightbody Actual

Allan Reynolds Targeted Maximum
Allan Reynolds Actual

Linda Ellis Targeted Maximum
Linda Ellis Actual

29%

29%

36%

36%

25%

25%

22%

22%

17%

17%

15%

15%

40%

40%

40%

40%

50%

50%

50%

50%

24%

24%

24%

24%

15%

15%

15%

15%

16%

16%

16%

16%

10%

10%

10%

10%

29%

29%

27%

27%

20%

20%

20%

20%

25%

25%

25%

25%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Fixed remuneration

At risk – STI cash

At risk – STI deferred

At risk – LTI

2.4 STI and LTI vesting information

Summary of vesting conditions on the STI and LTI plans are as detailed below:

STI

LTI

Vesting conditions

•  Tenure of employment
•  No material adverse change to 

the FY19 reported results over the 
retention period of three years
•  Refer Section 3.3 for more details 

including award conditions

•  Awarded in August 2018
•  Tenure of employment
•  Achieve at least 60% of the annual key 

performance objectives

•  75% based on average diluted EPS 

increasing by a straight line 5% to 10% 
per annum over a three-year vesting 
period: vesting made on a 50-100% 
straight line basis.

•  25% based on minimum TSR 

measured against 50th to 75th 
percentile of the peer group

•  Refer Section 3.4 for more details 

including award conditions

63

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019 
Directors’ Report continued

The vesting schedule for DEAs of conditional rights to convert to Steadfast ordinary shares that were on foot during the 
financial year or granted since is set out below, subject at all time to the vesting conditions being met (refer Section 6.2 for the 
vesting date of the STI and LTI conditional rights):

DEA awarded

August 2018

August 2019

August 2020

August 2021

August 2022

August 2014

August 2015

August 2016

August 2017

August 2018

August 2019

STI

LTI

STI

LTI

STI

LTI

STI

LTI

STI

LTI

STI

LTI

  Vesting occurs three years after grant date

  Vesting occurs five years after grant date

  Vesting occurs in three equal tranches after one, two, and three years from grant date

Details of the Steadfast ordinary shares transferred to the relevant Executive Team members (at nil cost to them) for the DEAs 
that vested during the current financial year are set out in Section 6.3.

3. 2019 REMUNERATION EXPLAINED

The listing of the Company necessitated the introduction of a remuneration structure that aligns with ASX Corporate 
Governance Principles & Practice (3rd edition) and commenced from 1 July 2013.

The Group aims to reward executives with a level of remuneration commensurate with their responsibilities and position 
within the Group and their ability to influence shareholder value creation. The incentive schemes are designed to encourage 
participants to strive to ensure Steadfast outperforms the market on an ongoing basis (refer table 2.1 for EPS growth 
comparison against the finance sector and broader market).

The remuneration framework links rewards with the strategic goals and performance of the individual and the Group and 
provides a market competitive mix of both fixed and variable rewards. To retain and attract high calibre employees, the Group 
has adopted an approach to position fixed remuneration and total remuneration around the 75th percentile. Key Performance 
Indicators (KPIs) together with weightings are established for each individual and are aligned to the Group’s strategic 
objectives.

The key elements of the executive remuneration are:

•  fixed remuneration consisting of cash salary, superannuation and non-monetary benefits (Section 3.2);
•  an annual incentive referred to as short-term incentive (STI) plan (Section 3.3); and
•  a long-term incentive referred to as long-term incentive (LTI) plan (Section 3.4).

Refer Section 2.3 for targeted maximum remuneration mix.

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1 Remuneration framework

The objective of the Group’s executive remuneration framework is to ensure reward for performance is competitive and 
appropriate for the results delivered. The framework aligns executive reward with achievement of strategic objectives and the 
creation of sustainable long-term value for shareholders and conforms to market practice for delivery of remuneration. The 
incentive schemes are designed to incentivise performance that is better than market.

The Board embodies the following principles in its remuneration framework:

•  a performance based reward structure;
•  competitive and reasonable rewards to attract and retain high calibre executives;
•  strong links between executive rewards and shareholder value;
•  a significant proportion of executive remuneration is at risk, and is linked to achievement of pre-determined individual KPIs 

and financial performance targets; and

•  transparent reward structures.

3.1.1 Target remuneration mix

The Board believes that the fundamental driver for executive remuneration should be long-term financial performance that 
generates value for Steadfast shareholders. The at risk (or variable) remuneration components of the Executive Team are 
set by referencing regulation and current market practices. To ensure the Executive Team remain focused on long-term 
outcomes without encouraging excessive risk taking, the following conditions apply:

•  financial performance hurdles:

 – diluted EPS growth has been chosen to meet and align with shareholders’ objectives. This measure was chosen by the 
Board after considering alternatives such as return on capital employed (ROCE), or return on equity (ROE). The Board 
considers that EPS is, on balance, the best driver of executive behaviour that achieves superior performance outcomes 
for Steadfast and its shareholders. It is also a relatively simple and transparent measure that is easily reconciled to reported 
net profit (see Section 2.1). As funding mix can impact EPS, it is noted that the Board has approved a maximum total 
Group gearing ratio of 30.0% excluding premium funding borrowings. The total Group gearing ratio at year end was 
23.9%;

 – TSR was first introduced as the second financial performance hurdle for LTI awarded in August 2016. This measure was 
added by the Board as a result of their ongoing review of the remuneration framework, current market practice and 
market feedback. The Board considers TSR is an effective way to incentivise and measure long-term shareholder value 
creation; 

•  non-financial performance hurdle – each member of the Executive Team is set annual performance objectives known as 
KPIs with weightings aligned to the Group’s strategic objectives, and must achieve at least 60% of those objectives to be 
eligible for any STI and LTI;

•  40% of the STI is granted as deferred equity awards (DEA) and is intended to be satisfied by the issue or transfer of ordinary 

shares in the capital of the Company over a three-year period from the grant date – being one-third at the end of years one, 
two and three;

•  subject to meeting the individual and Group financial objectives, vesting of the LTI occurs after three years from the grant 

date and is satisfied by the issue or transfer of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company; and

•  the Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested performance related remuneration (such as STI – Cash, 

STI – DEA and LTI) downwards if it is appropriate to do so. This discretion applies to all the STI and LTI awards on applicable 
dates for vesting of share-based payment awards.

The Board has set the total remuneration of the Managing Director & CEO at a level to correspond to the 75th percentile 
of CEO remuneration of a comparator group of companies. The 75th percentile was chosen in light of the considerable 
experience of the Managing Director & CEO and his very strong performance in the role, including the very strong financial 
performance of Steadfast since its initial public offering (IPO) in August 2013 as demonstrated by the Company achieving: 

•  a 16.1% underlying diluted EPS growth in FY19;
•  a 100.9% underlying diluted EPS growth for the period since the IPO; and
•  a TSR of 239% for the period since the IPO, inclusive of FY19 final dividend of 5.3 cents per share payable in September 2019.

65

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

As part of the ongoing review of remuneration, the STI and LTI plans are continuously refined to ensure incentives are aligned 
with the Group’s remuneration philosophy, market competitiveness and market feedback on the incentive schemes. The 
Board has determined that no material changes to STI or LTI terms will be made for the financial year ending 30 June 2020.

The FY20 key terms for the STI and LTI plans are as follows:

Remuneration  
changes

STI

LTI

FY19 terms (awarded August 2018)

FY20 new terms (awarded August 2019)

Maximum STI awarded when diluted EPS growth of 
10.0% is achieved.

Maximum STI awarded when diluted EPS growth of 
10.0% is achieved.

75% based on average diluted EPS increasing by 
a straight line 5% to 10% per annum over a future 
three-year vesting period. The vesting schedule is 
outlined below:

75% based on average diluted EPS increasing by 
a straight line 5% to 10% per annum over a future 
three-year vesting period. The vesting schedule is 
outlined below:

Straight line diluted 
EPS growth

Vesting outcome

Straight line diluted 
EPS growth

Vesting outcome

Below 5%

At 5%

5% to 10%

0%

50%

Straight line between 50%  
to 100%

Below 5%

At 5%

5% to 10%

0%

50%

Straight line between 50%  
to 100%

10% or higher

100%

10% or higher

100%

25% based on Total Shareholder Return (TSR)(a) 
measured against Top 200 ASX companies excluding 
those in the mining industry (peer group).

25% based on Total Shareholder Return (TSR)(a) 
measured against Top 200 ASX companies excluding 
those in the mining industry (peer group).

TSR

Vesting outcome

TSR

Vesting outcome

Less than 50th 
percentile of peer 
group

0%

At 50th percentile of 
peer group

50%

Between 50th and  
75th percentile of  
peer group 

Straight line between 50%  
to 100%

Exceeding 75th 
percentile of peer 
group

100%

Equal to or less  
than 50th percentile  
of peer group

0%

Greater than 50th 
but less than 75th 
percentile of peer 
group 

Equal to or  
exceeding 75th 
percentile of peer 
group

Exceeding 75th 
percentile of peer 
group

Straight line between 50%  
to 100%

100%

100%

(a)  TSR is calculated as the change in share price plus dividends declared and any capital returns measured over the financial 

year together with a future three-year vesting period. 

66

3.2 Fixed remuneration for FY19

The table below outlines the key details of executives’ fixed remuneration.

Component

Details

Description

Cash salary, superannuation, and non-monetary benefits.

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Helps to attract and retain high calibre executives.

Reflects individual role, experience and performance.

Reviewed annually by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee and fixed for 12 
months (unless there is a significant role change), with any changes effective from 1 July each 
financial year. Decision influenced by:

- role, experience and performance;

- reference to comparative remuneration in the market; and

- total organisational salary budgets.

The Executive Team is provided with cash salary, superannuation, and other non-monetary 
benefits such as car parking, income protection and life insurances.

Potential reward

Fixed remuneration targeted at 29%-50% of total remuneration.

3.3 Short-term incentives for FY19

The table below outlines the key details of the STI plan. STI awards in FY19 are summarised in Section 2.2 of the Remuneration 
Report. 

Component

Details

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Recognises the contributions and achievements of the Executive Team and helps to attract and 
retain talent.

Operation

STI Plan consisting of cash and deferred equity award.

Potential reward

STI awards are performance based, at risk reward arrangements with Board discretion.

The combined total of at risk remuneration (STI and LTI combined) is targeted at 50%-70% of total 
remuneration.

Performance metrics

STI – Cash award (60% of total STI); Deferred equity award (40% of total STI)

•  Continuous employment for the vesting period for deferred equity awards split one-third over 

one, two and three years; 

•  vesting is subjected to future performance hurdles below; and
•  no negative material deterioration in reported results in the subsequent year.

Performance measures

Non-financial measures 

Personal objectives (KPIs) as agreed with the Board. At least 60% of the objectives must be 
achieved by the members of the Executive Team to be eligible for any STI. The MD & CEO 
achieved a substantial majority of his FY19 non-financial objectives with weightings (refer Section 
2.2).

Financial measures relating to awards issued during FY19 (awarded in August 18)

No STI is payable unless at least 5% EPS growth is achieved against the base underlying EPS. 
Maximum STI can be awarded if the EPS growth is 10.0% or higher.

Potential maximum STI

MD & CEO can earn up to 150% of his annual fixed remuneration. 

Approval of the STI

The other executives within the Executive Team can earn 50% to 100% of their annual fixed 
remuneration.

The MD & CEO’s STI is recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee 
based on the Group’s financial and his non-financial performance outcomes and approved by the 
Board.

The STI of other members of the Executive Team is recommended by the MD & CEO to the 
Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee, based on the Group’s financial and their non-
financial performance outcomes. It is recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning 
Committee and approved by the Board.

67

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

3.3 Short-term incentives for FY19 continued

Component

Details

Rationale for choosing 
performance measures

The non-financial measures are chosen to ensure each member of the Executive Team delivers 
outcomes that support the success of Steadfast.

Forms of STI reward 
elements

The financial measure of EPS growth is chosen to ensure long-term shareholder value is 
increased.

60% is paid as cash, normally in September following the end of financial year.

40% is granted as deferred equity award (DEA) of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares 
and vesting over a three-year tenure hurdle from the grant date. The conditional rights will vest in 
three equal tranches after one, two and three years from the grant date.

Key terms of DEA

DEA is normally granted on the date the audited financial results are announced. 

These rights are granted to the participants at no cost, to the dollar value of their DEA. 

The number of conditional rights granted is calculated based on the weighted average share price 
over the five trading days before the grant date. 

The participants in the STI Plan become eligible to receive one Steadfast ordinary share per 
conditional right, subject to their continuing employment with the Group over the vesting period 
post grant date, and no material adverse change to the reported results. The Remuneration & 
Succession Planning Committee noted there had not been any negative material deterioration in 
EPS from prior year adjustments in the subsequent year.

These rights will accrue notional dividends and may accrue, subject to Board discretion, any 
bonus element inherent in any rights issue, which will be paid as additional shares upon vesting.

Forfeiture conditions

The Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested performance related 
remuneration (such as STI – Cash, STI – deferred portion) downwards if it is appropriate to do so. 

The conditional rights will be forfeited if the executive resigns before the vesting date.

When an executive ceases employment in special circumstances, such as genuine retirement, 
redundancy or ill health, any unvested rights may be paid in cash and/or Steadfast ordinary shares, 
subject to Board discretion.

3.4 Long-term incentives for FY19

The table below outlines the key details of the LTI plan. LTI awards in FY19 are summarised in Section 2.2 of the Remuneration 
Report. 

Component

Details

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Provides opportunity for the Executive Team to acquire equity in the Company as a reward for 
increasing EPS and TSR over the longer term and helps to attract and retain talent.

Operation

LTI Plan consisting of DEA.

Potential reward

LTI awards are discretionary, performance based, at risk reward arrangements.

The combined total of at risk remuneration (LTI and STI combined) is targeted at 50%-70% of total 
remuneration.

Performance metrics

LTI – Deferred equity award (100%)

•  Continuous employment and performance rating to be met for the three-year vesting period;
•  vesting is subjected to future performance hurdles below; and
•  no negative material deterioration in reported results in the subsequent year.

68

Component

Details

Future performance 
hurdles

Non-financial measures: 

Personal objectives (KPIs) as agreed with the Board. At least 60% of the objectives must be 
achieved by the members of the Executive Team to be eligible to any LTI. The MD & CEO achieved 
a substantial majority of his FY19 non-financial objectives with weightings (refer Section 2.2).

Financial measures relating to awards issued during FY19 (awarded in August 2018): 

•  75% is based on average underlying diluted EPS growth, which is not payable unless at 

least 5% straight line growth is achieved over a future three-year vesting period. The vesting 
schedule is outlined below:

Average diluted EPS growth

Vesting outcome

Below 5%

At 5%

5% to 10%

10% or higher

and

0%

50%

Straight line between 50% to 100%

100%

•  25% is based on TSR measured against the top 200 ASX companies excluding those in the 

mining industry (peer group), which is not payable unless TSR exceeds the median of the peer 
group. TSR is calculated as the change in share price plus dividends declared and any capital 
returns measured over the financial year together with a future three-year vesting period. The 
vesting schedule is outlined below:

TSR

Vesting outcome

Less than 50th percentile of peer group

At 50th percentile of peer group

0%

50%

Between 50th and 75th percentile of peer group 

Straight line between 50% to 100%

Exceeding 75th percentile of peer group 

100%

Potential maximum LTI

The MD & CEO can earn up to 100% of his annual fixed remuneration. 

The other executives within the Executive Team can earn 50% to 75% of their annual fixed 
remuneration.

Approval of the LTI

Forms of LTI reward

The Board approves the LTI based on the financial and non-financial performance outcome as 
recommended by the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee.

DEA of conditional rights to Steadfast ordinary shares and vesting after a three-year tenure hurdle 
and meeting future performance hurdles from the grant date.

Rationale for choosing 
performance measures

The financial measures of EPS growth and TSR are chosen to ensure long-term shareholders' 
value is increased. 

The non-financial measures are chosen to ensure each member of the Executive Team delivers 
outcomes that support the success of Steadfast.

Key terms of DEA

DEA is normally granted on the date the audited financial results are announced. 

These rights are granted to the participants (at no cost), to the dollar value of a percentage of 
their fixed remuneration in accordance with the LTI Plan. 

The number of conditional rights granted is calculated based on the weighted average share 
price over the five trading days before the grant date. 

The participants in the LTI Plan become eligible to receive one Steadfast ordinary share per 
conditional right, subject to their continuing employment with the Group for the three-year 
period from the grant date and meeting performance hurdles, subject to Board discretion.

These rights will not accrue notional dividends and may accrue, subject to Board discretion, any 
bonus element inherent in any rights issue, which will be paid as additional shares upon vesting.

Forfeiture conditions

The Board retains the discretion to adjust any unpaid or unvested LTI downwards if it is appropriate 
to do so. 

The conditional rights will be forfeited if the executive resigns before the vesting date.

When an executive ceases employment in special circumstances, such as genuine retirement, 
redundancy or ill health, any unvested rights may be paid in cash and/or Steadfast shares subject  
to Board discretion.

69

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

3.5 Keeping executives’ and shareholders’ interest aligned

Component

Details

Shareholding  
requirements

There is no specific policy requiring the Executive Team to hold any of Steadfast’s ordinary shares. 
However, the Executive Team have acquired Steadfast’s ordinary shares through the following 
means:

•  shares allocated to three executives either directly or through loans, which have since been 

repaid by the executives (for further details, refer Section 6.4 Executive loans); 

•  allotment of ordinary shares to Mr Lightbody as part consideration for the acquisition by 

Steadfast, as part of the IPO in August 2013, of Miramar, an underwriting agency business then 
partly owned by Mr Lightbody;

•  subscription for ordinary shares as part of the Company’s IPO and subsequent rights issues;
•  participation in the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan;
•  conditional rights converting into ordinary shares;
•  potential vesting of DEAs granted through the STI and LTI Plans in the financial years from 1 July 

2014 onwards (refer Sections 3.3 and 3.4 for further details of the STI and LTI Plans); and

•  purchase of shares on market within trading windows.

Section 6.3 provides movements of Steadfast’s ordinary shares held by the Executive Team during the current financial year.

70

4. REMUNERATION IN DETAIL 

4.1 Statutory remuneration disclosure

The table below provides remuneration details for the Executive Team (including the MD & CEO and his direct reports). 

No executive was newly appointed to the Executive Team during either financial year. 

(1)
Cash salary 
and leave 
accruals
$

Short-term employment benefits
(3)
(2)
Non-
Cash 
monetary 
short-term 
benefits
incentive 
$
$

Post-  
employment 
benefits
(4)

Super-
annuation
$

Other  
long-term 
employment 
benefits
(5)
Long service 
leave 
accruals
$

Subtotal 
(excluding 
share-based 
payments)

Share-based 
payments
(6)

Total

$

$

$

Key Management Personnel (including Managing Director & CEO)

Robert Kelly, Managing Director & CEO

2019

2018

982,116

973,871

913,500

808,763

Stephen Humphrys, Chief Financial Officer

2019

2018

569,625

334,200

537,837

301,576

Samantha Hollman, Chief Operating Officer

2019

2018

444,672

437,626

278,100

250,965

19,270

29,821

37,095

36,530

29,880

28,682

Simon Lightbody, CEO – Steadfast Underwriting Agencies

2019

2018

462,054

448,285

287,400

196,137

25,707

15,897

20,531

20,049

20,531

20,049

20,531

20,049

20,531

20,049

Allan Reynolds, Executive General Manager – Direct, New Zealand & Singapore

2019

2018

420,542

372,118

129,000

108,642

21,160

24,246

20,531

20,049

Linda Ellis, Group Company Secretary & Corporate Counsel(7)

2019

2018

258,769

214,345

78,225

62,040

27,468

24,568

19,907

18,710

19,689

8,310

11,466

3,721

Table notes

23,505

1,958,922

1,624,000

3,582,922

27,803

1,860,308

1,210,646

3,070,954

10,364

9,793

971,815

905,785

640,550

1,612,365

575,897

 1,481,682

8,005

7,149

11,140

10,947

781,188

744,471

417,150

1,198,338

280,257

1,024,728

734,982

691,314

431,100

1,237,932

152,564

843,878

610,922

533,365

301,000

339,663

911,922

873,028

395,835

323,384

182,525

200,946

578,360

524,330

(1)  Cash salary includes amounts paid in cash plus any salary sacrifice items. Annual leave accruals are determined in 

accordance with Accounting Standard, AASB 119 Employee Benefits.

(2)  The 2019 short-term incentive (STI) represents 60% of the total STI awarded and approved by the Board and will be paid in 

cash in September 2019. 

(3)  The Executive Team is provided with cash salary, superannuation, and other non-monetary benefits such as car parking, 

income protection and life insurances. 

(4)  Superannuation contributions are paid in line with legislative requirements.

(5)  Long service leave accruals are determined in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits.

(6)  Share-based payments represent the expense amount accrued in the year for deferred equity awards (both STI and LTI). 

The 2019 expense is higher than prior year due to the cumulative effect of prior years’ grants plus increased probability of 
meeting vesting conditions. 

(7)  Mrs Ellis was employed on a 60% of full-time basis from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018 and on an 80% of full-time basis 

from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2019.

71

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

4.2 Conditional rights

The table below provides the number of conditional rights held by members of the Executive KMP at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 
2019. These are aggregate holdings of unvested DEAs from the various grants that remain on foot (see chart in section 2.4).

Balance 
30 June 2018 

STI granted 
during FY19

LTI granted 
during FY19 DRP granted

STI/LTI 
vested and/
or transferred 
during FY19(a)

Balance 
30 June 2019

1,428,907

175,925

746,422

332,514

200,394

480,048

268,522

65,600

54,591

42,664

23,632

13,495

318,128

132,329

73,414

75,861

61,994

35,402

17,295

(509,520)

1,430,735

8,065

4,215

1,901

5,061

2,887

(251,645)

(99,168)

(20,688)

(163,481)

(101,494)

700,771

365,566

300,132

407,254

218,812

3,456,807

375,907

697,128

39,424

(1,145,996)

3,423,270

Robert Kelly

Stephen Humphrys

Samantha Hollman

Simon Lightbody

Allan Reynolds 

Linda Ellis

Table note

(a)  The third tranche of the STI DEAs granted in August 2015, the second tranche of the STI DEAs granted in August 2016, 
the first tranche of the STI DEAs granted in August 2017 and the LTI DEAs granted in August 2015 were vested in the 
current financial year. In accordance with the terms of the STI and LTI plans, eligible participants of the plans received one 
Steadfast ordinary share per conditional right at nil cost to them upon vesting.

Refer Section 6.2 for the fair value of the conditional rights awarded in August 2018. 

4.3 Executive service agreements

Steadfast has ongoing executive service agreements (Executive Agreements) with each of the members of the Executive KMP. 
These Executive Agreements may be terminated by written notice from either party or by the Company making a payment in 
lieu of notice. 

The Executive Agreements outline the components of remuneration paid to executives and require the remuneration of 
executives to be reviewed annually. The Executive Agreements do not require the Company to increase base salary, pay a 
short-term incentive or offer a long-term incentive in any given year. 

The table below contains the key terms of the Executive KMP’s Executive Agreements. The Executive Agreements do not 
provide for any termination payments, other than payment in lieu of notice by the Company.

Name

Robert Kelly* 

Stephen Humphrys

Samantha Hollman

Simon Lightbody

Allan Reynolds

Linda Ellis

Notice period from  
the Company

Notice period from  
the employee

Termination provisions in relation  
to payment in lieu of notice

12 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

12 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

12 months fixed remuneration

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration

6 months fixed remuneration 

6 months fixed remuneration

*  Mr Kelly has agreed not to terminate his employment contract before 31 December 2022.

In accordance with the requirements of Corporations Act 2001, termination provisions could include the payment of unused 
annual leave and long service leave accruals where applicable.

4.3.1 Retrenchment entitlements 

In the event of redundancy, Mr Kelly will be paid an amount equal to 12 months fixed remuneration.

4.3.2 Termination under other situations 

In the event of gross negligence or gross misconduct, the Company may terminate the Executive Agreement immediately by 
notice in writing and without payment in lieu of notice.

72

5. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION

5.1 Fee structure and policy

Non-Executive Directors’ fees are determined within an aggregate Directors’ fee pool limit, which is reviewed periodically and 
recommended for approval by shareholders. 

The fee structure is designed to provide the Group with the ability to attract and retain directors of the highest calibre.

The aggregate amount of remuneration sought to be approved by shareholders and the manner in which it is paid to 
Directors is reviewed annually. The Board considers advice from external consultants as well as fees paid to Non-Executive 
Directors of comparable companies when undertaking the review process.

An external remuneration consultant, Egan Associates, was engaged during the financial year to conduct remuneration 
benchmarking for the Non-Executive Directors. 

Independent and non-independent Non-Executive Director remuneration consists of three elements:

•  Board fees;
•  committee fees; and
•  superannuation, which is paid in line with legislative requirements.

Directors do not receive retirement benefits beyond superannuation contributions and do not participate in any incentive 
programs.

Directors may also be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in attending to the Company’s affairs.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 18 October 2018, the shareholders approved the maximum aggregate Directors’ fee 
pool of $1,100,000 per annum for each financial year effective from and including the financial year commenced on 1 July 
2018.

The table below contains the annual fee structure for the Steadfast Board and committees (inclusive of superannuation).

Chairman

Members

2019

2018

2019

2018

Board
$

275,000

231,750

135,000

118,450

Audit & Risk 
Committee
$

Remuneration & 
Succession Planning 
Committee
$

Nomination 
Committee
$

30,000

20,600

7,500

5,150

27,500

20,600

7,500

5,150

-

-

-

-

No additional remuneration will be paid for the Chairman and members of the Nomination Committee nor any directorships 
of subsidiaries. The Directors have determined that fees for the financial year ended 30 June 2020 will not be increased. 

5.2 Minimum shareholding requirement

Non-Executive Directors are not required under the Company’s constitution to hold any of Steadfast’s ordinary shares. 

However, contained in each Director’s letter of appointment from the Company is a term and condition that the Non-
Executive Directors must hold an amount equal to 50% of their annual remuneration in the Company’s ordinary shares by the 
end of their second year in office. 

Refer Section 6.3 for details of Steadfast’s ordinary shares held by the Non-Executive Directors.

73

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

5.3 Remuneration details for Non-Executive Directors

The table below provides remuneration details of the Non-Executive Directors on the Company’s Board.

Short-term employment benefits

Post-employment 
benefits

Board fees
$

 Committee fees
$

Superannuation
$

Current Non-Executive Directors

Frank O’Halloran, AM

2019

2018

David Liddy, AM

2019

2018

Gai McGrath

2019

2018(a)

Anne O’Driscoll

2019

2018

Philip Purcell

2019

2018

Greg Rynenberg

2019

2018

254,469

211,701

123,288

108,174

135,000

9,014

123,288

108,174

123,288

108,174

123,288

108,174

-

10,300

31,963

23,516

15,000

784

34,247

23,516

13,699

9,406

13,699

9,406

20,531

20,049

14,749

12,511

-

931

14,965

12,511

13,013

11,170

13,013

11,170

Total

$

275,000

242,050

170,000

144,201

150,000

10,729

172,500

144,201

150,000

128,750

150,000

128,750

(a)  Gai McGrath was appointed to the Board effective 1 June 2018.

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

6.1 Remuneration governance

This report meets the remuneration reporting requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and Accounting Standard AASB 124 
Related Party Disclosures. The term remuneration used in this report has the same meaning as compensation as prescribed in 
AASB 124. 

6.1.1 Role of the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee

The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing and determining remuneration 
arrangements for the Non-Executive Directors and the Executive Team made up of the Managing Director & CEO and his 
direct reports listed in the KMP table in Section 1.1.

74

6.1.2 Use of remuneration consultant

The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee directly engages and considers market remuneration data from 
remuneration consultants as required. The data provided by remuneration consultants is used as a guide for remuneration 
decisions with respect to the Executive Team. Remuneration consultants are engaged no less than every three years to 
provide information on fixed remuneration packages and incentives to the Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee. 

No remuneration recommendations as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 were provided during this financial year.

6.2 Valuation of conditional rights 

The table below details the fair value of conditional rights issued affecting remuneration of KMP in the previous, current or 
future reporting periods:

Description

Recipient

Grant date

Vesting date

October 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

18 October 2018

24 August 2019

October 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

18 October 2018

24 August 2020

October 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

18 October 2018

24 August 2021

August 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2018

24 August 2019

August 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2018

24 August 2020

August 2018 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2018

24 August 2021

October 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

26 October 2017

23 August 2018

October 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

26 October 2017

23 August 2019

October 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

26 October 2017

23 August 2020

August 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

23 August 2017

23 August 2018

August 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

23 August 2017

23 August 2019

August 2017 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

23 August 2017

23 August 2020

October 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

27 October 2016

24 August 2017

October 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

27 October 2016

24 August 2018

October 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

27 October 2016

24 August 2019

August 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2016

24 August 2017

August 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2016

24 August 2018

August 2016 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2016

24 August 2019

October 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

30 October 2015

24 August 2016

October 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

30 October 2015

24 August 2017

October 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

MD & CEO

30 October 2015

24 August 2018

August 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2015

24 August 2016

August 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2015

24 August 2017

August 2015 STI conditional rights(a)

Other executives

24 August 2015

24 August 2018

October 2018 LTI conditional rights

MD & CEO

18 October 2018

24 August 2021

August 2018 LTI conditional rights

Other executives

24 August 2018

24 August 2021

October 2017 LTI conditional rights

MD & CEO

26 October 2017

23 August 2020

August 2017 LTI conditional rights

Other executives

23 August 2017

23 August 2020

October 2016 LTI conditional rights

MD & CEO

27 October 2016

24 August 2019

August 2016 LTI conditional rights

Other executives

24 August 2016

24 August 2019

October 2015 LTI conditional rights

MD & CEO

30 October 2015

24 August 2018

Volume 
weighted 
average  
share price 
(VWAP)(c)
$

Fair value at 
grant date(b)
 $

2.9486

2.9403

2.9252

3.0045

2.9922

2.9737

2.7389

2.7318

2.7175

2.6053

2.5945

2.5771

2.1292

2.1234

2.1128

2.1264

2.1179

2.1047

1.4992

1.4939

1.4841

1.4519

1.4442

1.4323

2.7609

2.7771

2.5581

2.3879

1.9834

1.9500

1.4841

3.0648

3.0648

3.0648

3.0648

3.0648

3.0648

2.8170

2.8170

2.8170

2.8170

2.8170

2.8170

2.1858

2.1858

2.1858

2.1858

2.1858

2.1858

1.4881

1.4881

1.4881

1.4881

1.4881

1.4881

3.0648

3.0648

2.8170

2.8170

2.1858

2.1858

1.4881

75

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

6.2 Valuation of conditional rights continued

Description

Recipient

Grant date

Vesting date

August 2015 LTI conditional rights

Other executives

24 August 2015

24 August 2018

October 2014 STI conditional rights

MD & CEO

29 October 2014

25 August 2017

August 2014 STI conditional rights

Other executives

25 August 2014

25 August 2017

October 2014 LTI conditional rights

MD & CEO

29 October 2014

25 August 2019

August 2014 LTI conditional rights

Other executives

25 August 2014

25 August 2019

Table notes

Volume 
weighted 
average  
share price 
(VWAP)(c)
$

1.4881

1.3960

1.3960

1.3960

1.3960

Fair value at 
grant date(b)
 $

1.4323

1.4312

1.3253

1.4001

1.2908

(a)  The STI conditional rights granted in October 2018, August 2018, October 2017, August 2017, October 2016, August 2016, 

October 2015 and August 2015 all vest in three equal tranches after one, two and three years from the grant date.

(b)  The fair value at grant date is determined in accordance with Accounting Standard, AASB 2 Share-based Payment.

(c)  To calculate the number of conditional rights to be granted, the award value is divided by the volume weighted average 

share price of Steadfast shares over the five trading days on the Australian Securities Exchange prior to Steadfast 
announcing its full year results.

6.3 Shareholdings

The table below summarises the movement in holdings of ordinary shares during the year and the balance at the end of the 
financial year both in total and held nominally by related parties of Non-Executive Directors and KMPs. 

Total shares 
held at  
1 July  
2018

Shares 
transferred 
upon vesting 
of DEA

Shares 
allocated via 
DRP

Total shares 
held at 
30 June  
2019

Shares held 
nominally 
at 30 June 
2019(a)

Sales/ 
Reductions

Purchases

Frank O’Halloran, AM(b)

1,619,646

182,000

Robert Kelly(b)

David Liddy, AM(b)

Gai McGrath(b)

Anne O’Driscoll(b)

Philip Purcell(b)

Greg Rynenberg(b)

Stephen Humphrys

Samantha Hollman

Simon Lightbody

Allan Reynolds 

Linda Ellis

Table notes 

5,933,163

255,455

10,500

168,498

160,142

846,385

400,000

316,307

1,476,874

1,051,576

165,000

-

-

9,250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

509,520

-

-

-

-

-

251,645

99,168

20,687

163,481

101,494

-

-

-

-

-

-

(651,107)

1,150,539

749,432

(3,380,474)

3,062,209

-

(105,455)

150,000

150,000

-

-

-

19,750

168,498

160,142

22,291

(10,000)

858,676

-

(251,645)

400,000

9,940

(196,700)

228,715

-

-

1,497,561

5,545

(265,000)

955,602

-

(203,494)

63,000

19,750

168,498

160,142

858,676

-

172,596

455,314

46,089

-

(a)  Shares held nominally are included in the column headed ‘Total shares held at 30 June 2019’. Total shares are held directly 
by the KMP and indirectly by the KMP’s related parties, inclusive of domestic partner, dependants and entities controlled, 
jointly controlled or significantly influenced by the KMP.

(b)  For the Directors, total shares held directly and nominally also represented the relevant interest in the listed securities, 

being ordinary shares of the Company, as notified by the Directors to the ASX in accordance with section 205G(1) of the 
Corporations Act 2001, at the date of this Directors’ Report.

76

6.4 Executive loans

In the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 14 June 2013, the shareholders approved the making by the Company of full 
recourse loans to three continuing KMP. 

All Executive loans were fully repaid during the financial year ended 30 June 2019.

The table below provides the amount of the Executive loans provided to three Executives and the fair value at the drawn 
down date and movement during the financial year. 

Face value of 
Executive loans
$

Fair value of 
Executive loans 
drawn down at 
start of the year
$

Deemed interest 
income during 
the year
$

Repayment 
during the year
$

Fair value of 
Executive loans 
at the end of the 
year
$

Robert Kelly 

Stephen Humphrys

Allan Reynolds 

5,000,000

1,000,000

900,000

6,900,000

3,704,258

140,693

666,900

4,511,851

-

-

-

-

(3,704,258)

(140,693)

(666,900)

(4,511,851)

-

-

-

-

77

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report continued

6.5 Related party transactions

The following transactions occurred with Directors’ (Robert Kelly and Greg Rynenberg) related parties, which are part of 
Steadfast Network but are not part of Steadfast Group:

2019
$

2018
$

i. Sale of goods and services

Marketing and administration fees received from Directors' related entities on normal 
commercial terms

20,610

26,348

ii. Payment for goods and services

Estimated Steadfast Network broker rebate expense to Directors' related entities on 
the basis as determined by the Board

51,663

28,344

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions  
with related parties: 

iii. Current receivable from related parties

Trade receivables from Directors' related entities

ROUNDING

80,119

71,434

The Group is of the kind referred to in the ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 
issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. In accordance with that Instrument, amounts in the Directors’ 
Report and financial report have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated. 

Signed at Sydney on 20 August 2019 in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Frank O’Halloran, AM 
Chairman

Robert Kelly 
Managing Director & CEO

78

LEAD AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

UNDER SECTION 307C OF CORPORATIONS ACT 2001

TO THE DIRECTORS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Steadfast Group Limited for the financial year 
ended 30 June 2019 there have been:

(i)  no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the 

audit; and

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

KPMG

Scott Guse 
Partner

Sydney 
20 August 2019

79

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Steadfast Group Limited

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

REVENUE

Fee and commission income

Less: brokerage commission paid

Net fee and commission income

Professional services fees

Premium funding income

Interest income

Share of profits of associates accounted for using the equity method

Share of profits of joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Fair value gain on listed investment

Net gain / (loss) from adjustments to deferred consideration estimates

Net gain from sale of subsidiaries and associates

Net gain / (loss) on fair value of investments in subsidiaries

Other income

EXPENSES

Employment expense

Operating, brokers’ support service and other expenses 

Commission and other related expenses

Occupancy expense

Amortisation expense

Depreciation expense

Impairment expense – non-financial assets

Finance costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit after income tax expense for the year

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

ITEMS THAT MAY BE RECLASSIFIED SUBSEQUENTLY TO PROFIT OR LOSS

Net movement in foreign currency translation reserve

Cash flow hedge effective portion of change in fair value

Income tax (expense) / benefit on other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

80

Note

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

583,751

505,627

(144,775)

(136,679)

438,976

368,948

87,370

10,613

8,833

12,522

2,394

725

(110)

2,086

12,853

2,177

70,629

-

7,560

12,436

2,058

1,500

3,275

480

(70)

1,287

12

13

4, 10

4

4

578,439

468,103

(240,670)

(200,123)

(70,643)

(58,897)

(38,681)

(18,932)

(26,761)

(16,458)

 7

(31,416)

(25,000)

(4,713)

-

(14,125)

(3,832)

(2,372)

(9,995)

(419,180)

(343,438)

159,259

124,665

21

(37,425)

(34,314)

121,834

90,351

2,095

60

(647)

1,508

(717)

431

86

(200)

123,342

90,151

4

17,989

103,845

121,834

14,497

75,854

90,351

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

Note

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

17,989

105,353

123,342

14,497

75,654

90,151

5

5

13.16

13.12

9.87

9.83

The above Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with 
the notes to the financial statements.

81

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Steadfast Group Limited

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
AS AT 30 JUNE 2019

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash held on trust

Trade and other receivables*

Premium funding receivable

Related party loans

Other

Total current assets

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Investments in associates

Interest in joint ventures

Property, plant and equipment

External shareholder loans

Related party loans

Other financial assets

Deferred tax assets

Other

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Note

2019
$’000

2018*
$’000

22

22

14

14

23

7

7

12

13

15

16C

23

21

116,520

76,746

427,449

310,856

164,619

147,622

76,178

-

7,775

-

5,115

3,875

792,541

544,214

945,498

816,246

193,206

112,582

15,677

43,667

33,211

500

7,225

7,358

5,732

171,660

138,743

6,862

39,001

16,928

-

6,500

3,514

1,597

1,364,656

1,201,051

2,157,197

1,745,265

Payables on broking/underwriting agency operations*

410,334

323,464

Trade and other liabilities

Bank overdrafts

Corporate and subsidiaries borrowings

Premium funding borrowings

Premium funding payables

Deferred consideration

Income tax payable

Provisions

Total current liabilities

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Corporate and subsidiaries borrowings

Deferred consideration

Other payables

Deferred tax liabilities 

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

82

2

8, 22

8

8

10G

8

10G

21

99,232

3,781

25,707

3,384

66,873

28,064

11,614

25,615

38,489

-

1,055

-

-

2,822

16,868

19,226

674,604

401,924

311,232

218,185

6,342

3,003

57,858

8,906

1,124

2,812

56,320

7,921

387,341

286,362

1,061,945

688,286

1,095,252

1,056,979

EQUITY

Share capital

Treasury shares held in trust

Foreign currency translation reserve

Share-based payments reserve

Undistributed profits reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to the owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Note

2019
$’000

2018*
$’000

9

9

912,517

912,347

(9,890)

800

6,187

(7,728)

(667)

4,512

72,076

89,509

(4,083)

(30,793)

37,859

30,397

1,015,466

997,577

79,786

59,402

1,095,252

1,056,979

The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial 
statements.

*  Amounts have been restated to ensure comparability between periods. Refer Note 2B.II.

83

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Steadfast Group Limited

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

Equity attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Treasury 
shares 
held in 
trust
$’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
$’000

Share-
based 
payments 
reserve
$’000

Un- 
distributed
profits
reserve
$’000

Share 
capital
$’000

Other 
reserves
$’000

Retained 
earnings
$’000

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total 
equity

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 July 2018

912,347

(7,728)

(667)

4,512

89,509 (30,793)

30,397

59,402 1,056,979

Adjustment on initial 
application of AASB 15  
(net of tax) *

Adjustment on initial 
application of AASB 9 (net 
of tax) *

Adjusted balance at 1 July 
2018

Profit after income tax 
expense for the year

Other comprehensive 
income for the year, net 
of tax

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

TRANSACTIONS WITH 
OWNERS IN THEIR 
CAPACITY AS OWNERS:

Adjustment to prior year 
transaction costs, net of 
income tax

Shares acquired and held 
in trust (Note 9)

Share-based payments 
on Executive Shares and 
employee share plans

Shares allotted through 
Dividend Reinvestment 
Plan (Note 9)

Shares allotted to 
employees under 
Employee Conditional 
Rights Scheme (Note 9)

Transfer of other reserves 
to retained earnings

Non-controlling interests 
of acquired entities  
(Note 10)

Change in equity 
interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control

Dividends declared and 
paid (Note 6)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(12,330)

(2,815)

(15,145)

-

(1,404)

(295)

(1,699)

912,347

(7,728)

(667)

4,512

89,509 (30,793)

16,663

56,292 1,040,135

-

-

-

170

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3,685)

-

(252)

1,775

-

-

-

-

-

1,467

1,467

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,450

-

(1,775)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 103,845

17,989

121,834

41

-

-

1,508

41 103,845

17,989

123,342

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

170

(3,685)

3,450

(252)

-

-

(17,433) 37,433 (20,000)

-

-

-

-

(10,764)

-

-

6,225

6,225

15,141

4,377

-

(62,649)

(15,861)

(78,510)

Balance at 30 June 2019 912,517

(9,890)

800

6,187

72,076

(4,083)

37,859

79,786 1,095,252

*  The Group has initially applied AASB 9 and AASB 15 at 1 July 2018. Under the transition methods chosen, comparative 
information is not restated. See Note 2B. The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in 
conjunction with the notes to the financial statements.

84

Steadfast Group Limited

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Equity attributable to owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Treasury 
shares 
held in 
trust
$’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
$’000

Share-
based 
payments 
reserve
$’000

Un-
distributed
profits
reserve
$’000

Share 
capital
$’000

Other 
reserves
$’000

Retained 
earnings
$’000

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total 
equity

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 July 2017

796,857

(7,014)

(165)

3,761

64,086 (20,484)

35,161

40,966

913,168

Profit after income tax 
expense for the year

Other comprehensive 
income for the year, 
net of tax

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

TRANSACTIONS WITH 
OWNERS IN THEIR 
CAPACITY AS OWNERS:

Shares issued under 
institutional and retail 
share placement (Note 9)

Less: Transaction costs 
on issued shares, net of 
income tax (Note 9)

Shares issued to 
Whitbread/Axis vendors 
(Note 9)

Shares issued to key 
management member 
(Note 9)

Shares acquired and held 
in trust (Note 9)

Share-based payments 
on Executive Shares and 
employee share plans

Shares allotted through 
Dividend Reinvestment 
Plan (Note 9)

Shares allotted to 
employees under 
Employee Conditional 
Rights Scheme (Note 9)

Transfer of retained 
earnings to profit reserve

Acquisition of non-
controlling interests 

Changes in part equity 
interests in subsidiaries 
without loss of control

Dividends declared and 
paid (Note 6)

-

-

-

107,762

(1,288)

6,016

3,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,799)

-

(283)

1,368

-

-

-

-

-

(502)

(502)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,484

-

(1,733)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

25,423

-

-

-

-

75,854

14,497

90,351

302

-

-

(200)

302

75,854

14,497

90,151

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(10,611)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(25,423)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

107,762

(1,288)

6,016

3,000

(1,799)

2,484

(283)

(365)

-

1,514

1,514

15,846

5,235

-

(55,195)

(13,421)

(68,616)

Balance at 30 June 2018 912,347

(7,728)

(667)

4,512

89,509 (30,793)

30,397

59,402 1,056,979

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

85

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Steadfast Group Limited

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees, and Network broker rebates

Dividends received from associates and joint ventures

Interest received

Interest and other finance costs paid

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities before customer trust accounts movement

Net movement in customer trust accounts (net cash receipts/payments 
on behalf of customers)

Net cash from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Note

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

516,126

483,644

(366,965)

(362,488)

14,256

8,099

(12,789)

(41,077)

117,650

15,857

6,899

(9,946)

(37,896)

96,070

43,698

161,348

27,154

123,224

22

Payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries and business assets

(85,292)

(110,045)

Cash acquired from acquisitions of subsidiaries and business assets

Payments for investments in associates and joint ventures

Payments for step-up investment in subsidiaries on hubbing arrangements

Payments for financial assets

Payments for deferred consideration of subsidiaries, associates and business 
assets

10G

Proceeds from disposal of investment in subsidiaries, net of cash disposed

Proceeds from part disposal of investment in subsidiaries on hubbing 
arrangements

Proceeds from disposal of investment in associates

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangible assets

Net cash used in investing activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issue of shares

Payments for transaction costs on issue of shares

Dividends paid to owners of Steadfast 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Payments for purchase of treasury shares

Repayment of related party loans

Payments for related party loans

Repayment of non-related party loans

Payments for non-related party loans

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash held

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

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

86

22

540,188

387,602

91,210

(12,396)

(11,364)

-

(17,389)

1,950

3,709

314

(6,384)

(12,118)

(47,760)

-

-

(62,649)

(15,861)

138,374

(23,411)

(3,685)

5,194

(500)

2,553

(1,505)

38,510

152,098

387,602

488

26,859

(7,368)

(16,952)

(5,047)

(5,047)

-

6,210

1,719

(13,490)

(11,933)

(135,094)

110,762

(2,206)

(55,195)

(13,421)

76,476

(63,111)

(1,799)

2,303

-

16,864

(187)

70,486

58,616

329,209

(223)

6

8

8

Steadfast Group Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

NOTE 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 

This general purpose financial report is for the year ended 30 June 2019 and comprises the consolidated financial statements 
for Steadfast Group Limited (Steadfast or the Company) and its subsidiaries and the Group’s interests in associates and joint 
ventures (Steadfast Group or the Group). These financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Steadfast’s 
functional and presentation currency.

The Company is a for-profit listed public company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered 
office and principal place of business is Level 4, 99 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

A description of the nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities is included in the Directors’ Report, which is 
not part of the financial report.

This general purpose financial report was authorised for issue by the Board on 20 August 2019.

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

This financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards and 
other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, as appropriate for for-profit oriented 
entities and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) refer to the overall framework of standards and pronouncements approved 
by the International Accounting Standards Board. IFRS forms the basis of the Australian Accounting Standards. This financial 
report of the Group complies with IFRS.

B. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT

The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this financial report are set out below. These accounting 
policies have been applied consistently by all entities in the Group and are the same as those applied for the previous 
reporting period unless otherwise noted. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, 
modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of certain non-current assets, financial assets and financial 
liabilities.

I. New and amended standards adopted by the Group 

The Group has adopted the following revised or amending Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board that are mandatory for the year ended 30 June 2019. The effect of the adoption of 
these standards on the financial position of the Group is disclosed below:

Title

AASB 9

AASB 15

Description

Financial Instruments and the relevant amending standards

Revenue from Contracts with Customers and the relevant amending standards

AASB 2016-5

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Classification and Measurement of  
Share-based Payment Transactions

Note

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Table notes

(i)  AASB 9 Financial Instruments addresses classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial 

liabilities. The standard replaces the guidance in AASB 139 that relates to the classification and measurement of financial 
instruments. 

AASB 9 replaces the ‘incurred loss’ model in AASB 139 with an ‘expected credit loss’ (ECL) model. The new standard 
requires the recognition of expected credit losses from the moment when receivables are first recognised, rather than 
when a trigger event occurs. When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly 
since initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is 
relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, 
based on the Group’s historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information. 
The Group has reviewed its financial assets and liabilities and identified that fee and commission receivable is affected by 
the new accounting standard. The Group assumes that the credit risk on fee and commission receivable for brokers and 
underwriting agencies has increased significantly if it is more than 90 days past due. 

The new standard requires provision to be made for the expected non-recoverable portion of fee and commission 
receivable at the time it is invoiced to the clients. 

The Group initially applied AASB 9 at 1 July 2018 on a prospective basis in accordance with the transition provisions of 
AASB 9, under which the comparative information is not required to be restated. The cumulative effect of applying the 
new standard was recognised in opening retained earnings as at 1 July 2018. The following table summarises the impact 
of transition to AASB 9 on 1 July 2018.

87

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Current assets

Decrease in trade and other receivables (expected credit loss provision)

Non-current assets

Increase in deferred tax assets

Equity

Decrease in opening retained earnings

Decrease in non-controlling interests

Expenses

Decrease in income tax expense

Impact of adopting AASB 9  
at 1 July 2018
($ ’000)

2,403

713

1,404

295

9

The following tables summarise the impacts of adopting AASB 9 on the Group’s statement of financial position as at 30 June 
2019 and its consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year then ended for each of the 
line items affected. There was no material impact on the Group’s statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Impact on the consolidated statement of financial position

ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Others

Total current assets

Investments in associates

Interest in joint ventures

Deferred tax assets / (liabilities)

Others

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Total current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY

Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

Foreign currency translation reserve

Others

Total equity

88

As reported
$’000

Adjustments
$’000

Amounts 
without 
adoption of 
AASB 9
$’000

164,619

627,922

792,541

112,582

15,677

7,358

1,229,039

1,364,656

2,157,197

674,604

387,341

1,061,945

1,095,252

37,859

79,786

800

976,807

1,095,252

2,780

167,399

-

627,922

2,780

4

(4)

(817)

795,321

112,586

15,673

6,541

(39)

1,229,000

(856)

1,363,800

1,924

2,159,121

- 

-

- 

674,604

387,341

1,061,945

1,924

1,097,176

1,594

314

16

-

39,453

80,100

816

976,807

1,924

1,097,176

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Impact on the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Share of profits of associates

Share of profits of joint ventures

Operating, brokers’ support service and other expenses

Others

Income tax expense

Profit after income tax expense for the year

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Profit for the year is attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to: 

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

As reported
$’000

Adjustments
$’000

Amounts 
without 
adoption of 
AASB 9
$’000

12,522

2,394

(70,643)

214,986

(37,425)

121,834

1,508

123,342

17,989

103,845

121,834

17,989

105,353

123,342

4

(4)

305

-

(96)

209

-

209

19

190

209

19

190

209

12,526

2,390

(70,338)

214,986

(37,521)

122,043

1,508

123,551

18,008

104,035

122,043

18,008

105,543

123,551

(a)  Classification and measurement 

On 1 July 2018 (the date of initial application of AASB 9), the Group’s management assessed which business models 
apply to the financial assets held by the Group and classified its financial instruments into the appropriate AASB 9 
categories. 

The table below summarises the impacts in classification and measurement of financial assets under AASB 139 and 
AASB 9 at the date of initial application, 1 July 2018: 

Classification

Carrying amount ($’000)

Original under 
AASB 139

New under  
AASB 9

Original  
amount: 
AASB 139

Additional 
allowance 
recognised  
under AASB 9

New amount: 
AASB 9

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash held on trust

Trade and other receivables

Premium funding receivable

External shareholder loans

Related party loans

Other financial assets

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Loans and 
receivables

Amortised cost

76,746

Amortised cost

310,856

-

-

76,746

310,856

Amortised cost

147,622

(2,403)

145,219

Amortised cost

-

Amortised cost

16,928

Amortised cost

5,115

Amortised cost

5,472

-

-

-

-

-

16,928

5,115

5,472

89

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Note:

There was no impact on the Group’s accounting for financial liabilities, as the new requirements only affect the 
accounting for financial liabilities that are designated at fair value through profit or loss. 

(b)  Impairment of financial assets

The new impairment model applies to Group’s financial assets measured at amortised cost. The Group has reviewed 
its financial assets measured at amortised cost and identified that fee and commission receivable is affected by the 
new accounting standard. 

The Group applies the AASB 9 simplified approach to measure ECLs on fee and commission receivable. Under this 
approach, the credit losses expected over the life of receivables are recognised in the consolidated statement of 
financial position at each reporting date. 

Credit loss allowances related to fee and commission receivables are included in the Consolidated Statement of Profit 
and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income under “Operating, brokers’ support service and other expenses”. 

The application of AASB 9 resulted in additional impairment losses on trade and other receivables of $0.3m ($0.2m net 
of tax and non-controlling interests).

(c)  Derecognition

The derecognition rules have been transferred from AASB 139 and remain largely unchanged.

(ii)  AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers introduces a comprehensive revenue recognition model aimed at 

enhancing comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The 
standard replaces AASB 118 Revenue, AASB 111 Construction Contracts and related interpretations.

The core principle of AASB 15 is that an entity should recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or 
services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange 
for those goods or services. Specifically AASB 15 introduces the following 5-step approach to revenue recognition:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

Step 3: Determine the transaction price

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Step 5: Recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

After completing a detailed review using the 5-step approach described above, the Group identified commission revenue 
in respect of claims handling services as an area affected by the new accounting standard. The application of the new 
standard results in the identification of a separate performance obligation for handling claims on behalf of customers as 
part of the insurance intermediaries’ customary business practices. When applying AASB 15, fee and commission income 
associated with claims handling services is deferred on a basis that involves adding a margin to the costs of performing 
claims handling services, resulting in the later recognition of this revenue. There will be no material impact on the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income provided that business volumes do not change 
significantly from one reporting period to the next. 

The Group initially applied AASB 15 at 1 July 2018. It chose to apply the transition option in paragraph C3(b) of AASB 
15 under which the comparative information is not required to be restated. The cumulative effect of applying the new 
standard was recognised in opening retained earnings as at 1 July 2018. The following table summarises the impact of 
transition to AASB 15 on 1 July 2018.

90

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Non-current assets

Increase in deferred tax assets

Current liabilities

Increase in deferred income – claims handling

Equity

Decrease in opening retained earnings

Decrease in non-controlling interests

Expenses

Decrease in income tax expense

Impact of adopting AASB 15  
at 1 July 2018
($ ’000)

6,421

21,480

12,330

2,815

86

The following tables summarise the impacts of adopting AASB 15 on the Group’s statement of financial position as at 30 June 
2019 and its consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year then ended for each of 
the line items affected. There was no material impact on the Group’s statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 June 
2019.

Impact on the consolidated statement of financial position

As at 30 June 2019

ASSETS

Total current assets

Investments in associates

Interest in joint ventures

Deferred tax assets / (liabilities)

Others

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Trade and other liabilities (including deferred income –  
claims handling)

Others

Total current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY

Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

Others

Total equity

As reported 
$’000

Adjustments 
$’000

Amounts without 
adoption of AASB 15 
$’000

792,541

112,582

15,677

7,358

1,229,039

1,364,656

2,157,197

99,232

575,372

674,604

387,341

1,061,945

1,095,252

37,859

79,786

977,607

1,095,252

-

239

21

(6,889)

(1,373)

(8,002)

(8,002)

(23,326)

-

(23,326) 

-

(23,326) 

15,324

12,502

2,822

-

15,324

792,541

112,821

15,698

469

1,227,666

1,356,654

2,149,195

75,906

575,372

651,278

387,341

1,038,619

1,110,576

50,361

82,608

977,607

1,110,576

91

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Impact on the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Fee and commission income

Share of profits of associates

Share of profits of joint ventures

Others

Income tax expense

Profit after income tax expense for the year

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Profit for the year is attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

Total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to: 

Non-controlling interests

Owners of Steadfast Group Limited

As reported 
$’000

Adjustments 
$’000

Amounts  
without adoption 
of AASB 15 
$’000

438,976

12,522

2,394

(294,633)

(37,425)

121,834

1,508

123,342

17,989

103,845

121,834

17,989

105,353

123,342

(116)

239

21

-

35

179

-

179

7

172

179

7

172

179

438,860

12,761

2,415

(294,633)

(37,390)

122,013

1,508

123,521

17,996

104,017

122,013

17,996

105,525

123,521

(iii)  These changes in relation to share-based payment transactions are not expected to have a significant financial impact on 

the Group.

II. Comparative balances

As part of the project undertaken in relation to the adoption of AASB 15 and AASB 9, including a comparison to global 
practices, the Group has also determined that it should no longer recognise a receivable in relation to the insurance premiums 
owed by policyholders upon entering into a policy.  This is in recognition of the role of the Group’s insurance intermediaries 
and the fact that they are not liable as principals for the insurance premiums.  Similarly, the Group will not recognise a liability 
for insurance premiums payable to the insurer until cash is received from the policyholder. Amounts have been restated to 
ensure comparability between reporting periods.

The following table summarises the impact of change as at 30 June 2018.

92

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Consolidated statement of financial position

Current assets

Decrease in receivables from broking/underwriting agency operations

Increase in trade and other receivables

Current liabilities

Decrease in payables on broking/underwriting agency operations

As at 30 June 2018
($’000)

430,140

93,792

336,348

There was no impact on the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

III. Rounding

The Group is of the kind referred to in the ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 
issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. In accordance with that Instrument, amounts in this financial 
report have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

C. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

I. Business combinations

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The 
consideration transferred in the acquisition is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. The excess of 
the consideration transferred over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and non-controlling interests is recorded 
as goodwill. If the consideration transferred is less than the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and non-controlling 
interests, the difference is recognised directly in consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 
Costs of acquisition are expensed as incurred, except if they relate to the issue of debt or equity securities.

II. Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it 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 over the entity. The 
financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group from the date on which 
control commences until the date on which control ceases. 

III. Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests (NCI) are measured at their proportionate share of the acquired subsidiaries’ identifiable net assets 
at the date of acquisition. For operations and businesses being put into a business hub, NCI represent the fair value at the 
hubbing date. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity 
transactions. 

IV. Loss of control

When the Group ceases control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related 
NCI and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in consolidated statement of profit or loss and 
other comprehensive income. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost. 

V. Interests in equity-accounted investees

The Group’s interests in equity-accounted investees comprise interests in associates and joint ventures. Associates are those 
entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. 
Joint ventures are arrangements in which the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the 
arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities. 

Interests in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. They are initially recognised at cost, 
which includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Group’s share of the profit or loss of associates and the 
joint ventures is included in the Group’s consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 

VI. Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are 
eliminated in full.

93

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

D. REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is recognised as the Group provides services. Revenue is recognised to the extent that there is no future 
performance obligation. Where there is a future performance obligation, a portion is deferred over the expected service 
period. 

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in a contract. The Group’s 
revenue does not have a significant financing component so the transaction (invoice) price is considered to be their amortised 
cost.

The Group’s revenue is disaggregated by major products and services, which is consistent with the revenue information by 
reportable segment as disclosed in Note 4. 

The Group recognises revenue on contract assets when service is provided, which is generally at the point in time when the 
invoice is raised resulting in a recognition of a receivable. In general, it is possible that there is a short time lag between invoice 
date and policy inception date. Following a detailed review, it was determined that revenue is generally recognised in the 
same month that work is undertaken, and any revenue earned but not invoiced would be immaterial.

I. Fee and commission income

The Group retains a portion of the policy premiums as fee and commission income. Premiums are typically collected on an 
annual basis, at or near invoice date (which could be up to 90 days from contract inception). In some cases, customers are 
offered to pay in instalments or are directed to a third-party premium credit provider.

Commission, brokerage and fees are recognised when the related service has been provided and it is probable that the Group 
will be compensated for services rendered, and the amount of consideration for such services can be reliably measured. 
This is deemed to be the invoice date. An allowance is made for anticipated lapses and cancellations. Where there is a future 
obligation to provide claims handling services, a portion of the commission income is deferred over the expected service 
period. 

The Group utilises the practical expedient in AASB 15 to recognise the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense 
when incurred if the amortisation period of the asset that the entity would have recognised is one year or less.

II. Professional services fees

The Company has negotiated with strategic partners, such as insurers, premium funders and underwriting agencies, to receive 
professional services fees based on the amount of business placed with those entities for the Group’s preferred products. 
These amounts are recognised as revenue when base premium is placed (in the case of insurers and underwriting agencies) 
or premiums funded (in the case of premium funders). Other professional services include services provided by Steadfast 
Technology companies, and other insurance related professional services. This revenue is recognised when the related service 
has been provided. Where the arrangements are fee-based then revenue is recognised in line with the distinct and separate 
performance obligations in the contract.

III. Premium funding income

Fees on premium funding loans are recognised as revenue as performance obligations are satisfied. A portion of the fee is 
recognised upfront for the performance of loan origination services while the remaining portion relating to servicing activities 
is recognised on a monthly basis over the life of the loans. 

IV. Claims experience benefit

The Group may receive a claims experience benefit payment or payments in respect of certain types of insurance purchased 
by the Group for the benefit of the Network. Revenue is recognised for a claims experience benefit for a particular policy year 
when it is likely that a claims experience benefit is receivable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Factors taken into account in recognising a claims experience benefit include the number of years that have passed since the 
end of a policy year and whether various claims have been closed or can be reliably measured.

V. Other revenue

Other revenue is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

94

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

E. TAXATION

The Company (the head entity) and its wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries have formed an income tax consolidated group 
under the tax consolidation regime. Consequently, these entities are taxed as a single entity and the deferred tax assets and 
liabilities of these entities are offset in the consolidated financial statements. 

In addition, certain controlled subsidiaries and their wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries have formed income tax 
consolidated groups under the tax consolidation regime. These entities are also taxed as a single entity and the deferred tax 
assets and liabilities of these tax consolidated groups are offset in the consolidated financial statements.

F. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, deposits held at call with financial institutions, and other short-term, highly 
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. This 
includes cash held by the subsidiaries for business operations/operating expenses purposes.

Cash held on trust relates to cash held for insurance premiums received from policyholders, which will ultimately be paid to 
underwriters. Cash held on trust cannot be used to meet business operations/operating expenses other than payments to 
underwriters and/or refunds to policyholders.

G. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade and other receivables includes fee and commission receivable net of the associated expected credit loss (ECL) 
provision, as well as other receivables. 

H. PREMIUM FUNDING RECEIVABLE

Premium funding receivable represents the amount due from clients in the Group’s premium funding businesses net of the 
associated expected credit loss (ECL) provision. Funds are collected on a monthly instalment basis and generally within twelve 
months of the loan issuance date.

I. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated 
impairment losses. The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is periodically reviewed for impairment when events 
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  

Any gain or loss on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised in consolidated statement of profit or 
loss and other comprehensive income. 

J. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Identifiable intangible assets acquired separately or in a business combination (mainly customer relationships and capitalised 
software) are initially measured at cost. The cost of an intangible asset acquired in a business combination is its fair value as at 
the date of acquisition. The useful lives of these intangible assets are assessed on acquisition.

Internally developed software costs are capitalised once the project is assessed to be feasible. The costs capitalised include 
licensing and direct labour costs. The useful lives of capitalised software assets are assessed when the projects are completed 
and available for use. 

Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and provision for 
impairment. 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over their useful lives, currently estimated to be up to 10 years, and their useful 
lives are reviewed annually. 

K. PREMIUM FUNDING BORROWINGS

The Group’s premium funding borrowings are loans from third party financial institutions to finance the premium funding 
businesses. These loans have recourse to the assets of the premium funding businesses only and are not cross-collateralised 
with the other borrowings in the Group. Premium funding borrowings are classified as either a current or non-current liability 
depending on the agreement expiry dates with the relevant third party financial institutions. 

L. PAYABLES ON BROKING/UNDERWRITING AGENCY OPERATIONS

These amounts represent insurance premiums payable to insurance companies for broking/underwriting agency operations 
on amounts received from customers (policyholders) prior to the end of the financial period. 

95

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

M. HEDGE ACCOUNTING 

Hedge accounting is applied when the Group designates certain derivatives to be part of a hedging relationship, and they 
meet the criteria for hedge accounting.

The Group uses cash flow hedges to mitigate the risk of variability of future cash flows attributable to interest rate fluctuations 
associated with the corporate debt facility. For cash flow hedges, the portion of the gain or loss on the hedge instrument that 
is effective is recognised directly in equity, while the ineffective portion is recognised in profit or loss. Amounts deferred in 
equity are transferred to profit or loss in the same period the hedged item is recognised in the profit or loss. 

N. AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED AND NOT YET EFFECTIVE

The Group has not early adopted and applied any new, revised or amending Australian Accounting Standards and 
Interpretations that are not yet mandatory for the year ended 30 June 2019.

The Group intends to adopt new, revised or amending Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations in the operating 
year commencing 1 July after the effective date of these standards and interpretations as set out in the table below. Additional 
disclosures as result of adopting these new accounting standards will be provided in accordance with the disclosure 
requirements. The Group does not expect any adverse impact to financial covenants as a result of applying the new 
accounting standards.

Title

AASB 16

AASB 17

Description

Leases

Insurance Contracts

Effective date

Operating year

Note

1 January 2019

30 June 2020

1 January 2021

30 June 2022

AASB 2014-5

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards 
arising from AASB 15

1 January 2019

30 June 2020

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor  
and its Associate or Joint Venture

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Clarifications to AASB 15

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Definition of a Business

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Definition of Material

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – 
Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures

1 January 2021

30 June 2022

1 January 2019

30 June 2020

1 January 2019

30 June 2020

1 January 2020

30 June 2021

1 January 2020

30 June 2021

1 January 2019

30 June 2020

AASB 2014-10

AASB 2016-3

AASB 2017-4

AASB 2018-6

AASB 2018-7

AASB 2017-7

Table notes

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iii)

(iii)

(iii)

(iii)

(iii)

(iii)

(i)  AASB 16 Leases replaces AASB 117 Leases and related interpretations. It introduces a single accounting model for lessees, 
requiring the Group to recognise substantially all of its current operating lease commitments in the statement of financial 
position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. AASB 16 substantially carries forward the lessor accounting requirements 
in AASB 117. 

The Group intends to apply the short term and low value recognition exemptions available under paragraph 5 of AASB 16. 
The Group intends to adopt paragraph C8(b)(i) modified retrospective approach on transition with practical expedients as 
permitted by the new standard. The modified retrospective approach does not require comparative financial information 
to be restated. 

It is expected that on initial application of the abovementioned options on 1 July 2019, there will be:

•  right-of-use assets and the corresponding lease liabilities; 
•  front-loaded lease expense comprising interest and depreciation expenses; and 
•  reclassification of cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows. 

Based on operating lease commitments as at 30 June 2019, the application of the modified retrospective approach under 
paragraph C8(b)(i) would have had the following estimated impacts on the consolidated statement of financial position on 
30 June 2019 if the Group had been required to apply the new standard on that date:

96

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

•  $48 million increase in lease liability measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using 

the Group’s incremental borrowing rate;

•  $40 million increase in right-of-use asset measured at its carrying amount as if the new standard had been applied since 

the commencement date of the lease, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate;

•  $2 million increase in deferred tax asset; and
•  $6 million impact on retained earnings.

(ii)  AASB 17 Insurance Contracts was issued in July 2017 as replacement for AASB 4 Insurance Contracts and will be 

applicable to general, life and health insurance businesses. The new accounting standard introduces a new general model 
for measuring and accounting for insurance contracts. It requires insurance contracts to be measured on building blocks 
of discounted, probability-weighted cash flows, a risk adjustment and a contractual service margin representing the 
unearned profit of the contract.

The Group is in the business of providing services to the Steadfast Network brokers, distributing insurance policies via 
insurance brokerages and underwriting agencies, and providing related services. The Group generally does not issue 
insurance contracts or reinsurance contracts and as such does not expect any material financial impact from AASB 17.

(iii)  At the date of reporting, the impact of the Australian Accounting Standards issued and not yet effective had not been 

determined. The Group does not expect the implementation of the amendments to have a material impact on the Group.

NOTE 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 historical experience and on various other factors, including expectations of future events management 
believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates may differ from 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 (refer to the respective notes) during the year ended 30 June 2019 are 
discussed below.

A. FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS ACQUIRED

The Group measures the net assets acquired in a business combination at their fair value at the date of acquisition. If new 
information obtained within one year from the acquisition date about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition 
date identifies adjustments to the fair value, then the amounts recognised as at the acquisition date will be retrospectively 
revised.

Fair value is estimated with reference to the market transactions for similar assets or discounted cash flow analysis.

B. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Group’s financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. The following table 
gives information about how the fair value of financial assets and liabilities is determined, including the valuation technique 
and inputs used. For the Group’s financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value, their carrying amount provides a 
reasonable approximation of their fair values. 

Financial 
instrument

Fair value  
hierarchy

Valuation technique

Significant 
unobservable inputs

Relationship of unobservable 
inputs to fair value

Deferred 
consideration

Level 3

The fair value is calculated based 
on a contracted multiple of forecast 
EBITA or fees and commissions

Forecast EBITA or fees 
and commissions

The estimated fair value 
would increase/decrease if 
the forecast EBITA or fees and 
commissions were higher/lower

Interest rate 
swaps

Level 2

Investment in 
listed shares

Level 1

The fair value is calculated using 
the present value of the estimated 
future cash flow based on observable 
yield curves

The fair value is calculated based 
on number of shares multiplied 
by quoted price on ASX at balance 
date

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

97

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 3. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS continued

C. DEFERRED CONSIDERATION

The Group has made a best estimate of the fair value of consideration payable for the acquisitions where there is a variable 
purchase price (generally, a multiple of revenue or future period earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation 
(EBITA)) after performing due diligence on the acquisition. Should the final consideration payable vary from these 
estimates, the Group will be required to recognise the difference in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income.

D. GOODWILL

Goodwill is not amortised but assessed for impairment annually or more frequently when there is evidence of impairment.

The recoverable amount of goodwill is estimated using the higher of fair value or the value in use of the relevant Cash 
Generating Unit (CGU) deducting the carrying amount of the identifiable net assets of the CGU. Key assumptions used in the 
calculation of recoverable amounts are the discount rates, terminal value growth rates and inputs to revenue and expense 
growth assumptions.

E. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amounts of intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is 
any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated on the same basis 
as goodwill above.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

F. EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS 

Equity-accounted investments are carried at the lower of the equity-accounted amount and the recoverable amount.

The carrying amounts of equity-accounted investments (which include embedded amounts of intangible assets) are reviewed 
at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the 
asset’s recoverable amount is estimated on the same basis as goodwill above.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of the equity-accounted investment exceeds its recoverable amount.

G. 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/decrease where the useful lives are less/greater 
than previously estimated. It would also change if the amortisation methodology was reassessed. 

H. RECOVERY OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

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

I. DEFERRED REVENUE FOR CLAIMS HANDLING

Deferred revenue relating to claims handling is determined by calculating a margin and adding it to estimated costs based 
on past history associated with claims handling. Revenue is recognised over a period of time that the claims handling 
performance obligation is being performed.

J. EXPECTED CREDIT LOSS PROVISION

The expected credit loss provision is estimated based on the analysis of aged receivables, as the Group assumes that the 
credit risk on fee and commission receivable increases significantly if it is more than 90 days past due, as well as based on 
assumptions made on forward-looking information. For the premium funding businesses, the expected credit loss provision is 
based on historical analysis of credit losses for loans in arrears.

98

NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS 

The Company’s corporate structure includes equity investments in insurance intermediary entities (insurance broking, 
underwriting agencies and premium funders) and complementary businesses. Discrete financial information about each 
of these entities is reported to management on a regular basis and, accordingly, management considers each entity to be 
a discrete business operation. The Company believes that all of the Group’s equity investments in insurance intermediary 
entities exhibit similar economic characteristics and have therefore been aggregated into a single reporting segment, being 
the general insurance intermediary sector. This assessment is based on each of the business operations having similar 
products and services, similar types of customer, employing similar operating processes and procedures, and operating within 
similar regulatory environments. 

The Group is in the business of distributing and advising on insurance products primarily in Australia and New Zealand. 
The Group is also expanding its footprint in the United Kingdom and Singapore, and has a non-controlling interest in 
unisonSteadfast, a network headquartered in Germany. Regarding geographical information, the revenue and non-current 
assets attributed to geographies outside of Australasia are currently immaterial to the Group and hence no separate 
geographical disclosure has been made.

In addition to reviewing performance based on statutory profit after tax, the Chief Operating Decision Maker (being the 
Managing Director & CEO) also reviews a key additional performance measure being underlying earnings before interest 
expense, tax and amortisation on acquired intangible assets (EBITA) broken down by consolidated entities, associates and joint 
ventures. The underlying EBITA excludes non-trading items as described in Note 4(i). The separate identification of non-trading 
items and EBITA are not disclosed in accordance with current Australian Accounting Standards requirements. Non-trading 
items are separately identified as they are considered to be unusual or non-recurring in nature.

The additional performance measures, EBITA and other related information (broken down by consolidated entities, and 
associates and joint ventures) provided on a regular basis to the Chief Operating Decision Maker are outlined in the table 
below.

99

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS continued

2019

Fee and commission income

Professional services fees

Premium funding income*

Interest income

Share of profits from associates  
and joint ventures

Other revenue

Revenue

Less: share of profits from 
associates and joint ventures

Revenue – consolidated entities

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

Total
underlying
$’000

Re - 
classification
$’000

Non-trading
items(i)
$’000

583,446

80,354

10,613

8,850

14,382

1,972

-

583,446

(144,470)

3,068

-

16

(119)

(56)

83,422

10,613

8,866

14,263

1,916

3,948

-

-

653

764

699,617

2,909

702,526

(139,105)

-

-

-

(33)

-

15,051

15,018

Total  
statutory
$’000

438,976

87,370

10,613

8,833

14,916

17,731

578,439

(14,382)

685,235

119

3,028

(14,263)

(653)

-

(14,916)

688,263

(139,758)

15,018

563,523

Employment expenses 

(216,899)

(5,930)

(222,829)

(17,841)

Occupancy expenses

Other expenses

Expenses – Consolidated entities

EBITA – consolidated entities

Share of EBITA from associates  
and joint ventures

EBITA before non-trading items  
and adjustments for investment  
in listed securities

Investment in listed securities

Dividends received

Mark to market adjustments

EBITA

Finance costs 

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Amortisation expense

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Income tax benefit / (expense)

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Net profit after tax

Non-controlling interests

(18,758)

(277,206)

(512,863)

172,372

(174)

(936)

(7,040)

(4,012)

(18,932)

-

(278,142)

164,105

(519,903)

146,264

168,360

6,506

15,018

189,884

-

-

-

-

(240,670)

(18,932)

(114,037)

(373,639)

25,016

(47)

24,969

157

-

25,126

197,388

(4,059)

193,329

6,663

15,018

215,010

95

725

-

-

95

725

(95)

(725)

-

-

-

-

198,208

(4,059)

194,149

5,843

15,018

215,010

(14,125)

(485)

(22,401)

(2,846)

(38,052)

(7,303)

112,996

(17,708)

-

-

(14,125)

(485)

-

-

(3,329)

(25,730)

(5,686)

(72)

(2,918)

(157)

-

-

-

-

(14,125)

(485)

(31,416)

(3,075)

1,369

-

(36,683)

(7,303)

(6,091)

106,905

-

(17,708)

(653)

653

-

-

-

(89)

-

(37,425)

(6,650)

14,929

121,834

(281)

(17,989)

14,648

103,845

Net profit after income tax 
attributable to owners of Steadfast 
Group Limited (NPAT)

95,288

(6,091)

89,197

*  Premium funding income is recognised as premium funding businesses became subsidiaries of the Group.

100

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

Total
underlying
$’000

Re - 
classification
$’000

Non-trading
items(i)
$’000

-

492,387

(123,439)

2,765

7

322

305

66,467

7,052

13,959

1,108

4,162

-

535

1,679

3,399

580,973

(117,063)

-

-

508

-

3,685

4,193

Total  
statutory
$’000

368,948

70,629

7,560

14,494

6,472

468,103

(322)

3,077

(13,959)

(535)

-

(14,494)

567,014

(117,598)

4,193

453,609

(2,965)

(184,726)

(14,820)

(577)

(200,123)

(328)

(991)

(4,284)

(1,207)

(16,458)

-

-

(226,327)

136,914

(2,449)

(16,458)

(91,862)

(427,511)

122,094

(3,026)

(308,443)

139,503

4,496

1,167

145,166

24,028

539

24,567

135

316

25,018

164,738

(668)

164,070

4,631

1,483

170,184

-

-

-

1,500

(668)

165,570

-

(3)

(9,995)

(583)

-

(1,500)

3,131

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,483

170,184

-

-

-

(9,995)

(583)

(25,000)

(22,004)

(2,996)

(3,215)

(135)

(316)

(3,666)

NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS continued

2018

Fee and commission income

Professional services fees

Interest income

Share of profits from associates  
and joint ventures

Other revenue

Revenue

Less: share of profits from 
associates and joint ventures

Revenue – consolidated entities

Employment expenses 

Occupancy expenses

Other expenses

Expenses – Consolidated entities

EBITA – consolidated entities

Share of EBITA from associates  
and joint ventures

EBITA before non-trading items  
and adjustments for investment  
in listed securities

Investment in listed securities

Dividends received

Mark to market adjustments

EBITA

Finance costs 

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Amortisation expense

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Income tax benefit / (expense)

Consolidated entities

Associates and joint ventures

Net profit after tax

Non-controlling interests

Net profit after income tax 
attributable to owners of Steadfast 
Group Limited (NPAT)

492,387

63,702

7,045

13,637

803

577,574

(13,637)

563,937

(181,761)

(16,130)

(225,336)

(423,227)

140,710

-

1,500

166,238

(9,995)

(580)

(19,703)

(3,143)

(35,014)

(6,667)

91,136

(13,967)

(2,301)

(72)

980

(143)

(2,207)

-

(34,034)

(6,810)

88,929

(13,967)

77,169

(2,207)

74,962

(535)

535

-

-

-

255

-

1,422

(530)

(34,314)

(6,275)

90,351

(14,497)

892

75,854

101

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 4. OPERATING SEGMENTS continued

Table notes

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

2019

Total
$’000

Insurance 
intermediary
$’000

Other
$’000

(i) Non-trading items

Breakdown of non-trading income adjustment:

Net gain from sale of 
investments in subsidiaries and 
associates

Net gain/(loss) on re-estimation 
and settlement of deferred 
consideration*

Reversal of deemed interest 
costs on interest-free executive 
loans

Net gain/(loss) on fair value of 
investments in subsidiaries

Other income

2,086

(110)

(33)

12,853

222

15,018

Breakdown of non-trading expenses adjustment:

Impairment loss (Note 7F)*

Non-recurring redundancy costs

Other expenses

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,086

480

(110)

3,275

(33)

508

12,853

222

15,018

-

-

-

-

(70)

-

4,193

(2,372)

(577)

(77)

(3,026)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2018

Total
$’000

480

3,275

508

(70)

-

4,193

(2,372)

(577)

(77)

(3,026)

*  The Group often defers a portion of the purchase price of a business and makes the final payment referable to future 
financial performance. At the time of acquisition, an estimate is made as to the fair value of the final payment. This is 
reviewed each half-year based on information available and at settlement, and the estimate is adjusted if appropriate. Any 
adjustment is taken to profit (downwards estimate) or loss (upwards estimate). Where an estimate is reduced, the Group will 
consider whether the factors leading to the estimate of deferred consideration represent an indicator of impairment, and 
if so, the need for impairment is considered. The deferred consideration adjustments and impairments do not affect cash 
flows from operating activities.

Total non-trading items:

Non-trading revenue

Non-trading expenses

Total non-trading items: 

Income tax benefit/(expense)

Non-controlling interests

15,018

-

15,018

(89)

(281)

Total non-trading items to NPAT

14,648

-

-

-

-

-

-

15,018

-

15,018

(89)

(281)

14,648

4,193

(3,026)

1,167

255

(530)

892

-

-

-

-

-

-

4,193

(3,026)

1,167

255

(530)

892

102

NOTE 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE

A. REPORTING PERIOD VALUE

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

If non-trading items were removed, the underlying earnings per share would be as follows: 

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

B. RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS USED IN CALCULATING EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit after income tax

Non-controlling interests

Profit after income tax attributable to the owners of Steadfast Group Limited  
for calculation of statutory basic and diluted earnings per share

Removing non-trading items:

Income

Expenses

Income tax expense/(benefit)

Non-controlling interests (net of tax)

Profit after income tax attributable to the owners of Steadfast Group Limited  
for calculation of underlying basic and diluted earnings per share

C. RECONCILIATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES  
USED IN CALCULATING EARNINGS PER SHARE

I. Weighted average number of ordinary shares issued

Weighted average number of ordinary shares issued

Weighted average number of treasury shares held in trust

2019
Cents

2018
Cents

13.16

13.12

11.30

11.27

2019
$’000

9.87

9.83

9.75

9.71

2018
$’000

121,834

(17,989)

90,351

(14,497)

103,845

75,854

(15,018)

-

89

281

(4,193)

3,026

(255)

530

89,197

74,962

2019
Number in 
’000

2018
Number in 
’000

793,036

772,884

(3,973)

(3,982)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share

789,063

768,902

II. Weighted average number of dilutive potential ordinary shares related to

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Effect of share-based payments arrangements(a)

Effect of deemed bonus shares on share options(b)

789,063

768,902

2,579

-

1,811

1,245

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

791,642

771,958

103

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE continued

The weighted average number of ordinary shares or dilutive potential ordinary shares is calculated by taking into account the 
period from the issue date of the shares to the reporting date unless otherwise stated as below:

(a)  Steadfast operates share-based payments arrangements (being an employee conditional rights scheme, a short-term 

incentive plan and a long-term incentive plan) where eligible employees could receive conditional rights instead of cash. 
One conditional right will convert to one ordinary share subject to vesting conditions being met. These share-based 
payments arrangements are granted to employees free of cost and no consideration will be paid on conversion to 
Steadfast’s ordinary shares. These arrangements have a dilutive effect to the basic earnings per share (EPS).

(b)  3.000 million share options were issued to a member of key management personnel of an acquired business in 2013 with 
an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The share options were exercised on 25 February 2018. Because the average share 
price up to 25 February 2018 exceeded the exercise price, 1.245 million shares were deemed to be bonus shares in the 
year to June 2018.

NOTE 6. DIVIDENDS

A. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES

2019

2019 interim dividend

2018 final dividend

2018

2018 interim dividend

2017 final dividend

Cents  
per share

Total amount
$’000

Payment  
date

Tax rate for 
franking credit

Percentage 
franked

3.2

4.7

2.8

4.4

25,377

37,272

21 March 2019

20 September 2018

22,206

32,989

22 March 2018

13 October 2017

30%

30%

30%

30%

100%

100%

100%

100%

It is standard practice that the Board declares the dividend for a period after the relevant reporting date. A dividend is not 
accrued for until it is declared and so the dividends for a period are generally recognised and measured in the financial 
reporting period following the period to which the dividends relate.

The dividends recognised in the current reporting period include $0.252 million (2018: $0.283 million) paid in relation to 
treasury shares held in a trust controlled by the Group. All the treasury shares participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan 
(DRP). 

B. DIVIDEND POLICY

The Company targets a dividend payout ratio in the range of 65% to 85% of net profit after tax attributable to shareholders of 
the Company with a minimum dividend payout ratio of 50% of net profit after tax and before amortisation expense.

C. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

A Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) allows equity holders to elect to receive their dividend entitlement in the form of the 
Company’s ordinary shares. The price of DRP shares is the average share market price calculated over the pricing period 
(which is at least five trading days) less any discount as determined by the Board for each dividend payment date. 

D. DIVIDEND NOT RECOGNISED AT REPORTING DATE

On 20 August 2019, the Board resolved to pay the following dividend. As this occurred after the reporting date, the dividends 
declared have not been recognised in this financial report.

Cents  
per share

Total amount
$’000

Expected  
payment date

Tax rate for 
franking credit

Percentage 
franked

2019 final dividend

5.3

42,031

20 September 2019

30%

100%

The Company's DRP will operate by issuing ordinary shares to participants. No discount will be applied. The last election 
notice for participation in the DRP in relation to this final dividend is 27 August 2019.

104

NOTE 6. DIVIDENDS continued

E. FRANKING CREDITS

Franking account balance at reporting date at 30%

Franking credits to arise from payment of income tax payable/(refundable)

Franking credits available for future reporting periods

Franking account impact of dividends declared before issuance of financial report but not 
recognised at reporting date

Franking credits available for subsequent financial periods based on a tax rate of 30%

2019
$’000

2018 
$’000

33,764

(6,573)

27,191

(18,013)

9,178

38,851

(2,727)

36,124

(15,974)

20,150

The above amounts represent the balance of the franking account as at the end of the financial year, adjusted for:

•  franking credits that will arise from the payment of the amount of the provision for income tax relating to the parent entity 

at the reporting date;

•  franking debits that will arise from the payment of dividends not recognised as a liability at the reporting date; and
•  franking credits that will arise from the receipt of dividends recognised as receivables at the reporting date.

105

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

2019

A. COMPOSITION

At cost

Customer 
relationships
$’000

Capitalised 
software
$’000

Other 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Total 
intangible 
assets
$’000

Goodwill
$’000

278,311

37,873

8,031

324,215

952,451

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

(114,183)

(10,783)

(6,043)

(131,009)

(6,953)

164,128

27,090

1,988

193,206

945,498

B. MOVEMENTS 

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Additions

Additions through business combinations

Reduction upon loss of control

Amortisation expense – acquired intangibles

Amortisation expense – developed intangibles

Net foreign currency exchange difference

148,048

68

42,963

(2,168)

(24,836)

-

53

20,960

11,934

-

-

(114)

(5,686)

(4)

2,652

116

-

-

171,660

816,246

12,118

42,963

-

132,798

(2,168)

(3,707)

(780)

(25,730)

-

-

(5,686)

49

-

-

161

Balance at the end of the financial year

164,128

27,090

1,988

193,206

945,498

2018

C. COMPOSITION

At cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

D. MOVEMENTS 

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Additions

Additions through business combinations

Reduction upon loss of control

Amortisation expense – acquired intangibles

Amortisation expense – developed intangibles

Impairment

Net foreign currency exchange difference

237,927

(89,879)

148,048

139,479

-

31,469

(1,661)

(21,064)

-

(154)

(21)

25,939

(4,979)

20,960

12,348

11,834

-

-

(226)

(2,996)

-

-

7,915

(5,263)

2,652

271,781

823,058

(100,121)

(6,812)

171,660

816,246

3,163

154,990

717,397

99

-

104

(714)

-

-

-

11,933

31,469

(1,557)

(22,004)

(2,996)

(154)

(21)

-

108,203

(7,015)

-

-

(2,218)

(121)

Balance at the end of the financial year

148,048

20,960

2,652

171,660

816,246

E. AMORTISATION RATES PER ANNUM

10.0%-33.3% 20.0%-100.0% 20.0%-33.3%

106

NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL continued

F. IMPAIRMENT TESTING OF IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL 

The Group performs impairment testing for all goodwill on an annual basis and for any identifiable intangibles that have 
impairment indicators. For the year ended 30 June 2019, the Group recognised an impairment provision of nil (2018: $2.372 
million). Impairment losses for each category of intangible assets are shown in Section D above. The impairments in the prior 
year related to acquisitions for which there was also a downward revision of deferred consideration (earnout) payments. When 
assessing the recoverable amount of customer relationships, the Group considered client retention rates and current market 
conditions to determine both fair value and value in use of each asset. 

In performing impairment testing, each subsidiary acquired or portfolio of businesses acquired is considered a separate Cash 
Generating Unit (CGU) or grouped into one CGU where operations are linked.

To conduct impairment testing, the Group compares the carrying value with the recoverable amount of each asset. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of:

•  value in use – a discounted cash flow model, based on a five-year projection of the approved budget of the tested CGUs 

with a terminal value; and

•  fair value – based on the Group’s estimates of sustainable earnings before interest expense, tax and amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets (EBITA) for each CGU multiplied by an earnings multiple appropriate for similar businesses less costs to sell.

The following table sets out the key assumptions for the value in use model:

Post tax discount rates(a)

Pre-tax discount rates

2019
%

10.0% to 11.0%

13.5% to 15.9%

2018
%

10.1% to 11.1%

13.7% to 15.9%

Revenue growth rate – one year to five years extrapolation

4.0% to 6.7% per annum

4.0% to 6.5% per annum

Long-term revenue growth rate(b)

3.25% per annum

3.25% per annum

(a)  Post tax discount rates reflect the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC), adjusted for additional risks specific 

to each CGU. The WACC takes into account market risks, size of the business, current borrowing interest rates, borrowing 
capacity of the businesses and the risk free rate. External advice has been sought in relation to the determination of 
appropriate discount rates to be used.

(b)  The Group considers that a long-term revenue growth rate of 3.25% is appropriate, based on the current market 

conditions and historical Gross Written Premium (GWP) trends. 

No reasonable possible change in assumptions would result in the recoverable amount of a CGU being materially less than 
the carrying value.

107

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 8. BORROWINGS

The Group has two types of borrowings, as follows:

(i)  Bank loans and lines of credit in corporate and subsidiaries for the purpose of carrying out the Group’s principal activities 
including the distribution of insurance policies via insurance brokerages and underwriting agencies and related services, 
as well as acquisitions and bolt-ons. These loans are secured against the Group’s assets, excluding IQumulate Premium 
Funding Pty Ltd (formerly Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited).

(ii)  Loans to finance the premium funding businesses (predominantly IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd). These loans have 

recourse to the assets of the premium funding business.

These two lines of loans are not cross-collateralised, and therefore are shown separately.

A. CORPORATE AND SUBSIDIARIES’ BORROWINGS

I. BANK LOANS

Current 

Non-current

Capitalised transaction costs

II. BANK FACILITIES AVAILABLE

a. Bank facilities drawn down or applied

Bank loans – corporate facility

Bank loans – subsidiaries

Lines of credit – corporate facility

Lines of credit – subsidiaries

b. Bank facilities not drawn down or applied 

Bank loans – corporate facility

Bank loans – subsidiaries

Lines of credit – corporate facility

Lines of credit – subsidiaries

c. Total bank facilities available

Bank loans

Lines of credit

III. CORPORATE FACILITY DETAILS

As at 30 June 2019:

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

25,707

311,543

337,250

1,055

218,985

220,040

(311)

(800)

336,939

219,240

290,654

46,596

3,874

3,781

171,500

48,540

4,241

-

344,905

224,281

88,346

107,500

1,142

2,126

7,294

598

1,759

1,075

98,908

110,932

426,738

328,138

17,075

7,075

443,813

335,213

•  the Company had a $385.000 million multibank syndicated facility (corporate facility) with Macquarie Bank and ANZ 

Banking Group (2018: $285.000 million); and

•  $290.654 million of the $385.000 million facility had been drawn down together with $3.874 million for bonds and rental 
guarantees, which left $90.472 million available in the corporate facility for future drawdowns (30 June 2018: $109.259 
million).

108

NOTE 8. BORROWINGS continued

IV. KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CORPORATE FACILITIES

The $285.000 million corporate facility negotiated in August 2015 was increased by $100.000 million to $385.000 million in 
October 2018.

As at 30 June 2019, the maturity date of the whole facility was August 2020. Subsequent to balance date, the date has been 
extended to August 2021. Other key terms of the facility continue to be:

•  variable interest rate – based on BBSY plus a margin; and
•  the facility is guaranteed by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries and is secured over all of the present and after acquired 

property of the Company and the guarantors (other than certain excluded property), which is standard in facilities of this 
nature.

B. PREMIUM FUNDING BORROWINGS

I. PREMIUM FUNDING BORROWINGS

Premium funding borrowings

Less: capitalised transaction costs

II. PREMIUM FUNDING BORROWINGS AVAILABLE

Premium funding borrowings drawn down or applied

Premium funding borrowings not drawn down or applied

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

4,009

(625)

3,384

3,384

504,594

507,978

-

-

-

-

-

-

The premium funding borrowings are loans from third party financial institutions to finance the premium funding businesses 
of the Group, predominantly IQumulate.

The key terms and conditions of the IQumulate premium funding borrowings as at 30 June 2019 were as follows:

•  two Australian Dollar (AUD) facilities for $480.000 million and $10.000 million, and a New Zealand Dollar (NZD) facility for 

$25.000 million;

•  the maturity date of all facilities is 31 July 2020;
•  variable interest rate – AUD facilities and NZD facility based on BBSY (Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate) and BKBM (Bank Bill 

Benchmark Rate) respectively plus a margin; and

•  recourse to the assets of IQumulate only and are not cross-collateralised with other borrowings in the Group.

109

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 8. BORROWINGS continued

C. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS OF LIABILITIES AND CASH FLOWS ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Bank loans – 
corporate facility
$’000

Bank loans – 
subsidiaries
$’000

Premium  
funding 
borrowings
$’000

Total  
borrowings
$’000

2019

Balance at the beginning of the financial period

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Acquisitions

Unwind capitalised transaction costs

170,700

138,154

(19,000)

-

489

48,540

220

(4,411)

2,247

-

Balance at the end of the financial period

290,343

46,596

-

-

-

3,384

-

3,384

219,240

138,374

(23,411)

5,631

489

340,323

Bank loans – 
corporate facility
$’000

Bank loans – 
subsidiaries
$’000

Premium  
funding 
borrowings
$’000

Total  
borrowings
$’000

2018

Balance at the beginning of the financial period

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Unwind capitalised transaction costs

Balance at the end of the financial period

173,265

58,500

(61,000)

(65)

170,700

32,675

17,976

(2,111)

-

48,540

-

-

-

-

-

205,940

76,476

(63,111)

(65)

219,240

D. BORROWING BY ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

As at 30 June 2019, the Group’s associates and joint ventures had a total of $35.370 million (2018: $35.190 million) of bank 
borrowings (including bank overdrafts and loans). 

As the associates and joint ventures are equity-accounted, these borrowings are not included in the Group consolidated 
statement of financial position. The Group’s proportionate share of the associates' and joint ventures’ bank borrowings is 
$14.776 million (2018: $15.530 million). Refer Note 12C and Note 13C for summarised financial information of associates and 
joint ventures. 

110

NOTE 9. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND RESERVES

2019
Number of shares 
’000

2018
Number of shares 
’000

2019

2018

$’000

$’000

A. SHARE CAPITAL

Reconciliation of movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

793,036

749,752

912,347

796,857

Shares issued under the institutional and retail share 
placement

Shares issued to Whitbread/Axis vendors

Shares issued for call option exercised by key management 
member of acquired business

Less: transaction costs (and adjustments thereto), net of 
income tax

-

-

-

-

38,158

2,126

3,000

-

-

-

-

170

107,762

6,016

3,000

(1,288)

Balance at the end of the financial year

793,036

793,036

912,517

912,347

Ordinary shares in the Company have no par value and entitle the holder to participate in dividends as declared from time to 
time. All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s residual assets. 

2019
Number of shares 
’000

2018
Number of shares 
’000

2019

2018

$’000

$’000

B. TREASURY SHARES HELD IN TRUST

Reconciliation of movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Shares allocated to employees

Shares acquired

Shares allotted through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Balance at the end of the financial year

4,002

(1,274)

1,207

82

4,017

4,144

(914)

668

104

4,002

7,728

(1,775)

3,685

252

9,890

7,014

(1,368)

1,799

283

7,728

Treasury shares are ordinary shares of Steadfast bought on market by the trustee (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group) of 
an employee share plan for meeting future obligations under that plan when conditional rights vest and shares are allocated 
to participants.

C. CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can 
continue its listing on the ASX, provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an 
optimum capital structure to minimise the cost of capital, within the risk appetite approved by the Directors.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return 
capital to shareholders, issue new shares, take on borrowings or sell assets to reduce debt. 

The Group monitors capital on the basis of total gearing ratio excluding premium funding borrowings, as these borrowings 
are only securitised against the assets of the premium funder. The total gearing ratio is calculated as total borrowings of the 
Company and its subsidiaries divided by total equity and total borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries. Currently the 
Group’s total maximum gearing ratio determined by the Board is 30.0% excluding premium funding borrowings. The total 
gearing ratio has been calculated both including and excluding the premium funding borrowings as follows:

111

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 9. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND RESERVES continued

Note

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

Maximum 
Board 
approved

Total borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries (excluding 
premium funding borrowings)

Total Group equity

Total Group equity and total borrowings of the Company and its 
subsidiaries

8

344,905

224,281

1,095,252

1,056,979

1,440,157

1,281,260

Total gearing ratio excluding premium funding borrowings

23.9%

17.5%

30.0%

Total borrowings of the Company and its subsidiaries (including 
premium funding borrowings)

8

348,914

224,281

Total Group equity

Total Group equity and total borrowings of the Company and its 
subsidiaries

1,095,252

1,056,979

1,444,166

1,281,260

Total gearing ratio including premium funding borrowings

24.2%

17.5%

D. NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESERVES

I. Foreign currency translation reserve

The foreign currency translation reserve records the foreign currency differences from the translation of the financial 
information of foreign operations that have a functional currency other than Australian dollars. 

II. Share-based payments reserve

The share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value at grant date of equity settled share-based remuneration 
provided to employees; as well as the discount on Executive Shares. 

III. Other reserves

The other reserves are used to recognise other movements in equity including: cumulative net change in fair value of hedging 
instruments; the fair value of put options issued to a shareholder of a subsidiary over that subsidiary’s shares; and the net 
effect on disposal of partial equity ownership in subsidiaries without loss of control.

IV. Undistributed profits reserve

The undistributed profits reserve consists of any retained amount from prior periods transferred from retained earnings. This 
reserve will be utilised should the Board declare a dividend from this reserve.

112

 
NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

ACQUISITIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

During the year ended 30 June 2019, the Group completed a number of acquisitions in accordance with its strategy. 

The following disclosures provide the provisional financial impact on the group at the acquisition date. Only a significant 
acquisition with total consideration over $45 million is disclosed separately. Other acquisitions are disclosed in aggregate. 

ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES 

The following tables provide:

•  detailed information for the acquisition of Community Broker Network Pty Ltd (CBN) during the year; and 
•  aggregated information for eight other acquired businesses (Other acquisitions). 

Note 10F contains a list of subsidiaries acquired and the respective ownership interests. 

A. CONSIDERATION PAID/PAYABLE

2019

Cash

Deemed consideration(a)

Deferred consideration(b)

Total

CBN
$’000

45,000

-

17,760

62,760

Other  
acquisitions
$’000

40,292

45,656

29,587

115,535

Total
$’000

85,292

45,656

47,347

178,295

(a)  This amount represents the fair value of the original investments in Abbott NZ Holdings Limited, Lanyon Partners 

Consolidated Pty Ltd, JPI Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Paramount Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and IQumulate Premium 
Funding Pty Ltd (formerly Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited) at the date the Group gained control of these entities 
which were previously associates and joint ventures of the Group. 

(b)  Pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreements, some of the consideration will be settled based on future years’ actual 
financial performance and thus was recognised as deferred consideration by the Group. The deferred consideration 
is estimated based on a multiple of forecast revenue and/or earnings. Any variations at the time of settlement will be 
recognised as an expense or income in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 
The deferred consideration shown above represents:

 – $15.257 million of deferred consideration for which the maximum amount of payment is not capped; 
 – $31.868 million of deferred consideration which is capped; and
 – $0.222 million of deferred consideration which is fixed.

113

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

B. IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ACQUIRED

2019

Cash and cash equivalents(a)

Trade and other receivables(b)

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Identifiable intangibles 

Other assets

Trade and other payables

Income tax payable

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Other liabilities

Total net identifiable assets acquired

(a)  Includes cash held on trust.

CBN
$’000

57,979

3,909

439

1,116

9,449

4,626

(54,241)

798

(3,832)

(2,978)

(388)

16,877

Other  
acquisitions
$’000

33,231

48,645

2,302

7,772

33,514

8,067

(51,255)

(2,473)

(2,763)

(10,875)

(31,320)

34,845

Total
$’000

91,210

52,554

2,741

8,888

42,963

12,693

(105,496)

(1,675)

(6,595)

(13,853)

(31,708)

51,722

(b)  The trade receivables comprise contractual amounts and are expected to be fully recoverable.

If new information obtained within one year from the acquisition date about facts and circumstances that existed at the 
acquisition date identifies adjustments to the above amounts, then the acquisition accounting will be revised.

C. GOODWILL ON ACQUISITION

2019

Total consideration paid/payable

Total net identifiable assets acquired

Non-controlling interests acquired

Goodwill on acquisition*

CBN
$’000

62,760

(16,877)

-

45,883

Other  
acquisitions
$’000

115,535

(34,845)

6,225

86,915

Total
$’000

178,295

(51,722)

6,225

132,798

*  The majority of goodwill relates to benefits from the combination of synergies as well as the acquired subsidiaries’ ability to 

generate future profits. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

D. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF ACQUIRED SUBSIDIARIES

The contribution for the period since acquisition by the acquired subsidiaries to the financial performance of the Group is 
outlined in the table below.

2019

Revenue

EBITA

NPATA

Profit after income tax

CBN
$’000

10,818

860

619

(45)

Other  
acquisitions
$’000

40,556

12,530

8,677

8,129

Total
$’000

51,374

13,390

9,296

8,084

If the acquisitions of subsidiaries occurred on 1 July 2018, the Group’s revenue for the year ended 30 June 2019 would 
increase from $578.439 million to $616.551 million and profit after income tax would increase from $121.834 million to 
$126.922 million.

114

NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

E. ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS

The Group incurred acquisition-related costs, including stamp duty and legal fees, for business interests acquired during the 
year ended 30 June 2019.

F. SUBSIDIARIES ACQUIRED

The table below outlines all the subsidiaries acquired during the year ended 30 June 2019. It includes some entities in which 
the Group had a prior equity interest and that became subsidiaries following internal restructuring.

Name of subsidiary acquired

Abbott NZ Holdings Limited

Aus Funding Solutions Pty Ltd

Community Broker Network Pty Ltd  
(formerly National Adviser Services Pty Ltd) and its subsidiaries

HMIA Pty Ltd

IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd (formerly Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited)

JPI Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Lanyon Partners Consolidated Pty Ltd

Paramount Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

T&G Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Table notes

Ownership interest 
as at 30 June 2019
%

Table note

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(iii)

(iii)

65.48

80.00

100.00

95.00

100.00

100.00

97.56

62.50

80.00

(i)  The Group obtained control of Abbott NZ Holding Limited (Abbott NZ) following amendments to the shareholders’ 

agreement, which gave the Group the ability to direct the key financial and operating activities. As a result, Abbott NZ 
became a subsidiary of the Group.

(ii)  The Group acquired 80% of Aus Funding Solutions Pty Ltd, a Premium Funding business.

(iii)  During the year the Group acquired additional shares in Lanyon Partners Consolidated Pty Ltd (Lanyon), Paramount 
Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (Paramount) and IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd (IQumulate). As a result, Lanyon, 
Paramount and IQumulate which were previously associates or joint ventures became subsidiaries of the Group. 

(iv)  The Group acquired JPI Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (JPI) through CBN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group.

115

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

G. DEFERRED CONSIDERATION RECONCILIATION

The following table shows a reconciliation of movements in deferred consideration for the years ended 30 June 2019 and 30 
June 2018.

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Settlement of deferred consideration

Non-cash settlement of deferred consideration 

Additions from new acquisitions in business combinations

Additions from new acquisitions of associates

Additions from step-up investments

Net (gain)/loss in profit or loss on settlement or reassessment

Balance at the end of the financial year

Disclosed as:

Deferred consideration current

Deferred consideration non-current

Balance at the end of the financial year

The balance of deferred consideration at the end of the financial year represents:

Amount payable is limited

Amount payable is not capped

Amount payable is fixed

2019
$’000

3,946

(17,389)

(2)

47,347

121

273

110

34,406

28,064

6,342

34,406

2019
$’000

22,108

12,298

-

34,406

2018
$’000

6,588

(5,047)

(83)

4,349

-

1,414

(3,275)

3,946

2,822

1,124

3,946

2018
$’000

-

3,815

131

3,946

116

NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following key subsidiaries.

Name

A. PARENT ENTITY

Steadfast Group Limited

B. SUBSIDIARIES – OPERATING ENTITIES

I. Insurance broking businesses

Steadfast Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Steadfast Group UK Ltd

Abbott NZ Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries

Austcover Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Ausure Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Ballyglisheen Pty Ltd (trades as Steel Pacific)

Body Corporate Brokers Pty Ltd

Capital Insurance (Broking) Group Pty Ltd and Capital Insurance Broking 
Group Unit Trust and its subsidiaries

Centrewest Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Community Broker Network Pty Ltd (formerly National Adviser Services Pty 
Ltd) and its subsidiaries

Consolidated Insurance Agencies Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Corporate Insurance Brokers Ballina (NSW) Pty Ltd

G.W.S. Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Galaxy Insurance Consultants Pte Ltd

Great Wall Insurance Services Pty Ltd

ICF (Australia) Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Joe Vella Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Lanyon Partners Consolidated Pty Ltd

Mega Capital Holdings Pty Ltd and Mega Capital Unit Trust and its subsidiary

National Credit Insurance (Brokers) Pty Ltd (incorporating IMC Trade Credit) 
and its subsidiaries

Newmarket Grand West Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Newmarket Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Paramount Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Phoenix Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

PID Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Quattro Risk Services Pty Ltd (formerly Finn Foster & Associates Pty Ltd)  
and its subsidiaries

Resolute Property Protect Pty Ltd

RIB Group Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries (RIB Group)

Steadfast Brecknock Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (formerly Brecknock 
Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd) and its subsidiaries

Steadfast Distribution Services Pte Ltd

Steadfast Hub Pty Ltd

Ownership interest

Country of 
incorporation

2019
%

2018
%

Australia

Australia

United Kingdom

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Singapore

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Singapore

Australia

100.00

100.00

65.48

50.00 

50.01 

60.00

100.00

100.00

-

50.00

50.01

60.00

100.00

100.00

79.46

70.18

100.00

55.00

100.00

62.50

73.00

67.50

56.25

70.00

97.56

88.35

70.18

-

55.00

100.00

100.00

73.00

75.00

100.00

70.00

-

100.00

100.00

91.20

90.00

87.20

90.00

100.00

100.00

62.50

89.00

100.00

93.68

100.00

81.08

95.00

100.00

62.50

-

89.00

100.00

65.60

100.00

81.08

95.00

100.00

-

117

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES continued

Name

Steadfast IFS Pty Ltd

Steadfast IRS Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Steadfast NZ Holdings Ltd

Steadfast NZ Ltd

Steadfast QIS Pty Ltd (formerly NCA Insurance Services Pty Ltd)  
and its subsidiary

Steadfast Re Pty Ltd

Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

T&G Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Trident Insurance Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

VBIH Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Webmere Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Whitbread Life Pty Ltd

Whitbread Holdings Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Work Health Alternatives Pty Ltd

II. Underwriting agency businesses

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies Holdings Pty Ltd

SUA Services Pty Ltd

Associated Marine Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Axis Underwriting Services Pty Ltd

Calliden Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

Emergence Insurance Group Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Grange Underwriting Pty Ltd

HMIA Pty Ltd

Hostsure Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Miramar Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

NM Insurance Pty Ltd and its subsidiary 

Procover Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Protecsure Pty Ltd

Proteus Marine Insurance Pty Ltd

Residential Builders Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Sports Underwriting Australia Pty Ltd

Steadfast Placement Solutions Pty Ltd

Steadfast Placement Solutions UK Ltd

Underwriting Agencies of Australia Pty Ltd

Underwriting Agencies of Fiji Pte Ltd

Underwriting Agencies of New Zealand Limited

Underwriting Agencies of Singapore Pte Ltd

118

Ownership interest

Country of 
incorporation

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

United Kingdom

Australia

Fiji

New Zealand

Singapore

2019
%

50.98

56.25

100.00

100.00

70.91

50.00

73.12

80.00

80.00

80.00

88.00

100.00

100.00

57.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

97.00

50.00

88.00

95.00

100.00

100.00

75.00

100.00

90.00

87.50

80.00

90.00

100.00

100.00

88.33

88.33

83.92

88.33

2018
%

50.98

100.00

100.00

100.00

61.91

50.00

73.12

-

60.00

80.00

77.00

100.00

100.00

70.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

97.00

50.00

77.00

-

100.00

100.00 

75.00 

100.00

90.00 

87.50

80.00

90.00

100.00

100.00

88.33

-

83.92

-

NOTE 11. SUBSIDIARIES continued

Name

Unity Trade Credit Pty Ltd

Winsure Underwriting Pty Ltd

WM Amalgamated Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries

III. Complementary businesses

Aus Funding Solutions Pty Ltd

CHU Services Pty Ltd

IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd

InsuranceCONNECT Pty Ltd

Steadfast Business Solutions Pty Ltd

Steadfast Convention Pty Ltd

Steadfast Foundation Pty Ltd

Steadfast INSIGHT Holdings Pty Ltd (formerly Actionquote Holdings Pty Ltd)

Steadfast Share Plan Nominee Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technologies Group Holdings Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technologies NZ Ltd

Steadfast Technologies Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technologies Shared Services Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technology Services Pty Ltd

Steadfast Technology Services NZ Ltd

Steadfast UnderwriterCentral Holdings Pty Ltd  
(formerly Insurance Connect Holdings Pty Ltd)

Steadfast Virtual Underwriter Holdings Pty Ltd

Ownership interest

Country of 
incorporation

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

Australia

2019
%

100.00

100.00

86.14

80.00

97.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

2018
%

100.00

100.00 

84.16

-

97.00

-

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00 

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

119

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

A. DETAILS OF ASSOCIATES

Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Information relating to key associates is set 
out below.

Name

I. Insurance broking businesses

Ownership interest

Equity-accounted

2019
%

2018
%

2019 
$’000

2018 
$’000

Abbott NZ Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries

-

65.48

-

22,085

Armstrong’s Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and Armstrong’s Insurance 
Brokers Unit Trust

Ausure Group Pty Ltd – associates thereof

Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty Ltd and Liability Brokers Pty Ltd

Collective Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Covercorp Pty Ltd

Edgewise Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and The Bradstock GIS Unit 
Trust

Empire Insurance Services Pty Ltd and McLardy McShane & 
Associates Pty Ltd

Finpac Insurance Advisors Pty Ltd

Glenowar Pty Ltd

IPS Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

J.D.I. (YOUNG) Pty Ltd

Johansen Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

King Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Lanyon Partners Consolidated Pty Ltd

McKillops Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Melbourne Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Origin Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Northern City Insurance Brokers (VIC) Pty Ltd

Paramount Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd 

Pollard Advisory Services Pty Ltd

Risk Partners Pty Ltd

Rose Stanton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Rothbury Group Ltd and its subsidiaries

RSM Group Pty Ltd

Sapphire Star Pty Ltd

Scott & Broad Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Southside Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Steadfast Eastern Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Steadfast Life Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Tudor Insurance Australia (Insurance Brokers) Pty Ltd and Tudor 
Insurance Agency Unit Trust

unisonSteadfast AG

25.00

20.00

40.00

49.00

49.00

25.00

20.00

40.00

-

49.00

848

4,604

2,814

62

1,112

804

4,234

2,857

-

1,119

35.31

33.14

4,174

3,035

37.00

49.00

49.00

40.00

25.00

48.35

37.00

-

49.00

49.00

26.00

50.00

-

46.50

45.00

49.00

42.80

49.00

30.00

49.00

49.00

25.00

50.00

48.00

40.00

37.00

49.00

49.00

40.00

25.00

48.35

37.00

45.00

49.00

49.00

-

50.00

25.00

46.50

45.00

49.00

44.51

49.00

30.00

49.00

49.00

34.38

50.00

48.00

40.00

3,912

1,037

4,072

3,034

874

4,454

-

-

4,670

1,626

399

9

-

3,817

9,085

684

3,851

1,043

4,101

2,961

819

4,468

-

4,843

4,733

1,629

-

9

1,011

3,742

9,145

669

25,726

25,037

4,929

1,167

8,938

611

444

3,084

2,055

2,868

5,277

1,246

8,923

614

405

3,059

1,966

2,959

Watkins Taylor Stone Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and D&E Watkins 
Unit Trust

35.00

35.00

1,656

1,705

120

NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES continued

Name

II. Underwriting agencies businesses

Community Broker Network Pty Ltd (formerly National Adviser 
Services Pty Ltd) – associates thereof

QUS Pty Ltd

Sterling Insurance Pty Ltd

III. Complementary businesses

HJS Unit Trust

Meridian Lawyers Ltd

B. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Additions – deemed consideration(a)

Additions – cash

Additions – scrip for scrip 

Step-up investment to subsidiaries

Disposal of associates 

Share of EBITA from associates

Less share of:

Finance costs

Amortisation expense

Income tax expense

Share of associates’ profit after income tax

Dividend received/receivable 

Net foreign exchange movements

Balance at the end of the financial year

Table note

Ownership interest

Equity-accounted

2019
%

2018
%

2019 
$’000

2018 
$’000

37.50

45.00

39.50

33.33

25.00

-

303

-

45.00

39.50

-

25.00

1,016

6,981

257

2,149

2019
$’000

1,097

7,157

-

2,352

2018
$’000

138,743

125,690

2,868

1,053

-

(29,994)

(111)

20,806

(444)

(2,487)

(5,353)

12,522

2,125

3,215

22,085

(11,403)

(1,491)

21,203

(494)

(3,094)

(5,179)

12,436

(12,480)

(13,575)

(19)

(339)

112,582

138,743

(a)  This amount represents the carrying amounts of investments in associates of the subsidiaries acquired during the financial 

year at the date the Group acquired them.

121

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES continued

C. SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ASSOCIATES

I. Disclosure in aggregate

These disclosures relate to the investment in all associates in aggregate. The figures below represent the financial position and 
performance of the associates as a whole and not just the Group’s share.

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

EBITA

Profit after income tax 

Total comprehensive income

NOTE 13. INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

A. DETAILS OF JOINT VENTURES

Name

ABICO Insurance Brokers and its related entities (ABICO)

Ausure City & Rural Pty Ltd

BAC Insurance Brokers Ltd Pty

Blend Insurance Solutions Pty Ltd

IQumulate Premium Funding Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries  
(formerly Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited)

Steadfast Risk Services Pty Ltd and its subsidiary

Rhymemat Pty Ltd 

B. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Additions

Reclassification to investment in subsidiaries

Share of EBITA from joint ventures

Less share of:

Finance costs

Amortisation expense

Income tax expense

Share of joint ventures’ profit after income tax

Dividend received/receivable 

Balance at the end of the financial year

122

2019
$’000

219,593

112,453

190,561

30,964

110,521

251,724

63,851

35,076

35,076

2018
$’000

352,053

136,887

314,065

31,062

143,813

208,430

56,922

39,664

39,477

Ownership interest

2019
%

50.00

50.00

50.00

50.00

-

50.00

27.80

2019
$’000

6,862

11,343

(3,146)

4,320

(41)

(588)

(1,297)

2,394

(1,776)

15,677

2018
%

50.00

-

-

50.00

50.00

-

27.80

2018
$’000

11,362

4,153

(8,429)

3,815

(89)

(572)

(1,096)

2,058

(2,282)

6,862

NOTE 13. INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES continued 

C. SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF JOINT VENTURES

These disclosures relate to the financial position and financial performance of the joint ventures as a whole and not just the 
Group’s share. 

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

EBITA

Profit after income tax

Total comprehensive income

NOTE 14. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade and other receivables

Fee and commission receivable

Less: expected credit loss provision 

Net fee and commission receivable

Other receivables

Premium funding receivable

Premium funding receivable

Less: expected credit loss provision 

2019
$’000

19,328

8,374

18,009

408

9,285

55,221

9,350

5,296

5,296

2019
$’000

84,958

(2,780)

82,178

82,441

2018
$’000

22,534

8,633

17,952

1,903

11,312

65,140

9,466

4,525

4,915

2018
$’000

93,792

-

93,792

53,830

164,619

147,622

2019
$’000

76,398

(220)

76,178

2018
$’000

-

-

-

123

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 15. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Included in Property, Plant and Equipment is $23.010 million of buildings where the Group’s head office is based in Sydney. 
This is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation. Based on the most recent valuation carried out by external 
consultants in June 2019, these offices have a fair value at least $15.000 million in excess of their carrying value.

NOTE 16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

A. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall 
risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects 
on the financial performance of the Group. The Group uses different methods to measure different types of risk to which it is 
exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case of interest rate risk and ageing analysis for credit risk.

Financial risk management is carried out by senior finance executives (finance) under policies approved by the Directors. 
These policies include identification and analysis of the risk exposure of the Group and appropriate procedures, controls and 
risk limits. Finance identifies, evaluates and may hedge financial risks within the Group’s operating units. Finance reports to the 
Directors on a regular basis.

B. MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk

As at the reporting date, the Group had the following variable rate bank accounts and borrowings:

2019

2019

2018

2018

Weighted  
average interest 
rate
%

0.98

1.96

-

3.32(a)

5.16(a)

Weighted 
average interest 
rate
%

1.13

1.85

-

3.99(a)

-

Balance
$’000

435,192

108,925

(3,781)

(336,939)

(3,384)

200,013

Balance
$’000

297,904

89,596

-

(219,240)

-

168,260

-

-

3.79(b)

(75,000)(b)

Non-derivatives

Cash at bank

Cash on deposit

Bank overdrafts

Bank loans

Premium funding borrowings

Derivatives

Interest rate swap

Table notes

(a)  Weighted average interest rate excludes any applicable line fee paid to lenders.

(b)  In August 2015, the Group entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $75.000 million where the Group 
swaps the BBSY indexed floating rate payment into 3.79% fixed rate payment. The Group entered into the interest rate 
swap to minimise the Group’s exposure to interest rate risk. The Group agreed to exchange the difference between 
fixed and variable rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. The swap 
was designed to hedge interest costs associated with the underlying corporate debt obligations. The interest rate swap 
matured in August 2018, and no further interest rate swaps have been entered into for the year ended 30 June 2019. At 30 
June 2019 the Group had all of its corporate debt exposed to variable rates (2018: 56.3%).

An increase/decrease in interest rates of one hundred (2018: one hundred) basis points would have a favourable/adverse 
effect on profit/(loss) after tax of $2.047 million (2018: favourable/adverse effect of $1.178 million) per annum.

The basis point change is based on the expected volatility of interest rates using market data, historical trends over prior years 
and the Group’s ongoing relationships with financial institutions.

124

NOTE 16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

C. CREDIT RISK

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. 
The Group obtains guarantees where appropriate to mitigate credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting 
date to recognised financial assets is the carrying amount (net of any provisions for impairment of those assets) as disclosed in 
the statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements. The Group does not hold any collateral.

Credit risk of the Group mainly arises from cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and a loan to IQumulate 
Premium Funding Pty Ltd (repaid in June 2019).

The Group has funded $33.211 million (2018: $16.928 million) of loans to facilitate management buy-ins to certain businesses 
under the Group’s owner-driver business model. These loans are disclosed as other non-current assets in the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position. These loans attract commercial interest rates, with dividends from these businesses used to 
fund interest and loan repayments. The shares held by management in those businesses are provided as loan collateral.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is concentrated in the financial services industry with parties that are considered to be 
of sufficiently high credit quality (including cash held with major Australian banks) to minimise credit risk losses. Receivables 
include amounts due from policyholders in respect of insurances arranged by controlled entities. The Group assumes that the 
credit risk on fee and commission receivable increases significantly if it is more than 90 days past due. The expected credit 
loss provision is recognised for the fee and commission receivable. 

The Group also has exposure to credit risk from premium funding loans. The expected credit loss provision for premium 
funding loans is based on historical data as a percentage of total loans written, after expected recoveries from trade credit 
policies.

The following table shows the movement in expected credit loss that has been recognised for fee and commission receivable 
in accordance with the simplified approach set out in AASB 9:

Balance at 1 July 2018 under AASB 139

Adjustment on initial application of AASB 9

Balance at 1 July 2018 under AASB 9

Increase in expected credit loss

Foreign exchange losses

Acquisition of companies

Balance at 30 June 2019

2019
$’000

-

2,403

2,403

305

16

56

2,780

125

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

D. LIQUIDITY RISK

Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the Group to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) 
and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay debts as and when they become due and payable.

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing facilities, continuously 
monitoring actual and forecast cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

The following tables detail the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities. The tables have been drawn 
up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the financial liabilities are 
required to be paid. 

Weighted 
average 
interest rate
%

1 year  
or less
$’000

Between 1  
to 2 years
$’000

Between 2  
to 5 years
$’000

Over  
5 years
$’000

Total 
contractual 
maturities
$’000

2019

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Payables on broking/underwriting 
agency operations

Trade and other payables

Premium funding payables

Deferred consideration

Interest bearing

Bank loans

Premium funding borrowings

Total non-derivatives

Derivatives

Hedge interest rate swaps (net settled)

Total derivative

2018

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Payables on broking/underwriting 
agency operations

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Interest bearing

Bank loans

Total non-derivatives

Derivatives

Hedge interest rate swaps (net settled)

Total derivative

126

410,334

99,232

66,873

28,064

-

3,003

-

6,342

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

410,334

102,235

66,873

34,406

3.33

5.16

26,151

3,559

301,416

13,099

7,444

348,110

-

-

-

3,559

634,213

310,761

13,099

7,444

965,517

-

-

-

-

3.99

323,464

38,489

2,822

1,097

365,872

60

60

-

2,812

1,124

1,099

5,035

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

323,464

41,301

3,946

211,790

211,790

13,999

13,999

227,985

596,696

-

-

-

-

60

60

NOTE 17. CONTINGENCIES

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

Macquarie Bank put options

The Group has granted options to Macquarie Bank Limited (Macquarie) to enable Macquarie to put shares held by other 
shareholders in associates to the Group at fair value if Macquarie enforces its security over those shares. These have been 
granted in relation to shares held by other shareholders in associates over which Macquarie holds a security interest to secure 
indebtedness by those shareholders. The Group expects no material net exposure from this arrangement as the contingent 
liabilities have contingent assets (being rights to shares held by the relevant shareholders) approximating similar values.

Bank guarantee

In the normal course of business, certain controlled entities in the Group have provided bank guarantees principally in respect 
of their contractual obligations on commercial leases. 

NOTE 18. COMMITMENTS

Contracted non-cancellable leases for property, plant and equipment committed at the reporting date, but not recognised as 
liabilities or payables are provided below.

OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

Within one year

One to five years

Over five years

NOTE 19. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD 

FINAL DIVIDEND 

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

15,758

45,716

5,035

66,509

11,471

26,423

3,980

41,874

On 20 August 2019, the Board declared a final dividend for 2019 of 5.3 cents per share, 100% franked.  The dividend will be 
paid on 20 September 2019.

MULTIBANK SYNDICATED FACILITY (CORPORATE FACILITY)

The $385.000 million multibank syndicated facility (corporate facility) with Macquarie Bank and ANZ Banking Group was 
extended a further year in August 2019 with a revised maturity date of August 2021.

BID FOR INSURANCE BROKERS NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED (IBNA)

Steadfast Group has launched a takeover bid for Insurance Brokers Network Australia Limited (IBNA), with up to $70.000 
million of scrip to be issued to IBNA members should the offer be accepted. This is expected to produce an additional circa 
$8.000 million in annual pre-tax underlying earnings to the Group. The consideration paid will be expensed in accordance 
with accounting standards in the Group's FY20 statutory accounts (and could cause a statutory loss) and will be excluded 
from normalised underlying earnings.

ACQUISITION OF REBATES FROM STEADFAST NETWORK BROKERAGES 

In July 2019 the Group announced that it will seek expressions of interest from Steadfast Network brokerages in Australia and 
New Zealand to receive either cash or shares in exchange for renouncing rights to rebates from professional service fees (PSF 
rebate) from 1 July 2019. The outcome is yet to be determined. It is anticipated that any consideration to be paid (being the 
issue of shares or payment of cash) will be expensed in accordance with accounting standards in the Group's FY20 statutory 
accounts (and could cause a statutory loss) and will be excluded from normalised underlying earnings.

IQUMULATE’S DEBT FACILITY

The premium funding debt facility of IQumulate that commenced in June 2019 has continued to be drawn upon, with a 
corresponding increase in premium funding receivables as security against these loans.

CAPITAL RAISING

The Group is undertaking a fully underwritten placement to raise approximately $100.000 million together with an 
accompanying Share Purchase Plan.

127

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 20. SHARE-BASED REMUNERATION

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS – EMPLOYEE RELATED

Share-based remuneration encourages employee share ownership, links employee reward to the performance of the Group 
and assists with attracting, retaining and motivating highly qualified and key personnel.

The Company intends to settle its obligations under share-based payment arrangements by the on-market purchase of 
the Company’s ordinary shares which will be held in trust pending exercise of vested rights by employees. The Group has 
established a practice of purchasing a tranche of shares on or near grant date at the prevailing market price to facilitate 
building up a portfolio sufficient to meet the obligations when rights vest.

Trading in the Company’s ordinary shares awarded under the share-based remuneration arrangements is covered by the same 
restrictions that apply to all forms of share ownership by employees. These restrictions prohibit an employee trading in the 
Company’s ordinary shares when they are aware of price sensitive information and limit their trading at other times. 

The Group has the following types of share-based remuneration arrangements provided to employees; each arrangement has 
different purposes and different rules:

•  short-term incentive plan; and
•  long-term incentive plan. 

The share-based payments are included in the employment expense line in the statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income.

Senior Management and Executive share plans

The senior management and executive share plan arrangements are awarded based on the terms and conditions as set out in 
the short-term and long-term incentive plans. When granted, the awards in these two plans may be in the form of cash and/or 
conditional rights. The Remuneration & Succession Planning Committee has approved the participation of each individual in 
these arrangements as well as the actual awards based on the performance conditions in these two plans being met.

A. The short-term incentive plan (STI)

The STI plan is a discretionary, performance-based, at risk reward arrangement. STI is awarded based on each participant’s 
performance hurdles and whether the financial performance hurdle of a minimum 5% of diluted underlying earnings per share 
growth of the Group are met. 

The key terms of the STI plan for 2019 financial year are:

•  total STI will be awarded and settled in the form of cash and conditional rights as approved by the Board if diluted EPS 

growth targets and individual participant’s performance criteria for the performance period (i.e. 1 July to 30 June) are met. If 
met:
 – 60% of STI will be settled in the form of cash and will be paid annually in September after the performance period; and
 – 40% of STI awarded will be deferred and granted in the form of conditional rights;

•  conditional rights (rights) are granted for nil consideration;
•  the vesting condition of rights is not market related and requires the participant to continue in relevant employment from 

the grant date of the rights (retention period), split one-third over one, two and three years;

•  the rights will accrue notional dividends during the retention period;
•  when vesting (after completion of the retention period), each right will be converted into one Steadfast ordinary share per 
right for nil consideration upon exercise by the participant. The notional dividends will be converted into an equivalent 
number of Steadfast ordinary shares based on the Dividend Reinvestment Plan issue price applicable to each dividend; 

•  the Board has discretion to settle the rights in cash instead of Steadfast ordinary shares; 
•  the vesting is conditional on there being no material adverse deterioration in the 2019 reported results during the 

performance period before the exercise of the rights; and

•  if the vesting condition is not met then the rights lapse.
Further details of the 2019 STI in relation to the Group’s key management personnel are disclosed in the Remuneration 
Report.

128

NOTE 20. SHARE-BASED REMUNERATION continued

B. The long-term incentive plan (LTI)

The LTI plan is a discretionary, performance-based, at risk reward arrangement. LTI is awarded based on each participant’s 
performance hurdles and whether the minimum financial performance hurdles in diluted underlying earnings per share 
growth and Total Shareholder Return (TSR) are met. 

The key terms of the LTI plan awarded in August 2018 were:

•  LTI will be awarded in the form of conditional rights as approved by the Board and will be granted in August following the 

end of each financial year; 

•  conditional rights (rights) are granted for nil consideration;
•  the vesting condition of rights is not market related and is conditional on meeting the following performance hurdles:

 – the participants meeting their individual performance hurdles during the three-year employment tenure from the grant 

date of the rights (retention period); 

 – 75% based on the Group achieving a minimum 5% (maximum at 10%) average straight line per annum diluted EPS growth 

during the retention period; and

 – 25% based on the Group achieving a minimum TSR above the 50th percentile (maximum at 75th percentile) of the peer 

group during the retention period; 

•  the rights will not accrue notional dividends during the retention period;
•  before vesting, the Board will determine the number of rights to vest based on the combined outcome of the performance 

hurdles;

•  when vesting (after completion of the retention period), each right will be converted into one Steadfast ordinary share for nil 

consideration upon exercise by the participant; 

•  the Board has discretion to settle the rights in cash instead of Steadfast ordinary shares; and
•  if the vesting conditions are not met then the rights lapse.

Further details of the 2019 LTI in relation to the Group’s key management personnel are disclosed in the Remuneration 
Report.

Employee share plan

The Short-Term Employee Incentive Plan (STEIP) was introduced during FY19. The STEIP is a discretionary, performance based 
at-risk reward arrangement that aims to recognise the contributions of eligible employees of Steadfast Group Limited when 
outstanding financial results and individual performance objectives are achieved. 

The STEIP consists of two reward components:

•  cash component – a cash award which may be delivered if diluted EPS growth targets are met; and 
•  deferred equity component – a deferred equity award (DEA) of conditional rights to Steadfast shares if EPS growth targets 

are met and subject to a tenure hurdle and no negative material deterioration in EPS from prior year adjustments in 
the subsequent year. Participation in the DEA component of the STEIP is by invitation only and is limited to participants 
approved by the Group CEO.

The EPS growth targets for the STEIP are aligned with those in the senior management and executive share plans. 

Notional dividends on the conditional rights will accrue during the tenure hurdle period from the first interim dividend after the 
grant date. The notional dividends will be calculated in accordance with the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) as varied from 
time to time. The accrued value of notional dividends will be provided to a participant on the vesting date of a conditional 
right in the form of additional Steadfast shares (or cash in lieu).

129

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 21. TAXATION

A. INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)/BENEFIT

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense at statutory tax rate of 30%

Tax effect of differential corporate tax rate

Tax effect of amounts that are not (deductible)/taxable in calculating taxable income

Share of after-tax profits of associates and joint ventures

Non-assessable and other deductible items

Non-deductible and other assessable items

Over/(under) provision for income tax of prior periods

Income tax expense

B. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Current tax

Movement in deferred tax assets

Movement in deferred tax liabilities

Adjustments for current tax of prior periods

C. INCOME TAX ON ITEMS RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

D. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

I. Composition

Accrued expenses

Provisions

Employee share scheme 

Deferred income

Others

II. Movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Add: reversal of offset against deferred tax liabilities

Gross balance at the beginning of the financial year

Opening balance adjustments to retained earnings

Charged to profit or loss 

Charged to equity

Additions through business combinations 

Balance at the end of the financial year before offset

Less: offset against deferred tax liabilities 

Balance at the end of the financial year

130

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

159,259

124,665

(47,778)

(37,399)

29

276

4,475

9,340

(6,068)

4,348

6,461

(7,428)

(40,002)

(33,742)

2,577

(572)

(37,425)

(34,314)

(39,272)

(38,643)

(1,421)

691

2,577

537

4,364

(572)

(37,425)

(34,314)

782

85

867

785

9

794

10,637

8,800

1,951

8,943

4,476

34,807

3,514

15,910

19,424

7,134

(1,421)

782

8,888

34,807

(27,449)

7,358

4,212

7,866

1,893

1,863

3,590

19,424

3,419

13,808

17,227

-

537

785

875

19,424

(15,910)

3,514

NOTE 21. TAXATION continued

E. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

I. Composition

Intangible assets

Receivables

Accrued income

Other

II. Movements

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Add: reversal of offset against deferred tax assets

Gross balance at the beginning of the financial year

Charged to profit or loss 

Charged to equity

Additions through acquisitions

Balance at the end of the financial year before offset

Less: offset against deferred tax assets 

Balance at the end of the financial year

F. ATO TRANSPARENCY REPORTING

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

47,733

25,487

11,999

88

85,307

56,320

15,910

72,230

(691)

(85)

13,853

85,307

(27,449)

57,858

44,868

18,602

5,771

2,989

72,230

50,655

13,808

64,463

(4,364)

(9)

12,140

72,230

(15,910)

56,320

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) publishes total income, taxable income and tax payable in relation to large taxpayers, with 
the 2017 financial year being the latest information released. The information published is sourced from the income tax return 
lodged by Steadfast Group Limited as the head company of the Australian tax consolidated group (which captures only the 
entities that are 100% owned by the Group). 

Total income includes all Australian income, including commission and fee income, investment return and dividends. It does 
not include any business expenses such as commission and fees expense, salaries or other operating expenses. 

Taxable income is the net profit that is subject to tax and takes into account allowable deductions for business expenses and 
other tax concessions, including non-taxable dividends from foreign subsidiaries. 

Tax payable on taxable income is calculated with reference to the Australian corporate tax rate of 30%, adjusted for franking 
credits and other tax concessions. On release of the 2018 tax information, we envisage the following will be reported:

Total income

Taxable income 

Tax paid by head entity 

Effective tax rate

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

245,197

292,098

83,886

64,894

1,480

1.76%

5,537

8.53%

131

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

The most significant reason for the low effective tax rate for the parent entity is that a substantial portion of its disclosed 
taxable income is dividends received and the attached franking credits (derived from those entities paying tax) reduce the tax 
payable by the head entity.

For a complete view of the effective tax rate, the following needs to be considered:

Tax paid by head entity

Tax paid by investees (and passed to head entity as franking credits)

Research & Development offset

Underlying tax paid

Taxable income

Effective tax rate (excl. franking credits)

2018
$’000

1,480

23,686

-

25,166

83,886

30%

2017
$’000

5,537

13,534

398

19,468

64,894

30%

The 2019 income tax return for Steadfast Group Limited is expected to have an effective rate continuing at circa 30%.

132

NOTE 22. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

A. COMPOSITION

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash held on trust

Bank overdrafts

B. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit after income tax expense for the year

Adjustments for

Depreciation, amortisation and (gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Share of profits of associates and joint ventures

Income tax paid

Dividends received from associates/joint ventures

Fair value gain on listed investments

Interest income on loans

Capitalised interest on loans

Net gain on disposal of investment in subsidiaries and associates

Net (gain)/loss on fair value of investments in subsidiaries

Net gain from adjustments to deferred consideration estimates

Share-based payments and incentives accruals

Impairment expense

Change in operating assets and liabilities

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax assets

(Increase)/decrease in other assets

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in income tax payable

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liabilities

Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Net cash from operating activities

NOTE 23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION 

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

116,520

427,449

(3,781)

76,746

310,856

-

540,188

387,602

121,834

90,351

36,112

(14,916)

(41,077)

14,256

(725)

(986)

1,336

(2,086)

(12,853)

110

7,501

-

29,270

(14,494)

(37,896)

15,857

(1,500)

(944)

48

(480)

70

(3,275)

5,034

2,372

(42,331)

(65,053)

12,624

5,200

80,977

35,440

(10,639)

(25,894)

(2,535)

780

57

71,114

38,757

(5,223)

(1,580)

(41)

161,348

123,224

The aggregate remuneration received/receivable by the Directors and other members of key management personnel of the 
Group is set out below.

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Long-term benefits

Accrued share-based expenses

2019
$’000

5,247

123

84

3,451

8,905

2018
$’000

4,872

119

68

2,760

7,819

133

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS continued

B. TRANSACTIONS WITH SUBSIDIARIES 

All transactions that have occurred among the subsidiaries within the Group have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.

C. TRANSACTIONS WITH OTHER RELATED PARTIES 

The following transactions occurred with related parties:

I. Sale of goods and services

Professional services fees received from associates on normal commercial terms

Professional services fees received from joint ventures on normal commercial terms

Commission income received/receivable from associates on normal commercial terms

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

120

2,417

103

137

2,706

119

II. Interest income

Interest income received/receivable from joint ventures

41

93

III. Payment for goods and services

Estimated Steadfast Network broker rebate expense paid or payable to associates on the basis as 
determined by the Board 

Commission expense paid/payable to associates on normal commercial terms

Service fees paid to associates

IV. Receivable from and payable to related parties

901

703

6,724

111

3,650

57

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties:

a. Current receivables

Receivables from associates

Receivables from joint ventures

Dividend receivable from associates

b. Current payables

Payables to associates

V. Loans to related parties

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to loans with related parties:

a. Current receivables

Loan to joint venture(a)

Executive loans(b)

b. Non-current receivables

Loans to associates

6,055

11,274

-

-

213

295

1,527

1,357

-

-

-

500

500

603

4,512

5,115

-

-

(a)  The loan to IQumulate (previously Macquarie Premium Funding Pty Limited) was fully paid on 17 June 2019 (30 June 

2018: $603,125).

(b)  Executive loans were interest-free loans to certain executives to acquire Steadfast ordinary shares when the Company was 

listed on the ASX in August 2013. These loans were fully repaid in FY19.

134

NOTE 24. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION 

The financial information provided in the table below is only for Steadfast Group Limited, the parent entity of the Group.

A. STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit after income tax

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

B. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Share capital

Undistributed profits reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

49,014

42

49,056

52,561

302

52,863

68,026

75,258

1,358,442

1,247,716

68,599

68,747

363,865

241,389

912,517

89,509

6,187

(13,636)

912,347

89,445

4,535

-

994,577

1,006,327

C. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent with those of the Group, as disclosed in Note 2, except for 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures which are accounted for at cost, less any impairment. Dividends 
received are recognised as income by the parent entity.

D. GOING CONCERN

The parent entity financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. 

E. GUARANTEES ENTERED INTO BY THE PARENT ENTITY IN RELATION TO THE DEBTS OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES

The parent entity provided no guarantees in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018.

F. CONTINGENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES

The Company is exposed to the contingent assets and liabilities pertaining to the Macquarie Bank put options set out in Note 17.

G. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The parent entity had no capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as at 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018.

135

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements continued

NOTE 25. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

A. KPMG

I. Audit and review services

2019
$

2018
$

Audit or review of the financial statements of the Company and certain subsidiaries

1,759,210

1,464,318

II. Other assurance, taxation and due diligence services

Other assurance services

Other assurance services

Other services

Taxation compliance and other advisory services

B. OTHER AUDITORS

I. Audit and review services

-

107,000

251,072

251,072

114,445

221,445

Audit or review of the financial statements

334,239

302,731

II. Services other than audit and review of financial statements

Other services

Taxation advisory services

Other services

35,069

395,744

430,813

35,403

42,089

77,492

136

Directors’ declaration

1. 

In the opinion of the Directors of Steadfast Group Limited (‘the Company’):

(a)   the consolidated financial statements and notes that are set out on pages 80 to 136 and the Remuneration Report in 

the Directors’ Report, are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2019 and of its performance, for the 

financial year ended on that date; and

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards 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 declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 from the chief 

executive officer and chief financial officer for the financial year ended 30 June 2019. 

3.  The Directors draw attention to Note 2A to the consolidated financial statements, which includes a statement of 

compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Signed at Sydney on 20 August 2019 in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:

Frank O’Halloran, AM 
Chairman

Robert Kelly 
Managing Director & CEO

137

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Independent Auditor’s Report 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT

Opinion

We have audited the Financial Report of Steadfast Group Limited (the Company).

In our opinion, the accompanying Financial Report of the Company is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
including:

•   giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2019 and of its financial performance for the year 

ended on that date; and

•   complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

The Financial Report comprises:

•   Consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2019
•   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

•   Notes including a summary of significant accounting policies
•   Directors’ Declaration.

The Group consists of the Company and the entities it controlled at the year-end or from time to time during the financial 
year.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

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 Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that 
are relevant to our audit of the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance 
with the Code.

Key audit matters

The Key Audit Matters we identified are:

•   Valuation of Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets, Investments in Associates, and Interests in Joint Ventures
•   Decentralised Operations

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.

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the 
KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with 
KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a 
Swiss entity.

138

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional 
Standards Legislation.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

VALUATION OF GOODWILL, OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES,  
AND INTERESTS IN JOINT VENTURES

Refer to Note 7, Goodwill ($945,498k) and Other Intangible Assets ($193,206k), Note 12, Investments after Associates 
($112,582k), Note 13, Interests in Joint Ventures ($15,677k), and Note 3, Critical Accounting Judgements, Estimates and 
Assumptions.

The valuation of goodwill, other intangible assets, 
investments in associates, and interests in joint ventures is 
a key audit matter as:

•   goodwill and other intangible assets and investments 

in associates and interests in joint ventures represented 
58% of the Group’s total assets.

•   the high number of individual Cash Generating Units 
(CGUs) (more than 70 at 30 June 2019), necessitated 
our consideration of the Group’s determination 
of CGUs and the valuation for each of the CGUs, 
intangible assets, investments in associates, and 
interests in joint ventures.

•   our evaluation of potential impairment involves 

applying judgement in relation to the Group’s forecast 
cash flows and forward looking assumptions, including 
discount rates, short term growth rates and terminal 
growth rates. We focussed specifically on those 
CGUs and associates where the forecast growth rates 
were in excess of historic rates and those where the 
achievement of the forecasts are reliant on the success 
of business initiatives. 

We involved valuation specialists to supplement our 
senior audit team members in assessing this key audit 
matter.

Our procedures included:

•   We assessed the Group’s determination of CGUs based on 

our understanding of the operation of the Group’s business, 
and how independent cash flows were generated, against 
the requirement of the accounting standards.

•   We assessed the Group’s analysis of indicators of impairment 
of other intangible assets and its investment in associates.

Working with our valuation specialists: 

•   We considered the appropriateness of the valuation 

methods applied (VIU and FVLCTS) by the Group against the 
requirements of the accounting standards.

•   We compared the forecast cash flows contained in the 

valuation models to the Board approved budgets. We also 
evaluated the forecasting process undertaken by the Group 
and assessed the precision of prior year forecast cash flows 
by comparison to actual outcomes. We used knowledge 
from this evaluation to inform our detailed testing focus.
•   We applied increased scepticism to forecasts in the areas 

where previous forecasts were not achieved. We compared 
the forecast revenue growth rate and terminal growth 
rate assumptions to external data on inflation rates and 
projected revenue growth for the insurance brokerage 
industry in Australia. We used our knowledge of the Group, 
their past performance, business and customers, and our 
general insurance industry experience in considering the 
appropriateness of the forecast used.

•   We independently developed a discount rate range based on 
analysis of comparable companies using publicly available 
market data, adjusted by risk factors specific to the Group 
and the industry it operates in. 

•   We performed sensitivity analysis on the discount rate, 

and forecast growth rate for key CGUs, placing focus on 
the expected increase in forecast revenue growth rates. 
Additionally, we cross checked the valuation results against 
earnings multiples inherent in the value of other comparable 
companies.

•  We assessed the integrity of the value in use model used, 
including accuracy of the underlying calculation formulas. 

139

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Independent Auditor’s Report 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

DECENTRALISED OPERATIONS

Refer to Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, Note 11, Subsidiaries, Note 12, Investments in Associates and Note 13, 
Interests in Joint Ventures.

The Group comprises more than 130 subsidiaries and 
associates (components) whose operations are spread 
across Australia, New Zealand, and to a lesser degree, 
the United Kingdom, Singapore and Germany. The 
Group’s business is general insurance distribution, and 
the individual components are wide ranging in size and 
also in the customers and products of each business 
operation. 

The decentralised and varied nature of these operations 
requires significant oversight by Steadfast Group to 
monitor the activities, review component financial 
reporting and undertake the Group consolidation. This 
is an extensive process due to the variety of accounting 
processes and systems used across the Group. 

This was a key audit matter for us given the high number 
of subsidiaries and associates, and the varied operations, 
accounting processes and systems. We focused on:

•   understanding the components and identifying 
the significant risks of misstatement within each 
component, taking significant acquisitions made during 
the year into consideration;

•   the scoping of relevant procedures consistent with the 
risks identified and to enable coverage of significant 
aggregated balances;

•   the assessment of components compliance with 
Group accounting policies, particularly regarding 
compliance with the new accounting standards AASB 
15 Revenue with Contracts with Customers and AASB 9 
Financial Instruments; and 

•   the consolidation process and aggregating results from 

component procedures.

Our procedures included:

•   We instructed component audit teams to perform 

procedures on the financial information prepared for 
consolidation purposes by 34 components. The selected 
components were significant to the audit of the Group, 
either by size or by risk, included over 87% of the Group’s 
revenue and 85% of total assets. The objective of this 
approach was to gather evidence on significant balances 
that aggregate to form part of the Group’s financial 
reporting.

•   The component audit teams performed audits of the 

financial information of the components on specific Group 
reporting package information and local statutory financial 
reporting. We worked with the component audit teams to 
identify risks significant to the audit of the Group and to 
plan relevant procedures. There was additional effort and 
attention given to our procedures on the newly acquired 
businesses in scope for group reporting. We discussed 
the component audits as they progressed to identify and 
address any issues, working with the component audit 
teams as appropriate. We read the audit reports issued to us 
and the underlying memos explaining component results. 
We evaluated the work performed by the component 
audit teams for sufficiency for our overall audit purpose. 
We also considered the components’ compliance with the 
Group’s accounting policies, including those relating to 
the recognition of revenue as part of our evaluation of the 
component audit teams reporting to us.

•   We tested the financial data used in the consolidation 

process for consistency with the financial data audited by 
component audit teams. We also assessed the consolidation 
process for compliance with accounting standards with 
particular focus on implementation of AASB 15 and 9. 
•   For a sample of financially significant components, we 

inspected the component auditors’ files for consistency 
between the auditor’s opinion and the underlying audit work.

•  For the other components, not within the scope of the 

component audit teams, our head office audit procedures 
included testing the Group’s key monitoring controls and 
performance of analytical procedures. We inspected a 
sample of bank reconciliations, statutory financial reports 
and accompanying audit reports, and enquired of head 
office and component management. In our analytical 
procedures we compared actual financial results to budgets 
and the prior year results. We enquired of head office and 
component management and considered trends within the 
insurance market.

140

Other Information

Other Information is financial and non-financial information in Steadfast Group Limited’s annual reporting which is provided in 
addition to the Financial Report and the Auditor's Report. The Directors are responsible for the Other Information.

Our opinion on the Financial Report does not cover the Other Information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit 
opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the Remuneration Report and our related 
assurance opinion.

In connection with our audit of the Financial Report, our responsibility is to read the Other Information. In doing so, we 
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.

We are required to report if we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this Other Information, and based on the 
work we have performed on the Other Information that we obtained prior to the date of this Auditor’s Report we have nothing 
to report.

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report

The Directors are responsible for:

•   preparing the Financial Report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the 

Corporations Act 2001

•   implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of a Financial Report that gives a true and fair view and is 

free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error

•   assessing the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the going concern basis 
of accounting is appropriate. This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going 
concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group and Company or to cease operations, or have 
no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report

Our objective is:

•   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 
Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They 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.pdf. This description forms part of our 
Auditor’s Report.

141

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Independent Auditor’s Report 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF STEADFAST GROUP LIMITED

REPORT ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT

Opinion

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Steadfast Group Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019,  
complies with Section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Directors’ 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 responsibilities

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 56 to 78 of the Directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 
2019.

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our Audit conducted in accordance with 
Australian Auditing Standards.

KPMG

Scott Guse 
Partner

Sydney 
20 August 2019

142

Shareholders' information
AS AT 29 JULY 2019

ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

There were 793,035,955 fully paid ordinary shares held by 5,187 shareholders. All the shares carry one vote per share and carry 
the rights to dividends.

DISTRIBUTION OF SHAREHOLDERS
The number of shareholders by size of holding are as follows:

Range

100,001 and over

10,001 to 100,000

5,001 to 10,000

1,001 to 5,000

1 to 1,000

Total

No. of holders

No. of shares

% of issued capital

357

1,305

606

1,625

1,294

5,187

742,039,855

41,529,570

4,568,567

4,245,095

652,868

793,035,955

93.57%

5.24%

0.58%

0.54%

0.07%

100.00%

There were 0 shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel based on a market price of $3.71 at the close of trading on 
29 July 2019.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

Date of notice

No. of shares

% of issued capital

INVESTORS MUTUAL

VANGUARD GROUP

07/06/17

27/05/19

44,821,736

44,190,384

5.98%

5.57%

This information is based on the most recent substantial holder notices lodged with the ASX.

TWENTY LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS 
Name 

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

JP MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 

NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 

MACKAY INSURANCE SERVICES PTY LTD 

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED-GSCO ECA 

ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED 

BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

MACKAY INSURANCE SERVI CES PTY LTD 

AMP LIFE LIMITED 

STEADFAST SHARE PLAN NOMINEE PTY LTD 

RC & IP GILBERT PTY LTD 

RM & JA ALFORD INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 

MR ROBERT BERNARD KELLY 

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

MR DAVID INGRAM 

AUSTRALIAN EXECUTOR TRUSTEES LIMITED 

Total

DIVIDEND DETAILS

Dividend

Interim 

Final

Franking

Fully franked

Fully franked

No. of shares

% of issued capital

219,136,007

140,970,148

70,119,704

57,169,454

27,764,302

24,732,647

14,442,301

13,937,377

11,775,120

9,731,538

7,427,923

6,165,945

4,453,142

4,017,368

3,100,000

3,085,000

3,062,209

2,687,329

2,661,876

2,350,258

27.63%

17.78%

8.84%

7.21%

3.50%

3.12%

1.82%

1.76%

1.48%

1.23%

0.94%

0.78%

0.56%

0.51%

0.39%

0.39%

0.39%

0.34%

0.34%

0.30%

628,789,648

79.29%

Amount per share

DRP issue price

Payment date

3.2 cents

5.3 cents

 $3.19

21 March 2019

*

20 September 2019

The final dividend has an ex-dividend date of 23 August 2019 a record date of 26 August 2019, a payment date of  
20 September 2019 and is eligible for Steadfast's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP), which carries no discount.

*The DRP issue price for the final dividend is scheduled to be announced on 13 September 2019

143

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Corporate Directory

DIRECTORS

CORPORATE OFFICE

SHARE REGISTRY

Frank O’Halloran, AM (Chairman)
Robert Kelly (Managing Director  
& CEO)
David Liddy, AM
Gai McGrath
Anne O’Driscoll
Philip Purcell
Greg Rynenberg

Steadfast Group Limited
Level 4
99 Bathurst Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address
PO Box A980
Sydney South NSW 1235

Link Market Services
Level 12
680 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address
Locked Bag A14
Sydney South NSW 1235

COMPANY SECRETARIES

Linda Ellis
Peter Roberts

NOTICE OF AGM

The AGM will be held on Thursday  
17 October 2019 at 10.00am at the 
Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, 
Sydney NSW 2000.

P 02 9495 6500
E investor@steadfast.com.au
W steadfast.com.au 
ACN 073 659 677

P 1300 554 474
E registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au

STOCK LISTING

Steadfast Group Limited ordinary 
shares are listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX code: SDF).

144

Designed by Ascender

145

Steadfast Group Annual Report 2019Steadfast Group Limited
146
ABN 98 073 659 677

www.steadfast.com.au