Concise
Annual
Report
2019
ABN 24 004 196 909
Corporate Directory
DIRECTORS
Prof. M.R. Compton | Chairman
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt | Managing Director
Mr C.D. Wilks | Finance Director
Dr P.J. Dubois
Mr N. Mitchell
Mr L.J. Panaccio
Ms K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
COMPANY SECRETARY
Mr P.J. Alexander
PRINCIPAL REGISTERED OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA
Level 22, Grosvenor Place,
225 George Street, Sydney
New South Wales, 2000, Australia
P
F
W www.sonichealthcare.com
61 2 9855 5444
61 2 9878 5066
SHARE REGISTRY
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Level 5, 115 Grenfell Street, Adelaide,
South Australia, 5000, Australia.
P
P
F
F
W www.computershare.com
E www.investorcentre.com/contact
1300 556 161 (Within Australia)
61 3 9415 4000 (Outside Australia)
1300 534 987 (Within Australia)
61 3 9473 2408 (Outside Australia)
AUDITOR
PricewaterhouseCoopers
SOLICITORS
Allens
Gilbert+Tobin
BANKERS
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
BNP Paribas
Commerzbank
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Crédit Industriel et Commercial
DNB Asia
HSBC
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Mizuho Bank
MUFG Bank
National Australia Bank
Westpac Banking Corporation
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS
Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL.AX) shares are listed on the
Australian Securities Exchange. Sonic Healthcare Limited
also has a Level 1 sponsored American Depositary Receipt
(ADR) facility managed by BNY Mellon (the ‘Depositary’). Sonic
Healthcare Limited’s ADRs are traded under the code SKHHY.
Verification of Unaudited Information in this Annual Report
Unaudited information in this Annual Report comprises all information included in the Annual Report other than the Financial Report,
the Remuneration Report within the Directors’ Report, the Directors’ Declaration, the Independent Auditor’s Report and the Auditor’s
Independence Statement.
The integrity of the unaudited information has been verified as materially accurate and/or reasonable using the following processes:
Financial information in the unaudited information has been tied to the current and/or previous audited Financial Reports, or has
been gathered using the same reporting and consolidation process as used for the Financial Report (which includes several review
layers), or has been sourced from third parties.
The unaudited information has been reviewed and approved by the Managing Director and Finance Director individually, the Audit
Committee, and the Board as a whole.
Earnings guidance for the 2020 financial year is based on the detailed annual budgeting process undertaken by the Group, which
culminates in Board approval of the budgets.
The independent auditor has read the unaudited information and has considered whether the information is materially inconsistent
with the Financial Report or their knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appeared to be materially misstated. The auditor had
nothing to report in this regard.
Forward-looking statements and opinions included in the unaudited information (which may be identified by the use of terminology
including ‘expects’, ‘believes’, ‘targets’, ‘likely’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘intends’, ‘aims’, ‘is estimated’ or similar expressions) are not certainties,
guarantees or predictions of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or
opinions.
Contents
Chairman’s Letter
CEO Report
Financial History
Directors’ Report
Auditor’s Independence Declaration
Corporate Governance Statement
Concise Financial Report
Directors’ Declaration
Report of the Independent Auditor
on the concise financial report to the
members of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Shareholders’ Information
03
04
07
10
47
48
61
78
79
81
Cover Image:
Histological photomicrograph of a liposarcoma, which is a
malignant tumour of soft tissue arising from the body’s fat cells.
Sonic Healthcare produced a
record net profit for the 2019
financial year of A$550 million,
on revenues of A$6.2 billion.
02
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Chairman’s
Letter
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board of Sonic Healthcare, I take great
pleasure in presenting to you the Company’s 2019
Annual Report.
Sonic Healthcare produced a record net profit for the
2019 financial year of A$550 million, on revenues of
A$6.2 billion. The Board has declared total dividends per
share for the year of A$0.84, a 4% increase on the prior
year, continuing our progressive dividend policy.
A standout event in the 2019 year was the acquisition of
Aurora Diagnostics in the USA, and the equity raised to
finance the acquisition. Aurora has opened further growth
paths for Sonic in the world’s largest laboratory medicine
market, as described in more detail elsewhere in this
Annual Report. On behalf of the Board and management
team, I wish to thank our shareholders for the strong
support we received for both the A$600 million
institutional equity placement completed in December
2018 and the associated Share Purchase Plan (SPP) for
retail shareholders completed in February 2019, which
raised A$328 million. Combined, these represented the
largest equity raising the Company has ever undertaken.
The equity raised and our strong cash generation
enabled a reduction in net debt of A$184 million (after
payments for acquisitions and dividends), lowering
Sonic’s gearing below our long-term average. This
means that our balance sheet is very strong, and ready
to support further growth. A very pleasing aspect of the
financial results for 2019 was that our Return on Invested
Capital (ROIC) increased from 8.6% to 8.7%, whilst A$1
billion of additional capital was put to work. Whilst ROIC is
a volatile measure, this is a good outcome.
Board renewal, development and diversity continue to be
important considerations for your Board. Sonic’s Board
currently comprises five independent directors and three
executive directors, including a pathologist, a radiologist
and a registered General Medical Practitioner, in keeping
with our Medical Leadership culture and strategy. We
are actively recruiting for an additional independent,
non-executive director, preferably a qualified medical
practitioner, and hope to have the position filled by
the Company’s 2019 Annual General Meeting or
soon afterwards.
We have set ourselves the objective to reach at least
30% female representation on our Board within two
years – I note we have had more than 20% since 2010
and currently have 40% female representation of our
independent Non-executive Directors. Mr Lou Panaccio,
who has been Chairman of our Audit Committee since
October 2010, is retiring from that position this month.
Lou will remain on the Committee, and the Board has
chosen Mr Neville Mitchell as the new Committee
Chairman. On the Board’s behalf, I sincerely thank Lou
for the exceptional leadership he has demonstrated
in his role as Chairman of the Audit Committee, and
congratulate Neville on his appointment. Dr Philip Dubois
is standing for re-election at this year’s AGM, with the full
support of the Board. Philip has indicated that, should he
be re-elected by shareholders at the 2019 AGM, he will
retire from the Board by the end of that three-year term.
I strongly recommend that all Sonic shareholders read
our latest Corporate Responsibility Report, available
on our website. This report describes how Sonic cares
for our people, the environment, our own communities
and communities in acute need. The Board takes great
pride in Sonic’s standing in these important issues,
and believes that our shareholders can rightfully be
proud as well. Sonic’s standing as a socially responsible
company continues to be recognised by external parties,
including through ongoing inclusion in the FTSE4Good
Index Series.
Sonic Healthcare has a clear and proven growth strategy
and the cultural, financial, managerial and operational
strength to further deliver on that strategy, so as to create
value for shareholders, provide excellent service to our
patients and their doctors, and enable fulfilling careers
for our staff. I thank our doctors, managers, staff and my
fellow Directors for their dedication, expertise and passion
for the Company. I also thank you, our shareholders, for
your continuing support of the Company and the Board.
Professor Mark Compton AM
Chairman
03
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CEO
Report
Sonic Healthcare produced another record financial
result in the 2019 financial year, in line with our
expectations. Financial highlights included:
¡ Revenue growth of 11.6% to A$6.2 billion
¡ EBITDA growth of 13.3% to A$1.1 billion
¡ Net profit growth of 15.6% to A$550 million
¡ Earnings per share growth of 8.8% to A$1.22
One of the key attributes of Sonic is the consistency of
our financial performance and growth, which I think are
best illustrated in the two charts below. They portray
our annual revenue since Sonic listed on the Australian
Securities Exchange in 1987, and our annual dividends
from our inaugural dividend in 1994.
As illustrated, we are expecting further growth again in
2020, when we will benefit from a full year of the Aurora
Diagnostics acquisition, which was completed in January
2019, as well as ongoing organic growth and, potentially,
further acquisitions.
The Company reached a significant threshold in 2019 –
this is the year that we exceeded $1 billion of EBITDA for
the first time. This is a great milestone for the Company
and really a magnificent achievement for all of Sonic’s
people around the world.
Organic revenue growth for the Group as a whole in 2019
was pleasing, at around 4% on a constant currency basis.
Sonic’s Australian, US and UK laboratory operations and
our Imaging division achieved higher organic growth
rates, whilst the growth of our German and Belgian
operations were impacted this year by regulatory
changes. I would like to particularly highlight the
continuation of strong profit and margin growth in Sonic’s
Australian and Swiss laboratory businesses, and in our
Australian diagnostic imaging business.
As is usual for Sonic, organic growth was significantly
enhanced by acquisitions in the past year, and we
continue to work on a rich pipeline of further acquisition,
joint venture and contract opportunities to further
augment Sonic’s growth, strength and expertise as
a Company.
Revenue History
6.7*
6.2
8
8
9
1
9
8
9
1
0
9
9
1
1
9
9
1
2
9
9
1
3
9
9
1
4
9
9
1
5
9
9
1
6
9
9
1
7
9
9
1
8
9
9
1
9
9
9
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
4
0
0
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5
0
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6
0
0
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0
0
2
8
0
0
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9
0
0
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0
1
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1
1
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2
1
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1
0
2
4
1
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6
1
0
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7
1
0
2
8
1
0
2
9
1
0
2
0
2
0
2
*FY2020 revenue based on market consensus forecast, including FX rate assumptions. Illustrative only, not Sonic guidance.
FINANCIAL YEAR
A$B
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
04
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Sonic Healthcare produced
another record financial result
in the 2019 financial year, in
line with our expectations.
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
05
Full-year Dividend History
$0.84
A$
$0.90
$0.80
$0.70
$0.60
$0.50
$0.40
$0.30
$0.20
$0.10
$0.00
4
9
9
1
5
9
9
1
6
9
9
1
7
9
9
1
8
9
9
1
9
9
9
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
4
0
0
2
5
0
0
2
6
0
0
2
7
0
0
2
8
0
0
2
9
0
0
2
0
1
0
2
1
1
0
2
2
1
0
2
3
1
0
2
4
1
0
2
5
1
0
2
6
1
0
2
7
1
0
2
8
1
0
2
9
1
0
2
FINANCIAL YEAR
Sonic also achieved a number of strategic milestones in the
2019 financial year, opening up new pathways for future
growth. The most significant of these was the acquisition of
Aurora Diagnostics for US$540 million (equivalent to A$750
million). Aurora is one of the leading anatomical pathology
providers in the USA, with approximately 220 pathologists
and 1,200 staff, operating 32 anatomical pathology practices
across 19 US states.
Aurora is the largest single acquisition ever made by Sonic,
with annual revenue in excess of US$310 million. Following
the Aurora acquisition, our US business is now our largest
globally.
Sonic also acquired Pathologie Trier in July 2018, one of
the largest (annual revenue of around €20 million) and most
respected anatomical pathology practices in Germany.
The acquisitions of Aurora Diagnostics and Pathologie Trier
are initial steps in expansion into the anatomical pathology
markets in the USA and Germany.
The addition of the pathologists in these practices to Sonic’s
existing team has created what I believe to be the largest
pathologist group globally. Sonic’s success to date has been
driven by our Medical Leadership culture which, among other
important tenets, recognises that pathologists are the natural
leaders within laboratories.
We look forward to working with Aurora’s and Trier’s
management and pathologists to grow and enrich both the
anatomical pathology and clinical laboratory operations of
our expanded US and German businesses. This strategy is
well-founded on our deep and longstanding experience in
anatomical pathology in Australia.
screening contract to provide HPV testing for the population
of London, and positioning ourselves well in the bidding
processes for other major National Health Service laboratory
contracts in the UK.
We also divested GLP Systems, a technology platform, at an
attractive valuation, returning approximately $A130 million
of cash to Sonic. Sonic has not been a seller of businesses,
however, after a decade of adding value to GLP Systems, the
point was reached where its future lay more logically with
Abbott as a major IVD equipment provider.
To summarise, the Company is in a healthy, strong and stable
position, with growth momentum and significant opportunities
ahead. We operate in eight countries, and employ 37,000
people. Our people are very actively delivering highest
quality, essential healthcare services to 120 million patients
each year. Our global team of more than 1,000 pathologists,
along with our 200 radiologists, 2,000-plus partner general
practitioners and thousands of qualified scientists and
technical staff, underpin and enrich our global healthcare
offering. Sonic’s Medical Leadership culture differentiates
Sonic in our markets, attracting referrals to our practices,
making us an employer of choice, and attracting like-minded
organisations for acquisition, joint ventures and laboratory
outsource contracting. The talent and passion of our people
are the driving force behind the continuous improvements in
our businesses and to the overall success of Sonic Healthcare
and I thank all Sonic staff for their dedication and the positive
energy they bring to the Company.
Other milestones in the year included the formation of a
hospital laboratory joint venture with ProMedica Health
System, Inc. in the mid-west of the USA, winning the cervical
Dr Colin Goldschmidt
CEO and Managing Director
06
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Financial
History
As at 30 June
2019
$’000
2018
$’000
2017
$’000
2016
$’000
2015
$’000
Revenue1,3
6,184,056
5,541,371
5,122,143
5,052,486
4,200,525
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation
and amortisation (EBITDA)1,3
1,074,828
948,288
868,559
880,404
694,649
Net profit after tax1,2,3
549,725
475,606
427,773
451,374
347,698
Net cash flow from operations
847,308
767,920
736,365
707,708
512,084
Total assets
Total liabilities
Net assets
9,959,834
8,200,934
7,878,165
7,370,619
6,348,705
4,467,968
3,918,009
3,952,035
3,637,910
3,022,707
5,491,866
4,282,925
3,926,130
3,732,709
3,325,998
Net interest-bearing debt
2,298,953
2,482,781
2,435,405
2,284,247
1,975,989
Statistics
Diluted earnings per share (cents)1,2,3
Dividends paid per ordinary share (cents)
Dividend payout ratio
Gearing ratio
Interest cover (times)4
Debt cover (times)4
Net tangible asset backing per share ($)
Return (after tax) on invested capital1,3
Return (after tax) on equity1,2,3
122.1
82.0
66.4%
29.5%
10.5
2.1
(2.69)
8.7%
11.2%
112.2
78.0
69.1%
36.7%
10.1
2.5
(3.39)
8.6%
11.6%
102.1
75.0
73.0%
38.3%
10.8
2.7
(3.47)
8.1%
11.2%
109.3
71.0
64.0%
38.0%
11.5
2.6
(3.44)
9.1%
12.8%
86.0
69.0
79.7%
37.3%
10.8
2.7
(2.74)
7.2%
10.8%
1 2016 included a non-recurring pre- and post-tax gain of $34,766,000 on the sale and leaseback of properties
2 2018 included a non-recurring income tax benefit of $20,115,000 relating to the restatement of net deferred tax liabilities to the new 21% US corporate tax rate
3 2019 included a non-recurring pre-tax gain of $50,385,000 (post-tax $49,585,000) on the sale of GLP Systems
4 Calculated using bank debt facility covenant definitions
07
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Concise
Annual
Report
SONIC HEALTHCARE LIMITED
ABN 24 004 196 909
30 JUNE 2019
Directors’ Report
Your Directors present their report on the Group consisting of Sonic Healthcare Limited and the entities it controlled at the end of,
or during, the year ended 30 June 2019.
DIRECTORS
The following persons were Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited during the whole of the financial year and up to the date of
this report:
Prof. M.R. Compton | Chairman
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt | Managing Director
Mr C.D. Wilks | Finance Director
Dr P.J. Dubois
Mr N. Mitchell
Mr L.J. Panaccio
Ms K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
During the year the principal continuing activities of the Group consisted of the provision of medical diagnostic services and the
provision of administrative services and facilities to medical practitioners.
DIVIDENDS
Details of dividends in respect of the current year and previous financial year are as follows:
Interim dividend paid on 26 March 2019 (2018: 10 April 2018)
Final dividend payable on 25 September 2019 (2018: 27 September 2018)
Total dividend for the year
2019
$’000
156,366
242,148
398,514
2018
$’000
135,300
208,746
344,046
On 19 August 2019, the Board declared a final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2019, of 51 cents per ordinary
share, 30% franked (at a tax rate of 30%), payable on 25 September 2019, with a record date of 11 September 2019. An interim
dividend of 33 cents per ordinary share, 20% franked (at 30%), was paid on 26 March 2019. These dividends included no conduit
foreign income.
A final dividend of 49 cents per ordinary share was paid on 27 September 2018, in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018, out
of profits of that year. The interim dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018 was 32 cents per ordinary share, paid on
10 April 2018. These dividends included no conduit foreign income.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (DRP)
The Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan remains suspended for the FY2019 final dividend.
10
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Operations
Sonic Healthcare is one of the world’s leading providers of medical diagnostic services, contributing to the medical care of 120
million patients per annum. The Group provides highly specialised pathology/clinical laboratory and diagnostic imaging (including
radiology) services to clinicians (GPs and specialists), hospitals, community health services, and their patients. Sonic is the world’s
third largest provider of pathology/clinical laboratory services (referred to in some markets as ‘laboratory medicine’) and was the
first company to do so on a global basis. Employing approximately 37,000 people, Sonic enjoys strong positions in the laboratory
markets of eight countries, being the largest private operator in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, the second largest
in Belgium and New Zealand and the third largest in the USA. In addition, Sonic is the largest operator of medical centres and the
largest occupational health provider in Australia, and the second largest participant in the Australian diagnostic imaging market.
These strong market positions allow Sonic to leverage existing infrastructure to realise synergies and to grow earnings.
Pathology is the study and diagnosis of disease through examination of organs, tissues, cells and bodily fluids. It is a broadly
defined and complex scientific field which seeks to understand the mechanisms of disease and abnormality of cells and tissues, as
well as the body’s means of responding to and repairing abnormalities. Pathology and laboratory tests are an essential component
in the delivery of modern healthcare services and are estimated to influence approximately 70% of healthcare decisions and 100%
of cancer diagnoses. Laboratory medicine is a unique medical specialty, in that pathologists and laboratory technicians typically
do not see patients directly, but rather serve as consultants to other physicians.
The clinical laboratory process is depicted below:
The Clinical Laboratory Process
COLLECTING SPECIMENS
Either the referring doctor or our
expertly trained collection staff will
collect a specimen from the patient.
THE DOCTOR
When a patient visits a doctor,
the doctor may order laboratory
tests to inform a diagnosis or
monitor treatment.
THE LABORATORY
Each specimen is examined by
our experienced scientific staff
using sophisticated instruments
and advanced technology.
TRANSPORTATION
Once collected, specimens are
transported to a Sonic state-of-the-art
laboratory by one of our team of
dedicated couriers.
LABORATORY DEPARTMENTS
Each department is staffed with
specialist pathologists, scientists
and laboratory assistants.
SPECIMEN RECEPTION
The patient specimen information
is accurately recorded into our
secure patient database. All
patient information is treated in
the strictest confidence.
RESULTS
Results are delivered by secure
electronic transfer, directly to the
referring doctor’s device, or are
printed and hand-delivered by
our couriers.
CLINICAL REPORTING
Test results are interpreted by
specialist pathologists who provide
diagnostic comments with reports
to assist referring doctors with the
management of their patients.
In some countries in which Sonic operates, laboratories offer specimen collection services, although referring doctors still do
some collections themselves. In Australia, approximately 25% of specimens are collected by the referring doctor. In Germany,
Belgium and Switzerland, laboratories generally do not offer specimen collection services.
11
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Laboratory medicine tests generally fall into categories as shown below:
ANCILLARY FUNCTIONS
All technical functions are
supported by quality staff in
Collection Centres, IT,
Couriers, Specimen
Reception, Data Entry,
Stores, Accounts, Results
and Communications
BIOCHEMISTRY
The measurement of
different chemical
substances in the body
GENETICS
The prediction and
diagnosis of genetic
disorders and cancer using
cutting-edge technologies
that perform DNA, RNA and
chromosome testing
MICROBIOLOGY
The study of
disease-causing organisms,
including bacteria and fungi
IMMUNOSEROLOGY
The measurement of antibody
levels and other factors in the
blood to assess immune
status and diagnose diseases
Clinical
Laboratory
Testing
MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
The study of DNA, RNA and
proteins for diagnostic and
prognostic purposes
CYTOPATHOLOGY
The study of cells and cell
structure to detect
cancerous and
pre-cancerous changes
HAEMATOLOGY
The study of blood cells,
blood-producing organs
and blood diseases
HISTOPATHOLOGY
The examination of tissue
samples by anatomical
pathologists to diagnose
cancer and other conditions
TOXICOLOGY
The testing for
drugs of abuse on
urine and oral
fluid samples
PRENATAL TESTING
Screening for genetic
conditions either prior to
conception, or during the
first and second trimesters
of pregnancy
Histopathology and cytopathology (‘anatomical pathology’) mainly involve the diagnosis of cancers by the examination of tissue
and cells. The testing of other body specimens (blood, urine, sputum etc.) is usually referred to as clinical laboratory or clinical
pathology testing. In some international markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, it is usual for laboratories to provide both
anatomical pathology and clinical laboratory testing as part of the one service. In other markets, anatomical pathology can be
seen as a separate service.
Sonic’s laboratories are highly sophisticated, providing broad menus of complex tests, in addition to state-of-the-art automation
for accurate and rapid turnaround of routine tests. Sonic offers a range of more than 3,000 different tests. Many of Sonic’s large
laboratories reach or exceed tertiary teaching hospital laboratory standards and are recognised for their esoteric testing expertise,
for example, in anatomical pathology, genetic and molecular testing.
12
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Diagnostic imaging (including radiology) is the medical specialty of using medical imaging technologies to diagnose and treat
diseases. The array of imaging technologies includes general X-ray, bone densitometry, mammography, ultrasound, computed
tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diagnostic imaging also includes
interventional radiology, the performance of medical procedures under the guidance of imaging technologies.
In addition to clinical laboratories and diagnostic imaging, Sonic conducts a number of smaller complementary businesses
(disclosed in the Other category in the Segment information note, along with corporate office costs). The most significant of
these are the Independent Practitioner Network (IPN) medical centre business and the Sonic HealthPlus occupational health
business, which together involve 233 primary care clinics across Australia, providing facilities and administrative services to more
than 2,400 general practitioners. Seventy per cent of all Australians live within 10 kilometres of an IPN/Sonic HealthPlus clinic.
Financial results
A summary of consolidated revenue and earnings is set out below:
2019
Constant
Currency1
2019
Statutory
2018
Statutory
2019
Constant
Currency1
v 2018
Statutory
2019
Statutory
v 2018
Statutory
$’000
$’000
$’000
% Change
% Change
Revenue
Non-recurring gain on GLP Systems sale
Impact of new accounting standard (AASB 15)
5,979,319
(47,625)
9,284
6,184,056
(50,385)
9,284
5,541,371
–
–
7.9%
11.6%
Underlying Revenue2
5,940,978
6,142,955
5,541,371
Underlying EBITDA2
Non-recurring gain on GLP Systems sale
Impact of new accounting standard (AASB 15)
Non-recurring costs4
EBITDA3
Depreciation and lease amortisation
EBITA
Amortisation of intangibles
Net interest expense
Income tax expense5
Net (profit) attributable to minority interests
1,026,190
47,625
(9,284)
(25,945)
1,038,586
(203,988)
834,598
(61,381)
(73,967)
(159,733)
(9,057)
1,060,828
50,385
(9,284)
(27,101)
1,074,828
(209,856)
864,972
(63,288)
(79,427)
(163,188)
(9,344)
962,052
–
–
(13,764)
948,288
(191,809)
756,479
(64,229)
(75,269)
(131,916)
(9,459)
7.2%
6.7%
6.3%
(4.4)%
(1.7)%
21.1%
Net profit attributable to Sonic shareholders
530,460
549,725
475,606
11.5%
Cash generated from operations (Refer Note (h))
847,308
767,920
10.9%
10.3%
13.3%
15.6%
10.3%
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (cents per share)
Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)
118.2
117.8
122.5
122.1
112.6
112.2
5.0%
8.8%
1 For an explanation of ‘Constant Currency’ refer to (a) on the following page
2 Underlying Revenue and EBITDA = Revenue and EBITDA adjusted to remove the impact of accounting standard changes and non-recurring items in the current and/or previous year
3 EBITDA = Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
4 Non-recurring costs mainly relate to acquisitions, contract bids, laboratory relocations, mergers and restructuring
5
Income tax expense in the 2018 year included a one-off US net tax benefit of A$20,115,000
An explanation of the figures reported above is provided in the following pages of this report.
13
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Explanation of results
a) Constant currency
As a result of Sonic’s expanding operations outside of Australia, Sonic is increasingly exposed to currency exchange rate
translation risk, meaning that Sonic’s offshore earnings and assets fluctuate when reported in AUD.
The average currency exchange rates for the year to 30 June 2019 for the Australian dollar (A$, AUD or $) versus the currencies
of Sonic’s offshore earnings varied from those in the comparative period, impacting Sonic’s AUD reported earnings (‘Statutory’
earnings). The underlying earnings in foreign currency are not affected.
As in prior periods, in addition to the statutory disclosures, Sonic’s results for the year have also been presented on a ‘Constant
Currency’ basis (that is, using the same exchange rates to convert the current period foreign earnings into AUD as applied in
the comparative period, being the average rates for that period). This facilitates comparability of the Group’s performance,
by providing a view on the underlying business performance without distortion caused by exchange rate volatility, so that an
assessment can be made of the growth in earnings in local currencies. Constant Currency reporting also allows comparison to
the guidance Sonic provides to the market about its prospective earnings.
In preparing the Constant Currency reporting, the foreign currency elements of each line item in the Income Statement
(including net interest expense and tax expense) are restated using the relevant prior period average exchange rate. There is only
this one adjustment to each line item, so no reconciliation is required.
The average exchange rates used were as follows:
AUD/USD
AUD/EUR
AUD/GBP
AUD/CHF
AUD/NZD
2019 Statutory
2018 and Constant Currency
0.7154
0.6270
0.5527
0.7116
1.0666
0.7754
0.6499
0.5760
0.7526
1.0852
To manage currency translation risk, Sonic uses ‘natural’ hedging, under which foreign currency assets (businesses) are
matched to the extent possible with same currency debt. Therefore:
¡ as the AUD value of offshore assets changes with currency movements, so does the AUD value of the debt; and
¡ as the AUD value of foreign currency EBIT changes with currency movements, so does the AUD value of the foreign currency
interest expense.
As Sonic’s foreign currency earnings grow, debt is repaid, and interest rates change, the natural hedges have only a partial effect,
so AUD reported earnings do fluctuate. Sonic believes it is inappropriate to hedge translation risk (a non-cash risk) with real cash
hedging instruments.
14
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
b) Revenue
Total revenue growth for the year was 11.6% (or 7.9% at Constant Currency exchange rates, that is, applying the average rates
for the FY2018 year to the current year results). Organic revenue growth of 4% (Constant Currency) was achieved for the Group
as a whole.
Revenue breakdown
Laboratory – Australia
Laboratory – USA
Laboratory – Europe
Laboratory – NZ
Imaging – Australia
Other
2019
Statutory
Revenue
% of 2019
Statutory
Revenue
AUD M
1,470
1,441
2,244
34
500
447
%
24%
24%
37%
<1%
8%
7%
2019
Constant
Currency
Revenue
2018
Revenue
2019
Constant
Currency
v 2018
AUD M
AUD M
Growth
1,470
1,329
2,155
33
500
446
1,403
1,131
2,064
28
473
439
4.8%
17.5%
4.4%
17.9%
5.7%
1.6%
7.1%
Revenue – underlying
6,136
100%
5,933
5,538
Non-recurring gain on GLP Systems sale
Impact of new accounting standard (AASB 15)
Interest income
Total revenue
50
(9)
7
6,184
48
(9)
7
–
–
3
5,979
5,541
7.9%
The Laboratory division enjoyed revenue growth of 8% in the year (on a Constant Currency basis), including ~4% organic
revenue growth.
Sonic’s Australian Laboratory organic revenue growth of 5% was strong and included revenue from the National Bowel Cancer
Screening contract won by Sonic, effective 1 January 2018.
US organic revenue growth was strong at ~5% on a Constant Currency basis. Total US revenue was enhanced by the acquisition
of Aurora Diagnostics on 30 January 2019, but reduced by ~A$33M as Sonic merged its US Mid-west division into its joint venture
with ProMedica Health System, Inc. on 1 September 2018. US revenue was also impacted by Medicare (PAMA) fee cuts, effective
from 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2019.
Within Europe, Sonic’s UK operations achieved organic growth of 9% (Constant Currency), enhanced by a full year of the Barnet/
Chase Farm NHS hospital laboratory outsource contract, which commenced in October 2017. German and Belgian organic
growth was flat. German revenue was impacted by 1 April 2018 regulatory changes to referrer ‘bonus’ calculations relating to the
EBM fee system. These were partially offset by selective fee quota increases. German growth was enhanced by the acquisition of
Pathologie Trier in July 2018. Swiss organic growth was 4% (Constant Currency).
Imaging organic revenue growth of 6% was in line with market growth.
Current period revenue for Sonic Clinical Services (SCS), Sonic’s medical centre and occupational health businesses (the major
components of the Other segment, which also included Sonic’s laboratory automation development subsidiary, GLP Systems, and
other minor operations), was reduced by A$9.3M due to the new revenue accounting standard AASB 15 (effective 1 July 2018).
Revenue was enhanced by currency exchange rate movements, which increased reported (Statutory) revenue by A$205M
compared to the prior year, and by the gain on the sale of GLP Systems (A$50M).
15
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
c) EBITDA
Underlying EBITDA grew 10.3% or 6.7% on a Constant Currency basis. The non-recurring costs of A$27M mainly related to
acquisitions, contract bids, laboratory relocations, mergers and restructuring.
Current period EBITDA was reduced by A$9.3M due to the impact of the new (effective 1 July 2018) revenue accounting
standard AASB 15.
EBITDA growth in the Laboratory division was enhanced by the Aurora Diagnostics acquisition in the US and the Pathologie
Trier acquisition in Germany. The Australian and Swiss laboratory businesses performed particularly strongly. Sonic’s Imaging
business reported 7% earnings growth.
Consumables cost decreased as a percentage of revenue due to ongoing success with procurement initiatives and as a result of
changes in mix in Sonic’s total business, in particular, expansion in anatomical pathology (through Aurora and Trier) which uses
relatively less consumables.
d) Depreciation and lease amortisation
Depreciation and leased asset amortisation increased 6.3% on the comparative period (at Constant Currency rates) as a result of
growth of the Company.
e) Intangibles amortisation
Intangibles amortisation relates to internally developed and purchased software. In the comparative period it also included
~A$9M of amortisation of contract costs (including doctor contracts in SCS), however, under the new accounting standard
AASB 15, this ceased from 1 July 2018.
f) Interest expense
Net interest expense reduced 1.7% on the prior year (at Constant Currency rates) reflecting lower net debt following the equity
raisings related to the Aurora Diagnostics acquisition.
The majority of Sonic’s debt is drawn in foreign currencies as ‘natural’ balance sheet hedging of Sonic’s offshore operations (see
(a) Constant currency above). Bank debt drawn in Euro and CHF is currently subject to negative base interest rates, meaning that
Sonic pays only the relevant margins under the facilities.
Interest rate hedging arrangements are in place in accordance with Sonic’s Treasury Policy. About half of Sonic’s drawn debt is
subject to fixed rate coupons.
g) Tax expense
The effective tax rate of 23% reflects a concessional tax rate in Germany on the gain on sale of GLP Systems. Normalised for this
benefit, the effective tax rate is 24.4%, in line with the guidance provided in August 2018 and February 2019 of ~25%, and in line
with the prior year (once normalised for the one-off, non-cash net benefit of A$20M related to the revaluing of US net deferred tax
liabilities to the new US corporate tax rate of 21% in that year).
h) Cash flow from operations
Cash generated from operations was 10% higher than in the comparative period. Gross operating cash flow equated to 102%
of EBITDA (after adjusting for non-operating cash items in EBITDA, being the gain on sale of GLP Systems, less the revenue
accounting standard impact), a strong result, however, tax payments were substantially higher in the current period, reducing
cash flow growth.
16
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
On 30 January 2019, Sonic completed the US$540M (enterprise value, equivalent to ~A$750M) acquisition of Aurora
Diagnostics. Aurora is one of the leading anatomical pathology providers in the USA, with approximately 220 pathologists and
1,200 staff, operating 32 anatomical pathology practices across 19 US states. Aurora is the largest single acquisition ever made
by Sonic, although it represents less than 10% of Sonic on any major metric (including revenue, profit, and enterprise value).
Aurora generated pro-forma revenue and EBITDA of approximately US$310M and US$59M respectively in the 12 months to 30
September 2018. Aurora’s contribution to Sonic’s net profit after tax in 2019 was A$22M.
Other business acquisitions completed in the year (none of which were material to Sonic) included Pathologie Trier, one of the
largest (annual revenue of ~€20M) and most respected anatomical pathology practices in Germany (completed July 2018), and
a number of other small healthcare businesses.
A significant component of the total consideration for these acquisitions was attributable to goodwill.
On 26 June 2019 Sonic divested its 85% shareholding in its laboratory automation subsidiary, GLP Systems, at an attractive
valuation, returning approximately A$130M of cash to Sonic. Sonic has not been a seller of businesses traditionally, however,
after a decade of adding value to GLP Systems, the point was reached where its future lay more logically with Abbott as a major
IVD equipment provider. GLP Systems’ trading results were immaterial to Sonic, however the gain on sale after tax was A$50M.
Sonic’s net assets at 30 June 2019 of A$5,492M increased by A$1,209M, or 28%, on the prior year. The main components of this
increase were:
¡ A$928M from the issue of ordinary Sonic shares under an Institutional Placement and Shareholder Purchase Plan to fund the
Aurora Diagnostics acquisition and future growth
¡ A$37M from the issue of ordinary Sonic shares resulting from the exercise of employee options and rights
¡ A$108M relating to net currency exchange rate translation impacts
¡ A$156M due to retained earnings (operating profit less dividends paid and other adjustments)
Net (of cash) interest-bearing debt decreased A$184M (7%) from the prior year level to A$2,299M. This net decrease resulted
from the (net) equity raised during the year of A$944M, plus cash generated from operations and the sale of GLP Systems, net of
A$863M relating to payments for business acquisitions and A$109M of currency exchange rate impacts.
Sonic’s net interest-bearing debt at 30 June 2019 comprised:
Facility Limit (M)
Drawn (M)
AUD (M) Available
Notes held by USA investors – USD (fixed coupons)
Notes held by USA investors – Euro (fixed coupons)
Bank debt facilities
USD limits
Euro limits
AUD (Multicurrency) limits
CHF limits
Minor debt/leasing facilities
Cash
Available funds at 30 June 2019
+ Includes debt drawn in GBP (£59M)
* Various currencies
US$405
€515
US$660
€425
A$48
CHF317
n/a
n/a
US$405
€515
US$560
€267
–
CHF265+
A$4*
A$(737)*
–
–
143
256
48
76
–
737
1,260
17
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Sonic is required to disclose A$826M of debt drawn under facilities which expire before 30 June 2020 as a current liability as
at 30 June 2019. As a result, the Balance Sheet shows a deficiency of working capital of A$96M. Sonic intends to refinance
this debt and foresees no difficulty in doing so, based on discussions with existing lenders and approaches from potential new
lenders. Sonic also has significant headroom available in cash and undrawn facilities. The financial report has therefore been
prepared on a ‘going concern’ basis.
Sonic’s credit metrics at 30 June 2019 were as follows:
30.6.19
31.12.18
30.6.18
Gearing ratio
29.5%
29.3%
36.7%
Interest cover (times)
Debt cover (times)
10.5
2.1
10.0
2.0
10.1
2.5
Definitions:
• Gearing ratio = Net debt/[Net debt + equity] (USPP note covenant limit <55%)
• Interest cover = EBITA/Net interest expense (bank covenant limit >3.25)
• Debt cover = Net debt/EBITDA (bank covenant limit <3.5)
• Calculations as per Sonic’s senior debt facility definitions
Sonic’s senior debt facility limits are due to expire as follows (note that the figures shown are the facility limits, not drawn debt):
Calendar Year
AUD (M)
USD (M)
Euro (M)
CHF (M)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2026
2032
–
–
–
48
–
–
–
48
579
250
75
161
–
–
–
1,065
–
–
305
120
185
245
85
940
–
192
–
125
–
–
–
317
Sonic’s excellent relationships with its banks, its investment-grade credit metrics, and its strong and reliable cash flows
significantly reduce refinancing risk.
2010
IRELAND
2002
UNITED KINGDOM
2010
BELGIUM
2004
GERMANY
2007
SWITZERLAND
2005
UNITED STATES
Countries of
operation
(years shown
are the years
Sonic entered
each market)
18
1987
AUSTRALIA
1999
NEW ZEALAND
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Business model and strategies
Since the early 1990s, Sonic Healthcare has consistently pursued and promoted a management and operational philosophy
of Medical Leadership. The impact of this approach has been to develop a company whose services are optimally aligned with
the needs of physicians and their patients. Medical Leadership encompasses a management commitment to the maintenance
of professionalism and ‘good medicine’ at all times. It fosters an understanding of the doctor-patient relationship and it puts
quality first.
Sonic’s operations are structured as a ‘federation’, with individual subsidiaries or geographical divisions working in a synergistic
network to achieve best practice outcomes in terms of service and business excellence. The structure reinforces the identity and
management autonomy of each local operation. Each operation has its own CEO or President and management team. When
Sonic acquires businesses, they generally maintain their management autonomy, brand and, consequently, their local ‘flavour’.
This is the structure that is most resonant with local medical communities and which best preserves acquired goodwill. However,
Sonic’s operations work in a collaborative way within the structure, via central executives and widespread inter-company
communication, to achieve synergies and improved performance. Detailed benchmarking leading to best practice, group
purchasing, IT, E-health, quality system sharing and centralisation of testing are all examples of continuous improvement activity
within the Group.
Sonic’s Medical Leadership philosophy and federation structure have resulted in significant ‘brand’ differentiation in the
market place. The Company’s operations are viewed as specialist medical practices, rather than as ‘businesses’. This market
differentiation has not only fostered strong organic revenue growth over the years but has often made Sonic the preferred
acquirer when laboratory or imaging practice founders and owners wish to realise the value of their practices without seeing
their focus on the medical nature of the business lost to a more ‘corporatised’ acquirer. Similarly, hospital systems choose
to partner with Sonic for laboratory services on the basis of Sonic’s culture. Sonic’s culture and structure have also served to
attract and retain top pathologists, radiologists, scientific staff and managers, with staff turnover at this important senior level
consistently at very low levels.
Sonic’s strategy is to utilise its unique culture, values and structure to grow revenue organically (including through winning
laboratory outsourcing contracts) and to complete value-enhancing acquisitions and joint ventures, so as to achieve and build
upon leading positions in targeted geographic laboratory markets. These positions provide sufficient size and infrastructure to
facilitate synergies and economies of scale to drive margin improvements, earnings growth and increasing returns on capital
invested. Sonic has a successful track record of consolidating fragmented markets in Australia, Europe and the USA, using its
market differentiation to drive both organic revenue growth and to attract like-minded laboratories for acquisition. Sonic is also
well placed to benefit from the increasing trend for governments and others to outsource their diagnostic testing to the private
sector, in order to address growing healthcare costs.
19
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Prospects for future years
Sonic operates in attractive and growing global healthcare markets, carefully chosen based on a range of factors, including
political, legal and financial stability, reliable and stable healthcare funding systems, fragmentation of the market and cultural
understanding. Within these markets there is increasing demand for diagnostic services arising from growing and ageing
populations, new tests and preventative medicine. Against this favourable backdrop, Sonic expects to continue for the
foreseeable future to grow revenue, earnings and returns on investment organically, including through outsourcing contracts,
and further enhanced by synergistic business acquisitions and joint ventures. Organic growth in the markets in which Sonic
participates has, and in Sonic’s view is likely to continue to, average approximately 5% per annum over the long term. Laboratory
operations offer many levers which can be adjusted to optimise individual processes, and Sonic’s managers are constantly
seeking efficiency gains within their businesses, aided by the early adoption of new technologies and the sharing of experiences
with colleagues from around the globe.
The Aurora Diagnostics acquisition represented a major step for Sonic into the US anatomical pathology market, which is
estimated to be in excess of US$10B per annum (in addition to ~US$70B for the clinical laboratory market). It provides a strategic
platform for future growth in the USA, not only in anatomical pathology, but also in clinical laboratory services and through
hospital laboratory outsourcing. Aurora’s practices have relationships with approximately 23,000 referring physicians and more
than 100 hospitals. The 220 pathologists working in Aurora’s practices will significantly enrich Sonic’s Medical Leadership
culture, providing further differentiation in the US market. Following the Trier acquisition, further anatomical pathology
opportunities are also being targeted in Germany, addressing a €1B market (in addition to at least €4B for the clinical laboratory
market). The strategy to expand in these two markets is underpinned by Sonic’s deep anatomical pathology experience in other
markets, especially Australia.
Within Sonic’s existing eight countries of operation, future acquisitions are most likely to occur in the USA and Germany, given
the size and fragmentation of those markets, although opportunities will also be targeted in Switzerland and Belgium. Sonic is
not actively seeking laboratory acquisitions in Australia (due to potential anti-trust limitations), New Zealand or Ireland. In the UK,
acquisitions are unlikely, as the market is dominated by the National Health Service (NHS) and Sonic is by far the largest private
participant. However, substantial growth opportunities exist from potential NHS outsourcing contracts, including current bidding
processes for contracts, with potential revenues totalling more than £150M per annum.
About half of the clinical laboratory market in the USA is represented by hospital laboratories, and Sonic has a strategy to seek to
partner with hospital groups for their laboratory services. To date, Sonic has formed four joint ventures with US hospital groups,
and further partnerships are anticipated.
Whilst the present focus for acquisitions is on Sonic’s existing markets, a ‘watching brief’ is maintained to identify opportunities
that arise for further prudent and strategic international laboratory expansion. Sonic has no current intention to expand its
diagnostic imaging or medical centre businesses outside Australia.
Sonic intends to maintain a solid investment-grade profile with conservative leverage to preserve Sonic’s reputation, culture and
Core Values, and to ensure the attraction and retention of the best people to drive the business forward, including retaining key
staff from acquisitions.
Given Sonic’s size and global market presence, opportunities present themselves from time to time that are not necessarily part
of Sonic’s core strategies but may be synergistic (GLP Systems was an example of this). These opportunities are assessed by
management and the Board to determine whether their pursuit is in the best interests of shareholders. Further information on
likely strategic developments has not been included in this report because the Directors believe it would be likely to result in
unreasonable prejudice to the interests of the Group.
With regard to more short-term prospects, on 20 August 2019 Sonic provided guidance in relation to forecast results for the 2020
financial year as follows:
20
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
a) Guidance excluding the impact of AASB 16
Sonic expects underlying EBITDA growth of 6–8% for FY2020 on a Constant Currency basis (applying FY2019 average currency
exchange rates to FY2020) over the FY2019 underlying EBITDA of A$1,052M (base restated from A$1,061M to A$1,052M as the
impact of the revenue accounting standard change will be considered ‘underlying’ in FY2020).
Net interest expense is expected to increase by ~3% from the FY2019 level of A$79.4M on a Constant Currency basis, mainly as
a result of a margin step-up on the US$313M bridge facility associated with the Aurora acquisition, and expected higher margins
on refinancing to occur in January 2020. In addition, the mix of debt has changed towards USD, which has a higher base rate
than Sonic’s other currencies.
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment is expected to be significantly lower in FY2020. The effective tax rate is
expected to be approximately 25%.
Key guidance considerations:
¡ Excludes any future business acquisitions
¡ Incorporates known fee reductions in the USA equivalent to ~2% of total group EBITDA
¡ No other regulatory changes are assumed
¡ Current base interest rates are assumed to prevail
¡ Excludes the impact of the new lease accounting standard AASB 16, which is effective from 1 July 2019
b) Estimated impact of AASB 16 in FY2020
AASB 16 primarily impacts accounting by lessees, as it requires the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all
leases unless the lease term is less than 12 months or the underlying asset is of a low value. Assets and liabilities arising from a
lease are initially measured on a present value basis, including non-cancellable lease payments and any payments to be made
in optional periods if the lessee is reasonably certain to extend the lease. Lease payments, previously expensed through the
operating lease rental expense line in the Income Statement, will be replaced with a straight-line amortisation of the right-of-
use asset and an interest expense from carrying the lease liability at present value. The standard is effective for Sonic’s financial
statements commencing from 1 July 2019.
A team of senior Sonic Finance staff are project managing the implementation of this standard. Work completed so far includes
reviewing the current systems that the Group has for managing lease data, analysing contracts for evidence of embedded lease
arrangements, policy development, modelling the potential financial impacts of the standard using current lease information,
and selecting an AASB 16 compliant third party lease management software system. Work is well advanced on system
implementation and business processes.
Note that the application of AASB 16 will not impact cash flows.
Using exchange rates as at 30 June 2019 for the balance sheet and FY2019 average rates (Constant Currency) for profit, Sonic
estimates the impact on transition for AASB 16 to be:
¡ Lease liabilities to be recognised on 1 July 2019 of ~A$1.2 billion
¡ Right-of-use assets to be recognised at similar or slightly lower level than lease liabilities
¡ FY2020 EBITDA to increase by ~A$0.3 billion for leases in effect at 30 June 2019. The actual financial impact for FY2020 will
vary for new leases entered into, or any lease modifications, that occur during the year
¡ A minor decrease in net profit for FY2020 due to the front-loading of interest expense
Sonic will apply the modified retrospective transition approach and therefore will not restate comparative periods.
The estimated impact of AASB 16 adoption as at 1 July 2019 is subject to change until Sonic presents its first financial statements
under the new standards for the half year to 31 December 2019. In addition to statutory disclosures, Sonic will present its FY2020
results (half year and full year) such that the impacts of AASB 16 are easily identified and like-for-like comparisons with FY2019
can be made. Sonic’s debt covenants will continue to be measured without the impact of AASB 16.
21
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Risks
The major risks to consider in assessing Sonic’s future prospects are:
¡ Sonic’s reported revenue and earnings will fluctuate with changes in the currency exchange rates between the Australian
dollar (Sonic’s reporting currency) and the currencies of Sonic’s offshore operations. As previously noted, Sonic uses foreign
currency borrowings as a partial (natural) hedge.
¡ In most of Sonic’s markets the majority of revenue is priced based on fee schedules set by government or quasi-government
bodies and, especially in the USA, insurance companies. As a result of the strong underlying volume growth drivers,
healthcare funders will sometimes use fee cuts or other adjustments to curb growth in their outlays. Sonic mitigates this risk
through its geographic and line-of-business diversification, by seeking diversified sources of revenue for its services within
markets, and by being one of the largest, more efficient operators and therefore less impacted by adverse market changes
than smaller, less efficient players. In general, fee pressures drive further market consolidation, feeding into Sonic’s core
strategy of growth both organically and by acquisition, with attendant synergy capture and economies of scale.
¡ Healthcare businesses are subject to significant levels of regulation. Changes in regulation can have the impact of increasing
costs or reducing revenue (through volume reductions). Sonic attempts to mitigate this risk by using its market leadership
positions to help shape the healthcare systems in which it operates. Sonic takes active roles in industry associations, and
encourages its people to take leadership positions in colleges and other professional and craft organisations. In addition,
Sonic’s size and efficiency allows it to benefit from market consolidation driven by the impacts of regulatory changes on
smaller players.
¡ Loss of a licence or accreditation required to operate one or more of Sonic’s businesses could impact revenue both directly
and through damage to Sonic’s reputation. The likelihood of this risk having a material impact is considered low, given the
focus on quality within Sonic.
¡ Sonic’s strategies include the acquisition of businesses and entering into joint ventures and long-term contracts to provide
diagnostic testing. There is a risk that an acquisition, joint venture or contract may not achieve its expected financial
performance, or give rise to an unexpected liability. Sonic seeks to mitigate these risks through thorough due diligence, and
through warranties and indemnities in acquisition and contract documentation.
¡ There is always the risk of heightened competition in Sonic’s markets, whether from more aggressive behaviour of an
existing competitor, or from a new competitor. This could include a competitor introducing a new development in testing or
introducing new tests that result in less demand for Sonic’s services. A change in competition could impact revenue and/
or costs. Sonic’s leadership is alert to potential changes in the marketplace and reacts swiftly when threats are perceived.
Technological changes in diagnostic testing tend to happen more slowly than in industries such as consumer goods, as for
a testing technology to reach the point of widespread use, it must first be proven to be ‘good medicine’, including obtaining
regulatory approvals and through peer review, and secondly, healthcare funders must be willing to pay for it (for example, by
inclusion on government or quasi-government fee schedules). These inherent delays allow competitors and other market
participants to revise their own strategies to address the competitive threat. In addition, the broad range of tests (~3,000)
offered by Sonic’s laboratories provides protection against new developments.
¡ Relationships with referring physicians (including general practitioners, surgeons and other specialists), hospital groups and
other parties with whom Sonic contracts to provide services are important to Sonic’s businesses. If, for any reason, Sonic
failed to maintain strong relationships with these parties or damaged its reputation with them, there would be a risk that it
could lose business to competitors.
¡ Sonic’s businesses rely on information technology systems. A disruption to a core IT platform, including as a result of a
cybersecurity breach, could have significant operational, financial and/or reputational impacts, particularly if confidential
patient data were to be obtained by unauthorised persons. Sonic implements strategies which management believes
significantly reduce this risk.
22
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
¡ Whilst individual events are unlikely to have any significant impact, inaccurate diagnostic results due to actual or alleged
mistakes or errors could result in financial loss and/or reputational damage, particularly if the issue is systemic. Sonic maintains
insurance cover to mitigate its financial exposure and has processes in place to manage reputational risks.
¡ Sonic uses prudent levels of debt to reduce its cost of capital and to increase earnings per share. It is therefore subject to the
risk of rising interest rates (either on floating rate debt or when existing facilities expire), the future availability of funding, and
potential breach of a term or condition of its debt facilities. Sonic has a sophisticated Treasury Policy in place to manage these
risks, developed and overseen by Sonic’s Treasury Management Committee, which includes a renowned expert external
consultant.
¡ With operations in eight jurisdictions, Sonic is potentially exposed to changes in taxation legislation or interpretation which
could increase its effective tax rate.
After serious consideration, Sonic’s Board does not believe the Company has any material exposure to environmental or social
sustainability risks, given the industries and geographies in which it operates. Whilst Sonic has operations in the UK, the nature of
those operations are such that Brexit is not considered a material risk to Sonic (however precautions are planned to be taken to
further reduce any risks).
The above list should not be taken to be a comprehensive list of risks associated with Sonic. In particular, it excludes risks relating
to the general economic environment and other generic risk areas that affect most companies.
Sonic’s geographic, business line and branding diversification, plus our federation structure, broad menu of tests offered and low
customer concentrations mean that few, if any, of the usual operating risks faced by a healthcare business would have a material
impact on Sonic as a whole.
MATTERS SUBSEQUENT TO THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR
Since the end of the financial year, the Directors are not aware of any matter or circumstance not otherwise dealt with in these
financial statements that has significantly or may significantly affect the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or
the state of affairs of the Group in subsequent financial years.
23
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 24
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS
a) Directors’ profiles
Professor Mark Compton AM
Chairman
BSc, MBA, FAICD, FCHSM, FAIM, FRS (NSW)
Non-executive, independent Director, appointed October 2014 (Chairman from 19 November 2015)
Prof. Compton has extensive senior executive experience in healthcare services. He is currently Adjunct
Professor in Management (Healthcare Leadership) at Macquarie University (Macquarie Graduate School
of Management), non-executive Director of ASX-listed Next Science Limited and non-executive Chairman
of not-for-profit organisations St Luke’s Care and the Order of St John (St John Ambulance). His previous
experience includes Chief Executive Officer of each of St Luke’s Care, Immune Systems Therapeutics
Limited and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. He was also Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director of the formerly ASX-listed companies SciGen Limited and Alpha Healthcare Limited.
Prof. Compton has also held a number of non-executive director roles, including for formerly ASX-listed
Independent Practitioner Network Limited, Chairman of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, non-
executive Director of Macquarie University Hospital and Chairman and Chancellor of St John Ambulance
Australia (having served as a volunteer for more than 45 years). In recognition of his work in the healthcare
sector and his service to the community, he was awarded the Centenary Medal of the Commonwealth of
Australia, appointed by Her Majesty the Queen as a Knight in the Order of St John in 2004 and as Bailiff
Grand Cross in 2017, and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in January 2010. He is
a member of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.
Dr Colin Goldschmidt
CEO and Managing Director
MBBCh, FRCPA, FAICD
Executive Director, appointed January 1993
Dr Goldschmidt is the CEO and Managing Director of Sonic Healthcare. He is a qualified medical doctor
who then undertook specialist pathology training in Sydney, before gaining his qualification as a specialist
pathologist in 1986. Dr Goldschmidt became CEO of Sonic in 1993 and has led Sonic’s global expansion
by committing the Company to a model of Medical Leadership, which incorporates unique operational
and cultural attributes. He is a member of Sonic’s Risk Management Committee and holds memberships
with numerous industry, medical and laboratory associations.
Christopher Wilks
Finance Director
BCom, FAICD
Executive Director, appointed December 1989
Mr Wilks became Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Healthcare in 1993. He has a
background in chartered accounting and investment banking and was previously a partner in a private
investment bank. Mr Wilks has held directorships in a number of public companies and is currently a non-
executive Director of Silex Systems Limited (since 1988), a listed company divested by Sonic in 1996.
25
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS
Dr Philip Dubois
MBBS, FRCR, FRANZCR, FAICD
Executive Director, appointed July 2001
Dr Dubois is CEO of Sonic’s Imaging Division and Chairman of the Sonic Imaging Executive Committee.
A neuroradiologist and nuclear imaging specialist, he is currently an Associate Professor of Radiology at
the University of Queensland Medical School. He has served on numerous government and craft group
bodies, including the councils of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the
Australian Medical Association, and as Vice-President of the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association. He
is a non-executive Director of Magnetica Limited (since December 2004).
Neville Mitchell
BCom, CA
Non-executive, independent Director, appointed September 2017
Mr Mitchell is a qualified Chartered Accountant with international healthcare and finance experience. He
was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of ASX-listed Cochlear Limited (until March 2017), a
world-leading medical device developer, manufacturer and seller of hearing devices. Mr Mitchell was a key
member of Cochlear’s executive team, responsible for the setting and execution of the company’s growth
strategy from its listing in 1995 until his resignation.
Mr Mitchell currently holds non-executive director roles with ASX-listed healthcare companies Fisher
and Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited (from November 2018) and Osprey Medical Inc. (from July
2012). He is a non-executive Director of QBiotics (from November 2017), an unlisted public company,
and a member of the Australian Board of Taxation. Mr Mitchell was previously a non-executive Director of
ASX-listed Sirtex Medical Limited (from April 2017 to September 2018). He has also previously performed
roles with a number of industry and government committees, including Chairman of the Group of 100
(Australia’s peak body for senior finance executives), and Chairman, Standing Committee (Accounting and
Auditing), for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Mr Mitchell is a member of the
Audit Committee and the Risk Management Committee.
Lou Panaccio
BEc, CA, MAICD
Non-executive, independent Director, appointed June 2005
Mr Panaccio is a Chartered Accountant with extensive executive management experience in business and
healthcare services. Mr Panaccio is currently on the boards of ASX-listed companies Avita Medical Limited
(non-executive Chairman from July 2014) and Rhythm Biosciences Limited (non-executive Director from
August 2017). He is also a non-executive Director of Unison Housing Limited, Invictus Biopharma Limited
and NeuralDx Limited. Mr Panaccio was the Chief Executive Officer and executive Director of Melbourne
Pathology (acquired by Sonic in 1999) for 10 years to 2001, the Chief Executive Officer of Monash IVF until
2009 and the executive Chairman of Health Networks Australia until 2017. He was also a non-executive
Director of ASX-listed Genera Biosystems Limited from November 2010 until 28 June 2019 (Chairman from
July 2011 until 28 June 2019). Mr Panaccio is Chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Remuneration
and Nomination Committee, and a member of the Risk Management Committee.
26
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS
Kate Spargo
LLB (Hons), BA, FAICD
Non-executive, independent Director, appointed July 2010
Ms Spargo has gained broad business experience as both a legal advisor, having worked in private
practice and government, and as a director. Ms Spargo has been a director of both listed and unlisted
companies over the last 20 years and her current directorships include the ASX-listed companies CIMIC
Group Limited (from September 2017), Adairs Limited (from May 2015) and Sigma Healthcare Limited (from
December 2015). She is also a non-executive Director of CoInvest Limited, the Future Fuels Cooperative
Research Centre, and Geelong Football Club Limited. Ms Spargo was previously a non-executive Director
of Fletcher Building Limited (March 2012 to September 2017), UGL Limited (October 2010 to January
2017) and Xenith IP Group Limited (from April 2017 until 15 August 2019). Ms Spargo is Chair of the
Remuneration and Nomination Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.
Dr Jane Wilson
MBBS, MBA, FAICD
Non-executive, independent Director, appointed July 2010
Dr Wilson is an independent non-executive Director with a background in finance, banking and medicine.
She is a registered General Medical Practitioner. Dr Wilson is currently a Guardian of the Future Fund,
non-executive Director of ASX-listed companies Transurban Group (since January 2017) and Costa
Group Holdings Limited (from April 2019), and a non-executive Director of the General Sir John Monash
Foundation. She is also Co-Chair of the Australian Government Advisory Board on Technology and
Healthcare Competitiveness. Dr Wilson was Deputy Chancellor of the University of Queensland and has
previously served on boards of ASX-listed companies, government-owned corporations and not-for-
profit companies.
Dr Wilson was awarded the 2016 Australian Institute of Company Directors Queensland Gold Medal Award
for contribution to business and the wider community. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and an Honorary
Doctor of Business from the University of Queensland and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Dr Wilson is Chairman of the Risk Management Committee and is a member of the Remuneration and
Nomination Committee.
27
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS
b) Company Secretary
Paul Alexander
BEc, CA, FFin
Mr Alexander has been the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Healthcare Limited since 1997 and
Sonic’s Company Secretary since 2001. Prior to joining Sonic, Mr Alexander gained 10 years’ experience
in professional accounting practice, mainly with Price Waterhouse, and was also Financial Controller and
Company Secretary of a subsidiary of a UK-headquartered multinational company for two years.
28
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS
c) Directors’ interests in shares, options and performance rights as at 25 September 2019
Director’s name
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
C.D. Wilks
Prof. M.R. Compton
Dr P.J. Dubois
N. Mitchell
L.J. Panaccio
K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
Class of
shares
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Number of
shares
Interest
719,690
Personally
565,735
85,190
459
7,052
8,770
9,770
6,026
3,000
16,000
Personally
Beneficially
Personally
Beneficially
Beneficially
Beneficially
Beneficially
Personally
Beneficially
3,770
Beneficially
Number of
options
1,349,406*
587,833*
–
Number of
performance rights
142,932*
63,500*
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
* Vesting of the options and performance rights is subject to challenging performance conditions designed to align the interests of the executives with those of
shareholders. None of the performance rights have vested to date. 255,008 of Dr C.S. Goldschmidt’s and 101,633 of C.D. Wilks’ options have vested to date.
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
The numbers of meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors and of each Board Committee held during the year ended
30 June 2019, and the numbers of meetings attended by each Director (for Committees, while they were a member of the
relevant Committee) were:
Meetings of Committees
Full meetings
of Directors
Audit
Remuneration and
Nomination
Risk
Management
Number of
meetings
attended
Number of
meetings
held
Number of
meetings
attended
Number of
meetings
held
Number of
meetings
attended
Number of
meetings
held
Number of
meetings
attended
Number of
meetings
held
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
–
–
5
–
5
5
5
–
–
–
5
–
5
5
5
–
–
–
4
–
–
4
4
4
–
–
4
–
–
4
4
4
3
–
–
–
3
3
–
3
3
–
–
–
3
3
–
3
Director’s name
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
C.D. Wilks
Prof. M.R. Compton
Dr P.J. Dubois
N. Mitchell
L.J. Panaccio
K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
29
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
INSURANCE OF OFFICERS
The Company has entered into agreements to indemnify all Directors of the Company that are named above, and current and
former Directors of the Company and its controlled entities, against all liabilities to persons (other than the Company or related
entity) which arise out of the performance of their normal duties as Director or executive officer, unless the liability relates to
conduct involving lack of good faith. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Directors and executive officers against all costs
and expenses incurred in defending an action that falls within the scope of the indemnity and any resulting payments.
The Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance provides cover against costs and expenses, subject to the terms and conditions
of the policy, involved in defending legal actions and any resulting payments arising from a liability to persons (other than the
Company or related entity) incurred in their position as a Director or executive officer, unless the conduct involves a wilful breach
of duty or an improper use of inside information or position to gain advantage. The insurance policy does not allow disclosure of
the nature of the liabilities insured against or the premium paid under the policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
The Group is subject to environmental regulation in respect of the transport and disposal of medical waste. The Group contracts
with reputable, licensed businesses to dispose of waste. The Directors believe that the Group has complied with all relevant
environmental regulations and there have been no investigations or claims during the financial year.
NON-AUDIT SERVICES
The Company may decide to employ the auditor on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditor’s
expertise and experience with the Group are important.
Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor of the Group (PricewaterhouseCoopers) for non-audit services provided
during the year are set out below.
The Board of Directors has considered the position and, in accordance with the advice received from the Audit Committee,
is satisfied that the provision of the non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors
imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The Directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services by the auditor did not
compromise the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. In the opinion of the Directors, none of the
services provided undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics for
Professional Accountants, including reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own work, acting in a management or a decision-making
capacity for the Company, acting as advocate for the Company or jointly sharing economic risk and rewards.
A copy of the auditors’ independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is set out
on page 47.
During the year the following fees were paid or payable for non-audit services provided by the auditors of the Group.
PricewaterhouseCoopers – Australian firm and related practices
(including overseas PricewaterhouseCoopers firms)
Taxation and accounting services
263,575
279,000
2019
$
2018
$
30
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 SHARE OPTIONS
Information on share options is detailed in Note 7 – Share options/rights.
ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS
The Company is of a kind referred to in the ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191,
relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Amounts in the Directors’ Report have been rounded off in
accordance with that Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars or, in certain cases, to the nearest dollar.
REMUNERATION REPORT
The Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited present the Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 June 2019 in accordance
with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.
Sonic Healthcare’s remuneration packages are structured and set at levels that are intended to attract, motivate and retain
Directors and executives capable of leading and managing the Group’s operations, and to align remuneration with the creation
of value for shareholders.
Remuneration of Non-executive Directors is determined by the Board within the maximum amount approved by the
shareholders. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 22 November 2017, shareholders approved a maximum amount of
$2,000,000 for remuneration of Non-executive Directors, of which $1,376,000 was paid in 2019. In 2019 the Chairman’s annual
remuneration was $425,000, inclusive of all Board Committee work, and the base Non-executive Director fee was $185,000.
Board Committee fees were as follows:
Fees per annum
Audit
Risk Management
Remuneration and Nomination
Chair
$40,000
$30,000
$35,000
Members
$20,000
$15,000
$18,000
Options or performance rights are not issued and bonuses are not payable to Non-executive Directors.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee, consisting of four non-executive independent Directors, makes specific
recommendations to the Board on remuneration packages and other terms of employment for the Managing Director, Finance
Director and Non-executive Directors and advises the Board in relation to equity-based incentive schemes for other employees.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee and Board also seek and consider advice from independent remuneration
consultants where appropriate. Remuneration consultants are engaged by and report directly to the Remuneration and
Nomination Committee, after consideration of any potential conflicts.
Sonic Healthcare’s remuneration policy links the remuneration of the Managing Director and the Finance Director to Sonic’s
performance through the award of conditional entitlements. These conditional entitlements relate to the performance of the
Group and thus align reward with the creation of value for shareholders.
Remuneration and other terms of employment for other executives are reviewed annually by the Managing Director, having
regard to performance against goals set at the start of the year, performance of the entity or function of the Group for which
they have responsibility, and relevant comparative information. As well as a base salary, remuneration packages may include
superannuation, fringe benefits, performance-related bonuses and share and option grants. These bonuses and equity grants
reward the creation of value for shareholders.
Other than contributions to superannuation funds during employment periods and notice periods under applicable employment
laws and in certain executive service contracts, the Group does not contract to provide retirement benefits to Directors or
executives.
31
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
a) Key management personnel
i) Directors
The following persons were Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited during the financial year and were therefore key management
personnel of the Group:
Non-executive Directors
Prof. M.R. Compton | Chairman
N. Mitchell
L.J. Panaccio
K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
Executive Directors
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt | Managing Director
C.D. Wilks | Finance Director
Dr P.J. Dubois
All of the above persons, other than N. Mitchell (from 29 September 2017), were also key management personnel through the
year ended 30 June 2018.
ii) Other key management personnel
The Sonic Group operates via a decentralised federated structure whereby the Chief Executive Officers of individual operating
entities have delegated authority for their local operations. The Group’s Australian laboratory and imaging activities are co-
ordinated and controlled through the Pathology Sonic Executive Committee and the Imaging Sonic Executive Committee
(PSEC and ISEC respectively). Dr C.S. Goldschmidt is a member of both PSEC and ISEC, Dr P.J. Dubois is Chairman of ISEC and
CEO of the Imaging division, and C.D. Wilks is a member of both PSEC and ISEC. A German Sonic Executive Committee (GSEC)
coordinates the Group’s German operations. Dr C.S. Goldschmidt is Chairman of GSEC and C.D. Wilks is also a member. Dr C.S.
Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks also oversee Sonic’s businesses in the USA, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium and New Zealand,
and the medical centre and occupational health businesses in Australia.
The Board therefore considers that the Executive Directors and the Non-executive Directors are the Group’s ‘key management
personnel’.
32
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
b) Performance of the Group and relationship to remuneration of key management personnel
The table below summarises Sonic Healthcare’s performance over the last five years and the changes in remuneration of key
management personnel (but excluding Non-executive Directors who do not receive bonuses or equity-based remuneration):
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Compound
Average Annual
Growth Rate1
Growth in Underlying EBITDA
(excluding non-recurring items and on
a constant currency basis)
Growth in EBITDA (on a constant
currency basis)
Net profit attributable to members
($’000)
Diluted earnings per share (cps)
Dividends paid per share (cps)
(1.9)%
13.8%
5.3%
6.4%
6.7%
(6.2)%
20.5%
2.5%
7.3%
9.5%
347,698
451,374
427,773
475,606
549,725
86.0
69
109.3
71
102.1
75
112.2
78
122.1
82
5.8%
6.2%
7.4%
5.0%
5.1%
Enterprise value2 ($’000)
10,566,549
11,229,432
12,588,332
12,900,794
15,143,172
11.8%
Total shareholder return3
90.0%
63.0%
56.1%
23.1%
40.7%
Change in total cash remuneration of
executives4
Change in total remuneration of
executives5
(1.2)%
44.3%
10.6%
(0.1)%
7.9%
11.2%
(9.8)%
34.4%
21.2%
13.1%
(6.3)%
9.3%
1 The compound average annual growth rate is calculated over the five-year period shown with 2014 as the base year.
2 Enterprise value is the Company’s market capitalisation (number of issued shares times closing share price) plus net interest-bearing debt at 30 June.
3 Total shareholder return is calculated over a rolling three-year performance period and assumes dividend reinvestment.
4 Change in total cash remuneration of executives is the percentage increase/(decrease) over the prior year of total cash remuneration of all key management personnel in
place for all five years (but excluding Non-executive Directors).
5 Change in total remuneration of executives is the percentage increase/(decrease) over the prior year of total remuneration (cash plus long service leave accrued plus the
calculated value of equity remuneration) of all key management personnel in place for all five years (but excluding Non-executive Directors).
The table above demonstrates the relationship between the performance of the Group and the remuneration of its key
management personnel. Cash remuneration has fluctuated, from year to year, largely dependent on the extent to which the
annual performance hurdle related to EBITDA growth which applied to 75% (70% in previous years) of the target short-term
incentives (STI) for the Managing Director and Finance Director was met. In the base year (2014) for the Compound Average
Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), the minimum EBITDA growth rate was not met, setting a low base for the CAGR calculations. Total
remuneration has also fluctuated depending upon whether elements of equity-based remuneration have met challenging
(non-market based) performance conditions. Over the five-year period, total remuneration has increased to reward the key
management personnel for their part in delivering strong Total Shareholder Returns. Total Shareholder Return over the five-year
period was 86.6%.
33
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
The chart below shows the Company’s share price (SHL.AX) performance over the five years to 30 June 2019, versus the relative
performance of the ASX 200.
Sonic Healthcare Share Price vs ASX 200
SHL
ASX 200
e
c
i
r
P
e
r
a
h
S
X
S
A
L
H
S
$28.00
$26.00
$24.00
$22.00
$20.00
$18.00
$16.00
$14.00
30 Jun 14
31 D ec 14
30 Jun 15
31 D ec 15
30 Jun 16
31 D ec 16
30 Jun 17
31 D ec 17
30 Jun 18
31 D ec 18
30 Jun 19
c) Remuneration of key management personnel
Details of the nature and amount of each element of the remuneration of the key management personnel of the Group are set out
below in the tables (for cash remuneration) and text (non-cash remuneration):
12 months to 30 June 2019
Director’s name
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
Managing Director
C.D. Wilks
Finance Director
Dr P.J. Dubois
Director
Prof. M.R. Compton
Chairman and Non-executive Director
N. Mitchell
Non-executive Director
L.J. Panaccio
Non-executive Director
K.D. Spargo
Non-executive Director
Dr E.J. Wilson
Non-executive Director
Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment
benefits
Salary
& fees
$
2,377,103
1,069,209
Other
benefits1
Short-term
incentives (STI)
Superannuation
Total cash
remuneration2
$
$
$
$
–
–
3,140,907
20,531
5,538,541
1,366,140
20,531
2,455,880
787,808
2,317
404,469
200,913
237,469
219,469
212,785
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
23,875
814,000
20,531
425,000
19,087
220,000
20,531
258,000
20,531
240,000
20,215
233,000
1 Other benefits include fringe benefits tax
2 Excludes long service leave accruals and equity-based remuneration
34
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
REMUNERATION REPORT
12 months to 30 June 2018
Director’s name
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
Managing Director
C.D. Wilks
Finance Director
Dr P.J. Dubois
Director
Prof. M.R. Compton
Chairman and Non-executive Director
N. Mitchell (from 29 September 2017)
Non-executive Director
L.J. Panaccio
Non-executive Director
K.D. Spargo
Non-executive Director
Dr E.J. Wilson
Non-executive Director
Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment
benefits
Salary
& fees
$
2,377,585
1,069,691
Other
benefits1
Short-term
incentives (STI)
Superannuation
Total cash
remuneration2
$
$
$
$
–
–
2,690,155
20,049
5,087,789
1,170,085
20,049
2,259,825
780,623
8,170
404,951
150,685
237,951
219,951
212,951
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
25,207
814,000
20,049
425,000
14,315
165,000
20,049
258,000
20,049
240,000
20,049
233,000
1 Other benefits include fringe benefits tax
2 Excludes long service leave accruals and equity-based remuneration
In addition to the cash remuneration disclosed above, the value of long service leave accrued for each relevant executive for the
12 months to 30 June 2019 was: Dr C.S. Goldschmidt $39,028 (2018: $39,289) and C.D. Wilks $17,626 (2018: $17,689).
i) Equity-based remuneration
The calculated remuneration value of options and performance rights for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt for the 12-month period to 30
June 2019 was $703,246 (2018: $1,623,263), and for C.D. Wilks it was $306,067 (2018: $692,299). The options and performance
rights are subject to challenging vesting conditions and only 35.4% (2018: 46.5%) of the options and performance rights with
a performance measurement period for three years to 30 June 2019 (2018: three years to 30 June 2018) satisfied the vesting
conditions.
The equity-based remuneration amounts disclosed for 2019 relate to options and performance rights issued under the Sonic
Healthcare Limited Employee Option Plan and the Performance Rights Plan, and represent the assessed fair values at the
date they were granted, allocated equally over the service periods up to the vesting dates. Fair values for these options and
performance rights have been determined using a pricing model consistent with the Black Scholes methodology that takes
into account the exercise price, the term of the option/right, the impact of dilution, the non-tradeable nature of the option/right,
the current price and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate for
the term of the option/right. The fair value of the options and performance rights granted is adjusted to reflect market vesting
conditions (using a Monte Carlo simulation) but excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions.
No options or performance rights are issuable in future years to key management personnel relating to remuneration
arrangements for periods to 30 June 2019.
35
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
During the financial year the following options and performance rights over ordinary shares in the Company were exercised by
key management personnel.
2019
Options issued in November 2011 as remuneration for periods to 30 June 2016
(having vested after satisfying challenging performance conditions which caused
65% of the total options issued to be forfeited) with a $11.43 exercise price
Performance rights issued in November 2015 as remuneration for periods to 30
June 2018 (having vested after satisfying challenging performance conditions
which caused 53.5% of the total rights issued to be forfeited) with a nil exercise price
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
C.D. Wilks
397,894
198,947
30,585
12,190
2019 Total intrinsic value of options and rights at the date of exercise
$6,334,881
$3,096,362
2018
Options issued in November 2011 as remuneration for periods to 30 June 2015
(having vested after satisfying challenging performance conditions which caused
50% of the total options issued to be forfeited) with a $11.43 exercise price
Performance rights issued in November 2014 as remuneration for periods to 30 June
2017 (having vested after satisfying challenging performance conditions which
caused 64.6% of the total rights issued to be forfeited) with a nil exercise price
434,084
217,042
25,344
10,101
2018 Total intrinsic value of options and rights at the date of exercise
$4,890,298
$2,389,410
ii) Performance-related components of remuneration
Cash bonuses, options and performance rights over unissued ordinary shares of Sonic Healthcare Limited are performance-
related components of Dr C.S. Goldschmidt’s and C.D. Wilks’ remuneration. In aggregate, these components made up 61% of
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt’s remuneration for the 12 months to 30 June 2019 (2018: 64%), and 60% of C.D. Wilks’ remuneration for
the 12 months to 30 June 2019 (2018: 63%). Within these components, the calculated value of options and performance rights
over unissued ordinary shares in Sonic Healthcare Limited accounted for 11% of Dr C.S. Goldschmidt’s remuneration for the 12
months to 30 June 2019 (2018: 24%) and 11% of C.D. Wilks’ remuneration for the 12 months to 30 June 2019 (2018: 23%).
The total value for remuneration disclosure purposes (to be allocated over the three-year vesting period) of the options and
performance rights that were issued in 2019 as part of remuneration was $1,700,550 for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and $755,501 for
C.D. Wilks.
36
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
d) Service agreements
None of the key management personnel of Sonic Healthcare Limited has a service contract. Rather, the terms and entitlements
of employment are governed by applicable employment laws.
Remuneration for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks
Remuneration arrangements for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks are reviewed annually by the Remuneration and Nomination
Committee, usually based on market benchmarking analysis and information on possible remuneration arrangements obtained
from Ernst & Young, who are directly engaged by the Committee as independent remuneration consultants. Ernst & Young
consider the level of total and individual components of remuneration and make detailed comparisons by percentile band
against two ASX-listed comparator groups, being:
¡ Market Capitalisation comparator group: includes companies with market capitalisation of 50% to 200% of Sonic’s 12-month
average market capitalisation, excluding Financials and Metals and Mining companies. This resulted in a group of 42
companies in the latest review.
¡ Geographic comparator group: includes companies included in the Market Capitalisation comparator group, but excluding
companies where less than a quarter of annual revenue can be attributed to overseas operations. This resulted in a group of
20 companies in the latest review.
As a further reference point, data for other companies within the Health Care sector of the ASX are specifically considered.
The Committee has determined that Total Target Remuneration (TTR) for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt should be positioned around
the 75th percentile of the comparator groups and Total Target Remuneration for C.D. Wilks should be positioned around the
80th percentile of the comparator groups, reflecting the broader than usual role he performs as Finance Director and CFO.
In making these determinations, the Committee considered Sonic’s market capitalisation, the complexity of its operations
(including the significant percentage of revenue sourced offshore from seven other countries) and, in particular, the value
to the Company of the two executives. Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks have been in their current roles since 1993. Their
knowledge, experience, and the reputation they have in the market are considered extremely valuable to the Company. Under
their leadership, Sonic Healthcare has been one of the best performing stocks on the ASX since their appointment.
Target remuneration is split between Fixed Remuneration (~32%), Short-Term Incentives (STI) (~34%), and Long-Term Incentives
(LTI) (~34%) (mix in line with market norms).
Summary of target remuneration for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks:
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
2018
2019
C.D. Wilks
2018
2019
Actual STI Paid
% of Target STI
Actually Paid
Target STI
Fixed
Remuneration
Target LTI
$
%
$
$
$
2,690,155
3,140,907
1,170,085
1,366,140
102.0%
119.1%
102.0%
119.1%
2,637,397
2,397,634
2,629,971
2,637,397
2,397,634
2,629,971
1,147,138
1,147,138
1,089,740
1,168,399
1,089,740
1,168,399
Target remuneration was not increased for 2018 or 2019.
37
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
i) Fixed remuneration
The fixed remuneration component comprises base salary and employer superannuation contributions, but excludes long
service leave accruals. The executives may take part of their base salary as other benefits, such as motor vehicles, including
any associated fringe benefits tax. Fixed remuneration is reviewed annually, taking into account the executives’ performance,
Company performance and comparative market data.
ii) Short-Term Incentives (STI)
The executives are eligible for an annual cash bonus based on achievement of pre-determined goals. The target level of STI is a
set proportion (110% for Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and 105% for C.D. Wilks) of the executives’ fixed remuneration.
Up to 75% of the target STI is based on the Company achieving year-on-year growth (using Constant Currency exchange rates
to translate offshore earnings) in Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA). EBITDA growth is used
as a performance criterion as it is consistent with the way Sonic gives earnings guidance to the market, and is a clearer measure
of operational performance than net profit or earnings per share, as it is not distorted by changes in income tax, interest rates, or
exchange rates. Hurdles are set at the beginning of each year.
The EBITDA growth targets allow for the contributions from acquisitions that are known when the targets are set. The potential
contribution to EBITDA growth of acquisitions that were not known in setting the target growth rate has been capped at a
maximum of 1% (2018: 2%) for the purpose of the performance assessment.
Up to 25% of the target STI is awarded after an assessment of performance, based on specific objectives relating to:
¡ Promotion of, and adherence to, Sonic’s Core Values and Foundation Principles
¡ Medical Leadership
¡ Federation model
¡ Risk management
¡ External standing and reputation (including stakeholder management, brand and quality)
¡ Financial leadership and innovation (for C.D. Wilks)
In 2018, the split of the STI was 70%/30% quantitative/qualitative, however, this was changed to 75%/25% for 2019 as the Board
was of the view that given the known strengths of these long-serving executives in the qualitative factors, more emphasis should
be placed on financial outcomes.
An annual assessment of each executive’s performance is made by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and a
recommendation made to the Board for final determination. The table above shows the total STI amounts awarded by year.
The underlying EBITDA growth target for 2019 was 4.0% (the mid-point of Sonic’s earnings growth guidance given to the market
in August 2018). Underlying EBITDA growth of 6.7% was achieved in 2019, however this included contributions from acquisitions
that were not known in setting the growth target. The 1% cap on these contributions reduced the growth rate to 4.7% for the
purpose of the performance assessment, resulting in 108.8% of the relevant 75% of target STI being paid (achieving between
100% and 200% of the target EBITDA growth triggered payment of pro rata between 100% and 150% of the relevant 75% of
target STI). In 2018, 102.9% of the relevant 70% of target STI was paid.
In relation to the qualitative performance assessment, it was determined to award 150% (the maximum possible) of the relevant
25% of target STI for 2019. This was the first year ever that more than 100% has been awarded (2018: 100% of the relevant
30%). The Board was not only satisfied that the executives performed very strongly in the usual areas of assessment during the
year, but 2019 was a standout year for Sonic in which the executives secured the Aurora Diagnostics acquisition, an extremely
important strategic step for Sonic in the USA and the largest acquisition in the Company’s history, successfully conducted
Sonic’s largest ever equity raisings, and crystallised significant value created over a decade with the sale of GLP Systems (note
that the A$50 million gain on sale was excluded from underlying EBITDA growth for the purpose of the quantitative portion of
the STI).
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Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
iii) Long-Term Incentives (LTI)
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt and C.D. Wilks receive annual grants of equity-based remuneration in the form of options and performance
rights over shares in Sonic Healthcare Limited (conditional on approval by shareholders), subject to performance conditions with
measurement periods of three years. Annual grants allow the Company to determine the appropriate performance hurdles each
year for the grant being made, adjust the mix between type of instruments for changes in circumstances (e.g. tax law), and/or
select different measures to take into account changes in the Company’s strategy or context. It also provides the opportunity for
shareholders to vote on the proposed grants each year, taking into account recent Company performance.
After approval by shareholders at the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Annual General Meetings, the executives were issued the
following LTI (the ‘FY2016 Issue’, ‘FY2017 Issue’, ‘FY2018 Issue’ and ‘FY2019 Issue’):
FY2016 Issue
FY2017 Issue
FY2018 Issue
FY2019 Issue
Dr C.S.
Dr C.S.
Dr C.S.
Dr C.S.
Goldschmidt C.D. Wilks
Goldschmidt C.D. Wilks
Goldschmidt C.D. Wilks
Goldschmidt C.D. Wilks
Options over shares
in Sonic Healthcare
Limited
Performance rights
over shares in Sonic
Healthcare Limited
548,404
218,565
464,659
206,430
467,467
207,678
462,372
205,415
65,774
26,214
60,822
27,021
60,766
26,996
60,626
26,934
Options exercise price
Performance condition
measurement period
Earliest vesting date, if
performance conditions are met
FY2016 Issue
FY2017 Issue
FY2018 Issue
FY2019 Issue
$19.41
$21.62
$21.64
$21.69
3 years to
30 June 2018
3 years to
30 June 2019
3 years to
30 June 2020
3 years to
30 June 2021
20 November 2018
17 November 2019
22 November 2020
21 November 2021
Expiry date
20 November 2020
17 November 2021
22 November 2022
21 November 2023
Fair value of each option at grant date
Fair value of each right at grant date
$1.45
$13.00
$2.31
$14.73
$1.89
$12.97
$1.96
$13.09
For all tranches of options and performance rights described above:
¡ Options can only vest when the market price of Sonic shares is higher than the exercise price.
¡ The exercise price of the options was determined using the Volume Weighted five-day Average market Price (five-day VWAP)
for Sonic shares preceding the date of grant.
¡ The number of options issued was determined based on a Black Scholes methodology valuation at the time of grant. The
valuation did not allow for any discount relating to performance conditions.
¡ The number of performance rights issued was determined by dividing 50% of the maximum value of LTI by the five-day VWAP
for Sonic shares preceding the date of grant.
¡ The options and performance rights are subject to challenging performance conditions designed to align the interests of the
executives with those of shareholders.
Of the Issues described above, only the FY2016 Issue options and performance rights had vested or been forfeited at 30
June 2019.
39
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
The performance conditions are as follows:
Performance Condition 1 (PC1) – Sonic’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) against the S&P ASX 100 Accumulation Index,
excluding Banks and Resource companies
50% weighting (all Issues)
TSR Ranking achieved
Percentage of Options and Rights that vest
Below the 51st percentile
Nil options and rights to which PC1 applies
51st percentile
50% of options and rights to which PC1 applies
Greater than 51st and less than 75th percentile
Pro rata between 50% and 100% of options and rights to which PC1 applies
75th percentile and above
100% of options and rights to which PC1 applies
Under PC1, Sonic’s performance is ranked by percentile according to its TSR against the TSRs of the component companies of
the reference group (being the S&P ASX 100 Accumulation Index, excluding Banks and Resource companies) over the relevant
performance periods.
Relative TSR is used as a performance hurdle, as it provides a direct link between executive remuneration and shareholder return
relative to the Company’s peers. A relative measure is important, as it removes from the assessment broad market share price
movements which are out of the control of the executives. The executives will not derive any value from the relevant portion of
the LTI unless the Company’s performance is at least at the median of the benchmark group.
PC1 (TSR) Results
Performance
measurement period
TSR Rank
Achieved
% Eligible
to Vest
Vesting
Options
Vesting
Performance Rights
Forfeited
Options
1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018
1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019
33%
61%
–
–
–
383,484
70.83%
237,666
31,110
97,879
Forfeited
Rights
45,994
12,812
Performance Condition 2 (PC2) – Compound Average Growth Rate (CAGR) in Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Weighting: FY2016 Issue: 50%, FY2017 Issue: 0%, FY2018 Issue: 0%, FY2019 Issue: 0%
CAGR EPS
Less than 4% p.a.
4% p.a.
Percentage of Options and Rights that vest
Nil options and rights to which PC2 applies
40% of options and rights to which PC2 applies
Greater than 4% and less than 10% p.a.
Pro rata between 40% and 100% of options and rights to which PC2 applies
10% p.a. or greater
100% of options and rights to which PC2 applies
EPS was calculated as Net Profit after Tax, divided by the fully diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue
during a year. Growth in EPS was chosen as a hurdle, as it is a direct measure of Company performance and maintains a strong
correlation with long-term shareholder return.
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Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
PC2 (EPS) Results
Performance
measurement period
Actual
CAGR EPS
% Eligible
to Vest
Vesting
Options
Vesting
Performance Rights
Forfeited
Options
Forfeited
Rights
1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018
9.3%
93%
356,641
42,775
26,844
3,219
Performance Condition 3 (PC3) – Aggregate Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Weighting: FY2016 Issue: 0%, FY2017 Issue: 50%, FY2018 Issue: 25%, FY2019 Issue: 25%
This hurdle is measured by comparing the Company’s aggregate EPS over three years against an aggregate EPS target. EPS
is calculated as Net Profit after Tax, divided by the fully diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue during a
year. EPS is calculated on a ‘Constant Currency’ basis (other than for the FY2017 Issue), using the same exchange rates each
year to convert the financial year foreign earnings into AUD as applied in the base financial year, being the average rates for that
year. Using a Constant Currency measure of EPS removes volatility from exchange rate movements that are out of the control or
influence of the executives. Growth in EPS has been chosen as a hurdle, as it is a direct measure of Company performance and
maintains a strong correlation with long-term shareholder return. The percentage of options and performance rights subject to
PC3 that vest will be as follows:
Aggregate EPS (cents)
for 3 years ending
Less than
Equal to
Between
2019
2020
2021
Percentage of Options and Rights that vest
355
355
331
331
364
364
Nil options and rights to which PC3 applies
40% of options and rights to which PC3 applies
355-398
331-372
364-408
Pro rata between 40% and 100% of options and rights to which PC3
applies
Equal to or greater than
398
372
408
100% of options and rights to which PC3 applies
The hurdle levels equate to compound annual growth of 4-10% over the base year EPS.
PC3 (Aggregate EPS) Results
Performance
measurement period
Actual EPS
% Eligible
to Vest
Vesting
Options
Vesting
Performance Rights
Forfeited
Options
Forfeited
Rights
1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019
336.4
–
–
–
335,544
43,921
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Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
Performance Condition 4 (PC4) – Target Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
Weighting: FY2016 Issue: 0%, FY2017 Issue: 0%, FY2018 Issue: 25%, FY2019 Issue: 25%
ROIC is calculated as Earnings before Interest and Tax (EBIT), less related tax and minority interests, divided by average capital
employed (see below for detailed calculation). It is expressed as a percentage. ROIC has been chosen as a performance hurdle,
as the Board believes that a primary focus in coming years should be improvement in the return from the substantial investments
the Company has made into its businesses.
ROIC = (EBIT1 less minority interests2 less cash taxes paid in year3) / Average4 invested capital5
1 EBIT is statutory EBIT per the Annual Report.
2 Minority interests are as disclosed in the Income Statement of the Annual Report.
3 Cash taxes paid are as per the Cash Flow Statement disclosure in the Annual Report adjusted for the tax impact of interest
(using the Australian Corporate Tax Rate, currently 30%, i.e. 30% of Net Interest Expense).
4 The average is taken from the opening and closing invested capital position for each financial year.
5 Invested capital is measured as shareholders’ equity plus net interest-bearing debt less deferred taxes.
The Board sets a ROIC target at the beginning of each measurement year, taking into account market conditions and company-
specific factors at the time. The ROIC target for the first year (2018) was 8.3%. 2018 ROIC achieved was 8.6%. The ROIC target
for 2019 was 8.6% (equal to FY2018, as the Board was aware of factors (including business acquisitions completed in July
2018) which would dilute ROIC in FY2019). 2019 ROIC achieved was 8.7%. After completion of the three-year measurement
period, the average of the actual ROIC over the three years will be compared to the average of the three ROIC targets (‘Target
Average ROIC’).
Measurement of the average actual ROIC will exclude any significant uncontrollable or one-off events, and the initial impact of
business development initiatives, as approved by the Board.
The percentage of options and performance rights subject to PC4 that vest will be as follows:
Average ROIC over 3 years
Percentage of Options and Rights that vest
Less than Target Average ROIC
Nil options and rights to which PC4 applies
Equal to Target Average ROIC
40% of options and rights to which PC4 applies
Greater than Target Average ROIC and less
than 110% of Target Average ROIC
Pro rata between 40% and 100% of options and rights to which PC4 applies
110% of Target Average ROIC or greater
100% of options and rights to which PC4 applies
Whilst the general intention is to use statutory reported numbers for transparency in measuring performance under PC3 and
PC4, given the periods into the future involved, should the statutory numbers cause an anomalous result, adjustments to the
statutory numbers may be made by the Board to ensure the intent of the incentive plan is maintained.
Options and performance rights for which the performance conditions are not satisfied are forfeited immediately after the
performance measurement is finalised. There is no retesting.
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Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
Should one of the executives cease employment with the Group prior to vesting of some or all of their LTI, the Board will have
discretion based on whether the executive is judged to be a ‘good leaver’ to enable the executive to retain the portion of the LTI
which vests (subject to the performance conditions) within two years of cessation of employment. To be judged a ‘good leaver’
the executive would need to provide sufficient notice, assist with succession planning and transition and make themselves
reasonably available to assist/answer queries of their replacement for a period post-employment. The Board views this
arrangement to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, as the executives will be incentivised to minimise
disruption/loss of value associated with their departure. Cessation of employment in all other circumstances will trigger forfeiture
of all unvested entitlements.
If a takeover bid or other public proposal is made for voting shares in the Company which the Board reasonably believes is
likely to lead to a change of control, unvested options and rights may vest at the Board’s discretion, having regard to pro rata
performance and the circumstances leading to the potential change of control.
Sonic Healthcare ordinary shares to be awarded on exercise/conversion of the options and performance rights may be satisfied
by the issue of new shares or the purchase of shares on-market. Options and performance rights are not eligible for dividends.
43
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
e) Equity disclosures relating to key management personnel
i) Option holdings
The number of options over ordinary shares held beneficially or personally during the current financial year by the key
management personnel of the Group in relation to remuneration arrangements are set out below:
Director’s name
Balance at
1 July 2018
Issued
during the
2019 year
(Forfeited)
during the
2019 year
(Exercised)
during the
2019 year
Balance at
30 June
2019
(Forfeited)
since year
end
Vested and
exercisable at
30 June 2019
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
2,057,230
462,372
(293,396)
(397,894)
1,828,312
(300,100)
C.D. Wilks
902,883
205,415
(116,932)
(198,947)
792,419
(133,323)
433,814
172,896
ii) Performance rights
The number of performance rights held personally or beneficially during the current financial year by the key management
personnel of the Group in relation to remuneration arrangements are set out below:
Director’s name
Balance at
1 July 2018
Issued
during the
2019 year
(Forfeited)
during the
2019 year
(Exercised)
during the
2019 year
Balance at
30 June
2019
(Forfeited)
since year
end
Vested and
exercisable at
30 June 2019
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
187,362
C.D. Wilks
80,231
60,626
26,934
(35,189)
(30,585)
182,214
(39,282)
(14,024)
(12,190)
80,951
(17,451)
–
–
iii) Shareholdings
The number of shares held personally or beneficially during the current financial year by the key management personnel of the
Group are set out below:
Director’s name
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
C.D. Wilks
Prof. M.R. Compton
Dr P.J. Dubois
N. Mitchell
L.J. Panaccio
K.D. Spargo
Dr E.J. Wilson
Balance at
1 July 2018
Issued during
the 2019 year on
the exercise of
options or rights
Shares provided
as remuneration
during the
2019 year
Other
changes during
the 2019 year
Balance at
30 June 2019
760,299
686,702
6,741
8,000
5,000
5,256
15,000
3,000
428,479
211,137
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(397,894)
(198,177)
770
770
4,770
770
4,000
770
790,884
699,662
7,511
8,770
9,770
6,026
19,000
3,770
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Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 REMUNERATION REPORT
f) Transactions with key management personnel
There were no other transactions with key management personnel during 2019 or 2018.
g) Amounts receivable from/payable to other key management personnel
There were no amounts receivable from/payable to other key management personnel at 30 June 2019 (2018: $nil).
h) Doubtful debts
No provision for doubtful debts has been raised in relation to any receivable or loan balance with key management personnel,
nor has any expense been recognised.
i) Securities trading policy
Under the Sonic Securities Trading Policy, all Sonic Healthcare employees are prohibited from buying or selling Sonic Healthcare
securities (including shares, options, debt securities) at any time they are aware of any material price-sensitive information that
has not been made public, and are reminded of the laws against ‘insider trading’.
Certain ‘Designated Officers’, including all Directors and senior executives (and specified related parties), are also prohibited
from trading in periods other than in 8-week windows following the release of half year and full year results, five weeks after
Sonic’s Annual General Meeting, and 2-week periods following Sonic Healthcare’s provision to the market at any other time of
definitive guidance regarding the next annual result to be released. The Sonic Board of Directors must specifically consider and
approve the opening of the ‘trading window’ in each instance. Exceptions to this prohibition can be approved by the Chairman
(for Directors) or the Managing Director (for all other employees) in circumstances of severe financial hardship (as defined in the
Policy). Sonic’s Chair or Managing Director may impose other periods when Designated Officers are prohibited from trading
because price-sensitive, non-public information may exist. All trading by Designated Officers must be notified to the Company
Secretary. Prohibitions also apply to trading in financial instruments related to Sonic Healthcare shares and to trading in the
shares of other entities using information obtained through employment with Sonic. In addition, the Managing Director and
Finance Director are required to obtain approval from the Chair of the Sonic Board of Directors before selling any shares.
Designated Officers are prohibited from entering into transactions in products which limit the economic risk of participating
in unvested entitlements under any equity-based remuneration schemes and from short-term trading and short selling
arrangements in relation to Sonic securities. Designated Officers are required to commit to these prohibitions by signing the
Securities Trading Policy and will forfeit their equity reward should they be found to be in breach. Directors of Sonic Healthcare
Limited are also prohibited from entering into margin lending or other secured financing arrangements in relation to Sonic
securities without the prior approval of the Chair and disclosure of such arrangements to the Board.
All Sonic Healthcare securities dealings by Directors are promptly notified to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in
accordance with Sonic’s Continuous Disclosure obligations.
j) Use of remuneration consultant
In 2019, Sonic Healthcare Limited’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee employed the services of Ernst & Young to
provide information in respect of comparator groups for benchmarking remuneration. Under the terms of the engagement, Ernst
& Young did not provide remuneration recommendations as defined in Section 9B of the Corporations Act 2001.
k) Voting at the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting
More than 94% of votes cast on a poll on Sonic Healthcare Limited’s Remuneration Report for the 2018 financial year were in
favour.
45
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
Director
C.D. Wilks
Director
Sydney
25 September 2019
46
Directors’ ReportSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Auditor’s Independence Declaration
As lead auditor for the audit of Sonic Healthcare Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019, I declare that
to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:
(a)
no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in
relation to the audit; and
(b)
no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
This declaration is in respect of Sonic Healthcare Limited and the entities it controlled during the period.
Brett Entwistle
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Sydney
25 September 2019
PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
One International Towers Sydney, Watermans Quay, Barangaroo, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 2001
T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au
Level 11, 1PSQ, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, PO Box 1155 Parramatta NSW 2124
T: +61 2 9659 2476, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
37
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
47
Corporate Governance Statement
The Board of Sonic Healthcare continues to place great importance on the governance of the Company, which it believes is vital
to its wellbeing and success. There are two elements to the governance of companies: performance and conformance. Both
are important, but it is critical that focus on conformance does not detract from the principal function of a business, which is to
undertake prudent activities to:
¡ generate rewards for shareholders who invest their capital
¡ provide services of value to customers
¡ provide meaningful employment for employees
and to do so in a way that contributes positively to the community.
The principal features of Sonic’s corporate governance framework are set out in this statement, which is current as at
25 September 2019, and has been approved by the Board.
Sonic’s Board and management are committed to governance which recognises that all aspects of the Group’s operations
are conducted ethically, responsibly and with the highest standards of integrity. The Board has adopted practices and policies
designed to achieve these aims. Sonic supports the ASX Corporate Governance Council Corporate Governance Principles and
Recommendations (‘the Recommendations’) in advancing good corporate governance, and has complied with the third edition
during the 2019 financial year. For the 2020 financial year, Sonic intends to report against the fourth edition of the Corporate
Governance Principles and Recommendations, which was released in February 2019. Sonic’s Board believes Sonic has been
in compliance with the fourth edition from 1 July 2019. Sonic’s website (www.sonichealthcare.com) includes a Corporate
Governance section which sets out the information required by the Recommendations, plus other relevant information, including
copies of all Policies, Charters and Codes referred to in this report.
Sonic’s Code of Ethics (replaced from 1 July 2019 with Sonic’s Code of Conduct) and Core Values (listed below) set out the
fundamental principles that govern the way that all Sonic people conduct themselves. Sonic’s Core Values apply equally to
every employee of Sonic and were formulated with significant input from Sonic’s staff. They have been embraced throughout the
Group. Sonic’s Core Values are:
¡ Commit to Service Excellence
To willingly serve all those with whom we deal, with unsurpassed excellence.
¡ Treat each other with Respect & Honesty
To grow a workplace where trust, team spirit and equity are an integral part of everything we do.
¡ Demonstrate Responsibility & Accountability
To set an example, to take ownership of each situation to the best of our ability and to seek help when needed.
¡ Be Enthusiastic about Continuous Improvement
To never be complacent, to recognise limitations and opportunities for ourselves and processes, and to learn through these.
¡ Maintain Confidentiality
To keep all information pertaining to patients, as well as professional and commercial issues, in strict confidence.
A description of the Company’s main corporate governance practices is set out below. All these practices, unless otherwise
stated, were in place throughout the 2019 financial year. Any issues of non-compliance with the Recommendations are
specifically noted and explained.
48
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Profiles of the Directors and Company Secretary are included in the Directors’ Report.
a) Role of the Board
The Board of Directors is accountable to shareholders for the performance of the Company and the Group and is responsible for
the corporate governance practices of the Group. The Board’s principal objective is to increase shareholder value while ensuring
that the Group’s overall activities are properly managed.
Sonic’s corporate governance practices provide the structure which enables the Board’s principal objective to be achieved,
whilst ensuring that the business and affairs of the Group are conducted ethically and in accordance with law.
The Board’s overall responsibilities include:
¡ demonstrating leadership at strategic and cultural levels
¡ providing strategic direction and approving corporate strategies
¡ monitoring management and financial performance and reporting
¡ appointing the Chair and Managing Director, and assessing the performance of Directors
¡ monitoring and ensuring the maintenance of adequate risk management identification, control and reporting mechanisms
¡ ensuring the business is conducted ethically and transparently
The Board delegates authority for operational management of the business to the Managing Director and senior executives.
The Managing Director also oversees the implementation of strategies approved by the Board, and is responsible for providing
accurate and relevant information to enable the Board to perform its responsibilities. Senior executives reporting to the Managing
Director have their roles and responsibilities defined in specific position descriptions. The Board uses a number of Committees to
support it in matters that require more intensive review and involvement. Details of the Board Committees are provided below.
As part of its commitment to good corporate governance, the Board regularly reviews the practices and standards governing
the Board’s composition, independence and effectiveness, the accountability and compensation of Directors (and senior
executives) and the Board’s responsibility for the stewardship of the Group.
The role and responsibilities of the Board, the functions reserved for the Board and those delegated to management have been
formalised in the Sonic Board Charter.
The Company Secretary is appointed by the Board and is accountable directly to the Board, through the Chair, on all matters to
do with the proper functioning of the Board. Each Director is able to communicate directly with the Company Secretary.
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
b) Composition of the Board
The Directors of the Company in office at the date of this statement are:
Director’s name
Prof. Mark Compton
Age
58
Term of
office
(Years)
5
Dr Colin Goldschmidt
65
26
Mr Chris Wilks
61
29
Dr Philip Dubois
73
18
Position
Expertise
Committees
Member of Audit Committee
and Remuneration and
Nomination Committee
Member of Risk Management
Committee
Chairman,
Non-executive,
independent Director
Managing Director,
Chief Executive Officer
Healthcare industry and
company management
Healthcare industry and
company management.
Pathologist
Finance Director,
Chief Financial Officer
Finance, strategy, accounting,
banking, secretarial and
company management
Executive Director,
Chief Executive Officer
– Sonic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging
industry and company
management. Radiologist
Mr Neville Mitchell
60
2
Non-executive,
independent Director
Finance, tax, international
healthcare and company
management
Member of Audit Committee
and Risk Management
Committee
Mr Lou Panaccio
62
14
Non-executive,
independent Director
Finance, healthcare industry
and company management
Ms Kate Spargo
Dr Jane Wilson
67
61
9
9
Non-executive,
independent Director
Law, governance and
company oversight
Non-executive,
independent Director
Medicine, finance,
governance and company
oversight. General Practitioner
Chair of Audit Committee, and
member of Remuneration and
Nomination Committee and
Risk Management Committee
Chair of Remuneration and
Nomination Committee and
member of Audit Committee
Chair of Risk Management
Committee and member of
Remuneration and Nomination
Committee
The composition of Sonic’s Board is consistent with the principle of medical management and leadership, which has been a
core strategy of Sonic since 1993. Sonic’s Managing Director is a pathologist, and the Board also includes a radiologist and
a general practitioner, ensuring that it has the capacity to understand complex medical issues and be in close touch with the
medical marketplace. The presence of medical practitioners on Sonic’s Board also gives comfort both to referring doctors
(Sonic’s customers) and to owners of diagnostic practices which Sonic seeks to acquire. The Board currently comprises five
independent and three Executive Directors.
Dr Dubois was appointed to the Board following the acquisition of Queensland X-Ray (Sonic’s largest imaging practice), where
he was the practice leader. His presence on the Board has played an important role in consolidating Sonic’s imaging businesses
into a cohesive group.
In addition, the Sonic Board comprises members with a diverse mix of business skills, including industry specific management
skills and experience, broader management experience, including senior leadership positions in listed companies, finance, tax
and legal skills, expertise in corporate governance, and expertise in acquiring and merging healthcare businesses. The Board
considers that it currently has an appropriate mix of skills, expertise, tenure and diversity.
Sonic’s Non-executive Directors, including the Chairman, are considered independent and perform major roles in the Board
Committees.
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board has resolved that the position of Chairman of the Board is to be held by an independent Director. The independence
of each of the Non-executive Directors is assessed annually, and it is the view of the Board that each should continue to be
regarded as independent. The tenure of Mr Panaccio was specifically addressed in his assessment and the Board was satisfied
that he has not become too close to management such that his capacity to bring independent judgement to bear or to act in the
best interests of all shareholders is compromised.
c) Board renewal
The size and composition of the Board is determined by the full Board acting on recommendations of the Remuneration and
Nomination Committee. Sonic’s constitution requires that the Board comprise no more than twelve and no fewer than three
Directors at any time. Sonic’s constitution also requires all Directors, other than the Managing Director, to offer themselves for re-
election at an AGM, such that they do not hold office without re-election for longer than three years.
The Board (with input from the Remuneration and Nomination Committee) regularly reviews its succession planning. A matrix
is used to guide the assessment of the current Directors, and to identify desirable characteristics for future appointments. The
matrix is as follows:
¡ Medical practitioners
¡ Industry-specific management experience
¡ Leadership experience (preferably CEO level)
¡ Experience on other listed entity boards
¡ Strategy and business development
¡ Strategic focus
¡ Medical technology development
¡ Financial acumen, including taxation knowledge
¡ Banking/treasury experience
¡ Risk management
¡ Corporate governance
¡ Legal
¡ International experience
¡ People management and remuneration
¡ Acquisitions and mergers
¡ Gender diversity
¡ Tenure diversity
Before appointing a Director, Sonic undertakes comprehensive reference checks including education, employment, character
reference, criminal record and bankruptcy checks. Potential existing or foreseeable future conflicts of interest are also considered.
Directors receive a letter of appointment and a deed of access and indemnity. The letter of appointment outlines Sonic’s
expectations of Directors with respect to their participation, time commitment and compliance with Sonic policies. An
induction process for incoming Directors is coordinated by the Company Secretary. To assist Directors to understand relevant
developments, the Board receives regular updates at Board meetings, workshops and site visits, along with timely relevant
reading materials.
d) Board meetings
The Board meets formally at least six times a year to consider a broad range of matters, including strategy, financial performance
reviews, capital management and acquisitions. Details of meetings (both full Board and Committees) and attendances are set
out in the Directors’ Report.
e) Independent professional advice and access to information
Each Director has the right to seek independent professional advice at the Company’s expense. However, prior approval of the
Chairman is required, which is not unreasonably withheld.
All Directors have unrestricted access to Company records and information and receive detailed financial and operational reports
from senior management during the year to enable them to carry out their duties. Directors also liaise with senior management as
required and may consult with other employees and seek additional information on request.
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
f) Conflicts of interest of Directors
The Board has guidelines dealing with disclosure of interests by Directors and participation and voting at Board meetings where
any such interests are discussed. In accordance with the Corporations Act, any Director with a material personal interest in a
matter being considered by the Board does not receive the relevant Board papers, must not be present when the matter is being
considered, and may not vote on the matter.
g) Securities trading
Under Sonic’s Securities Trading Policy, Sonic employees are prohibited from buying or selling or otherwise trading Sonic
Healthcare securities (including shares, options, debt securities) at any time they are aware of any material price-sensitive
information that has not been made public, and are reminded of the laws against ‘insider trading’. Certain ‘Designated Officers’,
including all Directors and senior executives (and specified related parties), are also prohibited from trading in periods other
than in 8-week windows following the release of half year and full year results, a 5-week window following the Annual General
Meeting, and 2-week periods following the provision to the market at any time by Sonic of definitive guidance regarding the next
annual result to be released. The Sonic Board of Directors must specifically consider and approve the opening of the ‘trading
window’ in each instance. Exceptions to this prohibition can be approved by the Chair (for other Directors) or the Managing
Director (for all other employees) in circumstances of severe financial hardship (as defined in the Policy). Sonic’s Chair or
Managing Director may impose other periods when Designated Officers are prohibited from trading because price-sensitive,
non-public information may exist. All trading by Designated Officers must be notified to the Company Secretary. Prohibitions also
apply to short-term trading, short selling, trading in financial instruments related to Sonic’s securities, including products which
limit the economic risk of unvested rights, options or shareholdings in Sonic, and to trading in the securities of other entities using
information obtained through employment with Sonic. Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited are also prohibited from entering
into margin lending or other secured financing arrangements in relation to Sonic securities without the prior approval of the Chair
and disclosure of such arrangements to the Board. In addition, the Managing Director and Finance Director are required to obtain
approval from the Chair before selling any shares. All Sonic securities dealings by Directors are promptly notified to the Australian
Securities Exchange (ASX).
h) Remuneration of Non-executive Directors
The current maximum total remuneration that may be paid to all Non-executive Directors is $2,000,000 per annum, as approved
by shareholders in November 2017. The total amount paid to Non-executive Directors in the 2019 financial year was $1,376,000.
Equity-based remuneration is not issued and bonuses are not payable to Non-executive Directors. No retirement benefit
schemes (other than statutory superannuation) apply to Non-executive Directors. Further details of Sonic’s remuneration policies
for Executive Directors and senior executives of the Company, and the relationship between such policy and the Company’s
performance, are provided in the Directors’ Report.
52
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 2. BOARD COMMITTEES
To assist the Board in fulfilling its duties, there are currently three Board Committees whose terms of reference and powers are
determined by the Board. Details of Committee meetings and attendances are set out in the Directors’ Report.
a) Audit Committee
Members of the Audit Committee are:
Mr L.J. Panaccio | Chair
Prof. M.R. Compton
Mr N. Mitchell
Ms K.D. Spargo
The Committee operates under a formal Charter. The Charter requires that the Audit Committee comprises between three and
six members, all of whom must be independent Directors, and that the Chair of the Committee is not to be the Chair of the Board.
The principal role of the Audit Committee is to provide the Board, investors and other stakeholders with confidence that the
financial reports for the Company represent a true and fair view of the Company’s financial condition and operational results in all
material respects, and are in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set out in its Charter and include:
¡ assisting the Board in its oversight responsibilities by monitoring and advising on:
– the integrity of the financial statements of the Company
– the Company’s accounting policies and practices, in accordance with current and emerging accounting standards
– the external auditors’ independence and performance
– compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and related policies, including in relation to taxation
– compliance with the policy framework in place from time to time
– internal controls, and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations
¡ oversight of the Company’s internal audit function (known as the Sonic Business Assurance Program)
¡ providing a forum for communication between the Board, executive management and external auditors
¡ providing a conduit to the Board for external advice on audit and internal controls
The external auditors, the Managing Director and the Finance Director are invited to Audit Committee meetings at the discretion
of the Committee. The Committee meets at least twice per year.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee receives regular reports from management, the head of the Business
Assurance Program and the external auditors. It also meets with the external auditors at least twice per year, and more frequently
if necessary, and reviews any significant disagreements between the auditors and management, irrespective of whether they
have been resolved. The external auditors have a clear line of direct communication at any time to both the Chair of the Audit
Committee and the Chair of the Board.
The Audit Committee has authority, within the scope of its responsibilities, to seek any information it requires from any employee
or external party.
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 2. BOARD COMMITTEES
b) Risk Management Committee
Members of the Risk Management Committee are:
Dr E.J. Wilson | Chair
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
Mr N. Mitchell
Mr L.J. Panaccio
The Committee operates under a formal Charter. The Charter requires that the Risk Management Committee comprises at
least three members, the majority of whom must be independent Directors, and that the Chair of the Committee must be an
independent Director.
The Risk Management Committee’s responsibilities are set out in its Charter and include:
¡ assisting the Board in its oversight responsibilities by monitoring and advising on:
– the identification and management of risks, including but not limited to:
• business risks, including financial and strategic risks
• reputation risks
• operational risks, including clinical risks, business continuity and practice management risks
• insurable risks, including legal liability claims and property losses
• environmental, social and governance risks
– internal controls and treatments for identified risks including the Company’s insurance program
– the Company’s overall risk management program
¡ providing a forum for communication between the Board, management and external risk management advisors
¡ providing a conduit to the Board for external advice on risk management
The Committee meets at least twice per year.
c) Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Members of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee are:
Ms K.D. Spargo | Chair
Prof. M.R. Compton
Mr L.J. Panaccio
Dr E.J. Wilson
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee operates under a formal Charter. The Charter requires that the Remuneration and
Nomination Committee comprises at least three members, all of whom are to be independent Directors.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee’s role, as set out in its Charter, is to:
¡ review and make recommendations to the Board on remuneration packages and policies applicable to the Managing
Director, Finance Director and Non-executive Directors
¡ advise the Board in relation to equity-based incentive schemes for other employees
¡ ensure appropriate disclosure is provided to shareholders in relation to remuneration policies, and that equity-based
remuneration is within plans approved by shareholders
¡ review the Board and Board Committee structures
¡ advise the Board on the recruitment, appointment, retirement and removal of Directors
¡ assess and promote the enhancement of competencies of Directors
¡ review Board succession plans
¡ make recommendations to the Board in relation to workforce and Board diversity and measurable objectives in relation to
gender diversity, and monitor progress toward achievement of those objectives
The Committee meets on an as required basis.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee, when deemed necessary, directly obtains independent advice on the
appropriateness of remuneration.
54
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 3. APPROACH TO DIVERSITY
As a medical diagnostic company, Sonic Healthcare’s business relies on the services provided to referrers and patients by
thousands of Sonic staff every day. In addition, in seeking to continually improve Sonic’s services and financial performance, the
Company relies on the input and expertise of its Directors, managers, pathologists, radiologists, other medical practitioners and
staff. It is therefore critical that Sonic’s workforce brings a broad range of experiences, talents and viewpoints to the business.
Diversity is valued as it assists the Company to meet its objectives, and ensures that Sonic’s people at all levels of the Company
reflect our customers and the communities we serve.
Sonic Healthcare strives to maintain a healthy, safe, inclusive and productive environment that is free from discrimination and
harassment based on race, colour, religion, political beliefs, gender, gender identity, socio-economic or cultural background,
perspective, experiences, sexual orientation, marital or family status, age, national origin or disability. In addition, the Company
is committed to the continued development and implementation of initiatives to remove barriers that disadvantage any person
or group, such that everyone is able to compete on equal terms. Within Sonic, recruitment, development, promotion and
remuneration are based on merit. These principles are an integral part of Sonic’s corporate culture, and are encapsulated in the
Sonic Core Values and the Company’s Diversity Policy.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee of the Sonic Board recommends annually measurable objectives for promoting
and maintaining gender diversity, and measures and reports on progress towards achievement of those objectives. The
Managing Director has discretion with regard to the specific initiatives to be implemented by management to achieve the
objectives.
The proportion of female employees to total employees within the Group at 30 June 2019 was:
Non-executive Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Directors of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Executive staff of the Group+
Other senior leadership positions
Total senior leadership positions*
All employees
2019
40%
25%
36%
57%
53%
75%
2018
40%
25%
34%
57%
53%
75%
+ Includes Executives to the ‘CEO-2’ level, plus, if not already included, direct reports to the heads of each of Sonic’s operating subsidiaries.
* Includes Directors, executive staff and other senior leadership positions.
The Company’s current objective in relation to gender diversity is to monitor and maintain the percentage of females in senior
leadership positions at a level greater than 40%. This objective was achieved in 2019. In addition, the Company has the objective
to have not less than 30% female representation on the Board by June 2021.
55
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 4. IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING BUSINESS RISKS
Sonic recognises that risk management is an integral part of good management and corporate governance practice and is
fundamental to driving shareholder value across the business.
Sonic views the management of risk as a core managerial capability. Risk management is strongly promoted internally and forms
part of the performance evaluation of key executives.
Sonic’s material business risks are described in the operating and financial review section of the Directors’ Report. Information
on Sonic’s impact on society and the environment can be found in Sonic’s Corporate Responsibility Reports available on
Sonic’s website.
a) Responsibilities
The Board determines the overall risk profile of the business and is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the maintenance of
adequate risk management policies, controls and reporting mechanisms.
To assist the Board in fulfilling its duties, it is aided by the Audit Committee and the Risk Management Committee. The Board has
delegated to these Committees responsibility for ensuring:
¡ the Company’s material business risks, including strategic, financial, operational, compliance (including taxation compliance),
environmental and social sustainability risks, are identified
¡ systems are in place to assess, manage, monitor and report on those risks, and that those systems are operating effectively
¡ management compliance with Board-approved policies
¡ internal controls are operating effectively across the business
¡ all Group companies are in compliance with laws and regulations relating to their activities
The Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee update the Board on all relevant matters.
Management is responsible for the identification, assessment and management of business risks. During the year, management
reported on these matters, including the effectiveness of the management of Sonic’s material business risks, to the Audit
Committee and Risk Management Committee, who then reported these matters to the Board. The Risk Management Committee
reviewed the Company’s risk management framework and reported on that review to the Board.
b) Risk management policies, systems and processes
Sonic’s activities across all of its operating entities are subject to regular review and continuous oversight by executive
management and the Board Committees. The Chief Executive Officers of the individual operating companies are responsible
for the identification and management of risk within their business. To assist in this, executive management has developed an
effective control environment to help manage the significant risks to its operations. This environment includes the following
components:
¡ clearly defined management responsibilities, management accountabilities and organisational structures
¡ established policies and procedures that are widely disseminated to, and understood by, employees
¡ regular internal review of policy compliance and the effectiveness of systems and controls
¡ central team for management of taxation-related risks
¡ comprehensive training programs for staff in relation to operational practices and compliance requirements
¡ strong management reporting framework for both financial and operational information
¡ creation of an open culture to share risk management information and to continuously improve the effectiveness of Sonic’s
risk management approach
¡ benchmarking across operations to share best practice and further reduce the operational risk profile
¡ Sonic’s Core Values, a uniting code of conduct embraced by Sonic employees
¡ centrally administered Group insurance program, ensuring a consistent and adequate approach across all operating areas
¡ the ongoing engagement of a professional Risk Manager to coordinate the Company’s approach to material business risk
management
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 4. IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING BUSINESS RISKS
From July 2019 the control environment also included Sonic’s Code of Conduct and Global Whistleblower Policy.
Control systems and policy compliance are reviewed by Sonic’s Business Assurance Program (Sonic’s internal audit function).
The Head of Business Assurance reports to the Audit Committee, and to the Company Secretary for administrative purposes.
The Business Assurance Program liaises with, but is independent of, the external auditor, and has full access to the Audit
Committee and Risk Management Committee, Sonic management and staff, and records. The Audit Committee determines
the scope for the Business Assurance Program each year and monitors management’s response to recommended system
enhancements.
c) Regulatory compliance
Sonic’s laboratory, imaging and medical centre activities are subject to Commonwealth and State law in Australia, and similar
regulatory control in offshore locations. These laws cover such areas as laboratory and collection centre operations, workplace
health and safety, radiation safety, privacy of information and waste management.
Sonic’s network of pathology laboratories, collection centres and imaging centres is required to meet and remain compliant with
set performance criteria determined by government and industry bodies.
To support this, Sonic’s operating policies and procedures are overseen by internal quality assurance and workplace health and
safety managers who review operational compliance.
In addition, practising pathologists and radiologists are required to be registered and licensed in accordance with Medical
Board and government regulations. The accreditation and licensing of locations, equipment and personnel is subject to regular,
random audits by government experts and medical peer groups. Sonic also undertakes internal reviews to ensure continued
best practice and compliance.
Sonic’s established procedures, focus on best practice, Medical Leadership model, structured staff training, and the external
review activities serve to mitigate operational risk and support regulatory compliance.
d) Managing Director and Finance Director certification
Sonic has adopted a policy requiring the Managing Director and the Finance Director to provide the Board with written
certification in relation to its financial reporting processes. For the 2019 financial year, the Managing Director and Finance
Director made the following certifications:
¡ that the financial records of the Company have been properly maintained
¡ that the financial statements and notes comply in all material respects with the relevant accounting standards
¡ that the financial statements and notes give a true and fair view, in all material respects, of the Company’s financial condition
and operational results
¡ that the statements above are founded on a sound system of risk management and internal control which operates effectively
in all material respects in relation to financial reporting risks
57
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 5. ETHICAL STANDARDS
The Company has a Code of Ethics Policy (replaced from July 2019 by Sonic’s Code of Conduct) that outlines the standards
required so that the Directors and management conduct themselves with the highest ethical standards. All employees of the
Company and its controlled entities are informed of the Code. The Directors regularly review this Code to ensure it reflects best
practice in corporate governance. The Code is further supported by the Sonic Core Values.
To augment the Code of Ethics and Core Values, the Company has formally implemented and disclosed the following global
policies:
¡ Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy
¡ Labour Standards and Human Rights Policy
¡ Supplier Code of Conduct
¡ Taxation Governance Statement
¡ Global Whistleblower Policy (from July 2019)
¡ Diversity Policy
¡ Workplace Health and Safety Policy
¡ Privacy Policy
¡ Environmental Policy
6. CONTINUOUS DISCLOSURE
The Company Secretary has been nominated as the person responsible for communications with the ASX. This role includes
responsibility for ensuring compliance with the continuous disclosure requirements in the ASX listing rules, and overseeing and
coordinating information disclosure to the ASX, analysts, brokers, shareholders, the media and the public.
Sonic has formalised its policies and procedures on information disclosure in a Policy on Continuous Disclosure. The Policy
focuses on continuous disclosure of any information concerning the Company and its controlled entities that a reasonable
person would expect to have a material effect on the price of the Company’s securities, and sets out management’s
responsibilities and reporting procedures in this regard.
All information disclosed to the ASX is then immediately posted on the Company’s website. Presentations to analysts on aspects
of the Company’s operations are released to the ASX and posted on the Company’s website ahead of the presentation.
The Company’s investor relations program facilitates effective two-way communication with investors and analysts. In addition to
large/institutional investors, the Company seeks to engage with retail shareholder groups, including meeting with representatives
of the Australian Shareholders’ Association at least annually. All investor relations discussions are conducted or monitored by the
Managing Director, Finance Director or Company Secretary and are limited to discussion of non-price sensitive information and
material previously announced on the ASX platform.
7. THE ROLE OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Board aims to provide access and communicate openly with shareholders and to ensure that shareholders are informed of
all major developments affecting the Group’s state of affairs. Information is communicated to shareholders as follows:
¡ via the Company’s website (available at www.sonichealthcare.com), which includes electronic and other contact details
¡ the Annual Report is available to all shareholders on the Company’s website and is distributed to those shareholders who
elect to receive it. The Board ensures that the Annual Report includes relevant information about the operations of the Group
during the year, changes in the state of affairs of the Group and details of likely future developments, in addition to the other
disclosures required by law
¡ proposed major changes in the Group which may impact on share ownership rights are submitted to a vote of shareholders
To further facilitate communication with shareholders, the Company has established electronic shareholder communication
processes via its Share Registry. Shareholders are able to access online Annual Reports, notices of meetings, proxy forms and
voting, and receive electronic statements (e.g. holding statements) by email.
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Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 7. THE ROLE OF SHAREHOLDERS
Where possible, the Company provides advance notice of significant group briefings, including for the half and full year results
announcements, by publishing details on the Company website and extending open invitations. Telephone dial-in details are
generally made available. Records are kept of group and one-on-one briefings with investors and analysts. All shareholder
enquiries are responded to in a fair and respectful manner.
The Board encourages full participation of shareholders at the AGM to ensure a high level of accountability and identification
with the Group’s strategy and goals. AGMs are held at readily accessible locations and advance notice is provided on the
Investor Calendar page of the Company’s website. Ample opportunity is provided for shareholders to question the Board and
the external auditor at the AGM. Important issues are presented to the shareholders as single resolutions and all substantive
resolutions are decided by a poll.
The shareholders are responsible for voting on the appointment of Directors. The Company ensures that the relevant Notice of
Meeting contains all material information in its possession relevant to a decision on whether to elect a Director.
8. EXTERNAL AUDITORS
The Company’s policy is to appoint external auditors who clearly demonstrate quality and independence. The performance
of the external auditor is reviewed annually. Sonic requires its external auditor to attend the AGM and be available to answer
shareholder questions about the conduct of the audit and the auditor’s report. It is the policy of the external auditors to provide
an annual declaration of their independence to the Audit Committee.
9. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE BOARD, ITS COMMITTEES
AND DIRECTORS, AND KEY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
a) The Board and its Committees
The Board carries out an annual evaluation of its own performance in meeting its key responsibilities in accordance with the
Board Charter, by undertaking the following activities:
¡ the Chairman discusses with each Director their individual performance and ideas for improvement based on surveys
completed by each Director
¡ the Board as a whole discusses and analyses its own performance, including suggestions for change or improvement and
assessment of the extent to which the Board has discharged its responsibilities as set out in the Board Charter
¡ periodically, an external consultant is engaged to coordinate the reviews and provide additional insights
The performance review covers matters such as contribution to strategy development, interaction with management, operation
and conduct of meetings, and specific performance objectives for the year ahead.
The Board also obtains feedback on its performance and operations from key people, such as the external auditors.
Each Committee of the Board is required to undertake an annual performance evaluation and report the results of this review to
the Board.
Performance evaluation results are discussed by the Board, and initiatives are undertaken, where appropriate, to strengthen
the effectiveness of the Board’s operation and that of its Committees. The Board periodically reviews the skills, experience and
expertise of its Directors and its practices and procedures for both the present and future needs of the Company.
Reviews of the performance of the Board, its Committees and individual Directors were conducted during the year.
59
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 9. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE BOARD, ITS COMMITTEES
AND DIRECTORS, AND KEY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
b) The Managing Director and Finance Director
The performances of the Managing Director and Finance Director are formally reviewed by the Board annually, including during
the 2019 year. The performance criteria include:
¡ economic results of the Group
¡ fulfilment of objectives and duties
¡ personnel and resource management
¡ promotion of and adherence to Sonic’s Core Values, Foundation Principles, Federation model and culture of
Medical Leadership
¡ corporate governance and compliance
¡ risk management
¡ external standing and reputation (including stakeholder management, brand and quality)
¡ additionally for the Finance Director, financial leadership and innovation
Performance evaluation results are considered by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee in determining the level and
structure of remuneration for the Managing Director and Finance Director.
c) Key management personnel
The Managing Director evaluates key management personnel and other senior managers at least annually (including during
the 2019 year) with qualitative and quantitative measures against agreed business and personal objectives. These business and
personal objectives are consistent with those used in the performance reviews for the Managing Director and Finance Director.
Key management personnel receive letters of appointment with terms of employment governed by applicable employment laws.
60
Corporate Governance StatementSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Concise
Financial
Report
Income Statement
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Balance Sheet
Statement of Changes in Equity
Cash Flow Statement
Notes to the Concise Financial Statements
Directors’ Declaration
Report of the Independent Auditor on the
concise financial report to the members of
Sonic Healthcare Limited
62
63
64
65
66
67
78
79
The Concise Financial Report is an extract from the full Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2019. The financial statements and specific disclosures included in the
Concise Financial Report have been derived from the full Financial Report.
The Concise Financial Report cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial performance, financial position and financing and investing activities of
Sonic Healthcare Limited and its controlled entities as the full Financial Report. Further financial information can be obtained from the full Financial Report.
The full Financial Report and auditor’s report can be accessed via the internet on our website: www.sonichealthcare.com. Alternatively, members can call +61 2 9855 5444
and request a copy of the full Financial Report and auditor’s report, which will be sent free of charge.
SONIC HEALTHCARE LIMITED
ABN 24 004 196 909
30 JUNE 2019
61
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Notes
3
3
Income Statement
Revenue from operations
Other income
Total
Labour and related costs
Consumables used
Operating lease rental expense
Depreciation and amortisation of physical assets
Repairs and maintenance
Transportation
Utilities
Borrowing costs
Amortisation of intangibles
Other expenses from ordinary activities
Profit from ordinary activities before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Profit from ordinary activities after income tax expense
Net (profit) attributable to minority interests
Profit attributable to members of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
6
6
2019
$’000
6,133,671
50,385
6,184,056
(2,848,122)
(995,288)
(351,909)
(209,856)
(169,130)
(158,562)
(139,017)
(86,063)
(63,288)
(440,564)
722,257
(163,188)
559,069
(9,344)
549,725
Cents
122.5
122.1
2018
$’000
5,541,371
–
5,541,371
(2,543,798)
(918,211)
(334,451)
(191,809)
(151,661)
(137,808)
(126,509)
(78,444)
(64,229)
(377,470)
616,981
(131,916)
485,065
(9,459)
475,606
Cents
112.6
112.2
The above Income Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
62
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019 Statement of Comprehensive Income
Profit from ordinary activities after income tax expense
Other comprehensive income
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Actuarial (losses) on retirement benefit obligations
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the period
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Members of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Minority interests
2019
$’000
559,069
2018
$’000
485,065
109,109
92,068
(22,203)
86,906
645,975
634,016
11,959
645,975
(278)
91,790
576,855
561,824
15,031
576,855
The above Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
63
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019 Balance Sheet
AS AT 30 JUNE 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Other
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Receivables
Other financial assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Other
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Payables
Interest-bearing liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Provisions
Other
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Other
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Parent entity interest
Contributed equity
Reserves
Retained earnings
Total parent entity interest
Minority interests
Total equity
2019
$’000
736,646
827,932
119,673
68,933
1,753,184
40,201
88,135
1,268,319
6,764,738
39,166
6,091
8,206,650
9,959,834
627,311
826,004
125,455
222,321
48,293
1,849,384
2,209,595
151,116
139,550
118,323
2,618,584
4,467,968
5,491,866
3,966,892
146,275
1,299,163
5,412,330
79,536
5,491,866
2018
$’000
313,268
747,355
106,780
64,306
1,231,709
23,916
40,471
1,155,481
5,722,188
25,755
1,414
6,969,225
8,200,934
519,290
3,752
103,196
207,619
34,006
867,863
2,792,297
120,795
114,431
22,623
3,050,146
3,918,009
4,282,925
3,005,875
27,889
1,143,643
4,177,407
105,518
4,282,925
The above Balance Sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
64
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Statement of Changes in Equity
Share capital
Reserves
Retained
earnings
$’000
996,791
475,606
Total
$’000
3,829,386
475,606
Minority
interests
$’000
96,744
9,459
Total
$’000
3,926,130
485,065
$’000
(53,020)
–
86,496
(278)
86,218
5,572
91,790
86,496
475,328
561,824
15,031
576,855
Balance at 1 July 2017
Profit for period
Other comprehensive income
for the period
Total comprehensive income
for the period
$’000
2,885,615
–
–
–
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Dividends paid
Shares issued
Transaction costs on shares
issued net of tax
Transfers to share capital
Share-based payments
Acquisition of treasury shares
Allocation of treasury shares
Contribution from minority
interests
Acquisition of minority interests
Dividends paid to minority
interests
–
–
(328,476)
(328,476)
118,284
(7,461)
(66)
2,573
–
(499)
(32)
–
–
–
–
(2,573)
4,742
–
(9)
–
(286)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
110,823
(66)
–
4,742
(499)
(41)
–
(286)
–
Balance at 30 June 2018
3,005,875
27,889
1,143,643
4,177,407
Change in accounting standards
–
–
(6,890)
Restated balance at 1 July 2018
3,005,875
27,889
1,136,753
–
549,725
(6,890)
4,170,517
549,725
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(940)
1,121
(6,438)
105,518
–
(328,476)
110,823
(66)
–
4,742
(499)
(41)
(940)
835
(6,438)
4,282,925
(6,890)
105,518
4,276,035
9,344
559,069
Profit for period
Other comprehensive income
for the period
Total comprehensive income
for the period
–
–
–
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
106,494
(22,203)
84,291
2,615
86,906
106,494
527,522
634,016
11,959
645,975
Dividends paid
Shares issued
Transaction costs on shares
issued net of tax
Transfers to share capital
Share-based payments
Allocation of treasury shares
Sale from minority interests
Acquisition of minority
interests
Dividends paid to minority
interests in controlled entities
–
–
(365,112)
964,499
(11,430)
(6,366)
2,413
–
471
–
–
–
–
(2,413)
3,878
(471)
1,505
20,823
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(365,112)
953,069
(6,366)
–
3,878
–
1,505
–
–
–
–
–
–
(3,199)
(365,112)
953,069
(6,366)
–
3,878
–
(1,694)
20,823
(26,015)
(5,192)
Balance at 30 June 2019
3,966,892
146,275
1,299,163
5,412,330
The above Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
–
(8,727)
79,536
(8,727)
5,491,866
65
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019 Cash Flow Statement
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts from customers (inclusive of goods and services tax)
Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of goods and services tax)
Gross operating cash flow
Interest received
Borrowing costs
Income taxes paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Payment for purchase of controlled entities, net of cash acquired
Payments for property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and non-current assets
Payments for intangibles
Repayment of loans by other entities
Loans to other entities
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issues of shares and other equity securities
(net of transaction costs and related taxes)
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Transaction with non-controlling interest
Dividends paid to Company’s shareholders
Dividends paid to minority interests in subsidiaries
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year
2019
$’000
6,258,438
(5,207,533)
1,050,905
6,636
(83,930)
(126,303)
847,308
(863,405)
(281,578)
141,433
(105,070)
13,142
(3,851)
(1,099,329)
943,975
1,363,839
(1,246,425)
–
(365,112)
(8,611)
687,666
435,645
313,268
(12,267)
736,646
2018
$’000
5,641,609
(4,713,563)
928,046
3,175
(73,969)
(89,332)
767,920
(143,145)
(225,617)
4,354
(102,006)
6,261
(4,283)
(464,436)
15,427
744,115
(952,431)
(504)
(233,673)
(6,353)
(433,419)
(129,935)
437,617
5,586
313,268
The above Cash Flow Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
66
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019 Notes to the Concise
Financial Statements
Note 1 | Basis of preparation
Note 2 | Segment information
Note 3 | Revenue and other income
Note 4 | Dividends
Note 5 | Business combinations
Note 6 | Earnings per share
Note 7 | Share options/rights
Note 8 | Events occurring after reporting date
68
69
71
72
72
74
75
77
This Concise Financial Report relates to the Group consisting of Sonic Healthcare Limited and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the year ended 30 June 2019.
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019
67
NOTE 1 | BASIS OF PREPARATION
This Concise Financial Report relates to the Group consisting of Sonic Healthcare Limited and the entities it controlled at the
end of, or during, the year ended 30 June 2019. The accounting policies adopted have been consistently applied to all years
presented, except as stated below. Comparatives may be restated to enhance comparability with the current year.
a) Presentation currency
The presentation currency used in this Concise Financial Report is Australian dollars.
b) Changes in accounting policies
The Group adopted the new accounting standards AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and AASB 9 Financial
Instruments from 1 July 2018. The Group applied the modified retrospective approach to AASB 15 which means the cumulative
impact of the adoption could be recognised in retained earnings as of 1 July 2018, with comparative information not required to
be restated. There were no retrospective adjustments as a result of adopting AASB 9.
Impact of adopting AASB 15
AASB 15 supersedes the existing accounting standards and interpretations for revenue recognition. The core principle is that
revenue must be recognised when goods or services are transferred to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration
to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. This is achieved by applying a five
step model:
¡ Identify the contract with the customer
¡ Identify the performance obligations
¡ Determine the transaction price
¡ Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract based upon relative stand-alone selling prices
¡ Recognise revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are settled
The main impact on the Group’s revenue recognition policies from applying the new standard is the requirement to recognise
consideration payable to a customer as a reduction of the transaction price, and therefore of revenue, where this payment is not
for a distinct good or service. The Group makes payments to doctors (customers) in its medical centre and occupational health
businesses in exchange for contracting the Group’s services for an agreed period of time. These payments were previously
capitalised as an intangible asset and amortised through the amortisation of intangibles line in the Income Statement. The
amount that has been recognised against revenue for the year to 30 June 2019 is $9,284,000, with a balance of unamortised
payments of $24,866,000 in the Receivables lines at the period end. Had the new standard applied in the comparative period,
the equivalent amounts would have been $8,057,000 and $23,697,000. Note that there is no net impact to the net profit, net
assets or cash flows as a consequence of this change in accounting treatment. Medical services revenue will continue to be
recognised on a completed test or service basis.
In accordance with the transition provisions in AASB 15, adjustments were made to the amounts recognised in the Balance
Sheet and retained earnings as at the date of initial application. In addition to the changes noted above for revenue recognition
it was deemed that certain capitalised costs could not be recognised under the new standard. The net reduction in retained
earnings on transition was $6,890,000, with a corresponding decrease to the financial statement line item intangibles
($7,901,000) and deferred tax liabilities ($1,011,000).
Impact of adopting AASB 9
AASB 9 replaces the provisions of AASB 139 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and
financial liabilities, derecognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The adoption
of AASB 9 resulted in changes in accounting policies but there were no adjustments to amounts recognised in the financial
statements.
68
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 Classification and measurement
AASB 9 contains a new classification and measurement approach for financial assets that reflects the business model in which
assets are managed and their cash flow characteristics. The classification categories of held to maturity, loans and receivables
and available for sale have been replaced by amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income and fair value
through profit or loss. Note that the Group currently only has financial assets carried at amortised cost.
From 1 July 2018 financial assets are measured at fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or
loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets
carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in the Income Statement.
Impairment
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at
amortised cost. For trade receivables the Group applies the simplified approach permitted by AASB 9, which requires expected
lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables
have been grouped on shared credit risk characteristics and days past due. There was no change in the impairment for trade
receivables as at 30 June 2018. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the provision account for trade
receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against revenue in the Income Statement.
Hedging
The Group has adopted the hedging principles of AASB 9. The new hedge accounting rules align the accounting for hedging
instruments more closely with the Group’s risk management practices, due to changes in the approach for assessing hedge
effectiveness. The Group’s hedge documentation has been updated to align with the new requirements and the existing hedge
relationships are therefore treated as continuing hedges.
c) Working capital
Sonic is required to disclose $826M of debt drawn under facilities which expire before 30 June 2020 as a current liability as at
30 June 2019. As a result, the Balance Sheet shows a deficiency of working capital of $96M. Sonic intends to refinance this debt
and foresees no difficulty in doing so, based on discussions with existing lenders and approaches from potential new lenders.
Sonic also has significant headroom available in cash and undrawn facilities. The financial report has therefore been prepared on
a ‘going concern’ basis.
NOTE 2 | SEGMENT INFORMATION
Business segments
The Group’s Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors (the chief operating decision makers) review the Group’s
performance both by the nature of services provided and geographic region. Discrete financial information about each operating
segment, is reported to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors on at least a monthly basis and is used to assess
performance and determine the allocation of resources.
The Group has the following reportable segments:
i) Laboratory – Pathology/clinical laboratory services provided in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States
of America, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Ireland. The geographic regions have been aggregated into one reportable
segment as they provide similar services and have similar expected growth rates, cost structures, risks and return profiles.
ii) Imaging – Diagnostic imaging services provided in Australia.
iii) Other – Includes corporate office functions, medical centre operations (IPN), occupational health services (Sonic HealthPlus),
laboratory automation development (up until the sale on 26 June 2019 of GLP Systems) and other minor operations. The
$50 million gain on sale of GLP Systems is also included in 2019. In addition, acquisition costs and certain other non-recurring
costs are expensed in this segment.
The internal reports use a ‘Constant Currency’ basis for reporting revenue and EBITA with foreign currency elements restated
using the relevant prior period average exchange rates. The segment revenue and EBITA have therefore been presented using
Constant Currency.
69
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 2 | SEGMENT INFORMATION
2019
Laboratory
Imaging
Other
Eliminations
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
Total
$’000
4,987,419
499,553
438,086
–
5,925,058
Revenue (Constant Currency)
External sales
Inter-segment sales
Other income
Total segment revenue (Constant Currency)
Currency exchange rate movements
Total segment revenue (Statutory)
Interest income
Total revenue
Result
Segment result (Constant Currency)
Currency exchange rate movements
Segment result (Statutory)
Amortisation of intangibles
Unallocated net interest expense
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after income tax expense
Depreciation
Other non-cash items
–
–
4,987,419
201,354
5,188,773
221
–
499,774
–
499,774
12,969
47,625
498,680
3,383
502,063
745,523
27,382
772,905
68,341
–
68,341
20,734
2,992
23,726
146,796
15,889
31,469
1,899
31,591
(45,931)
(13,190)
–
–
47,625
(13,190)
5,972,683
–
(13,190)
–
–
–
–
–
204,737
6,177,420
6,636
6,184,056
834,598
30,374
864,972
(63,288)
(79,427)
722,257
(163,188)
559,069
209,856
(28,143)
Total
$’000
2018
Laboratory
Imaging
Other
Eliminations
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
Revenue
External sales
Inter-segment sales
Total segment revenue
Interest income
Total revenue
Result
Segment result
Amortisation of intangibles
Unallocated net interest expense
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after income tax expense
Depreciation
Other non-cash items
70
4,625,062
473,024
7
215
4,625,069
473,239
440,110
12,549
452,659
699,813
63,299
(6,633)
134,384
16,372
30,363
2,332
27,062
8,056
–
5,538,196
(12,771)
(12,771)
–
–
–
–
5,538,196
3,175
5,541,371
756,479
(64,229)
(75,269)
616,981
(131,916)
485,065
191,809
26,760
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 2 | SEGMENT INFORMATION
Geographical information
Revenues from sales to external customers*
Non-current assets*^
2019
$’000
2,389,473
1,440,987
1,249,723
1,046,852
6,127,035
2018
$’000
2,306,810
1,130,946
1,157,527
942,913
5,538,196
2019
$’000
2,327,746
2,742,287
1,587,061
1,510,390
8,167,484
2018
$’000
2,274,133
1,811,980
1,431,283
1,426,074
6,943,470
Australia
United States of America
Germany
Other
Total
* Note that changes between years are affected by exchange rate movements and the timing of business acquisitions.
^ Note that this includes all non-current assets other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets.
NOTE 3 | REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME
Services revenue
Medical services revenue
Other revenue
Interest received or due and receivable
Rental income
Other revenue
Revenue from operations
Other income
Gain on GLP Systems sale
Disaggregated revenue
Laboratory
Australia
Germany
USA
Switzerland
UK & Ireland
Belgium
New Zealand
Non-laboratory
Imaging
Other (medical centres, occupational health services etc.)
2019
$’000
2018
$’000
6,075,618
5,506,480
6,636
13,112
38,305
58,053
3,175
12,744
18,972
34,891
6,133,671
5,541,371
50,385
–
1,469,028
1,231,507
1,440,378
430,644
434,042
146,378
33,797
499,249
428,900
6,113,923
1,401,786
1,148,220
1,130,782
390,137
382,167
141,396
27,766
472,491
430,707
5,525,452
Contract asset balances of $11,147,000 and $13,719,000 have been recognised in current receivables and non-current receivables
as at 30 June 2019 relating to upfront doctor payments in the medical centre and occupational health businesses.
71
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 4 | DIVIDENDS
Total dividends paid on ordinary shares during the year
Final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2018 of 49 cents (2017: 46 cents) per share
paid on 27 September 2018 (2017: 11 October 2017), franked to 30% (2017: 20%)
Interim dividend for the year ended 30 June 2019 of 33 cents (2018: 32 cents) per
share paid on 26 March 2019 (2018: 10 April 2018), franked to 20% (2018: 20%)
Dividends not recognised at year end
In addition to the above dividends, since year end the Directors declared a final
dividend of 51 cents (2018: 49 cents) per ordinary share, franked to 30% (2018: 30%)
based on tax paid at 30%. The aggregate amount of the final dividend payable on 25
September 2019 out of retained earnings at the end of the year, but not recognised as
a liability is:
Franked dividends
The 2019 final dividend declared after the year end was 30% franked out of franking
credits available at year end and those arising from the payment of income tax in the
year ending 30 June 2020.
Franking credits available at the year end for subsequent financial years based
on a tax rate of 30%
2019
$’000
2018
$’000
208,746
193,176
156,366
365,112
135,300
328,476
242,148
208,746
8,579
–
The consolidated amounts include franking credits that would be available if distributable profits of subsidiaries not part of the
Australian tax group were paid as dividends.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)
The Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan is suspended for the 2019 final dividend, as it was for the 2019 interim dividend and
the 2018 final dividend. The DRP operated for the 2018 interim dividend.
NOTE 5 | BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Acquisition of subsidiaries/business assets
Acquisitions of subsidiaries/business assets in the period included:
¡ US anatomical pathology business, Aurora Diagnostics, LLC on 30 January 2019.
¡ A number of small healthcare businesses.
The contribution to net profit after tax for the Sonic Group by Aurora for the current financial period was $22M. The profit of
Aurora in the prior financial year is not comparable to the profit under Sonic’s ownership due to a materially different capital
structure. The accounting for this business combination is provisional at the date of this report.
The contribution the other acquisitions made to the Group’s profit during the period was immaterial individually and in aggregate.
The accounting for these other business combinations has been finalised at the date of this report.
72
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 5 | BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The aggregate cost of the acquisitions, the values of the identifiable assets and liabilities, and the goodwill arising on acquisition
are detailed below:
Consideration – cash paid
Less: Cash of entities acquired
Deferred consideration
Total consideration
Fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired:
Debtors and other receivables
Prepayments
Inventory
Property, plant and equipment
Identifiable intangibles
Trade creditors
Sundry creditors and accruals
Current tax liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Lease liabilities
Lease exit costs
Provisions
Other liabilities
Borrowings
Minority interests
Goodwill
Aurora
$’000
726,017
(1,606)
724,411
–
724,411
53,375
5,903
868
11,757
532
(16,362)
(36,637)
(187)
(9,127)
(2,787)
(68)
(2,156)
(30,497)
–
(25,386)
–
749,797
Other
$’000
118,374
(1,369)
117,005
68,988
185,993
5,625
228
1,404
5,546
238
(588)
(1,165)
–
–
–
–
(699)
–
(202)
10,387
56
Total
$’000
844,391
(2,975)
841,416
68,988
910,404
59,000
6,131
2,272
17,303
770
(16,950)
(37,802)
(187)
(9,127)
(2,787)
(68)
(2,855)
(30,497)
(202)
(14,999)
56
175,662
925,459
The goodwill arising from the business acquisitions is attributable to their reputation in the local market, the benefit of marginal
profit and synergies expected to be achieved from integrating the business with existing operations, expected revenue growth,
future market development, the assembled workforce and knowledge of local markets. These benefits are not able to be
individually identified or recognised separately from goodwill. $438,104,000 of the purchased goodwill recognised is expected
to be deductible for income tax purposes, over a 15-year period.
Acquisition-related costs of $7,867,000 are included in other expenses in the Income Statement.
The fair value of acquired debtors and other receivables is $59,000,000. The gross contractual amount due is $90,262,000, of
which $31,262,000 is expected to be uncollectible.
73
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 6 | EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in
calculating basic earnings per share
2019
Cents
122.5
122.1
2019
Shares
2018
Cents
112.6
112.2
2018
Shares
448,784,480
422,212,272
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used
as the denominator in calculating diluted earnings per share
450,309,430
423,777,046
Options and performance rights over ordinary shares are considered to be potential ordinary shares and have been included
in the determination of diluted earnings per share to the extent to which they are dilutive. The options and rights have not been
included in the determination of basic earnings per share.
Details of the options and rights exercised, forfeited and issued in the period between the reporting date and the date of this
report are detailed in Note 7.
Reconciliations of earnings used in calculating earnings per share
Net profit
Net (profit) attributable to minority interests
Earnings used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share
2019
$’000
559,069
(9,344)
549,725
2018
$’000
485,065
(9,459)
475,606
74
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 7 | SHARE OPTIONS/RIGHTS
a) Shares under option
Unissued ordinary shares of Sonic Healthcare Limited under option at the date of this report are as follows:
i) Sonic Healthcare Limited Employee Option Plan
Grant date
Expiry date
Exercise price
of option*
Number of options
at date of report
30/01/15
20/10/15
20/11/15
11/12/15
17/11/16
17/11/16
17/11/16
05/07/17
22/11/17
21/11/18
14/12/18
21/02/19
Total
30/11/19
20/08/20
20/11/20
11/10/20
17/09/21
17/09/21
17/11/21
05/05/22
22/11/22
21/11/23
14/10/23
21/12/23
$18.84
$18.49
$19.41
$19.78
$21.62
$22.02
$21.62
$23.34
$21.64
$21.69
$21.83
$24.30
26,500
552,500
356,641
1,356,333
725,000
180,000
237,666
950,000
675,145
667,787
2,000,000
980,000
8,707,572
* The issue price of shares held under option is either the exercise price of the option or the market price of Sonic shares at the date of exercise.
The above options granted are able to be exercised subject to the following vesting periods unless otherwise specified:
¡ Up to 50% may be exercised after 30 months from the date of grant
¡ Up to 75% may be exercised after 42 months from the date of grant
¡ Up to 100% may be exercised after 54 months from the date of grant
Options granted under the plan expire after 58 months (unless otherwise specified) and carry no dividend or voting rights. When
exercisable, each option is convertible into one ordinary share. No option holder has any right under the options to participate in
any other share issue of the Company or of any other entity.
The grants of options on 2 July 2012, 18 October 2013, 13 December 2013 and 11 December 2015 are subject to different
vesting and expiry periods. Options granted on 2 July 2012 are exercisable from 2 July 2017 until expiry on 2 July 2019. Options
granted on 18 October 2013 are exercisable from 18 October 2016 until expiry on 18 October 2018. For the options granted on
13 December 2013, up to 600,000 options are exercisable from 13 December 2016 until expiry on 13 December 2018. For the
options granted on 11 December 2015, one third are exercisable after 11 June 2018, two thirds after 11 June 2019 and up to
100% after 11 June 2020, subject to satisfying vesting conditions.
75
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 7 | SHARE OPTIONS/RIGHTS
ii) Sonic Healthcare Limited Performance Rights Plan
Performance rights are granted under the Sonic Healthcare Limited Performance Rights Plan for no consideration and carry no
dividend or voting rights. When exercisable, each performance right is convertible into one ordinary share. No rights holder has
any right to participate in any other share issue of the Company or of any other entity.
Grant date
Expiry date
Exercise price
Number of rights at date of report
17/11/16
22/11/17
21/11/18
Total
17/11/21
22/11/22
21/11/23
Nil
Nil
Nil
31,110
87,762
87,560
206,432
b) Shares issued on the exercise of options/rights up to the date of this report
i) Sonic Healthcare Limited Employee Option Plan options
A total of 1,609,341 ordinary shares of Sonic were issued during the year ended 30 June 2019 under the Sonic Healthcare
Limited Employee Option Plan. 844,069 options have been exercised since that date, but prior to the date of this report, resulting
in the issue of 844,069 ordinary shares. The amounts paid on issue of those shares were:
Number of Options
Amounts paid (per share)
596,841
110,000
50,000
35,000
250,069
297,500
488,500
530,500
75,000
20,000
2,453,410
$11.43
$15.43
$15.21
$12.57
$17.32
$18.49
$18.84
$19.78
$21.62
$22.02
76
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 NOTE 7 | SHARE OPTIONS/RIGHTS
ii) Sonic Healthcare Limited Performance Rights Plan
A total of 45,523 performance rights were exercised during the year ended 30 June 2019 under the Sonic Healthcare Limited
Performance Rights Plan, satisfied by the issue of 42,775 new ordinary shares and by 2,748 shares purchased on-market. Nil
performance rights have been exercised since 30 June 2019 and up to the date of this report. No amounts were payable on
issue of those shares.
c) Options and rights granted to officers
During the year nil options or rights were issued to the five highest remunerated officers of the Company who are not already
disclosed as key management personnel.
NOTE 8 | EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER REPORTING DATE
Since the end of the financial year, no matter or circumstance not otherwise dealt with in these financial statements has arisen
that has significantly or may significantly affect the operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations or the
state of affairs of the consolidated entity in subsequent financial years.
77
Notes to the Concise Financial StatementsSONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 201930 JUNE 2019 Directors’ Declaration
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019
The Directors declare that in their opinion, the Concise Financial Report of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2019 as set out
on pages 61 to 77 complies with Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise Financial Reports.
The Concise Financial Report is an extract from the full Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2019. The financial
statements and specific disclosures included in the Concise Financial Report have been derived from the full Financial Report.
The Concise Financial Report cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial performance, financial
position and financing and investing activities of the Group as the full Financial Report, which is available on request.
This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.
Dr C.S. Goldschmidt
Director
C.D. Wilks
Director
Sydney
25 September 2019
78
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Report of the Independent Auditor on the concise financial
report to the members of Sonic Healthcare Limited
Our opinion
In our opinion, the accompanying concise financial report of Sonic Healthcare Limited (the Company)
and its controlled entities (together, the Group) for the year ended 30 June 2019 complies with
Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports.
What we have audited
The Group consolidated concise financial report derived from the financial report of the Group for the
year ended 30 June 2019 comprises:
● the balance sheet as at 30 June 2019
● the income statement for the year then ended
● the statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended
● the statement of changes in equity for the year then ended
● the cash flow statement for the year then ended
● the related notes
● the directors’ declaration.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibility under
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the concise
financial report section of our report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our opinion.
Independence
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant
to our audit of the concise financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical
responsibilities in accordance with the code.
Concise financial report
The concise financial report does not contain all the disclosures required by the Australian Accounting
Standards in the preparation of the financial report. Reading the concise financial report and the
auditor’s report thereon, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the financial report and the auditor’s
report thereon.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
One International Towers Sydney, Watermans Quay, Barangaroo, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 2001
T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au
Level 11, 1PSQ, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, PO Box 1155 Parramatta NSW 2124
T: +61 2 9659 2476, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
66
79
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 The financial report and our report thereon
We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the financial report in our report dated 25 September
2019. That report also includes the communication of key audit matters. Key audit matters are those
matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial
report of the current period.
Responsibilities of the directors for the concise financial report
The directors are responsible for the preparation of the concise financial report in accordance with
Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports, and the Corporations Act 2001, and for
such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the concise
financial report.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the concise financial report
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the concise financial report complies, in all
material respects, with AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports based on our procedures, which were
conducted in accordance with Auditing Standard ASA 810 Engagements to Report on Summary
Financial Statements.
Report on the remuneration report
The following paragraphs are copies from our report on the remuneration report of Sonic Healthcare
Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019.
Our opinion on the remuneration report
We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 31 to 45 of the directors’ report for the
year ended 30 June 2019. In our opinion, the remuneration report of Sonic Healthcare Limited for
the year ended 30 June 2019 complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.
Responsibilities
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the
remuneration report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with
Australian Auditing Standards.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Brett Entwistle
Partner
Sydney
25 September 2019
80
67
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Shareholders’ Information
1. INFORMATION RELATING TO SHAREHOLDERS
a) Distribution schedule as at 13 September 2019
1–1,000
1,001–5,000
5,001–10,000
10,001–100,000
100,001 and over
Voting rights
– on a show of hands
– on a poll
Percentage of total shares held by the twenty largest registered holders
Number of holders holding less than a marketable parcel
No. of holders
ordinary shares
37,402
26,080
2,106
918
93
66,599
1/member
1/share
72.69%
636
b) Substantial shareholders as at 13 September 2019
The Company has received substantial shareholding notices to 13 September 2019 in respect of the following holdings:
BlackRock Group (including 2,028,166 American Depositary Receipts)
The members of the Veritas Group
No. of securities
Percentage held
37,246,603
34,010,324
7.84%
7.16%
81
SONIC HEALTHCARE CONCISE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Shareholders’ Information
1. INFORMATION RELATING TO SHAREHOLDERS
c) Names of the 20 largest registered holders of equity securities as at 13 September 2019
No. of securities
Percentage held
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited
Jardvan Pty Ltd
National Nominees Limited
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd
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