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FY2015 Annual Report · Telos Corporation
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OUR BRILLIANT  
CONNECTED FUTURE

Telstra Annual Report 2015

C

The sections of our Annual Report titled Our Business, The Year at  
a Glance, Chairman and CEO Message, Strategy and Performance and 
Full Year Results and Operations Review comprise our operating and 
financial review and form part of the Directors’ Report. An overview  
of selected aspects of our corporate governance arrangements is set 
out in the Governance at Telstra section of this Annual Report. A copy of 
our full Corporate Governance Statement and ASX Appendix 4G outlining 
how we comply with the third edition of the ASX Corporate Governance 
Principles and Recommendations is available on our website at  
telstra.com/governance

Telstra Corporation Limited
ABN 33 051 775 556

CONTENTS

Our Business 

The Year at a Glance 

Chairman and CEO Message 

Strategy and Performance 

Improve Customer Advocacy 

  Drive Value from the Core 

  Build New Growth Businesses 

  Our Material Business Risks 

  Outlook 

Full Year Results and Operations Review 

Sustainability 

  Our Approach 

  Customer Experience 

  Connecting Communities 

  Our People 

  Environmental Stewardship 

  Responsible Business 

Board of Directors 

Senior Management Team 

Governance at Telstra 

Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report 

Financial Report 

  Financial Statements 

  Directors’ Declaration 

Shareholder Information 

Reference Tables 

Glossary 

Index 

02

04

06

09

10

12

14

16

18

20

27

28

29

30

31

33

34

35

38

40

44

48

69

70

175

177

179

182

186

 
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PURPOSE

To create a brilliant connected future for everyone.

To create

A brilliant connected future

For everyone

The brilliant connected future won’t 
happen on its own. It has to be created. 
Telstra can bring together the parts  
to create it.

This is our aspiration for every  
one of our customers. And in every  
market in which we operate.

We can only create such a future  
for everyone when enough people can 
access technologies that create social, 
economic and cultural change.

OUR VISION

To be a world class technology company that empowers people to connect.

OUR STRATEGY

Our strategy is focused on driving growth and creating long term shareholder value. It has three key pillars.

Our Strategic Priorities

Improve Customer Advocacy

Drive Value from the Core

Build New Growth Businesses

We’re dedicated to improving  
customer service and creating  
advocates in all our customers.

We strive to deliver customer and 
revenue growth, network leadership  
and productivity improvements  
through simplifying our business.

We continue to look for new 
opportunities in new geographies  
and in new business sectors.

OUR VALUES

At Telstra, we have five values. Our values express what we stand for and are core to our business.  
As a values-led organisation, they shape our peoples’ decisions and actions. They guide how we work 
together. We align everything we do with them.

Show  
you care

Better  
together

Trust each other  
to deliver

Make the  
complex simple

Find  
your courage

WHO WE ARE

An iconic Australian  
company with a rich  
history – dating back  
to 1901

371

Retail  
Stores

84

Business  
Centres

137

Business and 
Enterprise Partners

18,700

Retail Points  
of Presence

36,000  
TELSTRA EMPLOYEES  
ACROSS 20 COUNTRIES  
WORLDWIDE
MORE THAN 2,000

network points of presence  
across the globe

02

Our Business_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

INDUSTRY CONTEXT

Technology is changing our world and we are 
seeing profound change in the way people  
connect and communicate.

The telecommunications industry is dynamic and growing,  
with network traffic increasing rapidly and the continued 
evolution of IP based products and services.

WHAT WE DO

We help customers connect to the people and 
things that matter most to them.

Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications company,  
offering a full range of communications services.

We believe the more connected people are, the more  
opportunities they have.

We aim to build technology and content solutions that  
are simple and easy to use.

Twenty years ago there were less than 100 million mobile  
devices in the world. Today there are more than five billion.

Globally, mobile data grew nearly 70 per cent in 20141. Video now 
represents more than 50 per cent of all internet traffic. It is a 
time of enormous opportunity. We know that having the best 
network is going to matter to the next generation even more than 
it does to this one – and Telstra is going to make sure they get it.

We have built Australia’s largest national mobile network,  
with faster speeds in more places.

We strive to know and serve our customers better than  
anyone else – offering a choice of not just digital connection,  
but digital content as well.

We actively seek out new growth opportunities and new 
technology in Australia and around the world, with our 
international presence spanning 20 countries, including  
a growing footprint in Asia.

OUR BUSINESS

Retail

Consumer

Business

Media

Health

Providing a portfolio of  
Fixed voice, Data, Mobile, 
Media and value added 
products to customers 
nationally including Post  
and Pre-paid mobile and  
mobile broadband, PSTN, 
ADSL, HFC, and NBN.

Serving Australian small  
to medium businesses as  
a trusted advisor, providing 
products and bundles including 
fixed, mobile, data and IP, 
business software applications 
and Networks Applications  
and Services (NAS).

Portfolio of media content 
and platforms including 
subscription TV, streaming 
video, music, and leading 
sport and news content 
across fixed and mobile 
connectivity.

eHealth solutions for  
primary care, aged and 
residential care, hospitals, 
radiology and pathology, 
pharmacy, Indigenous  
care and telemedicine.

Global Enterprise and Services

Serving our global enterprise and 
government customers with fully 
integrated end-to-end solutions and 
products, including: innovation, product 
development, telephony, mobile and  
data connectivity, IP networks and cloud.
Licenses in Asia, Europe and the US.

Wholesale

Network Applications and Services, 
including: managed network services, 
collaboration, cloud, unified comms, 
security services and a range of  
software as a service solutions.

Responsible for the Telstra Software 
Group (TSG), focused on intelligent video 
solutions and muru-D®, a start-up 
accelerator program.

Australia’s leading supplier of wholesale telecommunications services across fixed, data and IP, mobiles, facilities access and NBN.

Operations

Responsible for the planning, design, engineering, construction, operation, maintenance, service installation and restoration of 
Telstra’s networks and information technology. The group is also responsible for the company’s innovation portfolio, encouraging 
company-wide innovation and creation of new service opportunities.

1 Source – Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2014 – 2019, White Paper, 2015 www.cisco.com

03

THE YEAR AT A GLANCE

+

Financial highlights

30.5

CENTS TOTAL  
DIVIDEND PER SHARE

$4.3b

NET PROFIT AFTER TAX2

$1b

SHARE BUY-BACK

$26.6b

TOTAL INCOME3

=

$4.7b

DISTRIBUTION TO 
SHAREHOLDERS

$1b

INVESTED IN  
WIRELESS NETWORK

Driving value from the core

4G

4GX™

SERVICE NOW REACHING 94% 
of the Australian population

INTO 1,200
suburbs and towns

2.2m

16.7m

CUSTOMERS ON  
A BUNDLED PLAN

DOMESTIC RETAIL  
MOBILE CUSTOMERS

18.4%

FOXTEL FROM  
TELSTRA SUBSCRIBERS

Sustainability

BETTER-VALUE PLANS
more data allowances and 
real time mobile data alerts

4,000

Wi-Fi hotspots for 
Telstra Air® launch

NAMED AUSTRALIA’S MOST  
RESPECTED COMPANY4

$214m

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY  
CONTRIBUTIONS

TELSTRA FOUNDATION™
PHILIPPINES LAUNCHED

TELSTRA SAFE CONNECTIONS®  
LAUNCHED TO HELP WOMEN IMPACTED  
BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STAY CONNECTED

2 Profit for the year from continuing operations. For more detail refer to page 20 of the Full Year Results and Operations Review.
3   Total income figures are on a continuing operations basis and exclude finance income. On a guidance basis total income was $26.3b. Please refer to the Full Year Results  

and Operations Review on page 20 and page 180 for more detail and guidance reconciliation.

4  Announced in November 2014. The Most Respected Companies list is the result of a study conducted by Financial Review Group in partnership with global management 

consultancy Hay Group.

04

The Year at a Glance_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Customer service

+5

OVERALL NET  
PROMOTER SYSTEM 
(NPS) IMPROVEMENT

>8m

52%
>5m
350k

UNIQUE VISITORS
to telstra.com each month

LIVE CHAT SESSIONS
on average each month

OF CUSTOMER SERVICE TRANSACTIONS ONLINE

SERVICE AND INSTALLATION
JOBS COMPLETED

13k  
PER DAY

2.3m

REGULAR USERS
of our Telstra 24x7® App

Growth and international expansion

US$697m5

ACQUISITION OF PACNET
including the largest privately  
owned intra-Asia cable network

+

MURU-D®  
SINGAPORE
launched

Sustainability

29 DATA  
CENTRES

109 POINTS  
OF PRESENCE

23.2%

NAS REVENUE

TELKOMTELSTRA  
Launched Indonesian  
Joint Venture

OOYALA
increased ownership
NOW 97.3%

FORMALLY LAUNCHED  
TELSTRA HEALTH™
and continued to build capabilities

117k PEOPLE
~
476 PEOPLE

reached through our digital literacy programs

27%

REDUCTION IN CARBON 
EMISSIONS INTENSITY

>15m SMS SENT

with a disability or from a disadvantaged background  
employed through our Supported Workforce program

to customers highlighting responsible phone use

5 Including gross debt.

05

  
CHAIRMAN  
AND CEO  
MESSAGE

Catherine Livingstone AO, Chairman  
Andrew Penn, CEO

Dear Shareholders,

Telstra continued to perform strongly, 
growing revenues, adding fixed and mobile 
customer services, continuing to invest  
in our network advantage and returning 
$4.7 billion in dividends and buy-back 
proceeds to our shareholders.

We continued to execute on our strategy  
to improve customer advocacy, drive  
value from our core business and build 
pathways to future growth. We made  
good progress on our transition from a 
traditional telecommunications company 
into a world class technology company 
that empowers people to connect.

The markets within which we compete 
continue to undergo significant change,  
in Australia and around the world. 
Technology is driving rapid change and 
constant innovation across industries, 
with software and digitisation improving 
delivery of services to customers and 
creating new opportunities for growth.

Within this dynamic environment, which, 
in Australia, includes the structural 
change of the industry as we transition  
to the National Broadband Network, we 
remain absolutely committed to improving 
the service we provide to our customers.

Financial results and capital 
management

In our first full financial year operating 
without Hong Kong mobile business CSL, 
which we sold in May 2014, our results show 
that our business continues to perform 
strongly. On a reported basis, our total 
income was up 1.2 per cent and EBITDA 
was down 3.5 per cent. On a guidance 
basis6, and excluding the CSL operating 
results from the prior period, our total 
income was up 6.6 per cent and EBITDA 
was up 4.5 per cent.

The reduction in EBITDA on a reported 
basis reflects the one off profit of $561 
million from the sale of CSL included in 
our 2014 results.

We are pleased to have again delivered  
on our financial commitments and to have 
delivered, in total, a 30.5 cent fully franked 
dividend for the 2015 financial year, 
distributing $3.7 billion to shareholders 
and representing a 3.4 per cent increase 
in dividends from FY14.

We continued to create shareholder  
value through capital and portfolio 
management. Our off market $1 billion 
share buy-back was substantially 
oversubscribed, a sign of the strong 
market support for this as an efficient  
way to return capital to shareholders.

Following feedback from our shareholders 
we also announced the reactivation of  
the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which 
enables shareholders to reinvest either  
all or part of their dividend payments  
into additional fully paid Telstra shares  
in an easy and cost-effective way from  
the 2015 final dividend.

Our strategy

During the year we maintained our  
focus on our three strategic pillars: 
improving customer advocacy, driving 
value from the core and building new 
growth businesses.

Improve customer advocacy
Our customers remain our highest  
priority and we continue to improve the 
way we interact with them every day.  
We are giving our customers more value 
and confidence, through our suite of 
products, as well as providing more 
personalised service experiences for both 
our business and consumer customers.

We continue to measure our progress  
and we actively seek feedback from our 
customers using our Net Promoter System 
(NPS). Our overall NPS score improved  
by five points over the 2015 financial  
year, building on the improvements  
we saw last year. While we have made 
significant progress, we know we have 
more to achieve.

Driving value from the core
Our investment in network superiority and 
customer advocacy initiatives continue  
to attract new customers and have led to 
the net addition of 664,000 retail mobile 
customer services, and 189,000 retail 
fixed broadband customers during FY15.

We are committed to maintaining our 
network leadership and will increase  
our investment in our mobile network, 
providing an additional half a billion 
dollars for mobiles over the next two years. 
In total, over three years to June 2017,  
we expect to have invested more than  
$5 billion in Telstra’s mobile network.

In June, we were selected to  
participate in one of the largest ever 
expansions of mobile coverage in  
regional and remote Australia through  
the Federal Government’s Mobile  
Black Spot Programme.

This will build on our existing 4G network, 
which already covers 94 per cent of the 
Australian population. Our objective is to 
expand this footprint to reach 99 per cent 
of the population, bringing coverage to 
more communities across the country.  
We also launched our new 4GX™ service, 
which utilises our newly acquired 700 
MHz spectrum to offer customers in over 
1,200 suburbs and towns some of the 
fastest mobile data speeds in the world.

6  Guidance basis assumed wholesale product price stability, no impairments to investments, excluded any proceeds on the sale of businesses, mergers  
and acquisitions (M&A) and purchase of spectrum. The FY15 guidance excluded the FY14 CSL profit on sale of $561m from FY14 Income and EBITDA.

06

Chairman and CEO Message_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

We have also switched on Australia’s 
largest Wi-Fi network, Telstra Air®, with 
4,000 Wi-Fi hotspots already provided in 
more than 250 towns and cities at launch.  
More than 50,000 Telstra Air members 
have joined the network.

We aspire to offer Australians access  
to two million hotspots across the  
nation by 2020, and we already provide 
access to more than 16 million 
international hotspots through our 
partnership with Fon Wireless Ltd.

Throughout the year, we continued  
to transform our internal business 
processes to streamline the way we  
work and remove internal barriers that 
impede productivity. The total value 
achieved through our productivity program 
in FY15 was approximately $1 billion, 
including expense benefits, revenue 
benefits, cash and capital expenditure 
benefits and avoided costs. We have 
reinvested these benefits in the business 
to support our customer advocacy 
initiatives, growth in our customer base 
and building new growth businesses.

Build new growth businesses
Our strategic growth plan is designed  
to position the company for continuing 
success into the future.

Investing in new businesses and  
growing telecommunications services  
in Asia supports our growth ambitions, 
and significant progress has been made  
this year. We have made a number of 
acquisitions, including Pacnet Limited,  
a provider of connectivity, managed 
services and data centres in the Asia 
Pacific region.

The Pacnet acquisition increased  
the scale and capability of our fixed 
infrastructure, network density and  
reach across the region, as well as  
our customer base and operational 
capability. In a recently published  
Gartner report7 on network services  
in the Asia Pacific, as a combined entity, 
Telstra and Pacnet were ranked number 
one for low-latency and high capacity 
networks, with the best submarine  
cable infrastructure in the region.

We announced our joint venture (JV)  
with Telkom Indonesia in the first half  
of the year. The JV launched a suite  
of Network Applications and Services  
(NAS) in the second half, for domestic 
enterprises and multinationals  
operating throughout Indonesia.

Another growth opportunity, Telstra 
Health™, was formally launched during  
the 2015 financial year and will develop 
and deliver innovative technology 
solutions across the health industry.

National Broadband Network (NBN)

During the year we finalised revised  
NBN Definitive Agreements with NBN Co 
and the Commonwealth, preserving value  
for shareholders, as we maintained the 
overall value of the original agreements. 
These Agreements became effective  
in June 2015.

As with the original agreements,  
the estimated value of the revised 
agreements is based on a range of 
dependencies and assumptions over  
the long term life of the agreements.

Part of the community

Telstra is committed to showing we  
care in the way we respond to important 
economic, social and environmental 
challenges.

Our longstanding investment in building 
people’s digital skills and capabilities 
reflects our belief that digital connectivity 
is an increasingly essential service.  
This year we reached almost 117,000 
people through our digital literacy training 
programs, and helped over one million 
vulnerable customers stay connected.

We are also committed to minimising  
our environmental impacts and to working 
with our customers to achieve better 
environmental outcomes. This year,  
our total carbon emissions decreased  
by 1.3 per cent despite data loads on  
our network increasing by 36 per cent. 
This meant our carbon emissions intensity 
reduced by 27 per cent, leaving us well 
positioned to meet our three year target.

Looking ahead

We have a clear strategy, and our focus  
for the year ahead remains on improving 
our customer service, ongoing investment 
in our network advantage and building 
pathways toward future, sustainable  
and long term growth.

We operate in a dynamic and competitive 
environment where technology is taking 
us into a world of rapid change, constant 
innovation and competition. We see  
great opportunity to embrace change, 
great opportunity for those of us that 
embrace technology innovation and great 
opportunity for Australian companies  
and Australia.

We understand that we need to continue 
to innovate and to ensure we can build our 
capability in our growth areas. At Telstra, 
we are investing in becoming a truly world 
class technology company that empowers 
people to connect.

In 2016 Telstra expects to deliver  
mid-single digit income growth and  
low-single digit EBITDA growth.  
Free cashflow is expected to be  
between $4.6 billion and $5.1 billion  
and capital expenditure to be around  
15 per cent of sales to fund increased 
mobile network investment.

This guidance assumes wholesale  
product price stability and no impairments 
to investments, and excludes any proceeds 
on the sale of businesses, mergers and 
acquisitions and purchase of spectrum. 
Capex to sales guidance excludes 
externally funded capex.

The Australian Competition and  
Consumer Commission is consulting on 
new Access Determinations including  
a draft determination on Fixed Line 
Services. While Telstra disagrees with the 
draft decision on fixed line services, the 
EBITDA reduction in FY16 would be up to 
$90 million if implemented from October.

We would like to thank the leadership 
team and all of our employees for their 
commitment, effort and initiative. We also 
thank you for your loyalty as shareholders.

Catherine Livingstone AO, Chairman

Andrew Penn, CEO

Your comments and feedback are welcome and can be provided to  
investor.relations@team.telstra.com, via phone on 1800 880 679, or in the mail  
to the Investor Relations Department, Telstra, Level 25, 242 Exhibition Street, 
Melbourne, VIC 3000.

7 Source – Critical Capabilities for Network Services, Asia/Pacific, Gartner 2015 – www.gartner.com

07

Chairman and CEO Message_

Leadership changes

On behalf of the Telstra Board, I would sincerely like to thank  
David Thodey for his contribution to our company and the Australian 
telecommunications industry.

During his 14 years with Telstra, including the last six as CEO,  
he provided incredible leadership, vision and energy as our  
industry underwent fundamental and substantial change.

With telecommunications being a critical enabler in our increasingly 
networked society, he was able to strike a balance between his 
responsibilities to protect the interests of Telstra shareholders and  
the broader need to ensure Australians can capitalise on the exciting 
possibilities that come from being connected.

David’s focus included ensuring significant and ongoing investment  
in infrastructure and new technologies. He always maintained an  
eye to the future and championed the drive to improve Australia’s focus  
on innovation through support for partnerships with educational 
institutions, governments and businesses of all sizes.

His professional skills and personal values and integrity have rightly 
earned him the deep respect of business, government and community 
stakeholders both in Australia and in many forums around the world.  
We thank him and extend our best wishes for the future.

David Thodey

In May, Andrew Penn, Telstra’s former Chief Financial Officer, became Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of  
David Thodey. Telstra’s new Chief Financial Officer, Warwick Bray, was previously the Group Managing Director of Products.  
That we were able to make these appointments from within the company is a reflection of the depth of the leadership  
talent at Telstra.

On behalf of my fellow Directors I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Geoffrey Cousins AM and John Zeglis, 
who have announced their intention to retire from the Telstra Board at our Annual General Meeting on 13 October 2015.  
Both Geoff and John joined in 2006, and have played a significant role in helping to oversee the evolution of Telstra through  
this period of substantial change. We will miss their contribution and similarly extend our best wishes to them for the future.

As part of our ongoing program of Board renewal, the Board intends to nominate US-based technology executive, investor and 
advisor Trae Vassallo, for election as a non-executive Director at our AGM in October 2015. Ms Vassallo is a strong candidate 
who, given her experience in a range of sectors and technologies of strategic interest, we expect to make an immediate 
contribution to the Telstra Board if her nomination is supported by shareholders.

The Board and leadership team have together developed comprehensive plans to enhance and expand Telstra’s capabilities  
as an increasingly global technology company and to position us for future growth.

It is a time of enormous opportunity and the ability to create, to innovate, and to stay focused on our customers will be critical  
as we pursue our aspiration to become a world class technology company.

Catherine Livingstone AO
Telstra Chairman

08

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_Telstra Annual Report 2015
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STRATEGY AND  
PERFORMANCE

We work hard to create a 
profitable business that cares  
for customers and provides 
quality products and services  
to the market.

We are also looking to the  
future, pursuing new ideas  
and innovation to serve our 
customers’ needs and succeed  
in the changing, dynamic markets 
we will face in the future.

Our strategy is focused on driving growth  
and creating long term shareholder value.  
It has three key pillars.

Our strategic priorities

• Improve customer advocacy
• Drive value from the core
• Build new growth businesses

This section outlines our progress against  
our strategic priorities over the past year,  
including some of our key achievements  
for customer advocacy, our core and  
growth businesses.

We also explore some of the challenges,  
risks and opportunities the business is  
managing now and into the future.

Adam
Customer Advisor

09

Strategy and Performance_

IMPROVE 
CUSTOMER 
ADVOCACY

Improving customer advocacy 
remains our number one priority 
at Telstra.

The better our customers feel about Telstra, 
the more likely they are to recommend 
Telstra’s products and services.

Our advocacy strategy and programs 
address the key areas we need to improve 
across our product and service offerings 
for our customers.

Our employees strive to put the customer 
at the centre of everything they do.  
We want to be known for creating 
personalised experiences for every single 
customer, whether through one of our  
digital options, over the phone, in our 
stores, or with one of our field technicians 
at our customers’ homes or offices.

We recognise there is more to do to 
improve the experience our customers 
have with Telstra. Over the past year  
we have made good progress and 
introduced a number of initiatives  
and changes that demonstrate our 
commitment to caring for customers  
and improving value.

Listening to our customers

We recognise that listening to our 
customers is critical to continuously 
improving. We ask customers about  
their experience with us so that we  
can act on that feedback. We also know 
that our customers’ views on Telstra  
go beyond their direct experiences,  
so we ask for feedback about us as  
a company. We use this feedback to  
help us work on the most important  
things to our customers.

Net Promoter System (NPS)
We use the Net Promoter System  
to measure how well we are serving  
our customers.

10

OVERALL NPS  
IMPROVEMENT

+5
52%

CUSTOMER SERVICE 
TRANSACTIONS ONLINE

INVITED MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS
to come into our stores for an  
account health check

2.3m

REGULAR USERS OF  
TELSTRA 24X7 APP

More customers managing accounts  
on digital channels

>67k

CUSTOMERS ON AVERAGE PER DAY

were sent the name and contact details of the consultant they spoke with

This approach involves us surveying 
customers in three different ways: at the 
end of a conversation/contact with Telstra, 
at the end of a series of contacts (eg moving 
house) and via external market research.

Personal service
All our front line teams are focused on 
getting it right for customers the first  
time and recovering quickly if something 
goes wrong.

On average, we receive over 30,000 
surveys including 11,000 comments  
from our customers each day. We use  
this feedback to:

• help our frontline teams learn  

how to improve their conversations  
with customers

• improve our processes

• improve our products and services.

Our overall NPS score has improved  
by five points over the past 12 months.

Customer Check-In
This year, we invited millions of customers 
to come into one of our stores for an 
account ‘health check’, to make sure their 
services with us are supporting their 
lifestyle. Customers are telling us they 
really appreciate this ‘check-in’ and being 
given the opportunity to adjust their  
plans to better suit their needs.

We are simplifying our approach  
to help customers get the best service 
experience possible.

• First contact resolution – when our 
customers contact us we aim to get  
it right, on first contact.

• Providing our name – when a consultant 
speaks with a customer, they provide 
their name and contact details so that 
the customer can follow up directly with 
them. On average, more than 67,000 
customers per day are sent an email or 
SMS with the details of the consultant 
they spoke with. Customers who speak 
to consultants at our stores or through 
LiveChat are also provided with their 
consultant’s contact details.

Strategy and Performance_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Online services
Increasingly, our customers want to engage 
with us online. Over half of all customer 
service transactions with Telstra are now 
taking place through digital channels, with 
customers appreciating the convenience 
of self-service and having the right tools 
at their fingertips.

The Telstra 24x7® App and the My Account 
portal give our customers control over 
their services. The Telstra 24x7 App has 
around 2.3 million regular users, which 
demonstrates our customers’ increasing 
preference for managing their lives on  
the go. Using these tools, customers can 
manage their data, view and pay their 
bills, purchase new products or get help 
for products and services.

We are also seeing more than 8 million 
unique visitors to Telstra.com each month 
and 350,000 customers making use of  
our live chat sessions to ask questions  
of our consultants.

To better cater to the on the go preference 
of many of our customers, we relaunched 
telstra.com to improve the digital 
experience, making it as user friendly  
on a mobile or tablet as it is from a large 
screen. Our focus is on offering choice  
and being where our customers want us  
to be, when they want to deal with us.

More value and confidence

We want our customers to enjoy using  
the services we offer with confidence.  
We recognise that customers are rapidly 
changing their habits. Similarly, new 
software and applications are changing 
the way people use our services.

We are committed to providing our 
customers with more value and the 
confidence that they won’t encounter 
unexpected usage charges.

Extra Data and Real Time alerts
In May, Telstra launched ‘Extra Data’,  
giving eligible mobile customers the 
option to receive additional data in 1GB 
blocks when they reach their monthly  
data limit for a flat rate of $10 per  
block (or part block). The feature gives 
customers greater confidence and  
control over their data use.

Extra Data works with our industry leading, 
real time data alerts, to significantly 
reduce the chance of customers receiving 
unexpectedly high bills. We were the first 
to introduce real-time mobile data usage 
alerts for post-paid mobile customers  
in Australia.

This service provides alerts to customers 
when they reach 50 per cent, 85 per cent 
and 100 per cent of their included monthly 
data allowance, to help them manage 
their data use.

Go Mobile plans
We launched new Go Mobile plans  
and Go Business Mobile plans for new 
customers and for customers who are 
changing plans, giving them more value 
with higher baseline data inclusions  
and more entertainment with bonus 
content subscriptions.

Data top ups
This year, 1.8 million consumer fixed 
broadband customers benefitted from 
data allowance top ups, as a permanent, 
free addition to their existing plans. 
Additionally, we at least doubled  
data allowances for most of our small 
business fixed broadband plans.

Mobile Protect
We launched Mobile Protect, a free  
service giving parents and carers the 
ability to closely monitor and manage  
the use of their households’ mobile 
devices on our mobile network. The service 
allows site blocking, limiting periods of 
network connection, restricting calling 
and SMS, and setting up notifications of 
activity; with complete management of 
services through My Account and the 
Telstra 24x7 App.

Telstra Travel Pass
This year, we introduced the Telstra  
Travel Pass. Travel Passes allow 
customers to make and receive unlimited 
calls, send and receive unlimited text 
messages to standard numbers and 
browse the web using an included data 
allowance while abroad. Travel Passes  
are available for more than 40 popular 
holiday destinations.

Small and medium business benefits
We have made it easier for our small  
and medium business customers to  
work on the move, with a focus on mobility, 
applications and cloud. Our Go Business 
Mobile plans allow businesses to share 
data across eligible services on their 
account and use that data with a range  
of business applications.

Telstra Thanks®
The Telstra Thanks rewards program 
continues to grow in popularity with  
our customers, with special deals and 
offers for movies, live music and sporting 
events. Our customers have accessed 
more than 4.7 million tickets or 
experiences since the launch of the  
Telstra Thanks program in 2013.

Check-In

Local Check-In invited customers  
to ‘Come in and Check-in’ with us  
face-to-face at one of our 371 stores 
across Australia. As part of the program, 
our consultants reviewed customers’ 
accounts and gave them an account 
health check, making recommendations 
as to how they could get better value 
from Telstra.

As part of Local Check-In, more  
than 460,000 customers connected  
with us across Australia during the  
financial year. In parallel, we ran  
the Work in Store program, where  
more than 1,200 Telstra employees  
from different parts of the business 
spent a day working in a local store  
to help serve our customers and 
support our retail teams.

Isabella, Jean Margaret  
Telstra Store Brookside

11

Strategy and Performance_

DRIVE  
VALUE FROM  
THE CORE

Andrew  
Field Technician  
Team Leader

280k

7.3%

MORE CUSTOMERS
on bundled plans

RETAIL FIXED  
DATA REVENUE

SUBURBS AND TOWNS

1,200 Ultra fast 4GX™ available now
TELSTRA AIR®

SIGNED  
REVISED NBN 
AGREEMENTS

Launched Australia’s  
largest Wi-Fi network

664k

RETAIL MOBILE 
CUSTOMER  
SERVICES
TOTAL OF 16.7m

4G SERVICE

NOW REACHING 94%
of the Australian population

With mobile connectivity a key part  
of modern life, the availability of high 
speed mobile services has expanded 
significantly. Our 4G service now reaches 
94 per cent of the Australian population. 
We have also expanded the reach of  
4GX, with the service now available in  
over 1,200 suburbs and towns.

4GX is based on Telstra’s newly acquired 
700MHz spectrum band and delivers 
higher typical mobile download speeds 
and better in-building 4G coverage on 
compatible devices in 4GX areas. This allows 
more Australians to experience ultra-fast 
mobile internet and gives our customers  
a better experience.

In June, we were selected to participate in 
one of the largest ever expansions of mobile 
coverage in regional and remote Australia, 
through the Federal Government’s Mobile 
Black Spot Programme.

We will build 429 new 3G/4G towers  
over the next three years and a further 250 
4G data only small cells, representing a 
combined investment of more than $340 
million in regional and remote Australia  
by Telstra, the Federal Government and 
several State and Local Governments.

Making Wi-Fi more accessible
In June, we also launched Australia’s 
largest Wi-Fi Network, Telstra Air®, which 
gives Telstra home broadband customers8 
the ability to use their broadband allowance 
at thousands of hotspots in Australia  
and millions of hotspots overseas.

The Telstra Air Network® in Australia 
comprises Telstra built Wi-Fi hotspots at 
selected payphone sites and retail stores, 
as well as hotspots created by our Telstra 
Air members, known as ‘homespots’.

Uniquely in Australia, Telstra Air member’s 
homespots are created using innovative 
Wi-Fi sharing technology which sees 
members share a piece of their home 
broadband bandwidth and in return gain 
access to the Telstra Air Network.

Telstra has reached a number of deals 
with local governments to bring Telstra Air 
to civic spaces and will start to roll out 
hundreds of additional public hotspots  
in the first half of FY16.

We have also joined exclusively with  
world leading Wi-Fi provider Fon to allow 
Telstra Air members to access their  
home broadband allowance at more  
than 16 million Fon hotspots overseas.

To continue to grow our  
revenue and our customer  
base, we are focused on driving 
value from our core including 
through network leadership  
and simplifying the business.

Our core refers to our key domestic 
products, services and costs that make  
up the bulk of our business today.

Investing in network superiority

Telstra’s customers have come to rely  
on our networks to connect them to the 
people and things they love.

We recently announced a further increase 
to our mobile network investment with  
the aim of providing our customers with 
the best possible network experience.

We will increase our total capex 
investments to 15 per cent of sales for  
the next two years, providing over half  
a billion dollars more for investment in  
our mobile services. In total, over the  
three years to June 2017, we expect to 
have invested more than $5 billion into 
Telstra’s leading mobile network.

Increasing coverage across Australia
Our mobile network remains the  
largest and most reliable mobile  
network in Australia and now covers  
over 2.4 million square kilometres  
of the Australian landmass and 99.3  
per cent of the Australian population.  
We pride ourselves on delivering a world 
class mobile network experience for our 
customers and our focus is on extending 
and enhancing the network’s capability  
to deliver reliability, performance and 
functionality for our customers.

Our core network not only supports 
Telstra’s services, but underpins the 
operations of some of Australia’s largest 
organisations.

8 With an eligible gateway device.

12

Strategy and Performance_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Customer and revenue growth

Our network superiority and customer 
advocacy initiatives continue to attract 
new customers. With an increasing 
appetite for data, our higher value  
plans with increased data allowances  
are becoming even more attractive  
to customers.

We had another strong year in the  
mobiles product portfolio, with the 
strongest revenue growth in four years. 
Retail customer services increased  
by 664,000, bringing the total number  
to 16.7 million.

With the expansion of our 4G network 
there are now 7.7 million 4G devices on 
our network.

While there was continued decline in  
the number of fixed voice services, this 
decline was the lowest seen in five years, 
driven by successful bundling of our fixed 
products. The total number of customers 
on a bundled plan increased by 280,000  
to 2.2 million, or 71 per cent of the retail 
fixed data customer base.

Retail fixed data revenue increased  
7.3 per cent due to increased subscriber 
growth and higher average revenue per 
user. We now have 3.1 million retail fixed 
data customers, an increase of 189,000.

NBN

The revised NBN Definitive Agreements 
we reached with NBN Co and the 
Commonwealth to support a multi-
technology model for the NBN have  
now come into effect. While these were 
finalised, NBN Co continued to deploy  
its fibre-to-the-premise network in  
parts of Australia, as well as their fixed 
wireless network in regional areas.

Telstra is Australia’s leading provider of 
consumer and business services on the 
NBN fibre-to-the-premises network. As the 
NBN roll-out continues, we are seeing good 
momentum. As at 30 June 2015 we had 
211,000 NBN connections, made up of 
161,000 voice and data bundles, 9,000 
data only and 41,000 voice only services. 
These customers now have access to 
higher speeds, which is driving increased 
use of video streaming, as well as helping 
businesses take advantage of online sales, 
cloud computing and video collaboration.

In the first areas where NBN Co built  
its fibre-to-the-premise network, the 
migration of eligible services has taken 
place and the disconnection of Telstra’s 
legacy copper and HFC networks has 
occurred. This represents a fundamental 
change in industry structure and a  
lot of work has gone into ensuring the 
migration of services to the NBN has 
occurred with minimum disruption.

Across the sector, the experience of 
Australian consumers and businesses 
adopting an NBN service is not a 
consistently positive one. Telstra has 
developed a number of initiatives to 
improve the experience of Telstra 
customers connecting to the NBN, such  
as giving consumer customers greater 
flexibility through a simple Self Install  
Kit for connecting on NBN fibre and 
establishing an NBN customer service 
centre of excellence in Hobart.

These initiatives have underpinned  
a significant increase in customer 
advocacy scores for our NBN services  
year-on-year. We look forward to  
continued improvements in this area, 
which should be helped by changes to  
the Migration Plan that were recently 
accepted by the Australian Competition 
and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Simplifying the business

The rate of technology innovation  
is accelerating and changing the  
face of our industry. Simplifying our 
business is therefore a critical  
component of our strategic agenda,  
both in removing complexity from  
our core, and being more adaptable  
and responsive to market needs.

Our simplification strategy is centred on 
driving customer advocacy, productivity 
and organisational agility through 
simplified processes, products, systems 
and networks.

Enhancing the customer experience
We continued to roll out our multi-year 
Digital First program, aimed at using 
digital tools throughout the company  
to improve the speed and quality of  
the service we offer to customers.  
The program included:

• significant customer experience 

improvements for our Global Enterprise 
and Services and Telstra Business 
Managed Customers in the way  
they manage invoices through the 
enhancement of T Analyst®, our online 
billing and reporting tool

• with the launch of Contextual Care,  

some new ADSL customers can scan  
a unique QR code to instantly receive 
personalised help via a 24x7 tailored 
self-service mobile support website.

Simplifying our products
We saw significant cost savings as  
a result of our product and platform 
simplification agenda, where we  
removed under utilised products,  
exited unused applications, and  
simplified our pricing plans and parts  
of our IT and network infrastructure.

Telstra Air

At launch, Telstra switched on more  
than 4,000 hotspots in more than  
250 towns and cities across Australia.

How to log on
Eligible Telstra home broadband 
customers with an ADSL, Cable or NBN 
connection and a compatible gateway 
can become members of Telstra Air. 
More than a million home broadband 
customers already have a Telstra  
Air-ready gateway so can join the  
Telstra Air Network if they wish to do so.

After they are enrolled to use the service, 
customers can use the Telstra Air App 
(available on iOS and Android devices). 
Customers are able to locate and 
automatically connect to their nearest 
Telstra Air hotspot in Australia or Fon Spot 
when travelling overseas. Customers can 
find out more, including information on 
compatible gateways at telstra.com/air.

13

Strategy and Performance_

BUILD NEW  
GROWTH  
BUSINESSES

>$1.2b

INVESTED IN ACQUISITIONS
including a controlling stake  
in 15 new businesses

OOYALA

increased ownership
NOW 97.3%

TELKOMTELSTRA  
Launched our joint venture  
with Telkom Indonesia

Jason
GM Innovation & Strategy

ACQUIRED  
PACNET  
LIMITED
expanding our  
reach in Asia

LAUNCHED  
TELSTRA  
HEALTH™

Asia

Our Asian growth strategy has three 
pillars: to leverage Telstra’s strong 
foundation of connectivity in the  
region to deliver integrated solutions  
to enterprise and wholesale carrier 
customers; to pursue deeper in-country 
investment opportunities in mobility  
and connectivity; and to bring a suite of 
innovative new software based solutions 
to market over the longer term, through 
targeted investments in the region.

We provide wholesale and enterprise 
customers with a wide range of end- 
to-end solutions across data, voice, 
satellite and managed network services. 
Through our strategic investments,  
we now have the largest subsea cable 
network in Asia Pacific, with licences 
in Asia, Europe and the Americas and  
we facilitate access to more than 2,000 
Points of Presence around the world.  
We also have a 54.3 per cent stake in 
Autohome, the leading online destination 
for car buyers in China.

Pacnet
In April 2015, we substantially extended 
our reach and asset base in Asia by 
completing the acquisition of Pacnet 
Limited, a provider of connectivity, managed 
services and data centre services to 
carriers, multinational corporations and 
governments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pacnet increases the scale and scope  
of our international connectivity assets.

The completed acquisition doubles 
Telstra’s customers in Asia, and greatly 
increases our network reach and data 
centre capabilities.

The Pacnet Business Services joint 
venture in China offers IP VPN connectivity 
services and together with state-of-the-
art data centres in Tianjin and Chongqing, 
will enable us to provide a seamless 
service offering to our customers in  
and out of China.

telkomtelstra
Our joint venture with Telkom Indonesia, 
telkomtelstra launched in May 2015,  
with a suite of NAS solutions aimed at 
domestic enterprises and multinationals 
operating in Indonesia.

Emerging opportunities

Telstra Health
Telstra Health was formally launched as a 
standalone business unit in October 2014 
and is working to become Australia’s 
leading provider of integrated eHealth 
solutions. We are creating new solutions 
that leverage Telstra’s existing strengths in 
connectivity and build on our investment 
in successful eHealth companies.

Our strategy for our growth 
businesses is designed to  
realise opportunities in new 
portfolios and to pursue growth 
opportunities that leverage  
our existing strengths.

The strategy focuses on our Network 
Applications and Services (NAS) portfolio, 
Asian growth and longer term growth 
opportunities such as Telstra Health, 
Telstra Media, the Telstra Software  
Group (TSG) and Telstra Ventures.

Network Applications & Services 
(NAS)

The NAS portfolio provides our business, 
enterprise and government customers  
in Australia and internationally with 
managed network services, collaboration 
and security services along with a range  
of software as a service solutions.

With another year of strong growth,  
we continued to make progress in  
growing scale and regional capabilities 
while making progress improving 
profitability for our NAS business,  
with revenue growth of 23.2 per cent.

During the year we established 
partnerships with leading global 
technology partners like Cisco,  
Amazon Web Services, VMware and  
IBM to expand our cloud services  
and deliver future innovation.

We also acquired Bridge Point, one  
of Queensland’s leading providers of 
information, security, networking and  
data management solutions as part  
of our strategy to accelerate Telstra’s 
expertise in emerging technologies.

14

Strategy and Performance_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Digital media
Telstra is Australia’s leading aggregator  
of entertainment products, including 
subscription TV, streaming video, music, 
and leading sport and news content 
across all fixed and mobile platforms.  
This year, we saw solid growth of our 
premium television product, Foxtel from 
Telstra, with a 18.4 per cent increase in 
subscribers driven by the introduction  
of new $25 Entertainment packs and  
the new iQ3 set top box.

Our goal is for Telstra to lead the  
industry in giving customers a great 
content experience. We want to do this  
by not only aggregating great content,  
but also providing the broadest content 
experience of any Australian provider. 
Rather than restrict our customers’ 
choices, we are open to hosting all 
Subscription Video on Demand services 
on our platforms and making it easy  
for them to get all the content they want  
in the one place.

Growth also continued across key  
content areas, particularly in our AFL  
and NRL digital sports properties  
where live video views increased by  
over 70 per cent and 100 per cent 
respectively in the past year.

We partnered with the three major 
streaming video providers – Presto,  
Stan^^^ and Netflix@ – and agreed a 
partnership with the market leader  
in streaming entertainment devices, 
Roku^^, to launch Telstra TV™ our next 
generation of streaming device, in the  
new year.

We also recently announced we would 
give Australian music fans a great music 
experience as the only telco in Australia  
to offer a 12 month membership to  
Apple Music^.

By partnering with the health sector,  
our aim is for these new solutions to  
bring the digital revolution to healthcare.

Telstra Health made a number of 
additional acquisitions and investments 
during the year, including global health 
analytics firm Dr Foster, aged care 
software vendor iCare Health, hospital 
software vendor Emerging Systems,  
GP desktop and hospital software  
vendor CloudMed.

We also recently launched ReadyCare™,  
a joint venture between Telstra and  
Swiss telemedicine provider, Medgate. 
ReadyCare is a GP telemedicine service 
that gives Australians the choice to 
connect to a GP 24/7 via phone or video  
to receive advice, diagnosis, treatment  
and prescriptions.

This means Telstra Health now offers 
solutions for primary care, aged and 
residential care, hospitals, radiology and 
pathology, pharmacy, Indigenous care, 
specialists, analytics and telemedicine.

In addition to these investments and 
acquisitions, the business has been able 
to bring a number of new solutions to 
market to solve key health challenges.

Telstra Software Group (TSG)
Software will continue to be a key  
focus area as we drive our growth for  
the future in new technologies and  
new technology companies.

The TSG aims to create long term global 
growth in markets adjacent to Telstra’s  
core business, where software disrupts 
traditional business models.

Ooyala
A key milestone for TSG was the 
acquisition of Ooyala, a Silicon Valley-
based leader in video streaming and 
analytics. Ooyala has a fast growing  
global customer base of large-scale 
broadcasters, operators, media companies, 
enterprises and high profile enterprises 
that use Ooyala to build more engaged 
and more profitable audiences.

We increased our investment in Ooyala, 
building on the stake already held by 
Telstra Ventures Group. Our ownership 
interest is now 97.3 per cent. We have 
since enhanced Ooyala’s capability by 
acquiring Videoplaza, with its video  
ad-serving platforms and programmatic 
trading solutions, and Nativ, which  
offers cloud based media logistics and 
workflow software.

muru-D®
Another key priority for Telstra is to  
foster technology innovation. Our start-up 
accelerator program, muru-D, a subsidiary 
of TSG, identifies and supports start-ups 
to create valuable technology products 
and services through a six month 
acceleration program, with muru-D taking 
a small equity stake in each start-up.

Building on the great success of the 
inaugural program, our second group  
of start-ups graduated in May, with  
all teams securing paying customers.

In April, muru-D launched in Singapore, 
aspiring to attract the region’s best  
digital talent and the successful  
start-ups will commence the program  
in September 2015.

Telstra Ventures
Telstra Ventures, our corporate venture 
capital group founded in 2011, continued 
to invest in breakthrough companies that 
are strategically important to Telstra. 
Telstra Ventures invests in high growth 
opportunities offering technology and 
solutions that leverage Telstra’s assets 
and enable us to offer new products  
and services to our customers.

For example, we work with Whispir***  
and DocuSign to sell their products  
into Telstra’s business, enterprise and 
government customer base. During the 
year, we made nine new investments. 
Telstra Ventures’ portfolio now consists  
of investments in 20 companies in 
Australia, the United States and Asia.

Globecast Australia
Telstra acquired Globecast Australia  
in June 2015, as part of our strategy  
to develop deeper capabilities in media 
services for the global broadcast industry. 
Globecast Australia has specific 
capabilities in the delivery of media 
services, over both satellite and fibre  
as well as strong linkages between its 
domestic networking capabilities and 
international points of media connectivity.

Globecast Australia also provides the 
innovative Globecam live point of view 
camera at sporting events, Direct to  
Home satellite transmission, IPTV 
managed services, IP streaming, encoding 
and satellite management services.

MyCareManager

In April 2015, Telstra Health launched 
MyCareManager, an integrated  
eHealth product designed to help 
disability, community and residential 
aged care providers deliver innovative 
services and information from a 
distance. MyCareManager allows 
clients, family members and carers  
to be more involved in the treatment 
and monitoring of illness or injury 
through an online portal, telemonitoring 
through wireless health devices and 
video conferencing. It allows carers to 
better utilise clinic-based specialists, 
manage chronic disease and reduce 
staff travel while helping clients to 
engage in their own care and remain at 
home for longer. For more information 
visit, www.mycaremanager.com.au.

15

Strategy and Performance_

OUR MATERIAL 
BUSINESS  
RISKS

Mick
General Counsel  
Finance & Strategy

Telstra operates in a rapidly 
changing environment 
characterised by profound 
change in the way people 
connect and communicate.

Our industry is dynamic and growing,  
with network traffic increasing rapidly and 
the continued evolution of technologies 
and markets. These trends contribute to 
the different risks that pose a challenge  
to achieving our strategic objectives, 
including our growth ambitions and future 
financial performance. The following 
describes the material risks that could 
affect Telstra, including any material 
exposure to economic, environmental  

and social sustainability risks, and  
how we seek to mitigate or manage  
them. These risks are not listed in  
order of significance, nor are they all 
encompassing. Rather, they reflect the 
most significant risks identified at a 
whole-of-entity level. We have identified 
these risks through our risk management 
process. Further detail about our risk 
management process is set out in the 
Governance at Telstra section.

Material Business Risk and Key Drivers

Management Plans

Business Model

The risk that we are not able to respond to technology and market 
developments in a productive and cost-effective way. Our exposure  
to this risk is increasing due to changing market conditions,  
including accelerated technology advancements, increasing customer 
expectations of performance, and competitors with disruptive and 
simpler business models in both domestic and global markets.

Our strategy involves a combination of driving efficiencies in our business, 
monitoring new and disruptive technologies, and actively investing in 
innovation and technology-driven business opportunities. To improve 
our responsiveness and agility, and rationalise our cost base, we are 
undertaking a multi-year portfolio of work that focuses on simplifying 
our systems, processes and technology. We are also focused on 
developing our capability to innovate internally, while accessing and 
acquiring the required people capability, technology innovations and 
business models through our relationships with key suppliers, joint 
venture partners and acquisitions. This includes addressing capability 
and capacity requirements to succeed in critical growth areas, such as 
the NBN and health.

Business Resilience

The risk of disruption to the services we provide to our customers  
due to factors such as rapidly growing demand and reliance on 
telecommunications services, greater exposure to complex 
international networks, and external shocks, such as extreme  
weather events and natural disasters. Sustained or significant 
disruption to our services can have significant impacts on  
our customers and the communities we serve, and could also 
significantly affect our corporate reputation.

We are developing and maintaining our capability to anticipate,  
prevent, withstand, respond to and recover from events that can  
disrupt services to our customers. Key areas of focus include: business 
continuity management, technology and network service continuity, 
incident management and emergency management. These activities  
are centrally governed by our Business Resilience Team who seek  
to ensure we continue to meet our operational needs while taking 
advantage of opportunities to grow our business.

Data Management

The risk of collecting, using or managing customer and corporate  
data in a way that is inconsistent with our regulatory obligations or 
doesn’t meet the expectations of our customers. This is a growing  
risk as our business changes, data volumes grow, cyber-security  
threats become more dynamic, and some data sets converge.  
Failure to manage our customer and corporate data can result  
in significant reputational, financial and regulatory implications.  
It can also damage the trust our customers have in us to keep their 
information secure.

We have implemented a number of company-wide controls to manage 
this risk, including in relation to data security and privacy compliance. 
We have mandatory data security awareness training for our staff  
and business partners, as well as mandatory vendor compliance with 
our data security requirements. We continually review and update the 
security controls on our network, based on known security threats and 
the latest intelligence. We also have a group-wide program of work to 
support compliance with our privacy obligations, which is underpinned 
by our privacy policy and mandatory privacy training. Additionally, we are 
working to improve our governance and decision making processes with 
regard to the use of customer and corporate data. Further information 
on how we manage privacy and data protection is provided under 
‘Customer Experience’ in the Sustainability section.

16

Strategy and Performance_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Material Business Risk and Key Drivers

Management Plans

Regulatory Environment

The emergence of unfavourable regulatory requirements resulting  
in increased complexity and cost of doing business.

Telstra is heavily regulated in Australia and as people are increasingly 
relying on telecommunications the risk of regulatory intervention  
on issues such as consumer protection, service and competition 
remains high.

New regulation and enforcement of existing regulation could 
significantly affect our revenues and costs, pricing and product  
strategy, or result in an additional compliance burden that hampers  
our capacity to operate in line with our strategy.

Executing our strategy could also heighten this risk as it creates  
new exposure from governments and regulators in new jurisdictions 
and less familiar regulatory environments, both domestically and 
internationally.

National Broadband Network

Risks related to successfully transitioning and serving our customers  
in an ‘NBN world’.

Transitioning to the NBN exposes us to increased competition from 
retail service providers and new and powerful ‘over the top competitors’ 
in the longer term. Our exposure to this risk has also increased as  
a result of NBN Co’s adoption of the multi-technology model and its 
faster planned rollout.

 This risk can result in a potential loss in market share, increased  
costs and delivery of a poor customer experience.

People Capability

The risk that we do not have the capability to drive value from our  
core and build new growth businesses.

As we move from a largely Australian telecommunications business  
to a multi-faceted technology company with a global focus, the 
capability of our people will need to change.

In our core business, we need to be able to simplify our business  
and deliver innovative products and services. In growth areas,  
our people capabilities are a critical enabler to achieving our growth  
targets and realising the benefits of our mergers, acquisitions and  
joint venture activities.

Reputation and Communication

The risk that we do not effectively protect and enhance our reputation.

Telstra’s reputation with customers and in the community is one of  
our most valuable assets, but a significant reputational issue could 
quickly erode our position with long term consequences.

If not managed effectively, a reputational issue can result in  
heightened government or regulatory scrutiny and intervention,  
act as a disincentive to investors, undermine our performance in 
achieving customer advocacy, and create employee disruption  
and engagement issues.

Our risk management strategy is focused on limiting the adverse 
consequences of existing and new regulations so that we can meet  
the needs of our customers in a way that is efficient and minimises 
compliance costs.

We proactively develop relationships with relevant regulatory 
stakeholders and policy makers, community groups and industry.  
In particular, we engage with: ACCC and Australian Communications 
and Media Authority on the scope and outcomes from regulation,  
with all our stakeholders on regulatory reform opportunities, and  
with government in a way that seeks to achieve optimal policy and 
regulatory decisions.

We’re also focused on developing our relationships with  
government and regulators in jurisdictions outside of Australia  
where Telstra operates.

To remain competitive and reduce our costs we are focused  
on simplifying our systems, processes and technology. We have 
programs in place to enhance our customer engagement and to  
deliver innovative NBN products and services for our customers  
so we can differentiate ourselves from our competitors.

We are actively focused on adapting and scaling our business so  
we can cost-effectively deliver services under the multi-technology 
model NBN.

We are focused on delivering the capabilities required to simplify  
our business, transition to an NBN operating environment and extract 
value from our core. Key capabilities include the areas of IT network 
simplification, product development and data analytics.

In terms of building new growth businesses, we are focused on 
delivering the capabilities required for our Health business, enterprise 
managed services, software application integration and development, 
and international growth.

In international markets, we are setting up mobility and remuneration 
policies and practices that better attract talented people from around 
the world. We have established an experienced recruitment team in 
Asia and identified recruitment partners who are able to help us access 
international talent.

Further information on how we attract and retain capable employees  
so we can better serve our customers is provided in ‘Our People’ in the 
Sustainability section.

We know that the link between our reputation and customer  
advocacy is strong so we continue to foster relationships with our  
key stakeholders, operate at best practice in issues management,  
build our reputation through ongoing promotion of positive activity,  
and leverage our technology and expertise to make positive 
contributions to the community.

Our core strategy is to build robust working relationships with key 
decision and opinion makers and ensure clear, consistent messages  
are delivered in a way that maximises the potential of positive  
outcomes and minimises the risk of reputational harm.

We have recently created the position of Chief Social Officer, who  
is responsible for enhancing the way in which we communicate  
and engage with our stakeholders through the use of social media.

Further information on how we make positive contributions to  
the community, including minimising our environmental impacts,  
is provided in ‘Connecting Communities’ and ‘Environmental 
Stewardship’ in the Sustainability section.

17

Strategy and Performance_

OUTLOOK

Our vision is to make Telstra a world class technology 
company that empowers people to connect.

We remain committed to implementing our strategy,  
to improve advocacy among customers, to drive value  
from the core of our business, and to invest in and build  
new growth businesses.

Customer advocacy remains our first 
priority. We know we don’t always get it 
right, which is why we are focused on 
improving both our service interactions 
and the value we offer in our products  
and services. We will listen and respond  
to the feedback our customers provide 
and work on the things that are most 
important to them.

The telecommunications industry is 
changing, which in Australia includes  
the structural change of the industry  
as we transition to the NBN. Within this 
dynamic environment, we remain 
committed to improving the service  
we provide to our customers.

We operate in a competitive landscape 
and we will need to continually invest  
and improve to maintain our advantage. 
We are committed to maintaining our 
network leadership and the quality of 
services across our network, on which  
our customers rely. We want to offer 
superior experiences for what matters 
most to customers – coverage, call  
and speed reliability, fewer drop outs  
and the reliable delivery of video.

Investment in our mobile network  
will be accelerated further, providing  
an additional half a billion for mobiles 
over the next two years. Over the three 
years to June 2017, we expect to have 
invested more than $5 billion into our 
leading mobile network.

We will continue to expand our 4G 
footprint to 99 per cent of the population, 
bringing coverage to more communities 
across rural and regional Australia.

Simplifying our business will remain  
a key focus.

Our focus on simplification, execution,  
and agility is critical for us in order to 
stay competitive and to make it easier for 
our customers to interact with us through 
all our channels, including on our digital 
platforms. Our simplification strategy is 
centred on driving customer advocacy, 
productivity, and organisational agility 
through simplified processes, products, 
systems and networks.

Growing our business in Asia and 
internationally is an important priority  
for the business and we will continue  
to leverage our core capabilities and  
look for new opportunities.

We will continue to build our NAS 
business, where profitability continues  
to improve, driven by portfolio growth, 
scalable standardised offerings and  
a global, lower cost delivery model.

We will also continue to identify  
and invest in key emerging trends  
and build on our growing portfolio of 
investments, including in Telstra Health, 
the Telstra Software Group and Telstra 
Ventures, to drive growth opportunities 
where long term shareholder value  
can be created.

18

_Te_Te_Te_TeTTe_Te_ lstlstlstlststststlstlsttlstttstlstra ra arara raarara aaaaraa AAAnnAnnAnnAnnAnnAnnAnnnAnnnnA ualualaualualualalual ReReReReRRReReReR porporpororororpoporrrrrporp t 2t 2t t t 2t 2t t 2tt 2015015015015115150
_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Jaime Lee
Head of Cloud Practice

19
19

FULL YEAR  
RESULTS AND  
OPERATIONS REVIEW

Reported results

Summary financial results

Our financial year 2015 results 
demonstrate that our strategy is  
working. Customer advocacy has 
improved, we continued to invest  
and drive value from our core business 
and we have laid the foundations  
for sustainable growth in our new 
businesses.

The numbers and commentary in  
the product, expense and segment 
performance sections have been  
prepared on a continuing operations  
basis and align with the statutory 
financial statements. This means that  
the results from CSL New World Mobility 
Limited (“CSL”), sold in the prior year,  
are included in the financial year 2014 
comparatives. Results from the  
70 per cent stake in our Sensis directories 
business, also sold in the prior year,  
are classified as a discontinued operation 
and as such are not included in the 
comparatives. The financial position 
section has been prepared on a  
continuing and discontinued operations 
basis (that is, they include the results  
of the Sensis directories business),  
unless otherwise noted.

20

Sales revenue

Total income (excluding finance income)

Operating expenses

Share of net profit from joint ventures  
and associated entities

FY15

$m

25,845

26,607

15,881

FY14

Change

$m

25,119

26,296

15,185

%

2.9

1.2

4.6

19

24

(20.8)

EBITDA

10,745

11,135

Depreciation and amortisation

EBIT

Net finance costs

Income tax

Profit for the period from  
continuing operations

Profit/(loss) for the period from 
discontinued operation

Profit for the period from continuing  
and discontinued operations

Profit attributable to equity holders  
of Telstra

Capex(i)

Free cashflow from continuing  
and discontinued operations(ii)

Earnings per share (cents)

3,983

6,762

689

1,787

4,286

3,950

7,185

957

1,679

4,549

19

(204)

4,305

4,345

4,231

3,589

2,619

34.5

4,275

3,661

7,483

34.4

(3.5)

0.8

(5.9)

(28.0)

6.4

(5.8)

n/m

(0.9)

(1.0)

(2.0)

(65.0)

0.3

(i)    Capex is defined as additions to property, equipment and intangible assets including capital lease additions,  

excluding expenditure on spectrum, measured on an accrued basis. Excludes externally funded capex.

(ii)    Free cashflow in the prior period includes the sale of CSL ($2,107 million) and 70 per cent of our Sensis directories 

business ($454 million).

n/m = not meaningful.

Results on a guidance basis(i)

Total income growth(ii)

EBITDA growth

Capex/sales ratio

Free cashflow

FY15

FY15 guidance

2.3%

2.0%

Broadly flat

Broadly flat

13.9%

~ 14% of sales

$5.0 billion

$4.6 – $5.1 billion

(i)  

  This guidance assumed wholesale product price stability, no impairments to investments, excluded any 
proceeds on the sale of businesses, mergers and acquisitions and purchase of spectrum. The FY15 guidance 
excluded the FY14 CSL profit on sale of $561m from FY14 Income and EBITDA. Please refer to the guidance 
versus reported results reconciliation on page 180. This reconciliation has been reviewed by our auditors.

(ii)  Excludes finance income.

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Guidance versus reported results(i)

FY15

FY15

FY15

FY14

Reported 
results $m

Adjustments 
$m

Guidance 
basis $m

Guidance 
basis $m

Total income(ii)

EBITDA

Free cashflow

26,607

10,745

2,619(iii)

(288)

37

2,400

26,319

10,782

5,019

25,735

10,574

4,922

(i)  

  This guidance assumed wholesale product price stability, no impairments to investments, excluded  
any proceeds on the sale of businesses, mergers and acquisitions and purchase of spectrum. The FY15 
guidance excluded the FY14 CSL profit on sale of $561m from FY14 Income and EBITDA. Please refer to  
the guidance versus reported results reconciliation on page 180. This reconciliation has been reviewed  
by our auditors.

(ii)  Excludes finance income.
(iii)  The difference between our reported free cashflow and free cashflow on a guidance basis is mainly due  

to spectrum payments of $1,302 million and M&A activity of $1,151 million.

On 13 August 2015, the Directors of Telstra resolved to pay a fully franked final  
dividend of 15.5 cents per share. Shares will trade excluding entitlement to the  
dividend on 25 August 2015 with payment on 25 September 2015.

Segment performance

We report segment information on the same basis as our internal management reporting 
structure as at reporting date. Segment comparatives reflect organisational changes 
that have occurred since the prior reporting period to present a like-for-like view.

Segment total income

2%
2%
10%

21%

65%

FY15

$m

Telstra Retail

Global Enterprise and Services

Telstra Wholesale

Telstra Operations

Other

FY14

Change

$m

Telstra Retail

17,252

 16,383

Global Enterprise and Services

Telstra Wholesale

Telstra Operations

Other (excluding Sensis)

5,674

2,586

424

671

 5,257

 2,328

289

2,039

Total Telstra segments (excluding Sensis)

26,607

 26,296

Other – Sensis

–

552

Total Telstra segments

26,607

26,848

%

5.3

7.9

11.1

46.7

(67.1)

1.2

n/m

(0.9)

Alisha  
Contact Centre Capability Lead

Telstra Retail
Telstra Retail brings together our key retail 
businesses including Telstra Consumer, 
Telstra Business, Telstra Media Group and 
Telstra Health™. Telstra Retail provides  
a full range of telecommunications 
products, services and solutions to 
consumer customers and to Australia’s 
small to medium sized enterprises,  
as well as the provision of Foxtel and 
digital content services. Income in  
this segment grew by 5.3 per cent to 
$17,252 million and EBITDA increased  
by 0.9 per cent to $9,449 million.

We saw strong growth in our Consumer 
business unit with income growing  
by 6.5 per cent. As a result of the 
continued focus on customer advocacy 
and innovative new products and plans 
introduced during the year, we saw good 
growth in mobiles and fixed data with 
post-paid handheld average revenue per 
user (ARPU) increasing by 6.3 per cent to 
$61.72 and an increase of 158,000 fixed 
data subscribers. In Telstra Business, 
income grew by 2.9 per cent driven  
by a 3.3 per cent growth in mobile  
services revenue, revenue from unified 
communications, cloud hosted solutions 
and contributions from TSM (formerly  
SNP Security) and AFN Solutions which 
were acquired during the first half of  
the year. Telstra Health also contributed 
income of $78 million.

21

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

Global Enterprise and Services
Global Enterprise and Services (GES)  
is responsible for sales and contract 
management support for business and 
government customers in Australia and 
globally. It provides product management 
for advanced technology solutions 
including data and IP networks,  
and NAS products such as managed 
networks, unified communications,  
cloud, industry solutions and integrated 
services. GES provides technical delivery 
support for all NAS customers globally 
and the recently formed Telstra Software 
Group and its acquisitions also form  
part of GES.

Income for GES increased by 7.9 per cent 
to $5,674 million due to strong growth in 
NAS and enterprise mobility in Australia, 
our international GES customers (GES 
Global) and Telstra Software. GES EBITDA 
declined by 1.7 per cent to $2,439 million 
largely due to the ongoing change in 
product mix from higher profit carriage  
to lower profit NAS products and  
GES Global businesses, along with  
the negative EBITDA impact from the 
Telstra Software Group acquisitions  
which are businesses in their early  
stages. The NAS profitability margin 
continued its trend of improvement in 
FY15 driven by scalable standardised 
offerings, a lower cost delivery model  
and operational leverage.

Telstra Wholesale
Telstra Wholesale is responsible  
for the provision of a wide range of 
telecommunication products and  
services delivered over Telstra networks 
and associated support systems to  
non-Telstra branded carriers, carriage 
service providers and internet service 
providers. Wholesale income grew  
by 11.1 per cent to $2,586 million.  
This was largely driven by an increase  
in NBN infrastructure receipts which  
have increased in line with the NBN 
rollout. EBITDA contribution increased  
by 12.7 per cent to $2,398 million.

Telstra Operations
Telstra Operations is primarily a service 
delivery centre supporting the revenue 
generating activities of other segments.  
It also has NBN and property revenue.  
The EBITDA contribution improved by  
4.4 per cent with increases in NBN and 
property revenue and reductions in  
labour expenses, partially offset by  
higher service contracts to support new 
business growth and NBN related works.

Other
Our Other segment includes the costs  
of corporate centre functions, receipts 
received under certain NBN agreements, 
adjustments to employee provisions for 
bond rate movements and short term 
incentives, and redundancy expenses  
for the parent entity. It also includes  
China digital media results.

22

Product performance

Product sales revenue breakdown

Key product revenue

Fixed

Mobile

Data and IP

NAS

27%

8%

4%

11%

9%

41%

Fixed

Mobile

NAS

Data & IP

Media

Other

FY15

$m

6,944

10,651

2,883

2,418

FY14

Change

$m

7,076

9,668

2,968

1,963

%

(1.9)

10.2

(2.9)

23.2

Product profitability EBITDA margins(i)

Mobile

Fixed voice(ii)

Fixed data(ii)

Data and IP

FY15

FY14

2H15

1H15

%

40

55

41

64

%

40

59

41

65

%

40

54

39

65

%

40

56

42

64

(i)  The data in this table includes minor adjustments to historic numbers to reflect changes in product hierarchy.
(ii)  Margins include NBN voice and data products.

Fixed
Our fixed portfolio offers fast and reliable broadband, clear and reliable calling, 
premium entertainment and expert technology advice through our Telstra Platinum® 
service. We are also creating Australia’s largest Wi-Fi network, Telstra Air®, to provide 
Australians’ connectivity in and out of the home.

Total fixed revenue declined by 1.9 per cent to $6,944 million. While fixed voice  
revenue decreased by 7.1 per cent to $3,746 million, fixed data revenue increased by  
7.3 per cent to $2,379 million. Fixed voice revenue decline continues to moderate as a 
result of a strong focus on customer retention. The pace of disconnections was stable 
compared to the prior year with retail fixed voice line loss of 264,000, taking total retail 
fixed voice customers to 6.0 million. This was partly offset by additional wholesale lines 
of 53,000. Fixed voice ARPU decline was consistent with the prior year, decreasing by 
4.3 per cent to $42.05.

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

The increase in fixed data revenue was a result of subscriber growth. ARPU was flat  
in a competitive environment. We now have 3.1 million retail fixed data subscribers, an 
increase of 189,000 during the year. The total number of customers taking up a bundle 
has also increased by 280,000 and there are now 2.2 million customers on a bundled 
plan, or 71 per cent of the retail fixed data customer base. This increase was driven by 
the success of our bundled offerings which were refreshed during the year to deliver 
more value for our customers.

As the NBN roll-out continues, we are seeing good momentum. As at 30 June 2015 we 
had 211,000 NBN connections made up of 161,000 voice and data bundles, 9,000 data 
only and 41,000 voice only services.

Other fixed revenue decreased by 0.8 per cent to $819 million with an increase in  
inter-carrier access services revenue offset by lower customer premise equipment  
and other fixed telephony revenue. Included in other fixed revenue is revenue from  
our Platinum customers. 254,000 customers used a Telstra Platinum service this  
year which provides customers with expert technical advice for either a monthly or  
on-demand fee.

Fixed voice EBITDA margins declined to 55 per cent as a result of lower revenue while 
fixed data EBITDA margins remained steady at 41 per cent despite the costs incurred  
to connect our NBN customers.

Domestic retail customer services (millions)

FY13

FY14

FY15

15.1

16.0

16.7

2.8

6.5

3.0

3.1

6.2

6.0

Mobile

Fixed data

Fixed voice

Mobile
Mobile revenue ($b)

FY13

FY14

FY15

9.2

9.7

10.7

For the 2015 financial year, revenue in  
our mobile portfolio increased by 10.2  
per cent to $10,651 million. This was a 
result of growth in ARPU and subscribers 
in our key mobile categories of post-paid 
handheld and pre-paid. EBITDA margin 
remained flat at 40 per cent driven by 
improved ARPU offset by higher hardware 
costs due to increased recontracting 
activity during the year.

We invested $1 billion in our mobile 
network during the year to provide our 
customers with the best connectivity  
and coverage. Telstra’s 4G coverage now 
reaches 94 per cent of the Australian 
population and we will continue to  
expand our 4G footprint to 99 per cent of 
the population. We now have 7.7 million 
4G devices on our network.

The success of our 4G network in 
supporting increased data usage across 
all our mobile products has seen mobile 
services revenue growth of 7.2 per cent  
to $8,765 million. Retail customer services 
increased by 664,000, bringing the total 
number to 16.7 million. 

We now have 7.3 million post-paid 
handheld retail customer services, an 
increase of 113,000. Post-paid handheld 
revenue grew by 7.7 per cent to $5,389 
million. While there was a slow-down in 
ARPU growth in the second half due to 
lower excess data rates and higher data 
allowances, for the full year ARPU 
increased by 5.5 per cent, from $58.70  
to $61.94 (including the impact of mobile 
repayment options) with customers  
using more data and moving to higher 
plans resulting in higher minimum 
monthly commitments and increased  
data pack penetration.

Pre-paid handheld revenue growth of  
13.1 per cent to $994 million was driven  
by an increase in unique users and ARPU 
due to higher recharge values with the 
average data usage per user per month 
increasing. Our Boost pre-paid offerings 
have also contributed to the increase. 
Mobile broadband (MBB) revenue grew  
by 0.2 per cent to $1,290 million with 
customer growth, largely due to growth in 
data share SIMs, offset by a 3.7 per cent 
reduction in ARPU. In total, we added 
187,000 customer services in this 
category. Machine to machine (M2M) 
experienced another year of double-digit 
revenue growth, with revenue growing by 
11.9 per cent to $113 million.

We continue to provide productivity 
solutions to our M2M customers in the key 
areas of transport logistics, banking, public 
safety and security and energy and utilities.

Mobile hardware revenue grew by  
26.3 per cent to $1,886 million due to an 
increase in average revenue per post-paid 
handset (higher average recommended 
retail price), together with an increase  
in handset recontracts as a result of the 
iPhone^ 6 launch during the year.

Data and IP
Data and IP revenue declined by 2.9 per 
cent to $2,883 million with growth in IP 
Access revenue not enough to offset the 
declines in ISDN and other legacy calling 
products. IP Access revenue grew by  
1.2 per cent to $1,180 million as a result  
of increased customer connections 
however price pressures have impacted 
yields. There was strong growth in IP MAN, 
Telstra’s next generation data access 
service providing high-speed IP access 
solutions for large to medium corporate 
enterprises and government departments. 
IP MAN revenue grew by 6.8 per cent  
with services in operation increasing by 
6.1 per cent.

Other data and calling products  
revenue decreased by 4.5 per cent to 
$1,041 million. Migration to IP solutions, 
including unified communications 
products in our Network Applications  
and Services portfolio, is the primary 
driver for the decline in legacy calling 
products. EBITDA margins remained 
strong at 64 per cent despite some  
price pressures in the IP market.

23

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

Network Applications and Services (NAS)

NAS revenue ($b)

While there was an increase in cable subscribers, there was an offsetting reduction  
in ARPU in line with new Foxtel pricing introduced in November 2014.

FY13

FY14

FY15

1.5

2.0

2.4

NAS revenue continued to grow at double-
digit rates, increasing by 23.2 per cent to 
$2,418 million, exceeding market growth 
in all key NAS portfolios. This increase  
was driven by existing and new contracts, 
and acquisitions. Included in NAS revenue 
is International NAS which increased by 
41.4 per cent to $99 million. The Pacnet 
acquisition, completed in April 2015, 
contributed $14 million to International 
NAS. Managed network services revenue 
increased by 21.8 per cent driven by 
increased professional service and 
security activity and includes revenue 
from the acquisitions of O2 last financial 
year and Bridge Point in October 2014. 
Revenue growth of 8.1 per cent in unified 
communications was driven by increased 
IP telephony customer connections. 
Industry Solutions revenue growth of  
41.6 per cent was led by NBN commercial 
works and contributions from TSM (formerly 
SNP Security). Overall, NAS profitability 
continued to improve driven by portfolio 
growth, scalable standardised offerings 
and a global, lower cost delivery model.

Media
Media product portfolio revenue  
increased by 3.4 per cent to $931 million. 
This portfolio includes Foxtel from Telstra 
(previously Premium Pay TV), IPTV, (which 
includes T-Box® sales, Foxtel on T-Box, 
BigPond® Movies and Presto), Mobility  
and other content (which includes 
exclusive AFL and NRL rights and music 
subscriptions) and cable revenue.

Foxtel from Telstra revenue increased  
by 9.4 per cent to $662 million. This was 
driven by growth in subscribers as a  
result of the reintroduction of “Foxtel  
from Telstra” bundles in May 2014 and 
Foxtel price reductions in November 2014. 
A shift in focus to Foxtel from Telstra  
has reduced T-Box sales revenue by  
$33 million. Excluding T-Box sales, IPTV 
revenue increased by 19.6 per cent  
due to Foxtel on T-Box and Presto sales 
growth. Mobility and other content 
revenue declined by 2.5 per cent to  
$79 million. The continued decline in 
legacy mobile download services has  
been partly offset by the increased  
take up of NRL and AFL subscribers.

Cable revenue declined by 1.7 per cent  
to $118 million. This represents income  
from the supply of HFC cable services  
to Foxtel.

24

Other
Global connectivity revenue grew by 27.7 per cent to $780 million driven by the 
continued increase in wholesale carrier data. The Pacnet acquisition also contributed 
$90 million to global connectivity. Other sales revenue increased by 39.4 per cent  
to $1,238 million. Other sales revenue includes revenue from our China digital media 
portfolio which increased by 81.3 per cent to $504 million. This was largely driven by 
Autohome with revenue increasing by 98.0 per cent as a result of increased advertising 
services and dealer subscriber growth.

Operating expenses

Labour

Goods and services purchased

Other expenses

FY15

FY14

Change

$m

4,921

6,847

4,113

$m

4,732

6,465

3,988

%

4.0

5.9

3.1

4.6

Total operating expenses

15,881

15,185

Expense performance

Labour
Total labour expenses increased by 4.0 per cent or $189 million to $4,921 million. Our total 
full time staff and equivalents (FTE) increased to 36,165. This increase in FTE was mainly 
driven by organic growth and M&A activity across our NAS portfolio (in particular the 
Pacnet acquisition), Telstra Business, and our nascent Software and Health businesses. 
Additionally, business growth and the conversion of contractors to permanent staff in our 
China business also contributed to the increase. Offsetting these increases were reductions 
in FTE driven by our restructuring programs across various parts of the business.

Salary and associated costs increased by 8.4 per cent or $287 million to $3,686 million. 
This increase was mainly driven by the increase in FTE, as well as salary and wage 
increases which also incorporated the change in the statutory superannuation 
contribution. These increases were partially offset by a favourable year on year bond 
rate impact of $58 million, driven by a favourable outcome of $71 million from the 
transition to a high quality corporate bond rate for the calculation of employee long 
service leave provisions, in accordance with AASB 119. This change resulted from the 
G100 concluding in May 2015 that a deep corporate bond market exists in Australia.

Labour substitution costs increased by 3.7 per cent or $29 million to $816 million.  
This increase was mainly driven by the establishment of global operations to support 
the expansion of our NAS business, higher field fault volumes due to adverse weather 
events, and increased costs in support of NBN activations.

Redundancy expenses decreased by 55.0 per cent or $138 million to $113 million,  
driven mainly by restructuring work returning to normal levels within our core  
business, the impact of the Sensis divestment on the prior year, and redundancy 
expense savings from the redeployment of staff to growing areas of the business.

Goods and services purchased
Goods and services purchased increased by 5.9 per cent or $382 million to $6,847 
million. Cost of goods sold (COGS) (which includes mobile handsets, tablets, dongles, 
broadband modems) increased by 6.0 per cent or $173 million to $3,079 million.  
This was driven mainly by the strong demand for our iPhone^ 6 offerings. This increase 
was significantly offset by a $397 million decrease in COGS driven by our divestment  
of CSL in the prior year.

Network payments decreased by 0.3 per cent or $6 million to $1,725 million. This decrease 
was mainly attributable to our divestment of CSL and reduced payments to overseas 
carriers due to lower negotiated roaming rates. Offsetting these decreases were higher 
onshore carrier network outpayments in support of increased mobile subscribers and 
increased NBN network payments as we migrate customers to the NBN.

Other goods and services purchased increased by 11.8 per cent or $215 million to 
$2,043 million. This was mainly driven by increased service fees for Foxtel, cloud 
services, IPTV and digital content, and mobile insurance in support of increased 
subscribers. This increase was partially offset by our divestment of CSL.

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Summary Statement of Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities

FY15

$m

8,311

Total capital expenditure

(6,206)

(4,018)

Other expenses
Total other expenses increased  
by 3.1 per cent or $125 million to  
$4,113 million. This increase was the 
result of higher service contracts and 
agreements, promotion and advertising 
costs and the accounting impact of the 
Sensis divestment. This was partially 
offset by the divestment of CSL, and  
the recognition of unrealised losses  
driven by the liquidation of our subsidiary 
Octave, both in the prior year.

Service contracts and agreements 
increased by 6.0 per cent or $88 million  
to $1,556 million, largely driven by 
increased investment in the simplification 
of our core business, and costs associated  
with increased NBN commercial works. 
Promotion and advertising expenses 
increased by 21.7 per cent or $75 million 
to $421 million, mainly in support of 
growth in our China Autohome business, 
and domestically in support of the iPhone 
6 launch, customer advocacy programs  
and Belong™, our low cost ISP brand.

For the purposes of reporting our 
consolidated results, the translation  
of foreign operations denominated in 
foreign currency to Australian dollars 
increased our expenses by $97 million on 
the prior period, across labour, goods and 
services purchased, and other expenses.

Net finance costs
Net finance costs decreased by 28.0  
per cent to $689 million largely due to  
an $87 million reduction in net borrowing 
costs and a $175 million reduction in 
other finance costs.

The reduction in borrowing costs was 
predominantly due to lower average debt 
levels resulting from debt maturities 
which were funded out of existing liquidity. 
The average interest yield on gross debt 
for the year was 5.8 per cent compared to 
5.9 per cent in the prior year. The closing 
gross debt interest yield at 30 June 2015 
was 5.7 per cent compared to 5.9 per cent 
at 30 June 2014. The reduction in yield 
arose through a combination of a reduction 
in short term market base rates year on year, 
resulting in lower costs on the floating 
rate debt component of our portfolio and 
from refinancing at lower rates.

The reduction in other finance costs 
primarily relates to non-cash revaluation 
impacts of our offshore debt portfolio and 
associated hedges that result in a floating 
position (fair value hedges). Volatility from 
these revaluation impacts has been 
significantly reduced due to changes 
implemented in the way we designate  
fair value hedges for accounting purposes 
and the adoption of the new accounting 
framework (under AASB 9 (2013)) which 
allows a component of Telstra’s borrowing 
margin to be treated as a cost of hedging 
and deferred to equity.

Sale of shares in controlled entities  
(net of cash disposed)

Other investing cash flows

Net cash used in investing activities

Free cashflow

Net cash used in financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash  
and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the  
beginning of the year

Effects of exchange rate changes  
on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end  
of the period

Residual volatility from market 
movements has not been significant. 
Notwithstanding changes to accounting 
treatment all cash flows continue to 
remain economically and effectively 
hedged.

Financial position

Capital expenditure and cash flow
Our operating capital expenditure for  
the year was 13.9 per cent of sales 
revenue or $3,589 million (excluding 
spectrum). This investment has enabled 
us to meet ongoing strong customer 
demand from the growth in our customer 
base. This includes building the nation’s 
largest Wi-Fi network, continuing 
investment in growth areas (such as 
network access services and cloud 
services) and supporting the accelerated 
rollout of mobile 4G and 4GX™ networks.

Free cashflow generated from operating 
and investing activities was $2,619 million, 
representing a decline of 65.0 per cent. 
The difference between our reported free 
cashflow and free cashflow on a guidance 
basis of $5,019 million is mainly due to 
spectrum payments of $1,302 million and 
M&A activity of $1,151 million including 
the acquisitions of Pacnet Limited,  
Ooyala Inc., Videoplaza AB and Nativ 
Holdings Limited. These increased 
payments were partly offset by lower  
cash capital expenditure. Increased cash 
from operating activities, predominantly 
as a result of revenue growth and  
working capital timing, were offset by 
decreases due to cash from divested 
entities included in the prior period.

FY14

Change

2,397

(99.8)

$m

8,613

491

(1,130)

7,483

(4,430)

%

(3.5)

54.5

3.9

n/m

(65.0)

55.3

n/m

4

510

(5,692)

2,619

(6,882)

(4,263)

3,053

5,527

2,479

123.0

132

(5)

n/m

1,396

5,527

(74.7)

Financial settings

FY15

FY15

Actual

Target 
zone

1.3x

1.3 – 1.9x

Debt 
servicing(i)

Gearing(ii)

48.3%

50% to 
70%

Interest 
cover(iii)

15.0x

>7x

(i)  Debt servicing ratio equals net debt to EBITDA.
(ii)   Gearing ratio equals net debt to net debt plus  

total equity.

(iii) Interest cover equals EBITDA to net interest.

Debt position
Our gross debt position at 30 June 2015 
decreased by $1,086 million to $14,962 
million. Gross debt comprises borrowings 
of $15,634 million and net derivative asset 
of $672 million (which includes assets and 
liabilities both current and non current).

The net decrease in gross debt reflects  
a combination of the following impacts.  
An increase of $2,060 million due to a 
$1,308 million United States dollar bond 
debt issuance, $580 million debt acquired 
from the acquisition of Pacnet (repaid 
during the year), $82 million finance lease 
additions and $90 million relating to loans 
from associated entities and within our 
subsidiaries. This was offset by a decrease 
of $3,146 million due to $2,798 million term 
debt maturities, $220 million repayment 
of commercial paper, $47 million finance 
lease repayments and $81 million 
revaluation impacts.

25

Full Year Results and Operations Review_

Net debt at 30 June 2015 was $13,566 
million, an increase of $3,045 million  
from the prior year. This movement 
comprises the reduction in gross debt  
of $1,086 million offset by a reduction  
 in cash and cash equivalents of  
$4,131 million.

Our gearing ratio at the start of FY15  
was 43.0 per cent, following the sale  
of CSL and the 70 per cent stake of our 
Sensis directories business in FY14.  
This was below the low end of our target 
range in anticipation of significant 
outflows in the current year, including  
$1.3 billion to acquire spectrum licences 
and the $1 billion off market buy-back.  
Our gearing ratio has increased to  
48.3 per cent at 30 June 2015 reflecting 
the increase in net debt, and remains just 
below the conservative end of our target  
range. Debt servicing (net debt/EBITDA)  
remains comfortable at 1.3x and we  
have extended the average debt maturity 
profile from 4.7 years to 5.0 years.

Summary Statement of Financial Position

Current assets

Non current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

FY15

$m

6,970

FY14

Change

$m

%

10,438

(33.2)

33,475

28,922

40,445

39,360

8,129

8,684

Non current liabilities

17,806

16,716

Total liabilities

Net assets

Total equity

25,935

25,400

14,510

13,960

14,510

13,960

Return on average assets (%)

Return on average equity (%)

18.9

30.3

20.4

32.3

(1.5)pp

(2.0)pp

15.7

2.8

(6.4)

6.5

2.1

3.9

3.9

Statement of Financial Position
Our balance sheet remains in a strong 
position with net assets of $14,510 
million. Current assets decreased  
by 33.2 per cent to $6,970 million.  
This decrease is largely a result of a 
reduction in cash and cash equivalents  
of $4,131 million used to fund the 
acquisition of Pacnet, debt maturities, 
spectrum license payments and the  
share buy-back. The prior period balance 
also included proceeds of approximately 
$2.5 billion from divestments. Offsetting 
the decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
was an increase in trade and other 
receivables of $549 million due to a  
higher customer deferred debt as a  
result of higher average recommended 
retail prices of our smartphone range, 
increased debtors resulting from an 
increase in sales revenue and debtors  
in newly acquired entities. Inventories  
also increased by $129 million due to  
the Planning Design Services Agreement 
and the Joint Deployment Works Contract 
with NBN Co. Inventories also increased  
to support higher mobile hardware sales.

Non current assets increased by  
15.7 per cent to $33,475 million.  
Intangible assets increased by $2,950 
million due to the acquisition of spectrum 
licenses and an increase in goodwill 
resulting from acquisitions of controlled 
entities and businesses. An increase  
of $468 million in derivative financial 
assets is primarily attributable to net 
foreign currency and other valuation 
impacts arising from measuring to fair 
value. Defined benefit assets increased  
by $252 million due to a change in the 
bond rate, in accordance with AASB 119, 
and higher investment returns.

Current liabilities decreased by 6.4 per cent 
to $8,129 million. Borrowings decreased 
by $781 million due to a reduction in short 
term commercial paper and the maturity 
of domestic and offshore debt, partially 
offset by the reclassification of debt due 
to mature within 12 months to current 
borrowings. Derivative financial liabilities 
decreased by $186 million due to foreign 
currency and other valuation impacts from 
measuring to fair value. Revenue received 
in advance increased by $187 million 
mainly due to newly acquired entities.

Non current liabilities increased  
by 6.5 per cent to $17,806 million. 
Borrowings increased by $591 million 
primarily as a result of long term debt 
issuance, offset by reclassifications  
to current borrowings. The decrease  
in derivative financial liabilities of  
$258 million reflects foreign currency  
and other valuation impacts from 
measuring to fair value and also  
includes the reclassification to current  
for transactions maturing within the  
next 12 months. Revenue received in 
advance increased by $450 million  
mainly due to newly acquired entities. 
Deferred tax liabilities increased  
by $272 million due to deferred tax 
liabilities acquired in new investments,  
an excess of tax deductions over 
accounting expenses for fixed assets,  
and the tax effect of actuarial gains 
recognised for the Telstra Super™  
defined benefit fund.

26

SUSTAINABILITY

Our goal is to embed social  
and environmental considerations 
into our business in ways that 
create value for the company  
and our stakeholders.

27

Sustainability_

OUR APPROACH

At Telstra, our purpose is to create a brilliant connected 
future for everyone. The success of our business relies  
on it, and our sustainability agenda is key to achieving it.

We seek to identify ways we can use  
our technology, expertise, skills and scale 
to operate more responsibly, contribute  
to communities and help safeguard the 
environment. We deliver on this ambition 
by identifying and responding to the key 
sustainability issues and opportunities 
that are important to our business  
and stakeholders. Understanding and 
integrating stakeholder values and 
expectations into organisational decision 
making is important to help ensure the 
long term sustainability of our business. 

We consider sustainability issues,  
risks and opportunities that come from  
a wide variety of sources including  
regular stakeholder consultation, 
participation in industry and cross  
sector initiatives, customer research, 
benchmarking and future trends analysis. 
We prioritise issues according to their 
impact on our business and stakeholders. 
The key topics identified through this 
process during the 2015 financial year  
are outlined in the diagram below.

This section highlights some of the  
more significant aspects of sustainability 
at Telstra. Our Bigger Picture 2015 
Sustainability Report, available online  
at telstra.com/sustainability/report, 
provides a more detailed overview of  
these issues and our performance.

Key sustainability topics

G

T I N

T

U

P

  O U R   C U STOMERS AT THE CENTRE
U S T O M ER EXPERIENCE

C

Customer experience
Privacy & data protection
Cyber safety
ICT innovation enabling
sustainability
eHealth
Network & 
Wi-Fi investment

TAL OUTCOMES
TEWARDSHIP 

N
E
M
N
O
R
I
V
N
E
R
E
T
T

L S
A
T
N
E
M
N
O
R

I

V
N

E

C

O

Energy efficiency
 & carbon emissions
Resource use, waste 
& e-waste
Sustainable procurement
ICT innovation enabling 
sustainability
Renewable energy
Cloud computing

Digital access 
& inclusion
Digital literacy
Cyber safety
Community investment
Social impacts of increased 
ICT use
Disaster relief 
& recovery

B

R

I

D

N

N

E

C

TIN

G

I
N

G T

H

G C
O

M

MUNITIES
E DIGITAL DIVIDE

C

O

N

D

U

C

T
I

N

G

R

E

S

P

O

N

O

U

R

S

I

B

L

E

B

U

S

B

U
S

I

N
E
S
S

I

N

E
S
S

E
T
H
I
C
A
L
L
Y

Ethics, values 
& governance
Sustainable procurement
Human rights
Mobile phones, towers 
& health
Sustainable development 
in emerging markets
Indigenous Australians

Diversity & inclusion
Culture & engagement
Attracting talent & employee 
development
Health, safety & wellbeing
Workplace relations
Volunteering & giving

R E AT PLACE TO WORK

R  P E O PLE
G   A   G

U

O

C R E A T I N

E

B

28

AT TELSTRA, WE HAVE  
THREE KEY SUSTAINABILITY 
PRIORITIES:

Everyone connected

We believe that the more connected 
people are, the more opportunities they 
have. We want everyone – regardless of 
age, income, ability or location – to enjoy 
the benefits that new communication 
technologies can bring. Our Everyone 
Connected programs focus on making  
our products and services more 
accessible, enhancing digital literacy  
and cyber safety and supporting 
technological innovation for social good.

Environmental leadership

We are working to be more proactive  
and strategic in our approach to the 
environment. We’re doing this by 
identifying and minimising the material 
environmental impacts of our operations, 
working with our suppliers to improve 
their environmental performance, and 
assisting our customers to manage  
their environmental impacts.

Employee involvement

We aim to make Telstra a great place  
to work, enhance our reputation and 
strengthen the communities in which  
we operate by providing opportunities for 
our people to get involved with their local 
communities and the issues that matter.

 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

We are committed to creating a brilliant  
connected future for our customers.

Digital technologies and enhanced 
connectivity have transformed the  
way we live and connect. It is now more 
important than ever for us to deliver 
brilliant customer experiences.

To achieve this, we must put the  
customer at the centre of everything  
we do.

>1m

VULNERABLE  
CUSTOMERS

benefited from our  
Access for Everyone program

NEW ACCESSIBILITY  
PORTAL ON TELSTRA.COM  
World first for a telco, making it easier  
for people with disability to choose 
devices that are right for them

REAL TIME MOBILE DATA USAGE ALERTS
introduced for post-paid mobile customers to help manage bills

Vulnerable customers

Through our Access for Everyone program, 
we help people on a low income or facing 
financial hardship to stay connected. 
Since its inception in 2002, we’ve provided 
benefits to the value of more than $2 billion, 
by working with more than 2,000 community 
organisations across Australia to deliver 
these programs. In FY15, the benefit 
provided was $128.8 million, a reduction 
of 11 per cent compared to FY14, largely 
reflecting a lower take up of our pensioner 
discount on fixed-line home phone services 
as more customers are moving to bundles. 
Around 885,000 pensioners received the 
discount this year, compared to 980,000 in 
FY14. We also provided home phone line 
rental relief for around 74,500 households 
and distributed around 72,500 pre-paid 
calling cards. Every month we also provided 
rebates on Telstra bills for around 2,000 
customers seeking emergency relief.

This year we launched a new accessibility 
portal that assists people with disability 
to identify the mobile communications 
products and services that best suit their 
needs. A world first for a telecommunications 
company, the portal assists customers by 
letting them search for features that may 
assist specific disabilities such as speech, 
vision, cognitive and dexterity impairment. 
To find out more, visit telstra.com.au/
mobile-phones/find-accessible-devices.

Managing usage charges

We are committed to providing our 
customers with more value and the 
confidence that they will not encounter 
unexpected usage charges.

This year we became the first telco in 
Australia to make calls from mobiles to 
1800 numbers free of charge. We were 
also the first to introduce real time mobile 
data usage alerts for our post-paid mobile 
customers when they reach 50 per cent, 
85 per cent and 100 per cent of their 
included monthly data allowance.

Privacy and data protection

Millions of people trust us to protect  
their privacy and keep their data secure 
and we continue to work diligently every 
day to honour this trust. We take customer 
privacy and data security very seriously. 
Our priority is making sure we keep 
personal information safe and secure, as 
well as listening and responding to the 
concerns of our customers, particularly as 
the way in which we communicate with 
them continues to change. We continue  
to invest in controls to protect the privacy 
of our customers and be transparent in 
the way we manage this information.

This year we continued to build on our 
commitment to transparency, introducing 
new measures aimed at providing our 
customers with a greater understanding of, 
and access to the data we hold. In a first 
for the Australian telecommunications 
industry, we now offer customers the 
same access to their metadata as we  
are required to offer to law enforcement 
agencies without a warrant (subject to 
certain conditions). This new approach is 
aimed at providing our customers with a 
clearer picture of the data we provide in 
response to lawful requests. To find out 
more, visit telstra.com.au/privacy/
customer-access.

It builds upon our Transparency  
Report, which outlines our legal  
obligation to assist national security  
and law enforcement agencies, as  
well as the types of law enforcement 
requests we receive each year.

The importance of our efforts to protect 
our customer and corporate data was 
underscored when, shortly after we 
completed our acquisition of Pacnet Limited 
in April 2015, we were advised that Pacnet’s 
corporate IT network had been accessed 
by an unauthorised third party. We took 
immediate action to investigate and respond 
to the breach, including addressing the 
security vulnerability and putting in place 
additional monitoring and incident response 
capabilities. We also took active steps to 
notify employees, customers and relevant 
regulators around the world of the breach. 
The Pacnet corporate IT network remains 
isolated from Telstra’s IT systems and we 
have found no evidence of any activity 
related to this incident on Telstra’s networks.

Cyber safety

We want people to participate safely in  
the online world by providing the networks, 
products and services that make it easy to 
do so. This year we introduced a number of 
new consumer products including Telstra 
Broadband Protect and Telstra Mobile 
Protect to help our customers stay safely 
connected. We are committed to providing 
consumers with the information they  
need to have a positive online experience. 
To access our free cyber safety materials, 
visit telstra.com/cybersafety.

29

Sustainability_

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

We use our technology, expertise,  
scale and presence to make a difference 
in the community.

Digital connectivity is increasingly an 
essential service, with access to the 
internet now underpinning everything 
from social interactions to employment 
and social services. Finding a job or 
accommodation, paying bills or staying  
in touch are all made simpler and  
quicker thanks to the internet and 
technology – provided you can get online.

As a result we focus on ensuring that 
everyone can connect and benefit from being 
connected to communications technologies.

Digital literacy

Being confident and literate with 
technology is an essential skill in the 
digital age. This year, our Everyone 
Connected digital literacy programs 
reached almost 117,000 people. To extend 
the reach of these programs we partnered 
with the New South Wales and Victorian 
state governments to deliver Tech Savvy 
Seniors. This year, we provided face to  
face training to almost 32,000 people.

Supporting victims of domestic 
violence

In November 2014, we launched Telstra 
Safe Connections® in partnership with the 
Women’s Services Network to help women 
impacted by domestic violence to stay 
safely connected to their friends, family, 
essential services and vital information. 
Through the program, we provide up to 
5,000 smartphones each year, along  
with $30 pre-paid credit and educational 
materials on the safe use of technology.

Telstra Foundation®

Through the Telstra Foundation social 
innovation grants program we invest in 
‘tech for good’ collaborations across 
Australia and look to the power of smart 
devices, social media, platforms and apps to 
champion social change and community 
connection. In FY15, the Telstra Foundation 
approved five social innovation grants, 
including with Code Club Australia (see 
case study), to the value of $2.4 million.

This year we officially launched the  
Telstra Foundation™ Philippines, our first 
international Foundation, which aims  
to assist Filipino youth and promote 
education in the Philippines.

30

~117k9

PEOPLE
reached through our digital 
literacy training programs

40%

OF ALL AUSTRALIAN 
PUBLIC LIBRARIES

have started their eSmart journey

TELSTRA SAFE CONNECTIONS LAUNCHED TO  
HELP WOMEN IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  
TO STAY SAFELY CONNECTED

9  This figure is a combination of actual and estimated data. Our Bigger Picture 2015 Sustainability Report provides more 

detail on our approach and methodology.

eSmart Libraries
In August 2012, we launched eSmart 
Libraries, a multi year, $8 million partnership 
between the Telstra Foundation and  
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. 
This program is designed to better equip 
Australia’s 1,500 public libraries to 
support library users with the skills  
they need for smart, safe and responsible 
use of technology. To date, more than  
40 per cent of public libraries across 
Australia (more than 600 libraries) have 
commenced the eSmart journey.

Indigenous Digital Excellence
This year we continued to implement  
our $5 million, multi year Indigenous 
Digital Excellence (IDX) partnership  
with the National Centre of Indigenous 
Excellence. IDX aims to inspire Aboriginal 
and Torres Strait Islander people to take 
the next step towards ‘making digital 
objects’ such as apps and devices,  
build relevant skills and connect 
Indigenous ‘digital makers’ with each  
other and to meaningful opportunities  
in the digital space.

Helping kids code their way  
to a brighter future

It’s typically not until high school that 
Australian kids get the opportunity  
to participate in a concentrated ICT 
program as part of the curriculum. 
Studies show that by this stage, young 
people – especially girls – are already 
self selecting out of STEM subjects 
(science, technology, engineering  
and mathematics).

Code Club Australia is changing that. Its 
mission is to give every child in Australia 
the chance to learn code, via a network 
of after school clubs for kids aged 9 to 
11 years. Code Club Australia is designed to be inclusive of kids who face  
barriers to thriving in STEM education. The sessions emphasise fun, creativity, 
problem solving skills and learning through exploring.

The Telstra Foundation is investing $532,000 in Code Club Australia to  
raise awareness about coding and to support the delivery of an accelerated  
‘train the trainer’ program, targeting 500 teachers and prioritising schools in  
low socioeconomic areas. For more information, visit telstrafoundation.com/  
projects/code-club-australia.

Sustainability_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

OUR PEOPLE

We are working to attract and retain 
employees with the skills and passion  
to best serve our markets.

Technology is evolving rapidly, customer 
expectations are changing and we’re 
facing a more competitive global market. 
To ensure we thrive in these conditions, 
we’re taking a values led approach to 
driving engagement and collaboration,  
as well as embracing generational change 
and diversity. We’re providing targeted 
learning and development opportunities 
and are continuously improving our 
approach to health and safety. We’re also 
investing in programs to attract and retain 
employees with the skills and passion to 
help transform Telstra into a world class 
technology company.

Employee engagement

Having completed an Employee 
Engagement Survey in May 2014,  
we did not undertake a company  
survey in FY15, opting instead to focus  
on our known areas for development.  
Our next whole of company employee 
engagement survey is expected to be 
conducted in the first half of FY16, with 
results reported in our 2016 Telstra 
Annual Report.

Health and safety

The health and safety of our people is 
paramount to us and we are committed  
to developing a values based health and 
safety culture that is an extension of  
our overall organisational culture.

Through our health, safety and 
environment (HSE) strategy we continue 
to embed a strong risk management 
culture across our global operations.  
In FY15 we continued to develop our  
HSE incident reporting culture and  
worked with cross sections of our 
workforce and subject matter experts  
to improve our knowledge, understanding 
and management of our key HSE risks.  
We have seen an ongoing improvement  
in incident reporting and importantly a 
continued reduction in our injury rates.  
We have also maintained our Workers 
Compensation Self Insurance licence, 
Office of Federal Safety Commission 
accreditation, and AS/NZS4801  
(H&S Systems) certification.

LOST TIME INJURY 
FREQUENCY RATE  
DOWN TO 0.98

31%

FEMALE REPRESENTATION
across Telstra Corporation Limited  
and its wholly owned subsidiaries

Our employees contributed over

7,200 DAYS VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY

The activities undertaken in FY15 have 
allowed us to develop a strong program  
of work to further improve our HSE 
performance in FY16.

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)(i)

FY13

FY14

FY15

1.36

1.12

0.98

(i)  LTIFR is the reported number of accepted workers’ 
compensation claims for work related injury or 
disease that incur lost time for each million hours 
worked. This data relates to Telstra Corporation 
Limited only and does not include subsidiaries  
or contractors.

Diversity and inclusion

Promoting diversity and inclusion across 
Telstra helps us to improve our business 
results, enhance our reputation and 
attract, engage and retain talented people. 
In addition, having a diverse range of 
employees better enables us to understand 
our customers’ needs, and provide them 
with excellent customer service.

Our focus on diversity and inclusion relates 
to differences in gender, age, ethnicity, 
race, cultural background, disability, 
religion and sexual orientation. It also 
includes differences in background and 
life experience, communication styles, 
interpersonal skills, education, functional 
expertise and problem solving skills.

Roxanne  
Security Operations Support

31

Sustainability_

Gender equality
Overall female representation across 
Telstra Corporation Limited and its wholly 
owned subsidiaries increased this year to 
31 per cent. This increase was the result 
of an upwards shift across all segments 
other than the number of women in 
executive management, which decreased 
slightly from 25.9 per cent at 30 June 2014 
to 25.6 per cent at 30 June 2015. This year 
we were named as an Employer of Choice 
for Gender Equality by the Federal 
Government’s Workplace Gender Equality 
Agency and recognised by the Agency for 
our leading practice in promoting pay 
equity. We launched Brilliant Connected 
Women, a network designed to better 
connect women across Telstra and engage 
our leaders in more actively recruiting, 
retaining and developing female talent.  
As a White Ribbon accredited workplace 
we took active steps to support our 
employees, launching a Family and 
Domestic Violence Support Policy, which 
provides employees in Australia who are 
experiencing violence with up to 10 days 
of additional paid leave each year.

Flexible working
We know that our people have different 
priorities, passions and interests that must 
be balanced with work, so this year we 
continued to enable All Roles Flex, our 
Group wide approach whereby flexibility  
is now considered the starting point for  
all roles.

Ageing population
In Australia, people aged 45 and over 
make up the fastest growing employee 
category. It’s therefore important for us  
to consider how we can best promote age 
and generational diversity, and offer the 
flexibility required to attract and retain 
talent of all ages. This year we piloted a 
program that supports mature age workers 
to make positive plans for their future work, 
life and eventual transition to retirement.

Employment pathways
We are committed to providing 
employment pathways for candidates  
with diverse backgrounds and needs.  
This year our intake of Indigenous trainees 
increased to 11 thanks to a greater level  
of business sponsorship of the program. 
All of the 18 Indigenous employees who 
joined us during FY15 remain employed  
as at 30 June 2015. Additionally, over the 
past three years we’ve hired more than 
100 new employees who identify as living 
with disability.

More information on Diversity and  
Inclusion at Telstra, including our Diversity 
Measurable Objectives, can be found  
in our 2015 Corporate Governance 
Statement which is available on our 
website at telstra.com/governance.

32

Jo
GM HR Shared  
Services Operations

Representation of women in Telstra as at 30 June 2015

Role

Number

Percentage

Board (non-executive Directors)

Executive management*(i)
CEO
CEO-1 (Band A)
CEO-2 (Band B)
CEO-3 (Band C)

Middle management*(ii)

Operational*(iii)

Telstra Total*

Telstra Group Total**

3

72
0
3
18
51

2,856

7,237

10,165

11,757

30

25.6
0
21.4
24
26.6

27.8

32.5

31

31.3

FY14 % 
result

33.33

25.9
0
23.1
19.7
28.7

27.2

31.4

30.1

30.2

*   

 Includes full time, part time and casual staff in Telstra Corporation Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries, 
excluding contractors and agency staff. It does not include staff in any other controlled entities within the 
Telstra Group.

**    Includes full time, part time and casual staff in controlled entities within the Telstra Group, excluding 

contractors and agency staff.

Information regarding the controlled entities in the Telstra Group can be found in Note 25 to the Financial 
Statements in this report.

Notes:
(i)  
 Executive management comprises persons holding roles within Telstra designated as Band A, B or C, or equivalent.
(ii)    Middle management comprises persons holding roles within Telstra designated as Band 1 or 2, or equivalent.
(iii)   Operational comprises persons holding roles within Telstra designated as Bands 3 or 4, or equivalent.

Learning and development

Volunteering and giving

We encourage our people to get involved  
in the community. Our people contributed 
over 7,200 days volunteering their time 
and expertise to a range of community 
organisations. Our dollar for dollar 
matched payroll giving resulted in a total 
contribution of $1.5 million in donations  
to over 300 charities. During FY15,  
5.8 per cent of our employees made 
donations through Telstra’s payroll giving 
program, compared with 5.3 per cent for 
the previous year.

This year we refined our induction 
experience to deliver a more consistent 
program across the Telstra Group.  
All new employees are introduced to  
our culture and strategic priorities  
through this program, with a particular 
focus on driving customer advocacy.

We also redesigned our Business 
Essentials training program, through 
which we ensure our people are aware 
of their legal, regulatory and compliance 
responsibilities. Mandatory refresher 
training is completed annually, with  
each compliance topic covered every  
two years at a minimum.

As at 30 June 2015, 96.3 per cent of  
Telstra Group employees and contractors 
have completed this year’s mandatory 
refresher course.

Sustainability_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

We are committed to minimising our environmental 
impacts and working with our customers and suppliers 
to achieve better environmental outcomes.

Our long term vision is to become  
an Australian environmental leader.  
The extent of our network coverage  
and depth of our technical expertise 
provide an opportunity for Telstra to 
support government, businesses and 
consumers to reduce their energy 
consumption, leading to considerable  
cost savings and reduced greenhouse  
gas emissions.

Environment Strategy

Our Environment Strategy is aimed  
at addressing our most material 
environmental impacts across three 
strategic focus areas:

• Environmental customer value 
proposition: quantifying and 
communicating how our products  
and services can enable our customers  
to reduce their environmental  
impacts, particularly energy use  
and carbon emissions

• Operational excellence: actively 

identifying and minimising material 
environmental impacts and  
operating costs

• Sustainable supply chain: working  
with and influencing suppliers to 
manage and reduce the environmental 
and social impacts of their operations 
and of the products and services they 
provide to Telstra.

Energy efficiency and carbon 
emissions

Energy use in our networks is our most 
material environmental impact, accounting 
for around 87 per cent of our total carbon 
emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) in FY15. 
Large amounts of energy are required to 
power our network equipment and keep  
it at an optimum operating temperature.

In FY14 we set a long term target to 
reduce our carbon emissions per terabyte 
of data used (emissions intensity) by  
55 per cent over the three year period  
from FY15 to FY17, from a baseline  
year of FY14. This year there has been  
a 27 per cent decrease in our emissions 
intensity, putting us on track to meet  
our FY17 target.

27%

CARBON EMISSIONS INTENSITY

1.3% TOTAL EMISSIONS  

(SCOPE 1, 2 AND 3)

Diverted 15.6 tonnes  
of mobile phones and 
accessories from landfill

We also help our customers deal more 
effectively with e-waste. Throughout FY15 
we collected 15.6 tonnes of mobile phones 
and accessories from Telstra retail stores, 
offices and repair centres through the 
MobileMuster program, a two per cent 
increase in collections for the year.

Total carbon emissions and emissions 
intensity

0.83

2
1
7
,
3
3
6
,
1

0.58

6
7
3
,
2
9
5
,
1

0.42

6
6
0
,
1
7
5
,
1

FY13

FY14

FY15

Total carbon emissions(i) (Scope 1, 2 & 3) 
Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e)
Carbon emissions intensity(i)  
Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent  
per terabyte (tCO2e/TB)

(i)   Australian operations for Telstra Corporation 
Limited. This includes relevant Australian 
subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnerships.

10   Global e-waste system, Insights for Australia  

from other developed countries, The Economist 
Intelligence Unit, 2014, page 4.

While data loads carried over our network 
increased by 36 per cent in FY15, total 
carbon emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) 
decreased by 1.3 per cent, as a result  
both of our energy efficiency initiatives 
and a reduction in the emission factors 
published by the Australian Federal 
Government for the reporting period.

In FY15 we completed the fourth year  
of our $41.3 million capital investment 
program, aimed at making our facilities 
more energy and carbon efficient. As part 
of this program we invested $6 million  
and implemented more than 540 energy 
and carbon reduction projects. We also 
invested a further $3.5 million in capital 
expenditure to improve the operating 
efficiency of our rectifiers, which convert 
AC mains power to the DC power required 
to run our telecommunications equipment 
and battery backup systems. Collectively, 
these initiatives, along with a program  
of work to decommission redundant 
equipment across our network sites,  
have reduced carbon emissions by  
35,180 tCO2e and saved more than  
33,239 MWh of electricity in FY15.

E-waste

Australia is one of the highest per  
capita producers of electronic waste 
(e-waste) in the world, generating  
more than 25 kilograms of e-waste  
per person each year10. E-waste is an 
important element of Telstra’s 
Environment Strategy. We collected  
3,940 tonnes of e-waste this year, 
including 21 tonnes from an internal 
e-waste collection campaign across  
29 corporate offices and 38 exchange 
buildings.

33

Sustainability_

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

We’re committed to excellence in corporate 
governance, transparency and accountability.

As a large telecommunications  
company with a presence across  
Australia and a global footprint,  
we recognise that our long term  
ability to prosper is dependent on  
how we respond to the changing social 
and environmental expectations of  
our employees, customers, investors, 
regulators and the wider public.  
These expectations increasingly  
extend beyond our own operations and 
into our supply chain and relationships 
with our business partners.

UPDATED
OUR HUMAN 
RIGHTS POLICY
in line with  
global standards

PARTNERED WITH  
LOCAL INDIGENOUS GROUPS
to conduct grounds maintenance at  
more than 500 regional and remote sites

>15m

SMS SENT TO CUSTOMERS

highlighting responsible mobile phone use

United Nations Global Compact

Supply chain

We have been a signatory to the United 
Nations Global Compact since 2011  
and are committed to supporting its 
principles – on human rights, labour 
rights, environment and anti-corruption – 
wherever we operate. We implement our 
commitment through a range of policies, 
management systems, strategies and 
initiatives that reflect the diverse range  
of conditions our business operates in. 
This year we updated our Human Rights 
Policy to more closely align with external 
developments such as the publication of 
the United Nations Guiding Principles on 
Business and Human Rights – the global 
standard for preventing and addressing 
adverse human rights impacts linked to 
business activity – and internal policy 
changes including updates to our Code  
of Conduct.

Mike
GM EME Management,  
Education & Compliance

34

This year, the Telstra Group purchased 
$6.8 billion in goods and services from 
about 4,800 suppliers.

The Telstra Supplier Code of Conduct  
sets out our minimum standards in  
the areas of labour and human rights, 
health and safety, environment, ethical 
dealings and supply chain diversity.  
The Code applies to all suppliers of  
goods and services to Telstra worldwide. 
We have a three year sustainable 
procurement strategy in place  
(FY14-16) that focuses on embedding 
sustainability into processes and 
procedures, supplier engagement, 
building capability and partnerships,  
and monitoring compliance.

Our spend can be leveraged to  
positively influence the behaviour  
and actions of our suppliers and,  
in turn, benefit the environment  
and communities. We significantly 
expanded our Indigenous Workforce 
Program to more than 500 sites across 
Queensland, the Northern Territory  
and Western Australia this year.  
Through the program, we partner  
with local Indigenous groups to  
undertake grounds maintenance  
at our sites, employing more than  
60 people. We also continue to partner 
with 14 not for profit groups around 
Australia to create employment 
opportunities for people with  
disability or who are disadvantaged.  
At 30 June 2015, 620 people, including  
144 support workers, were employed 
through the program.

Mobile phones, towers and health

We acknowledge that some people are 
genuinely concerned about possible 
health effects from electromagnetic 
energy (EME), and we are committed to 
addressing these concerns responsibly. 
We are proactive, transparent and fact 
based in our communications regarding 
EME and comply with the standards  
set by regulators. We rely on the expert 
advice of national and international  
health authorities including the  
Australian Radiation Protection and 
Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and  
the World Health Organization (WHO)  
and actively contribute to scientific 
research in EME and health.

Helping our customers and the  
community keep abreast of the latest 
information is important to us. We provide 
information on EME on our website  
at telstra.com/eme. We also invite 
customers to go directly to the WHO, 
ARPANSA and ‘EMF Explained’ websites 
for further information.

We have a dedicated EME help desk  
and team that proactively reviews  
new site proposals, develops community 
consultation plans and works with the 
community to determine acceptable  
sites for new base stations. This year,  
we continued our mobile safety SMS 
campaign, sending out more than  
15 million messages referring customers  
to telstra.com/mobiletips, our information 
site for safe and responsible phone use.

BOARD OF 
DIRECTORS

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

35

Board of Directors_

Non-executive Director since November 2000, Chairman from May 2009 and last re-elected in 2014.  
Chairman of the Nomination Committee, and a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee. Ms Livingstone is a Chartered Accountant and has held several finance and general management 
roles, primarily in the medical devices sector. She was the Chief Executive of Cochlear Limited from 1994 to 2000  
and Chairman of CSIRO from 2001 to 2006. She has also served on the boards of Goodman Fielder Limited  
and Rural Press Limited. In 2008, Ms Livingstone was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service  
to the development of Australian science, technology and innovation policies for the business sector. In 2014,  
Ms Livingstone was appointed President of the Business Council of Australia.

Catherine B Livingstone AO
Age 59 BA (Hons), Hon DBus 
(Macquarie), Hon DSc (Murdoch),  
Hon DLitt (USyd), Hon D Bus (UTS),  
FCA, FTSE, FAICD, FAA

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, WorleyParsons Limited (from 2007), Macquarie Bank Limited (2003-2013) and Macquarie Group 
Limited (2007-2013). Other: President, Business Council of Australia (from 2014) and President, Australian 
Museum Trust (from 2012). Member, The Growth Centres Advisory Committee (from 2015), Commonwealth 
Science Council (from 2014) and the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council (from 2013). Director, The 
George Institute for Global Health (from 2012) and Saluda Medical Pty Ltd (from 2013).

Andrew R Penn
Age 52 BEc, MBA (Kingston),  
AMP (Harvard), FCCA, HFAIPM

Geoffrey A Cousins AM
Age 72

Peter R Hearl
Age 64 B Com (UNSW), MAIM, GAICD, 
Member – AMA

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director since 1 May 2015. Mr Penn joined Telstra in 2012 as Chief 
Financial Officer. In this role, he was responsible for strategy, mergers and acquisitions, treasury, internal audit, 
risk management, tax, corporate planning, reporting and analysis, external reporting and investor relations.  
In addition, as Group Executive, International, he was responsible for expanding Telstra’s operations outside 
Australia. Mr Penn is an experienced chief executive and chief financial officer with a career spanning more than 
30 years. Prior to joining Telstra, he was with AXA Asia Pacific in a variety of positions around Asia for 20 years, 
including Group Chief Executive (2006-2011), Chief Executive Officer Australia and New Zealand, Group Chief 
Financial Officer and Chief Executive for Asia. Mr Penn has also contributed widely to not for profit and 
community organisations.

Other directorships/appointments:
Life Governor and Foundation Board member, Very Special Kids (from 2003). Member, Juvenile Diabetes 
Research Foundation Advisory Council, The Big Issue Advisory Group, and Ambassador, Amy Gillet Foundation.

Non-executive Director since November 2006 and last re-elected in 2012. Member of the Nomination 
Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Mr Cousins has more than 26 years’ experience as a company 
director. Previously Chairman of George Patterson Australia, he is also a former Director of Publishing and 
Broadcasting Limited, the Seven Network, Hoyts Cinemas group and NM Rothschild & Sons Limited. He was the 
first Chief Executive of Optus Vision and before that held a number of executive positions at George Patterson, 
including Chief Executive of George Patterson Australia. In 2014, Mr Cousins was appointed a Member of the 
Order of Australia for significant services to the community and to the visual and performing arts.

Mr Cousins was previously a consultant to the Prime Minister. He was also Chairman of Cure Cancer Australia 
and of the St James Ethics Foundation, and has served on the boards of the Insurance Australia Group Ltd, 
Globe International Limited and a number of cultural institutions and not for profit foundations.

Other directorships/appointments:
President, Australian Conservation Foundation (from 2014).

Non-executive Director since 15 August 2014, elected in October 2014. Member of the Nomination Committee 
and the Remuneration Committee. Mr Hearl is an experienced company director with substantial international 
experience as a senior executive in the fast moving consumer goods sector. Mr Hearl served in senior executive 
roles with Yum! Brands Inc from 1997 to 2008, including Chief Operating and Development Officer for Yum! 
Brands globally from 2006 until 2008. He previously worked for PepsiCo Inc in Sydney and London reaching 
regional vice-president level, as well as in various roles with Exxon in the United States and Australia.

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Treasury Wine Estates (from 2012) and Goodman Fielder Ltd (2010-2015). Other: Member, UNSW’s 
Australian School of Business Alumni Leaders Group and previously honorary Chairman of the US-based  
UNSW Study Abroad-Friends and US Alumni Inc.

Non-executive Director since September 2009 and last re-elected in 2012. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee. 
Mr Higgins is an experienced company director who has worked at very senior levels of both government and 
private sectors. He has served on the boards of a wide range of listed companies, private companies, government 
business enterprises and international organisations, including as Chairman of the Snowy Mountains Hydro 
Electric Scheme and the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. From 2003 to 2004, he was Chairman of 
the then Prime Minister’s Energy Task Force and prior to that he was Secretary of the Department of Industry, 
Science and Resources. In 2006, Mr Higgins was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the 
community in financial management and accountability, microeconomic reform and science and innovation.

Russell A Higgins AO
Age 65 BEc, FAICD

Directorships of listed companies (past three years):
Director, APA Group (from 2004), Argo Investments Limited (from 2011), Leighton Holdings Limited (2013-2014) 
and Ricegrowers Limited (SunRice) (2005-2012).

36

Board of Directors_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Chin Hu Lim
Age 56 B Applied Science, Dip EEE

Non-executive Director since August 2013 and elected in October 2013. Mr Lim is an experienced company 
director and has almost 30 years of experience in the technology sector across the Asia Pacific Region. He is  
the Managing Partner of Stream Global Pte Ltd, a venture fund providing seed funding for technology start-ups. 
He was CEO of Frontline Technologies Corp Inc., a Singapore Exchange listed company, from 2000 to 2008 and  
BT South East Asia from 2010 to 2011. Previously, he was Managing Director for Sun Microsystems in Singapore 
and country director for Sun in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam during the 1990s, after a career 
in Hewlett Packard in the 1980s.

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc (NASDAQ: KLIC) (from 2011), Keppel DC Reit Pte Ltd (from 2014).  
Other: Director, Heliconia Capital Management Pte Ltd (from 2014), Citibank Singapore Ltd (from 2013),  
G-Able (Thailand) Ltd (from 2011) and Changi General Hospital & Integrated Health Information Systems  
(from 2009). Fellow and Council member of Singapore Institute of Directors (from 2012) and Infocomm 
Development Authority – Personal Data Protection Advisory Committee (from 2013).

Non-executive Director since July 2008 and last re-elected in 2014. Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
and a member of the Nomination Committee. Mr Mullen is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 
Asciano Ltd and has served in that role since 2011. He has worked for more than two decades in a multitude of 
senior positions with different multinationals including 10 years with the TNT Group – two years of those as its 
Chief Operating Officer. From 1991 to 1994, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer of TNT Express Worldwide. 
Mr Mullen joined Deutsche Post World Net as an Advisor in 1994, becoming Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express 
Asia Pacific in 2002 and Joint Chief Executive Officer, DHL Express, in 2005. Mr Mullen was Global Chief Executive 
Officer, DHL Express, from 2006 to 2009.

John P Mullen
Age 60 BSc

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Asciano Ltd (from 2011), Brambles Limited (2009-2011), Embarq Corporation USA (2006-2009) and  
MAp Airports Limited (2010-2011). Other: Member, Australian Graduate School of Management (from 2005).

Non-executive Director since August 2010 and last re-elected in 2013. Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee.
Dr Scheinkestel is an experienced company director with a background as a senior banking executive in international 
and project financing. She consults to government, corporate and institutional clients in areas such as corporate 
governance, strategy and finance. She is also an Associate Professor in the Melbourne Business School at Melbourne 
University and a member of the Takeovers Panel. Dr Scheinkestel has served as Chairman and Director of a number 
of utilities. Other prior directorships include AMP Limited and its funds management and banking subsidiaries, 
Mayne Group Limited and Mayne Pharma Limited, Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd, Newcrest Mining 
Limited and North Limited. In 2003, she was awarded a centenary medal for services to Australian society in 
business leadership.

Directorships of listed companies (past three years):
Chairman, Macquarie Atlas Road Limited (from 2015 (Director from 2014)), Director, Macquarie Atlas Roads 
International Limited (from 2015), Stockland Corporation Ltd (effective 19 August 2015), Orica Limited (from 
2006 and retiring effective 1 December 2015), Insurance Australia Group Limited (from 2013-2014), Pacific 
Brands Limited (2009-2013) and AMP Limited (2003-2013).

Non-executive Director since May 2012 and elected in October 2012. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee. 
Ms Seale has more than 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles in Australia and overseas, including in 
consumer goods, global publishing and the transition of traditional business models to adapt and thrive in a digital 
environment, and in sales and marketing. She was Managing Director of Random House, Australia (with managerial 
responsibility for Random House New Zealand) and President, Asia Development for Random House Inc, the global 
company. She was Chief Executive Officer of The Macquarie Dictionary and Lansdowne Publishing (1997-1999), 
and also of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (1994-1997). She served on the boards of the Australian 
Publishers’ Association, the Powerhouse Museum, the Sydney Writers Festival and on the Council of Chief 
Executive Women, chairing its Scholarship Committee (2011-2012).

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Ramsay Health Care Limited (from 2015), Bank of Queensland Limited (from 2014).  
Other: Director, Random House Australia, New Zealand (from 2001).

Non-executive Director since September 2009 and last re-elected in 2012. Member of the Nomination 
Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Mr Vamos has more than 30 years’ experience in the information 
technology, internet and online media industry. He led Microsoft Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to 
January 2007 before moving to the United States to become the company’s online business head of worldwide 
sales and international operations. Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer of ninemsn. Mr Vamos also worked 
for Apple Computer in the 1990s after spending 14 years in senior management roles at IBM Australia.

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Fletcher Building Limited (from 2015), David Jones Limited (2012-2014). Other: Director, Medibank Private 
Limited (2011-2014), Reading Room Inc (from 2013), BDB Soti Pty Ltd (from 2012), eGeneration Investments Pty 
Limited (from 1999). Member, Advisory Board of the University of Technology Sydney Business School (from 2011).

Non-executive Director since May 2006 and last re-elected in 2012. Mr Zeglis has had a long and  
distinguished career in the US telecommunications sector. He joined AT&T in 1984, and was elected its  
President in 1998 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the AT&T Wireless Group in 1999. He continued  
as CEO of AT&T Wireless until retiring in November 2004 following the company’s sale to Cingular Wireless.  
He has also served on the boards of Georgia Pacific Corporation, Illinois Power Company and Sara Lee 
Corporation. Mr Zeglis has a legal background, and became partner with the law firm Sidley & Austin in 1978.  
He was General Counsel of AT&T from 1986 to 1998.

Directorships of listed companies (past three years) and other directorships/appointments:
Director, Helmerich & Payne Corporation (from 1989). Other: Director, The Duchossois Group (from 2011)  
and State Farm Automobile Insurance (from 2004).

37

Nora L Scheinkestel
Age 55 LLB (Hons), PhD, FAICD

Margaret L Seale
Age 54 BA, FAICD

Steven M Vamos
Age 57 BEng (Hons)

John D Zeglis
Age 68 BSc Finance, JD Law (Harvard)

SENIOR  
MANAGEMENT  
TEAM

In 2015 we made some changes 
to our senior management team 
and corporate structure.

We appointed Warwick Bray to the  
role of Chief Financial Officer in May, 
following Andrew Penn’s appointment  
as CEO. Warwick’s previous role was  
Group Managing Director, Products  
with responsibility for our mobile, fixed, 
NBN and Wi-Fi products. He brings more 
than 25 years of global experience in 
finance, strategy, telecommunications  
and business development and a  
deep understanding of the worldwide 
telecommunications industry.

We also integrated our Business  
Support & Improvement (BS&I) business 
unit into other parts of the company.

BS&I, led by Robert Nason was created  
in 2010 to solve a number of specific 
cross-company issues Telstra was  
facing at the time. Since then, we have 
delivered productivity gains, our NPS 
score has improved significantly and  
we have established tools, processes  
and programs to help us simplify the 
business, which provided the opportunity 
to integrate the unit.

Earlier this year, Robert decided to retire 
after championing this productivity and 
customer advocacy agenda across Telstra. 
He will remain until October 2015 to help 
manage the transition of work into our 
other business units.

We made some changes to our 
International team to ensure we  
continue our focus on this strategically 
important part of our business and 
maintain our momentum. Tim Chen, 
President of Telstra International, will 
leave Telstra at the end of the calendar 
year however he will continue as the 
Chairman of Autohome. Tim has played  
a fundamental role for International  
as we have developed our relationships 
and capabilities in Asia. His contribution 
to navigating our growth paths in the 
region and in China position us well  
for the future success.

Cynthia Whelan will take on the role of 
Group Executive of Telstra International  
in an acting capacity.

38

Andrew Penn
Chief Executive Officer

Mr Penn became Chief Executive Officer  
in May, 2015.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, 
Andrew led the Finance and Strategy and 
International teams as Chief Financial 
Officer and Group Executive International.

Gordon Ballantyne
Group Executive, Telstra Retail

Telstra Retail brings together Telstra’s core 
domestic activities covering consumer, 
business, sales and marketing, fixed and 
mobiles, our National Broadband Network 
and media products, and our Telstra 
Health™ business.

Warwick Bray
Chief Financial Officer

The Finance and Strategy team is 
responsible for corporate planning and 
strategy, accounting and administration, 
treasury, risk management and assurance, 
corporate security, investor relations, 
capital planning and delivery, billing and 
credit management, procurement and 
supply chain and mergers and 
acquisitions.

Tracey Gavegan
Group Executive, Human Resources

Human Resources is responsible for 
organisational effectiveness and capability, 
talent and succession management, 
implementation of people and culture 
initiatives, leadership development, 
health, safety and environment,  
workplace relations and all employment 
and remuneration policies and practices 
that work towards making Telstra a great 
place to work and its people a source  
of competitive advantage.

Stuart Lee
Group Executive, Telstra Wholesale

Telstra Wholesale is responsible for 
telecommunication products and services 
delivered over Telstra networks and 
associated support systems to non-Telstra 
branded carriers, carriage service providers 
and internet service providers as well  
as NBN Co. Telstra Wholesale also buys 
services from NBN Co and other carriers 
on behalf of the whole company.

Kate McKenzie
Chief Operations Officer,  
Telstra Operations

Telstra Operations is responsible  
for the planning, design, engineering, 
construction, operation, maintenance, 
service installation and restoration of 
Telstra’s networks and information 
technology. The group is also responsible 
for the company’s innovation portfolio, 
encouraging company-wide innovation 
and creation of new service opportunities.

Carmel Mulhern
Group General Counsel,  
Telstra Legal Services

Telstra Legal Services provides operational 
and strategic legal support and advice  
to the Board and across the company, 
including on corporate governance and 
compliance, contracts, consumer law, 
mergers and acquisitions, regulatory 
issues and dispute resolution.

Brendon Riley
Group Executive,  
Global Enterprise and Services

Global Enterprise and Services provides 
enterprise and Government customers  
in Australia and around the world with 
leading networks, advanced products  
and solutions, together with supporting 
services to enable the connected business 
world. It is also responsible for incubating 
Telstra Software Group, a new division 
focused on intelligent video solutions for 
the personalised TV world, and muru-D®  
a start-up accelerator supporting the  
next generation of entrepreneurship.

Tony Warren
Group Executive, Corporate Affairs

Corporate Affairs is responsible  
for Telstra’s internal and external 
communications, government relations, 
regulatory affairs and sustainability 
(including the Telstra Foundation®).

Cynthia Whelan
Acting Group Executive,  
Telstra International

International is responsible for developing 
Telstra operations and activities outside  
of Australia to deliver on the company 
strategy. This includes identifying growth 
opportunities in target markets, with a 
particular focus on Asia.

Senior Management Team_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Andrew Penn

Gordon Ballantyne

Warwick Bray

Tracey Gavegan

Stuart Lee

Kate McKenzie

Carmel Mulhern

Brendon Riley

Tony Warren

Cynthia Whelan

Timothy Chen

Robert Nason

39

GOVERNANCE  
AT TELSTRA

Our governance framework plays 
an integral role in supporting 
our business and helping us 
deliver on our strategy.
It provides the structure through which  
our strategy and business objectives are 
set, our performance is monitored, and  
the risks we face are managed. It includes 
a clear framework for decision making  
and accountability across our business 
and provides guidance on the standards 
of behaviour we expect of each other.

We are committed to excellence in 
corporate governance, transparency  
and accountability. This is essential  
for the long term performance and 
sustainability of our company, and to 
protect and enhance the interests of our 
shareholders and other stakeholders.

We regularly review our governance 
arrangements, to reflect developments  
in market practice, expectations and 
regulation as appropriate. We comply  
with the third edition of the ASX  
Corporate Governance Principles  
and Recommendations.

This section provides an overview of  
our shareholder engagement initiatives 
and our Board and its operating rhythm, 
as well as some of the other important 
elements of our governance framework. 
Our full corporate governance statement, 
which provides detailed information  
about governance at Telstra, is available 
on our website at telstra.com/governance.

Our governance  
framework includes:

•  open, clear and timely 
communications with  
our shareholders

•  a skilled, experienced,  

diverse and independent  
Board, with a Board  
Committee structure  
suited to our needs

•  clear delegation, decision  
making and accountability 
frameworks

•  robust systems of  

risk management and 
assurance

•  Telstra Values, Code  

of Conduct and policy 
framework which define  
the standards of  
behaviour we expect  
of each other as we  
deliver on our purpose  
and achieve our strategy.

Shareholders

Telstra Board

Remuneration  
Committee

Audit & Risk  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

Chief Executive Officer

Our People

40

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

2014 Annual General Meeting

Engaging with our shareholders

We value a direct, two-way dialogue  
with our shareholders and investors  
about our company. We believe it is 
important not only to provide relevant 
information as quickly and efficiently as 
possible (recognising the importance of 
meeting our continuous disclosure and 
other legal obligations to the market),  
but also to listen to and understand  
their perspectives and respond to  
their feedback.

We have a number of initiatives in  
place to promote effective communication 
with our shareholders and investors,  
and to encourage participation at our 
shareholder meetings. During FY15  
these included:

• Retail shareholder information  

briefings – as we have done in recent 
years, before our 2014 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM) we held four retail 
shareholder information briefings  
with the CEO and/or CFO. Briefings were 
held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and 
Adelaide and attended by about 1,000 
retail shareholders. We intend to hold 
similar briefings again this year ahead  
of our 2015 AGM

• Encouraging questions in advance of 

our AGM – we encouraged shareholders 
to provide us with their questions  
ahead of our 2014 AGM, consistent  
with our approach in previous years,  
and we received more than 1,300 
questions and comments. This helped  
us understand shareholder issues and 
concerns and enabled us to address  
the key areas of shareholder feedback

• Investor briefings – we held various 

briefings for investors during the year, 
including our April 2015 Investor day on 
growth through network and product 
differentiation, which provided investors 
with insights into our mobiles business, 
our networks, security and innovation

• Electronic communications – we 

continued to encourage shareholders  
to provide us with their email addresses 
so we could communicate with them 

electronically. We utilised electronic 
communications to inform shareholders 
about events and matters relevant to  
our company, such as the appointment  
of our new CEO, our strategy to improve 
customer advocacy and our April 2015 
investor event

• Webcasting important company  

events – we webcast important events 
such as our financial results briefings, 
our AGM and other investor events 
discussing the performance and 
strategy of our business.

Following shareholder feedback and 
consistent with our capital management 
framework, in February 2015 we also 
announced the reactivation of our 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan for our 
shareholders.

The Board

The Board actively seeks to 
ensure it has an appropriate mix 
of diversity (including gender 
diversity), skills, experience and 
expertise to enable it to discharge 
its responsibilities effectively 
and to be well equipped to help 
our company navigate the range 
of opportunities and challenges  
we face.

Composition
As at the date of this report, we have  
11 Directors on the Board, comprising  
10 non-executive Directors and the CEO. 
With the exception of the CEO, all our 
Directors are non-executive Directors  
and have been determined by the Board  
to be independent. Details of the Directors 
can be found in the Board of Directors 
section of this report.

The Board has identified the set of skills, 
experience and expertise it currently  
has and is looking to achieve in its 
membership, reflecting areas particularly 
relevant to the three pillars of our strategy 

(improve customer advocacy, drive  
value from the core and build new  
growth businesses), as well as other  
areas of general relevance to the 
composition of our Board. The Board 
reviews this on a regular basis and it  
helps the Board identify areas of focus 
and to maintain an appropriate and 
diverse mix in its membership.

During FY15, one new non-executive 
Director, Peter Hearl, was appointed to  
the Board. The Board considered it would 
benefit from additional experience in  
the area of building customer advocacy. 
Mr Hearl brings considerable experience 
from industries including consumer goods 
and energy, and in building customer 
advocacy for brands. He was appointed to 
the Board in August 2014 and was elected 
by shareholders at our 2014 AGM.

Directors also welcomed Andrew Penn to 
the Board as Managing Director on 1 May 
2015, when he became our CEO following 
David Thodey’s retirement as CEO and as  
a Director on 30 April 2015.

For FY15, the Board’s measurable 
objective about Board diversity was that 
there would be at least three women on  
the Board, representing a female gender 
representation among non-executive 
Directors of at least 30 per cent. As at  
30 June 2015, there were three female 
Directors on the Board (including the 
Chairman of the Board and Chairman of  
the Audit & Risk Committee), representing 
a female gender representation among 
non-executive Directors of 30 per cent.

For FY16, the Board has maintained its 
diversity objective, with an additional 
aspiration to achieve 40 per cent female 
representation among non-executive 
Directors by 2020.

The Board has three standing  
Committees – the Audit & Risk Committee, 
the Remuneration Committee and the 
Nomination Committee. Together they  
play a significant role by focusing in  
more detail on specific areas of our 
operations and governance framework, 
which assists in strengthening the  
Board’s oversight of Telstra.

41

Governance at Telstra_

Board operating rhythm
The Board has an established Board  
cycle, which provides a high level overview 
of items to be considered over a 12 month 
period. Its key purpose is to link the Board 
program with strategic and operational 
priorities and to ensure the Board devotes 
appropriate time to consideration of  
the various dimensions of our business 
across the cycle. The items covered  
across the cycle include matters ranging 
from implementation of our strategy, 
performance against our corporate plan, 
the status of our material business risks 
and matters requiring Board approval,  
to matters relating to our people, culture 
and governance framework. The Board 
cycle is reviewed on an ongoing basis  
 to ensure it reflects the current needs  
of the Board and the business.

Some of the activities and areas of focus 
of the Board during FY15 included:

• in depth consideration of our strategy 

over the short, medium and longer term

• a Board visit to our overseas operations 
in Hong Kong and the Philippines in  
April 2015. The Directors met with our 
people, customers and stakeholders  
and it provided the Board with valuable 
insight into our operations in Asia, as 
well as aspects of our customer service 
initiatives and new growth businesses

• selecting and appointing our new CEO, 

Andrew Penn, and overseeing his smooth 
transition into the role.

Managing our risks

Understanding and managing  
our risks is part of how we work.  
It helps us meet our business 
objectives and our legal and 
regulatory obligations, and  
to make better decisions  
and act ethically in the best 
interests of Telstra Group and 
our shareholders.

We have a risk management framework  
in place that provides the foundations  
and organisational arrangements for  
how we manage risks across the Group. 
The framework aligns with ISO 31000:2009, 
the International Standard for risk 
management, and consists of a set of 
components for designing, implementing, 
monitoring, reviewing and continually 
improving risk management at Telstra.  
The objective is for our risk management 
framework to be embedded within our 
governance, strategic decision-making, 
business activities, operations and culture.

42

Telstra’s Risk Management Framework

MANDATE & COMMITMENT

D ESIGN

RISK MANAGEMENT 
PROCESS

Establish the context

Identify

Analyse

Evaluate

Treat

E
V
O
R
P
M

I

T
L
U
S
N
O
C
&
E
T
A
C
N
U
M
M
O
C

I

M
O
N
I
T
O
R
&
R
E
V
E
W

I

I

M
P
L
E
M
E
N
T

MONITOR & R E V I E W

PEOPLE | CULTURE | TOOLS | TECHNOLOGY

The framework is designed, implemented and reviewed via our ‘three lines of defence’ 
accountability model, which comprises the following:

• First Line – business stakeholders and operational management who are responsible 

for identifying, assessing and managing their risks

• Second Line – the Chief Risk Office, and risk management teams in the business units, 
who are responsible for risk and compliance frameworks, oversight and monitoring

• Third Line – our Group Internal Audit function, who are responsible for providing 

independent assurance on governance, risk management and internal control processes.

One of the core components of our framework is the risk management process  
which provides the business with a process for assessing our risks. Through this risk 
management process, we identify, monitor and report on risks to the achievement of  
our plans and objectives. The risk management process is inclusive of all types of risks 
from internal and external sources, including strategic, operational, financial, regulatory, 
and sustainability risks.

A summary of our material business risks (including any material exposure to  
economic, environmental and social sustainability risks), their key drivers and our plans 
to manage them is provided in the Strategy and Performance section of this report.  
Our material business risks, which are strategic in nature and can have a material 
impact on the achievement of our strategic growth objectives and future financial 
prospects, are monitored for changes in their exposure and are reported to the Board 
during the course of the financial year, along with their related controls and treatment 
plans. Our principal risk exposures, which are operational in nature, are monitored and 
reported to our Management Risk Committee and the Audit & Risk Committee.

Also core to our framework are the activities we undertake to monitor and review  
its design and implementation. We conduct reviews and self-assessments of our 
framework across the enterprise, and report the results to our Management Risk 
Committee and the Audit & Risk Committee. We use the results of those reviews,  
as well as recommendations from Group Internal Audit, our third line of defence, to 
identify and implement opportunities for improving our framework. In respect of FY15, 
the Audit & Risk Committee has reviewed Telstra’s risk management framework and 
satisfied itself that it continues to be sound.

 
 
 
 
Governance at Telstra_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Acting ethically and responsibly

OUR PURPOSE

Why we exist

OUR STRATEGY

Where we are going 

What we are going to do

OUR VALUES

What we stand for 

How we do things

Our Telstra Values

Show  
you care

Better  
together

Trust each 
other to 
deliver

Make the  
complex 
simple

Find your 
courage

Our purpose is to create a 
brilliant connected future for 
everyone. Our Telstra Values, 
together with our Telstra Group 
Code of Conduct and policy 
framework, define the standards 
of behaviour that we expect of 
each other as we deliver on our 
purpose and achieve our strategy.

Our values express what we stand  
for and are core to our business. As a 
values-led organisation, our values  
shape our people’s decisions and  
actions. They guide how we work together. 
We align everything we do with them.

Our Code of Conduct and policy 
framework
Our Code of Conduct and policy  
framework underpin our Telstra Values. 
Together they set out, in more detail,  
the standards of behaviour we expect of 
our people. They define our commitment 
to good corporate governance, responsible 
business practice, our customers, our 
workforce, the communities in which  
we operate and the environment.  
They also provide the structure through 
which we maintain compliance with  
our legal obligations.

Our governance framework includes 
elements that address the following  
key areas. These are central to how we 
promote good governance, and ethical  
and responsible behaviour:

Our people and our community
• Health and safety – recognising our 

commitment to the health, safety and 
wellbeing of our staff, contractors and 
community. In addition to highlighting 
the importance of caring about health 
and safety, it sets out our commitment  
to providing a safe and healthy 
workplace and our expectations of  
our staff, contractors and suppliers.

• Diversity – setting out our strategy  

and principles in relation to diversity. 
This provides the framework for the 
establishment of our diversity measurable 
objectives, and monitoring and reporting 
on diversity matters across Telstra.

• Discrimination and bullying – aiming  

• Whistleblowing – providing an  

to ensure that we have a workplace free 
of all forms of unlawful discrimination, 
harassment, bullying and victimisation.

• Sustainability – seeking to manage our 
business to produce an overall positive 
impact for our customers, employees, 
shareholders, the wider community and 
other stakeholders, while minimising  
our environmental impacts.

Our customers
• Privacy – setting out our commitment  

to the protection of our customers’ 
personal information. This outlines  
how we protect customer personal 
information, how and why we collect  
it, how we may use and disclose it,  
how we keep it secure and accurate,  
and how customers may access their 
personal information.

Good corporate governance and 
responsible business practice
• Anti-bribery and anti-corruption – 
aiming to ensure we comply with all 
applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption 
laws. We also seek to ensure that gifts, 
prizes and hospitality are not given or 
accepted in inappropriate circumstances, 
including where the offering or acceptance 
may (or may be perceived to) compromise 
independence or be construed as a bribe.

• Conflicts of interest and outside 

activities – helping our employees  
and contractors understand what  
would be a conflict of interest, how  
to avoid actual, potential or apparent 
conflicts of interest, and how to  
manage them if a conflict arises.

avenue for anyone to report suspected 
unethical, illegal or improper behaviour. 
Our whistleblowing process is supported 
by an independent service provider and 
all disclosures are treated confidentially 
and can be made anonymously.

• Securities trading – setting out the  

rules and restrictions relating to buying, 
selling and otherwise dealing in Telstra 
securities by our Directors, CEO, senior 
management, specified other employees 
and their closely related parties, through 
a trading windows approach.

• Market disclosure – outlining 

responsibilities and the process for  
the approval of our ASX announcements, 
including where Board approval is 
required, as well as the role of our  
CEO, CFO and Continuous Disclosure 
Committee in relation to disclosure 
matters. We aim to ensure that we 
provide our shareholders, investors  
and the financial community with 
appropriate and timely information  
while ensuring we fulfil our statutory 
reporting obligations under the 
Corporations Act and the ASX Listing 
Rules.

• Social media – providing guidance  
to employees and contractors who  
use social media, either as part of  
their job or in a personal capacity,  
about our expectations when they  
talk online about us, our products and 
services, our people, our competitors 
and/or other business related  
individuals or organisations.

43

DIRECTORS’ 
REPORT

In accordance with a resolution of the Board, the Directors present 
their report on the consolidated entity (Telstra Group) consisting 
of Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra) and the entities it 
controlled at the end of, or during the year ended, 30 June 2015. 
Financial comparisons used in this report are of results for the 
year ended 30 June 2015 compared with the year ended 30 June 
2014.

The historical financial information included in this Directors’ 
Report has been extracted from the audited Financial Report on 
pages 70 to 174 of the Annual Report accompanying this Directors’ 
Report.

Principal activity

Our principal activity during the financial year was to provide 
telecommunications and information services for domestic and 
international customers. There has been no significant change in 
the nature of this activity during the year.

Review and results of operations

Information on the operations and financial position for the 
Telstra Group is set out in our Operating and Financial Review 
(OFR), consisting of Our Business, The Year at a Glance, Chairman 
and CEO Message, Strategy and Performance and Full Year 
Results and Operations Review on pages 2 to 26 of this Annual 
Report.

Dividends

On 13 August 2015, the Directors resolved to pay a final fully 
franked dividend of 15.5 cents per ordinary share ($1,894 million), 
bringing dividends per share for financial year 2015 to 30.5 cents 
per share. The record date for the final dividend will be 27 August 
2015, with payment being made on 25 September 2015. Shares 
will trade excluding entitlement to the dividend on 25 August 
2015.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) remained suspended with 
respect to the interim dividend for the financial year 2015. The 
Board has determined that the DRP will operate for the final 
dividend for financial year 2015 to be paid in September 2015. The 
election date for participation in the DRP is 28 August 2015.

Dividends paid during the year were as follows:

Fully 
franked 
dividend 
per 
share

Total 
dividend
($ million)

Date 
resolved

Date
paid

14 Aug 
2014

26 Sept 
2014

15.0 
cents

12 Feb 
2015

27 March 
2015

15.0 
cents

1,866

1,833

Dividend
Final dividend for 
the year ended 
30 June 2014
Interim dividend 
for the year ended 
30 June 2015

Capital management

On 6 October 2014, Telstra announced the completion of an off-
market share buy-back pursuant to which 217,418,521 shares, 
representing 1.75 per cent of Telstra's issued share capital, were 
purchased off-market and cancelled. These shares were bought 
back at a price of $4.60 for an aggregate consideration of $1billion. 
This represented a discount of 14 per cent to the Telstra market 
price of $5.34 (volume weighted average price of Telstra ordinary 
shares over the five trading days up to and including the closing 
date of 3 October 2014).

Significant changes in the state of affairs 

There were no significant changes in the state of affairs of our 
company during the financial year ended 30 June 2015.

Business strategies, prospects and likely developments

The OFR sets out information on the business strategies and 
prospects for future financial years, and refers to likely 
developments in Telstra's operations and the expected results of 
those operations in future financial years (see Our Business, The 
Year at a Glance, Chairman and CEO Message, Strategy and 
Performance and Full Year Results and Operations Review on 
pages 2 to 26 of this Annual Report). Information in the OFR is 
provided to enable shareholders to make an informed assessment 
of the business strategies and prospects for future financial years 
of the Telstra Group. Detail that could give rise to likely material 
detriment to Telstra (for example, information that is 
commercially sensitive, is confidential or could give a third party a 
commercial advantage) has not been included. Other than the 
information set out in the OFR, information about other likely 
developments in Telstra's operations and the expected results of 
these operations in future financial years has not been included.

Events occurring after the end of the financial year 

Apart from the final dividend for financial year 2015 and the DRP 
operating in respect of that dividend, the Directors are not aware 
of any matter or circumstance that has arisen since the end of the 
financial year, that, in their opinion, has significantly affected, or 
may significantly affect in future years, Telstra’s operations, the 
results of those operations or the state of Telstra’s affairs.

Details of Directors and executives 

Changes to the Directors of Telstra Corporation Limited during the 
financial year and up to the date of this report were:
• Peter R Hearl was appointed as a non-executive Director 

effective 15 August 2014

• Andrew R Penn was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and 

Managing Director effective 1 May 2015

• David I Thodey retired as Chief Executive Officer and Managing 
Director effective 30 April 2015. He commenced in the role from 
19 May 2009. Mr Thodey (BA, FAICD) joined Telstra in April 2001 
as Group Managing Director of Telstra Mobiles. From 
December 2002 to May 2009 he was Group Managing Director 
Telstra Enterprise and Government where he was responsible 
for the Company's corporate, government and large business 
customers in Australia, TelstraClear in New Zealand and 
Telstra's International sales division.

 44

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Directors’ Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Information about our Directors and senior executives is provided 
as follows:
• names of our current Directors and details of their 

qualifications, experience, special responsibilities, periods of 
service and directorships of other listed companies are given in 
the Board of Directors section on pages 36 to 37of this Annual 
Report

• details of Director and senior executive remuneration are set 

out in the Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 67 which forms 
part of this Directors’ Report.

Details of Directors’ shareholdings in Telstra are shown in the 
table below: 

(a) Directors’ shareholdings in Telstra
As at 13 August 2015

Director
Catherine B Livingstone
Andrew R Penn
Geoffrey A Cousins
Peter R Hearl
Russell A Higgins
Chin Hu Lim
John P Mullen
Nora L Scheinkestel
Margaret L Seale
Steven M Vamos
John D Zeglis
David I Thodey(2)

Number of shares held(1)
170,000
394,979
101,765
45,000
88,404
10,000
26,159
84,154
212,500
40,000
103,993
4,668,739

(1) The number of shares held refers to shares held either directly or indirectly by 
Directors as at 13 August 2015. Shares in which the Director does not have a relevant 
interest, including shares held by the Directors’ related parties (including relatives), are 
excluded. Refer to the Remuneration Report (Table 5.8) for total shares held by 
Directors, representing those shares held directly, indirectly and beneficially as at 30 
June 2015. For Margaret Seale includes 175,000 shares held by a related party in which 
she has relevant interest.

(2) The number of shares disclosed is the number held as at the date of cessation as a 
Director.

Board and Committee meeting attendance
Details of the number of meetings held by the Board and its 
Committees during financial year 2015, and attendance by Board 
members, are set out below:

Board

Remuneration

C B Livingstone
A R Penn(2)
G A Cousins
P R Hearl(3)(4)
R A Higgins
C H Lim
J P Mullen
N L Scheinkestel
M L Seale
S M Vamos
J D Zeglis 
D I Thodey(5)
Total number of meetings held during the year
Column a: number of meetings held while a member.
Column b: number of meetings attended.
(1) Committee meetings are open to all Directors to attend. Where a Director has attended a meeting of a Committee of which he or she was not a member, this is indicated by ( ).
(2) Appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective 1 May 2015.
(3) Appointed as non-executive Director effective 15 August 2014.
(4) Appointed as a member of the Nomination Committee effective 11 February 2015 and as a member of the Remuneration Committee effective 4 February 2015.
(5) Retired as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective 30 April 2015.

11

8

6

7

b
7
(1)
6
2(1)
(1)
-
7
(1)
(1)
7
(1)
(5)

Audit & Risk
b
a
5
6
(1)
-
(1)
-
-
-
6
6
(1)
-
-
-
6
6
6
6
-
-
-
-
(5)
-

Committees (1)
Nomination
b
a
8
8
-
-
8
8
3
3
(7)
-
(7)
-
8
8
(7)
-
(7)
-
8
8
(7)
-
-
-

a
11 
2
11
9
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
9

b
11
2
11
9
11
11
11
10
11
11
11
9

a
7
-
7
3
-
-
7
-
-
7
-
-

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

45

Directors’ Report

Company Secretary

(a) Damien Coleman B Ec, LLB (Hons), FCIS
Damien Coleman was appointed Company Secretary of Telstra 
Corporation Limited effective 1 January 2012.

Mr Coleman joined Telstra in 1998 and has served in senior legal 
roles across the company, including in Sensis, Mergers and 
Acquisitions and Telstra Operations. Most recently, he was 
General Counsel, Finance and Administration, Office of the 
Company Secretary and National Broadband Network (NBN). In 
that role he was responsible for Telstra’s continuous disclosure 
compliance and all legal aspects of the Annual Report preparation 
and Annual General Meeting, as well as annual financial results 
announcements. Mr Coleman also played a key role in the 
negotiation of the Definitive Agreements for Telstra’s participation 
in the rollout of the NBN. Before joining Telstra, Mr Coleman was a 
senior lawyer at a leading Australian law firm. He holds a Bachelor 
of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Australian 
National University. 

Directors’ and officers’ indemnity and insurance

(a) Constitution
Telstra’s constitution provides for it to indemnify each officer, to 
the maximum extent permitted by law, for any liability and legal 
costs incurred as an officer of Telstra or a related body corporate. 
If one of Telstra’s officers or employees is asked by Telstra to be a 
director or other officer of a company that is not related to it, 
Telstra’s constitution provides for it to indemnify the officer or 
employee for any liability he or she incurs. This indemnity applies 
only if the liability was incurred in the officer’s or employee’s 
capacity as an officer of that other company. This indemnity is to 
the maximum extent permitted by law, as if that liability had been 
incurred in the capacity as an officer of Telstra. Telstra’s 
constitution also allows it to indemnify employees and outside 
officers in some circumstances. The terms "officer", "employee" 
and "outside officer" are defined in Telstra’s constitution.

(b) Deeds of indemnity in favour of directors, officers and 
employees 
Telstra has also executed deeds of indemnity in favour of 
(amongst others):
• Directors of Telstra (including past Directors)
• secretaries and senior managers of Telstra and directors, 

secretaries and senior managers of Telstra’s wholly owned 
subsidiaries (other than Telstra Super Pty Ltd)

• directors, secretaries and senior managers of a related body 
corporate of Telstra (other than a wholly owned subsidiary) 
while the director, secretary or senior manager was also an 
employee of Telstra or a director or employee of a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Telstra (other than Telstra Super Pty Ltd)
the officers listed above (other than Telstra Directors) and 
certain employees of Telstra or a related body corporate of 
Telstra who are appointed as directors or secretaries of a 
company which is not a related body corporate of Telstra, at the 
request of Telstra

•

• certain employees of non-wholly owned subsidiaries of Telstra 
who are appointed as directors of such non-wholly owned 
subsidiaries at the request of Telstra.

Each of these deeds provides an indemnity as permitted under 
Telstra’s constitution and the Corporations Act 2001 
(Corporations Act). The term “senior manager” is defined in the 
Corporations Act. The deeds in favour of Directors of Telstra also 
give Directors certain rights of access to Telstra’s books and 
require it to maintain insurance cover for the Directors.

Telstra has also executed a deed of indemnity in favour of certain 
employees (including certain officers) in respect of liabilities and 
legal costs that may be incurred as part of the NBN transaction. 
The indemnity is to the maximum extent permitted by law and is 
subject to the employee performing his or her duties, such as 
acting in good faith and complying with all applicable laws.

Telstra also has in place other indemnities that have been granted 
in the past (and disclosed in previous Directors’ Reports) that are 
ongoing but relate to matters that Telstra considers historical.

(c) Directors’ and officers’ insurance
Telstra maintains directors' and officers' insurance policies that, 
subject to some exceptions, provide worldwide insurance cover to 
past, present and future directors, secretaries and officers and 
certain employees of Telstra and its subsidiaries. Telstra has paid 
the premiums for the policies. The directors' and officers' 
insurance policies prohibit disclosure of the premiums payable 
under the policies and the nature of the liabilities insured.

Environmental regulation and performance

Information on Telstra's environmental and sustainability 
performance is included in the Sustainability section on pages 27 
to 34 of this Annual Report and on the Telstra website.

Telstra, as a minimum, seeks to be compliant with all applicable 
environmental laws and regulatory permissions relevant to its 
operations. Where instances of non-compliance may occur, 
Telstra has procedures requiring that internal investigations are 
conducted to determine the cause of the non-compliance and to 
ensure that any risk of recurrence is minimised. Telstra 
procedures further require that the relevant governmental 
authorities are notified of any environmental incidents (where 
applicable) in compliance with statutory requirements.

Telstra has not been prosecuted for, or convicted of, any 
significant breaches of environmental regulation during the 
financial year. On 6 July 2015, Telstra received an infringement 
notice penalty of $8,538 for contravention of the Environmental 
Protection Act 1994 (Qld) as a result of a diesel spill from a fuel 
storage tank at a Telstra site in Cape Kimberly that occurred in 
April 2015. Telstra subsequently undertook clean up work to 
remediate the site.

In Australia, Telstra is subject to the reporting requirements of 
both the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 and the 
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

On the 4th September 2014, the Commonwealth Government 
repealed the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006.  The repeal 
applied retrospectively effective from 29 June 2014. Telstra has 
no outstanding reporting obligations relating to this legislation.

The Commonwealth National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting 
Act 2007 requires Telstra to report its annual Australian 
greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy 
production. Telstra has implemented systems and processes for 
the collection and reporting of data and has, in accordance with 
our obligations, reported to the Clean Energy Regulator on an 
annual basis. The next report is due on 31 October 2015 and will 
again be supported with an independent assurance audit to a 
reasonable assurance standard.

 46

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Directors’ Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

A copy of the Board resolution granting approval has been lodged 
with ASIC in accordance with section 324DAC of the Corporations 
Act. This is available from the corporate governance section of our 
website (www.telstra.com/governance). The statutory disclosures 
required under section 300(11AA) of the Corporations Act in 
relation to this approval will appear in the Directors' Report for 
financial year 2016, being the year in which Mr Ferguson will play 
a significant role in the audit of the Company in reliance on the 
approval granted under section 324DAA of the Corporations Act.

Non-audit services

During financial year 2015, Telstra’s auditor, Ernst & Young (EY), 
has been employed on assignments additional to its statutory 
audit duties. Details of the amounts paid or payable to EY for audit 
and non-audit services provided during the year are detailed in 
note 8 to the financial statements.

The Directors are satisfied, based on advice provided by the Audit 
& Risk Committee, that the provision of non-audit services during 
financial year 2015 is consistent with the general standard of 
independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act and 
that the nature and scope of each type of non-audit service 
provided did not compromise the auditor independence 
requirements of the Corporations Act for the following reasons:
• all EY engagements, including non-audit services, were 

approved in accordance with the external auditor services 
policy adopted by the Company and subject to confirmation by 
both management and EY that the provision of these services 
does not compromise auditor independence
the external auditor services policy clearly identifies prohibited 
services, which include reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own 
work or EY partners or staff acting in a managerial or decision-
making capacity for Telstra
fees earned from non-audit work undertaken by EY are capped 
at 1.0 times the total audit and audit related fees
the provision of non-audit services by EY is monitored by the 
Audit & Risk Committee via periodic reporting to the Audit & 
Risk Committee.

•

•

•

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration is set out in the 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration to the Directors of Telstra 
Corporation Limited on page 68 and forms part of this report.

Auditor

On 11 February 2015, the Board granted approval under section 
324DAA of the Corporations Act for Mr Stephen John Ferguson to 
continue, as lead auditor, to play a significant role in the audit of 
the Company for one additional successive financial year, being 
the financial year ending 30 June 2016. The approval was granted 
in accordance with a recommendation from the Audit & Risk 
Committee which was satisfied the approval:
•

is consistent with maintaining the quality of the audit provided 
to the Company

• would not give rise to a conflict of interest situation (as defined 

in section 324CD of the Corporations Act).

Reasons supporting this decision include:
• Mr Ferguson’s appointment as lead auditor for Telstra 

occurred during the second half of FY2011 and whilst he had 
full carriage of the audit in relation to Telstra’s FY2011 
reporting, in practical terms he has been involved in the audit 
for only approximately 4 calendar years
the Audit & Risk Committee has been satisfied with the quality 
of Ernst & Young and Mr Ferguson’s work as auditor
the Company maintains, and will continue to maintain, robust 
auditor independence policies and controls to ensure the 
independence of the auditor is maintained.

•

•

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

47

REMUNERATION
REPORT

Executive Summary

Key changes in FY15

This report details the remuneration framework and
outcomes for Key Management Personnel (KMP) of the
Telstra Group for the year ended 30 June 2015 (FY15).

Our aim in preparing this report is to enable you, our 
shareholders and interested stakeholders, to understand
the links between remuneration, company strategy and
Telstra’s performance, and the framework we have in place
to provide effective governance over remuneration at Telstra.
To support this we have sought to provide a comprehensive 
overview of our performance and remuneration outcomes, 
including additional voluntary disclosures, as well as a
summary of our governance practices.

The report has been prepared in accordance with section
300A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act).
The information in this report has been audited as required
by section 308(3C) of the Corporations Act.

Remuneration outcomes in FY15
The overall structure and philosophy of Telstra’s approach
to remuneration remained consistent throughout FY15.
Telstra continued to perform well in FY15 across key measures, 
including fi nancial results, growth and customer service.

Our remuneration philosophy is based on linking fi nancial 
rewards directly to employee contributions and company 
performance. The remuneration outcomes for FY15 therefore 
refl ect the strong performance of the business and the value 
created for shareholders over the past four years.

THE KEY OUTCOMES UNDER
OUR INCENTIVE PLANS THIS YEAR WERE

Short term
incentives

Long term
incentives

Senior Executives received an average
of 61.0% of the maximum opportunity 
available based on the assessment
of fi nancial, customer advocacy and
individual performance.

The FY13 LTI plan was tested on 30 June 2015. 
The outcome was that 85.5% of the maximum 
opportunity vested as Restricted Shares.
The results of the two plan measures were
that the Telstra Relative Total Shareholder 
Return (RTSR) ranked at the 72nd percentile
of the comparator group and Telstra achieved
a Free Cash Flow Return on Investment (FCF 
ROI) outcome of 20.5%, which exceeded the 
target of 19.3% for the FY13 LTI plan. The value 
of these Restricted Shares refl ects the fact that 
Telstra’s share price increased by more than 
66% over the three year performance period.

During the year there were signifi cant changes to our Senior 
Executive team, with the Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO) announcing 
his retirement, appointment of a new CEO and a new Chief 
Financial Offi cer (CFO), and the Group Executive (GE) Business 
Support and Improvement (BS&I) announcing his retirement.
In FY15 Telstra also reviewed its non-executive Director fees 
relative to the ASX20.

The remuneration implications of these changes are:

•  Since David Thodey ceased to be CEO on 30 April 2015, he has 

continued to receive his ordinary fi xed remuneration throughout 
his six month notice period which ends on 21 August 2015.
Upon ceasing employment Mr Thodey will receive his accrued 
statutory entitlements. He will receive a cash STI payment of 
$3,402,600 based on actual company performance and individual 
performance at target for FY15. For FY16, he will receive a pro rata 
STI payment of $377,534 up to 21 August 2015 based on 
performance at target. These are both in accordance with the STI 
plan policy. The Board exercised its discretion to permit Mr Thodey 
to retain 274,083 of the 939,716 performance rights allocated to 
him under the FY15 LTI plan. He will also receive his entitlements 
under the FY12, FY13 and FY14 LTI plans. All of these are subject 
to the original performance conditions and restriction periods
of the relevant plan terms. He will forfeit half of his FY14 STI 
Restricted Shares (62,432 shares) consistent with the plan rules.

•  Andrew Penn commenced in the role of CEO on 1 May 2015.

His reported remuneration includes 10 months where he held
the role of CFO and GE International and two months as CEO.
Mr Penn’s fi xed remuneration as CEO of $2,325,000 was set 
between the 25th percentile and median of the ASX20 which
the Board considered appropriate for a new CEO, with maximum 
annual STI and LTI opportunities set at 200 per cent of fi xed 
remuneration respectively.

•  Warwick Bray was appointed CFO effective 1 May 2015, moving 
from the role of Group Managing Director Products. Mr Bray’s
fi xed remuneration as CFO of $1,100,000 was set between the 
25th percentile and median of the ASX20 which the Board 
considered appropriate for a new CFO, with maximum annual
STI and LTI opportunities set at 200 per cent and 160 per cent
of fi xed remuneration respectively.

•  Robert Nason announced his retirement from the role of

GE BS&I on 17 April 2015. Mr Nason continued in his role until
30 June 2015 and will continue to provide transition support
and other assistance within the business until his cessation date 
of 30 September 2015. He will receive his accrued entitlements as 
well as his entitlements under relevant incentive plans. He will 
forfeit the FY15 LTI allocation and half of FY14 STI Restricted 
Shares (23,768 shares) consistent with the plan rules.

•  Following a review, the Board (other than the Chairman) decided

to increase the Chairman’s fee, to position it appropriately against 
the ASX20. The increase was 9.9 per cent to $775,000, effective
1 October 2014. Prior to this, the last change to the Chairman’s 
fee was made in 2012. No other changes were made to any of 
the Committee or non-executive Director fees.

The overall structure of our Remuneration Report 
remains consistent with the way in which it has been 
presented for the last few years. We hope you fi nd it 
helpful and informative in evaluating our performance 
and the effectiveness of our governance framework.

48

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Section

1. Remuneration snapshot

What is covered

Page

1.1

1.2

1.3

Key Management Personnel

Lists the names and roles of the Key Management Personnel whose 
remuneration details are disclosed in this report. 

Actual pay and benefits which 
crystallised in FY15

Lists the actual crystallised pay and benefits received by Senior 
Executives in FY15.

Looking forward

Provides an overview of remuneration changes proposed for FY16. 

2. Setting Senior Executive remuneration

2.1

2.2

Remuneration policy, strategy and 
governance

Policy and practice

2.3

Remuneration components

3. Executive remuneration outcomes

Explains Telstra’s remuneration policy and strategy, and how the 
Board and Remuneration Committee make decisions, including the 
use of external consultants. 
Provides examples of how we implement our policy in practice, 
explaining the executive remuneration mix as well as our shareholding, 
trading and hedging policies. 
Shows how executive remuneration is structured to support business 
objectives and how it aligns with company performance, and explains 
the FY15 Short Term Incentive (STI) plan and Long Term Incentive (LTI) 
grants made in FY15.

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

Financial performance

Short Term Incentive outcomes

Long Term Incentive outcomes

Senior Executive contract details

Provides a breakdown of our performance, share price and dividends 
over the past five years.
Details the STI outcomes, including payments as a percentage of the 
maximum opportunity, achievement by key performance indicators 
(KPI) and a comparison of payments to the previous year. 
Details the LTI outcomes for plans with a performance test at 30 June 
2015. 
Lists the key contract terms governing the employment of Senior 
Executives (including termination entitlements where relevant). 

4. Non-executive director remuneration

4.1

4.2

4.3

Remuneration structure

Remuneration policy and strategy

Remuneration components

Provides details of the fee structure for Board and Committee roles.
Provides a summary of our approach to non-executive Director fees, 
together with a summary of our shareholding policy for non-executive 
Directors.
Describes how non-executive Directors can allocate their 
remuneration between cash and superannuation components.

5. Remuneration tables and glossary

5.1 — 5.8 Remuneration tables

5.9

Glossary

1. REMUNERATION SNAPSHOT

Provides the remuneration disclosures required by the Corporations 
Act and in accordance with relevant Australian Accounting Standards. 
Explains abbreviations and key terms used in the Report.

49

50

50

51

51

52

54

54

55

56

56

57

57

58

67

1.1 Key Management Personnel
Telstra's KMP comprise the Directors of the company and Senior Executives. The term "Senior Executives" refers to the CEO and those 
executives with authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company and the Group, directly 
or indirectly. The Senior Executives disclosed in this report are:

Name 

Andrew Penn

Gordon Ballantyne

Warwick Bray

Stuart Lee

Kate McKenzie

Robert Nason

Brendon Riley

David Thodey

Most recent Senior Executive role in FY15
CEO effective 1 May 2015
CFO and GE International until 30 April 2015
GE Telstra Retail

CFO effective 1 May 2015

GE Telstra Wholesale

Chief Operations Officer

GE Business Support and Improvement
GE Global Enterprise and Services

CEO until 30 April 2015

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

49

Remuneration Report

1.2 Actual pay and benefits which crystallised in FY15
The table below details actual pay and benefits for Senior 
Executives who were employed as at 30 June 2015. This is a 
voluntary disclosure and some of the figures in this table have not 
been prepared in accordance with the Australian Accounting 
Standards, as explained below.

We have continued to include this table in our remuneration report 
because we believe it is helpful to assist shareholders in 
understanding the cash and other benefits actually received by 
Senior Executives from the various components of their 
remuneration during FY15.

Our approach to presenting this table has been as follows:

• The amounts shown in this table include Fixed Remuneration, 
STI payable as cash under the FY15 STI plan, as well as any 
restricted STI or LTI that has been earned as a result of 
performance in previous financial years but was subject to a 
Restriction Period that ended in either June 2015 or August 
2015. We believe that including amounts in this table, even 
though they may not be paid (or the relevant Restriction Period 
for equity may not end) until early FY16, is an effective way of 
showing the link between executive remuneration outcomes 
and the relevant performance year.

• The pay and benefits for Mr Thodey and Mr Bray are shown for 
the full duration of FY15 even though they were only Senior 

Executives for part of FY15. We believe this is the most effective 
way to show pay and benefits actually received as they were 
both employed by Telstra for the whole of FY15.

• Our sustained share price growth over the past three years has 
driven much of the value in the table below. The Telstra share 
price at the time of allocation for the FY12 LTI plan that will 
become unrestricted on 19 August 2015 was $3.11. On 30 June 
2015 the closing share price was $6.14. This increase of 97.4 per 
cent is reflected in the value of the equity that will become 
unrestricted, demonstrating the link between executive 
remuneration and shareholder returns.

As a general principle, the Australian Accounting Standards 
require the value of share-based payments to be calculated at the 
time of grant and accrued over the performance period and 
Restriction Period. The Corporations Act and Australian 
Accounting Standards also require that pay and benefits be 
disclosed for the period that a person is a Senior Executive. This 
may not reflect what Senior Executives actually received or 
became entitled to during FY15.

The figures in this table have not been prepared in accordance 
with the Australian Accounting Standards. They provide additional 
and different disclosures to Table 5.1 (which provides a 
breakdown of Senior Executive remuneration in accordance with 
statutory requirements and the Australian Accounting 
Standards).

Name

Andrew Penn
Gordon Ballantyne
Warwick Bray (1)
Stuart Lee
Kate McKenzie
Robert Nason
Brendon Riley
David Thodey (1)

Fixed 
Remuneration 
($)

Non-
monetary 
benefits ($) (2)

1,625,274
1,350,000
820,951
1,040,000
1,200,000
1,080,000
1,350,000
2,650,000

32,612
214,591
11,280
13,229
14,209
20,709
9,443
11,669

Short Term 
Incentive 
payable as 
cash ($) (3)

1,638,696
975,038
537,961
569,205
1,181,850
1,386,720
1,337,550
3,402,600

Value of STI 
Restricted 
Shares that 
became 
unrestricted 
($) (4)(5)

Value of LTI 
that became 
unrestricted 
($) 
(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)

FY15 Total ($)

489,880
423,107
274,556
361,014
366,134
356,034
387,139
913,577

296,255
-
368,400
714,518
2,345,204
2,468,630
3,085,792
7,523,170

4,082,717
2,962,736
2,013,148
2,697,966
5,107,397
5,312,093
6,169,924
14,501,016

(1)  For Mr Thodey and Mr Bray we have included remuneration for the entire FY15 even though they were not Senior Executives for the full year. This is different from the statutory 
disclosures in Section 5 which only reflects the period for which they were Senior Executives. The values disclosed under Fixed Remuneration, Non-monetary benefits and Short 
Term Incentive payable as cash for the remaining Senior Executives are as detailed in Table 5.1.

(2)  Includes the value of personal home security services provided by Telstra, provision of car parking and in the case of Gordon Ballantyne, return flight benefits to the United 
Kingdom and assistance with taxation services provided under the terms of his service agreement.

(3)  Amount relates to the cash component (75 per cent) of STI earned for FY15, which will be paid in September 2015. The remaining 25 per cent will be provided as Restricted 
Shares. The Restriction Period for half of the shares will end on 30 June 2016 and the other half on 30 June 2017. For Mr Thodey and Mr Nason the amount reflects 100 per cent 
of the STI earned as none will be deferred as per the STI policy in the event of retirement.

(4)  Amount relates to the value of STI earned in prior financial years, which was provided as Restricted Shares and the Restriction Period for these shares ends on 30 June 2015. 
These represent 50 per cent of the Restricted Shares relating to each of the FY13 and FY14 performance periods. Equity in this table has been valued based on the Telstra closing 
share price on 30 June 2015 of $6.14.

(5)  Mr Bray's Restricted Shares include an allocation from an FY12 STI Deferral plan that had a three year restriction period ending August 2015.

(6)  Amount relates to Performance Rights with a final test date of 30 June 2014, which vested as Restricted Shares under the FY12 LTI plan. The Restriction Period for these shares 
ends in August 2015. Equity in this table has been valued based on the Telstra closing share price on 30 June 2015 of $6.14.

(7)  The LTI value for Mr Penn represents 48,250 shares vesting on 14 December 2014 from his initial allocation of 96,500 Performance Shares disclosed in the FY12 remuneration 
report. The equity valued is based on the Telstra closing share price on 30 June 2015 of $6.14.

(8)  Both Mr Penn and Mr Ballantyne did not participate in the FY12 LTI plan.

(9)  Mr Bray was allocated a retention share plan on 2 July 2012, which included 60,000 Performance Rights that vested in July based on performance in FY15.

(10)  Mr Thodey retained 1,225,272 shares from his FY12 LTI plan as his employment continues until after the restriction period ends.

1.3 Looking forward
For FY16, we do not anticipate any change in our approach to Senior Executive remuneration. In particular, there will be no Fixed 
Remuneration increases and no changes to the STI and the LTI opportunities as a percentage of Fixed Remuneration for the Senior 
Executives.

 50

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

2. SETTING SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION

2.1 Remuneration policy, strategy and governance
Our remuneration policy is designed to: 

• support the business strategy and reinforce our culture and 

values

• link financial rewards directly to employee contributions and 

company performance

• provide market competitive remuneration to attract, motivate 

and retain highly skilled employees

• achieve remuneration outcomes of internal consistency to 

ensure employees performing at similar levels in similar roles 
are remunerated within a broadly similar range

• ensure that all reward decisions are made free from bias and 

support diversity within Telstra

• support commercially responsible pay decisions.
Our governance framework for determining Senior Executive 
remuneration includes the aspects outlined below.

a) The Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee monitors and advises the Board on 
remuneration matters and consists only of independent non-
executive Directors. It assists the Board in its responsibilities by 
monitoring and advising on Board and Senior Executive 
remuneration, giving due consideration to the law and corporate 
governance principles.

The Remuneration Committee also reviews and makes 
recommendations to the Board on Telstra's overall remuneration 
strategy, policies and practices, and monitors the effectiveness of 
Telstra's remuneration framework in achieving Telstra's 
remuneration policy objectives.

The governance of Senior Executives' remuneration outcomes 
remains a key focus of the Board generally and the Remuneration 
Committee in particular. We regularly review our policies to ensure 
that remuneration outcomes for our executives continue to be 
aligned with company performance.

b) Annual remuneration review
The Remuneration Committee reviews Senior Executive 
remuneration annually to ensure there is a balance between fixed 
and at risk pay, and that it reflects both short and long term 
performance objectives aligned to Telstra's strategy.

The Board reviews the CEO's remuneration based on market 
practice, performance against agreed measures and other 
relevant factors, while the CEO undertakes a similar exercise in 
relation to Senior Executives. The results of the CEO's annual 
review of Senior Executives' performance and remuneration are 
subject to Board review and approval.

c) Incentive design and performance assessment
The Remuneration Committee oversees the process of setting 
robust measures and targets to encourage strong Senior 
Executive performance and behaviour that is aligned to our 
values.

STI and LTI performance measures are set at the beginning of each 
year. The performance measures in the STI plan and LTI plan have 
been selected as the Board believes they are the most relevant 
measures to reflect our business strategy and increase 
shareholder value.

Telstra uses a volume weighted average share price (VWAP) to 
determine the number of Restricted Shares to be allocated under 
the STI plan (see 2.3c STI deferral), and the number of 
Performance Rights to be allocated under the LTI plans. 

The calculation is based on the VWAP for the 5 trading days after 
the full year results announcement in the year in which the 
relevant allocation is made.

If performance targets are achieved we award 50 per cent of the 
total maximum potential, which is set between 150 per cent to 200 
per cent of Fixed Remuneration. The maximum level is only paid if 
there is significant over achievement of targets. There is no 
incentive awarded unless a threshold level of performance is 
achieved.

At the end of each financial year, the Board reviews the company’s 
audited financial results and the results of the other non financial 
measures. The Board then determines the percentage outcome of 
the STI and LTI by assessing performance against each 
performance measure. The Board considers this is the most 
appropriate method for assessing whether these performance 
measures have been satisfied.

d) Engagement with consultants
External consultants are required to engage directly with the 
Remuneration Committee Chairman as the first point of contact 
whenever market data for Senior Executive positions is supplied 
to Telstra. To assess market competitiveness in FY15, the 
Committee engaged Guerdon Associates for the provision of 
ASX20 market data but did not require a remuneration 
recommendation.

2.2 Policy and practice

a) Plan variation guidelines
The Board may, in its absolute discretion, amend the terms or 
targets of the STI and LTI plan where an event occurs that means 
the targets of the relevant plan are no longer appropriate. 
Situations where this discretion can be applied include:
• Board approved material change to the strategic business plan
• material regulatory or legislative change
• significant out of plan business development such as 

acquisitions and divestments.

In these circumstances the Board may also exercise discretion to 
determine the outcome under the STI plan and LTI plan to take 
account of the relevant events.

During FY15 no plan terms were amended, however the Board did 
exercise its discretion in determining the outcome of the FY15 STI 
plan and the FY13 LTI plan as outlined in 3.2 b) and 3.3 
respectively.

b) NBN and remuneration
From FY13 the NBN Transaction was incorporated into Telstra's 
established corporate planning processes and Senior Executives 
continue to be accountable for achieving planned outcomes, 
including NBN related cash flows.

Performance measures for future STI and LTI plans will continue 
to be developed using the most up to date forecasts for the 
financial impacts of the NBN Transaction.

The Board may use its discretion as outlined in 2.2 a) if, due to 
external factors, the NBN rollout does not proceed according to 
NBN Co's published business plan at the time the measures are 
developed. The Board’s objective in considering the exercise of 
this discretion is to avoid windfall gains and losses.

An NBN adjustment was made for the FY15 STI plan for the GE 
Telstra Wholesale as outlined in 3.2 b). No NBN adjustments were 
made in determining the outcome for the FY15 STI plan in which 
the other Senior Executives participate.The NBN adjustment in 
determining the FY13 LTI plan outcome is outlined in 3.3.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

51

Remuneration Report

c) Executive Share Ownership Policy
The intent of Telstra's Executive Share Ownership Policy is to align 
a significant portion of executive remuneration to the creation of 
longer term shareholder value. Under the policy, Senior Executives 
are required to hold Telstra shares to the value of 100 per cent of 
their Fixed Remuneration by the later of 30 June 2015, or within 
five years of first appointment to Senior Executive level.

Any Restricted Shares held by Senior Executives are included in 
calculating their shareholding for the purposes of this policy. 
Senior Executives must obtain Board or, in certain circumstances, 
CEO or Chairman approval before they sell shares if they have not 
yet met their share ownership requirements under the policy.

Progress is monitored by the Board on an ongoing basis. All Senior 
Executives met the policy's shareholding requirement as at 30 
June 2015.

d) Restrictions and governance
All KMP must comply with Telstra's Securities Trading Policy, 
which includes a requirement that Telstra securities can only be 
traded during specified trading windows and with prior written 
approval. KMP must also consider how any proposed dealing in 
Telstra securities could be perceived by the market and must not 
deal if the proposed dealing could be perceived as taking 
advantage of their position in an inappropriate way.

They are also prohibited from speculative dealing in Telstra 
securities for short term gain, using Telstra securities as collateral 
in any financial transactions, (including margin loan 
arrangements), or engaging in stock lending arrangements.

KMP are prohibited from entering into any hedging arrangement 
that limits the economic risk of holding Telstra securities under 
Telstra equity plans. This helps align executives' and 
shareholders' interests.

KMP are required to confirm on an annual basis that they comply 
with our Securities Trading Policy, which thereby enables Telstra 
to monitor and enforce our policy.

2.3 Remuneration components

a) Remuneration mix of senior executives
The graph below shows the FY15 remuneration mix for Senior 
Executives. The variable components of STI (including any 
potential Restricted Shares) and LTI are expressed at target 
(which is 50 per cent of the maximum opportunity as explained in 
2.1).

CEO

33.3%

25.0%

8.4%

33.3%

41.7% EQUITY

Other 
Senior
Executives

GE Telstra
Wholesale

35.7%

26.8%

8.9%

28.6%

37.5% EQUITY

46.5%

26.2%

8.7% 18.6%

27.3% EQUITY

FR

STI

Deferred STI

LTI

Our remuneration structure is designed to support our 
remuneration strategy and is consistent for our Senior Executives. 
The remuneration mix for the Senior Executives reflects the nature 
of, and the appropriate market benchmark for, their roles. The GE 
Telstra Wholesale has different STI and LTI plans to comply with 
Telstra’s Structural Separation Undertaking (SSU).

Remuneration structure

ATTRACT, MOTIVATE
AND RETAIN
HIGHLY SKILLED PEOPLE

REINFORCE VALUES AND
CULTURAL PRIORITIES

REWARD ACHIEVEMENT
OF FINANCIAL AND 
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

ALIGN TO LONG TERM
SHAREHOLDER
VALUE CREATION

Fixed
Remuneration

Short Term Incentive
(at risk)

Long Term Incentive
(at risk)

CASH

EQUITY

•  Base salary plus 
superannuation

• 

Set based on market
and internal relativities,
performance, qualifications 
and experience

•  75% of STI outcome paid 
in September after the 
fi 
financial year end

• 

STI outcome based 
on Telstra’s financial,
 customer and individual 
performance

•  25% of the STI outcome is

deferred as Restricted Shares

•  Performance Rights subject 
to performance conditions

• 

Half of the shares are 
restricted for 1 year and 
the other half for 2 years

• 

Subject to clawback and 
forfeiture in circumstances 
outlined below

• 

50% subject to RTSR and 
50% subject to FCF ROI

• 

Performance is measured 
over 3 years with an additional 
1 year Restriction Period

• 

Subject to clawback and 
forfeiture in circumstances 
outlined below

Base reward 
market competitive

Encourages sustainable performance in the medium 
to longer term and provides a retention element

 52

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

b) FY15 STI Plan
For FY15, all Senior Executives participated in the same STI plan 
with the exception of the GE Telstra Wholesale who participates in 
a standalone plan for regulatory reasons. The performance 
measures of the FY15 STI plan were FCF for STI, EBITDA, Total 
Income, our customer advocacy measure, which is our Net 
Promoter Score (NPS), and individual performance objectives. The 
Board selected these performance measures as it believes they 
are a critical link between achieving the outcomes of Telstra's 
business strategy and increasing shareholder value. In relation to 
these performance measures:
• the financial measures were set in accordance with our FY15 

financial plan and strategy

• the NPS supports Telstra's strategy of creating customer 

advocates. An explanation of the way in which NPS is calculated 
is included in 3.2 b)

• the individual performance objectives were set at the beginning 
of FY15 and were based on each Senior Executive's expected 
individual contribution to the achievement of our strategy.

The performance measures of the STI plan operate independently 
of each other and each measure has a defined performance 
threshold, target and maximum. Each Senior Executive has a 
maximum STI opportunity ranging from 150 per cent to 200 per 
cent of their Fixed Remuneration depending on the role they 
perform.

The FY15 STI plan for the GE Telstra Wholesale must comply with 
Telstra's SSU, which was completed as part of the NBN 
Transaction. This provides that the GE Telstra Wholesale may only 
participate in incentive plans that reflect solely the objectives and 
performance of the Wholesale business unit. The performance 
measures for the FY15 STI plan applicable to the GE Telstra 
Wholesale were Wholesale Total Income, Wholesale EBITDA, 
Wholesale NPS and individual performance.

Details of the STI outcomes for Senior Executives for FY15 are 
provided in 3.2.

c) STI deferral
Twenty five per cent of Senior Executives' actual STI award is 
provided as Restricted Shares. Half the shares are restricted for 
one year, and the other half are restricted for two years.

During the Restriction Period, Senior Executives are entitled to 
dividends and can vote their Restricted Shares, as all performance 
hurdles of the STI plan have been met. They are, however, 
restricted from dealing with the shares during this period.

If a Senior Executive leaves Telstra for any reason, other than a 
Permitted Reason, before the end of the relevant Restriction 
Period, the Restricted Shares are forfeited.

Restricted Shares may also be forfeited if a clawback event occurs 
during the Restriction Period. A clawback event includes 
circumstances where a Senior Executive has engaged in fraud, 
dishonesty or gross misconduct, or where the financial results 
that led to the Restricted Shares being granted are subsequently 
shown to be materially misstated, and also situations where the 
behaviour of a Senior Executive brings Telstra into disrepute or 
has an impact on Telstra's long term financial strength.

d) FY15 LTI Plan

Participation
The FY15 LTI plan is limited to 17 executives, being Telstra's 
Executive Committee members, including the Senior Executives 
whose remuneration is included in this report (with the exception 
of the GE Telstra Wholesale).

Performance Rights form the basis of the reward under the LTI 
plan. Senior Executives are not required to pay for the 
Performance Rights. However, for any Performance Rights to vest 
as Restricted Shares, a minimum threshold performance against 
the relevant measure must be satisfied.

The LTI plan has two separate performance measures, being RTSR 
and FCF ROI.

Details of the Performance Rights granted to Senior Executives in 
relation to the FY15 LTI plan are provided in Section 5.

Plan structure

Plan component

Performance Measure 
Weighting

Detail

50% to RTSR; 50% to FCF ROI

Performance Period

1 July 2014 to 30 June 2017

Restriction Period End Date

30 June 2018

Minimum Threshold for RTSR 
Vesting

RTSR Vesting Schedule

50th percentile of peer group

25% vests at 50th percentile, 
straight-line vesting to 75th 
percentile where 100% vests

Minimum Threshold for FCF ROI 
Vesting

15.0%

FCF ROI Vesting Schedule

50% vests at target of 15.0%, 
straight line vesting to stretch 
target of 16.6% where 100% 
vests

Retesting

No

Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR)
RTSR measures the performance of an ordinary Telstra share 
(including the value of any cash dividends and other shareholder 
benefits paid during the period) relative to the other companies in 
the comparator group over the same period.

The Board believes that RTSR is an appropriate performance 
hurdle because it links executive reward to Telstra's share price 
performance relative to its global peers.

The comparator group for the FY15 LTI plan included the following 
large market capitalisation telecommunication firms: AT&T Inc; 
Belgacom Group; Bell Canada Enterprises Inc; BT Group plc; 
Deutsche Telekom AG; Orange SA; Koninklijke KPN N.V.; KT 
Corporation; Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp; NTT DoCoMo 
Inc; Portugal Telecom SGPS SA; Singapore Telecommunications 
Ltd; SK Telecom Co Ltd; Swisscom AG; Telekom Austria AG; 
Telecom Italia S.p.A.; Spark NZ Ltd (formerly Telecom Corporation 
of NZ Ltd until 8 August 2014); Telefonica S.A.; Telenor ASA; 
TeliaSonera AB; Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group 
Plc.

The FY15 LTI comparator group is consistent with previous LTI 
plans except that Sprint Nextel Corporation has been removed 
due to a prior acquisition by Softbank Corporation. Telecom 
Corporation of New Zealand Ltd, part of the FY14 comparator 
group changed to Spark NZ Ltd on 8 August 2014 and remains in 
the FY15 comparator group under its new name.

The Board has discretion to change members of the comparator 
group under the LTI plan terms.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

53

Remuneration Report

Free Cashflow Return On Investment (FCF ROI)
FCF ROI as determined by the Board is calculated by dividing the 
average annual FCF for LTI over the three year performance period 
by Telstra's Average Investment over the same period.

The Board selected the FCF ROI measure as an absolute LTI target 
on the basis that cash generation by the business over the longer 
term is central to the creation of shareholder value.

Vesting of Performance Rights as Restricted Shares
At the end of FY17, the Board will review Telstra's audited financial 
results for FCF ROI and RTSR to determine the percentage of 
Performance Rights that vest as Restricted Shares under the FY15 
LTI plan.

Until the Performance Rights vest as Restricted Shares, a Senior 
Executive has no legal or beneficial interest in any Telstra shares 
to be granted under the FY15 LTI plan, no entitlement to receive 
dividends and no voting rights in relation to those shares.

If a Senior Executive leaves Telstra for any reason, other than a 
Permitted Reason, any unvested Performance Rights lapse unless 
the Board exercises its discretion otherwise. If they leave Telstra 
for a Permitted Reason, a pro rata number of Performance Rights 
will lapse based on the proportion of time remaining until 30 June 
2018. The pro rata portion relating to the Senior Executive's 
completed service may still vest subject to achieving the 
performance measures of the FY15 LTI plan on 30 June 2017.

Performance Rights that vest as Restricted Shares are subject to 
a Restriction Period expiring on 30 June 2018. If a Senior Executive 
leaves Telstra for any reason other than a Permitted Reason 
before the end of the Restriction Period, the Restricted Shares are 
forfeited, unless the Board exercises its discretion otherwise.

Similar to the clawback provisions for STI deferral under 2.3 c), the 
Performance Rights may lapse and Restricted Shares may be 
forfeited if a clawback event occurs during the performance 
period or Restriction Period.

Group Executive Telstra Wholesale
Due to the requirements of the SSU, the GE Telstra Wholesale 
participates in a separate equity plan.

In FY15, the GE Telstra Wholesale was allocated 117,277 
Restricted Shares in lieu of the FY14 LTI plan for other Senior 
Executives based on performance against the FY14 STI measures. 
They are subject to a Restriction Period that will end on 30 June 
2017, during which time the GE Telstra Wholesale is entitled to 
earn dividends on, and exercise voting rights attached to those 
shares.

If the GE Telstra Wholesale leaves Telstra before the end of the 
three year Restriction Period for any reason, other than a 
Permitted Reason, the Restricted Shares will be forfeited. If he 
leaves for a Permitted Reason he will retain a pro rata number of 
Restricted Shares that remain subject to the original Restriction 
Period.

In lieu of participation in the Senior Executive FY15 LTI plan, the GE 
Telstra Wholesale will be allocated Restricted Shares in FY16 
based on his performance against his FY15 STI plan measures, 
namely Wholesale Total Income, Wholesale EBITDA, Wholesale 
NPS and individual performance.

Both of these plans contain the same clawback provisions as the 
FY15 STI Deferral plan for other Senior Executives.

3. EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

The table in 3.1 provides a summary of the key financial results for 
Telstra over the past five financial years. The tables in 3.2 and 3.3 
provide a summary of how those results have been reflected in the 
remuneration outcomes for Senior Executives.

3.1 Financial performance
Details of Telstra's performance, share price and dividends over 
the past five years are summarised in the table below:

Performance 
measures
Earnings
Total Income 
(2)
EBITDA (2)

Net Profit (3)

FY15
$m

FY14
$m

FY13(1)
$m

FY12
$m

FY11
$m

26,607

26,296

24,776

25,503

25,304

10,745

11,135

10,168

10,234

10,151

4,231

4,275

3,739

3,405

3,231

Shareholder value
Share price ($) 
(4)
Total 
dividends paid 
per share 
(cents)

6.14

30.0

5.21

4.77

3.69

2.89

28.5

28.0

28.0

28.0

(1)  FY13 results have been restated due to the retrospective adoption of changes to 
AASB 119: "Employee Benefits".

(2)  Following the disposal of a 70 per cent stake in our Sensis directories business in 
FY14, our FY15, FY14 and FY13 Total Income and EBITDA include only continuing 
operations.

(3)  FY15, FY14 and FY13 Net Profit attributable to equity holders of the Telstra entity 
include continuing and discontinued operations (Sensis Group).

(4)  Share prices are as at 30 June for the respective year. The closing share price for 
FY10 was $3.25

3.2 Short Term Incentive outcomes

a) Average STI payment as a percentage of STI opportunity
The average STI payment for Senior Executives as a percentage of 
the maximum potential payout is shown in the following table:

Performance 
year
STI received as 
% of maximum

FY15

FY14

FY13

FY12

FY11

61.0

53.6

66.0

65.6

48.4

b) Overall FY15 STI Plan outcomes
At the end of FY15, the Board reviewed Telstra's audited financial 
results and the results of the other performance measures for the 
FY15 STI plan and the FY15 STI plan for the GE Telstra Wholesale. 
The Board has assessed performance against each measure and 
determined the percentage of STI that is payable, of which 25 per 
cent will be provided through Restricted Shares.

The Board determined the outcomes of the financial measures to 
ensure there were no windfall gains or losses due to the timing of 
the NBN rollout, spectrum purchases and material acquisitions 
and divestments.

The calculation of the NPS measure was based on asking Telstra's 
customers to rate their likelihood of recommending Telstra, out of 
a score of 10. The overall NPS result for Telstra was the weighted 
average of the surveys from Telstra's Consumer (50 per cent), 
Small Business (15 per cent), Telstra Managed Business (10 per 
cent) and Global Enterprise and Services (25 per cent) customers. 
The surveys were undertaken by third party research companies.

 54

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

The FY15 outcome was based on the three month average from 
1 April 2015 to 30 June 2015 for Consumer and Business, and the 
six month consolidated result from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 
2015 for Global Enterprise and Services.

The Wholesale NPS measure that applied to the GE Telstra 
Wholesale, was calculated based on a survey of Wholesale 
customers only, undertaken by a third party research company 
from 28 April 2015 through to 16 May 2015. The final result was 
audited by Telstra's Group Internal Audit team.

The Board believes the methods of calculating the financial and 
NPS outcomes are appropriate, and a rigorous assessment of 
Telstra's performance.

Senior Executive STI (excluding Group Executive Telstra 
Wholesale)

Measure

Total Income

EBITDA

Free Cashflow

NPS

Group Executive Telstra Wholesale STI

Measure

Wholesale Total Income

Wholesale EBITDA

Wholesale NPS

Outcome
(% of maximum)

100.0

82.0

77.5

50.0

Outcome
(% of maximum)

94.5

98.0

-

Definitions for the STI financial measures of Total Income, EBITDA 
and Free Cashflow are provided in the Glossary at the end of this 
remuneration report.

c) FY15 STI plan payment results
The table below displays FY15 STI payments as a percentage of 
Fixed Remuneration and also as a percentage of the maximum 
opportunity for both FY15 and FY14 STI plans for current Senior 
Executives:

Name

FY15 % of FR

FY15 
% of max

FY14 
% of max

Andrew Penn
Gordon 
Ballantyne
Warwick Bray

Stuart Lee

Kate McKenzie

Robert Nason

Brendon Riley

David Thodey

Senior Executive 
Average:

133.4

96.3

128.4

73.0

131.3

128.4

132.1

128.4

118.9

66.7

48.2

64.2

48.7

65.7

64.2

66.1

64.2

61.0

53.2

49.7

-

79.5

53.2

49.7

37.2

53.2

53.6

The graph below shows the STI payments as a percentage of the 
maximum opportunity relative to total revenue growth over four of 
the past five years. Telstra's incentive plans measure 
performance against a range of financial and non financial 
metrics with varied weightings. Accordingly, the pay for 
performance relationship is based on the performance against 
these metrics as a whole and may not always align with total 
revenue growth, as was the case for FY14, where the lower STI 
payment reflected that we did not achieve our NPS target. The 
higher STI payout in FY15 is in part reflective of the NPS outcome 
for that year.

h
t
w
o
r
g
%
e
u
n
e
v
e
r

l
a
t
o
T

4%

3.5%

3%

2.5%

2%

1.5%

1%

0.5%

0%

3.5%

2.8%

1.1%

1.2%

0.7%

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

Total Revenue % Growth

% of STI max

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

m
u
m
i
x
a
m

f
o
I
T
S
%

3.3 Long Term Incentive outcomes
The performance period for the FY13 LTI plan concluded on 30 
June 2015.

The results of Telstra's RTSR was calculated by an external 
provider and audited by Telstra's Group Internal Audit team. The 
RTSR vesting result was based on Telstra ranking at the 72nd 
percentile of the global peer group. As Sprint Nextel Corporation 
was acquired by Softbank Corporation during the performance 
period, the Board exercised its discretion under the LTI plan terms 
to remove it from the comparator group prior to calculation of the 
results. 

Consistent with prior years, the Board determined the FCF ROI 
outcome to ensure there were no windfall gains or losses due to 
the timing of the NBN roll out. Accordingly, the FCF and Average 
Investment has been adjusted for the impacts of NBN.

The Board also adjusted for non recurring items including 
spectrum purchases, acquisitions and divestments (for example 
CSL and the Sensis advertising and directories business) as well 
as the impact of a change in the timing of tax instalments during 
FY14.

The outcome was reviewed by Telstra’s Group Internal Audit team 
and our external auditor EY. The Board approved the vesting 
outcomes in accordance with the LTI plan rules.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report

a) FY13 LTI Plan testing as at 30 June 2015
The vesting table for the FY13 LTI plan is detailed below, reflecting 
performance up to 30 June 2015 against the two performance 
measures of RTSR and FCF ROI.

Name

Test date

Performance measure

30 June 2015

RTSR (91% vesting)

FCF ROI (80% vesting)

Total:

% of total plan 
vested

45.5

40.0

85.5

Upon vesting, each participant was allocated Restricted Shares 
which are subject to a Restriction Period that ends on 17 August 
2016.

b) Historical LTI plan performance relative to Telstra share price
The following chart compares Telstra's LTI plan vesting results for 
the past five LTI plans, (as a percentage of plan maximum 
opportunity), to the share price history during the same 
performance period:

e
c
i
r
P
e
r
a
h
S
a
r
t
s
l
e
T

$7.0

$6.5

$6.0

$5.5

$5.0

$4.5

$4.0

$3.5

$3.0

$2.5

100.0%

85.50%

66.0%

22.10%

30/06/2012
LTI plan: FY09
LTI plan: FY10

78.15%

30/06/2013
LTI plan: FY11

30/06/2014
LTI plan: FY12

30/06/2015
LTI plan: FY13

In FY12 Telstra had two LTI plans with a final performance test as 
the FY09 LTI was the last LTI plan where performance testing was 
done in years 2, 3 and 4. This was different from the current 
structure where there is a 3 year performance period plus 1 year 
Restriction Period.

3.4 Senior Executive contract details
The key terms and conditions of the ongoing service contracts for 
current Senior Executives are summarised in the table below.

Upon notice being given, Telstra can require a Senior Executive to 
work through the notice period, or may terminate employment 
immediately by providing payment in lieu of notice, or a 
combination of both. Any payment in lieu of notice is calculated 
based on the Senior Executive's Fixed Remuneration as at the 
date of termination.

There is no payment if termination is a result of serious 
misconduct or redundancy (in which case Telstra's redundancy 
policy overrides the termination provisions of a Senior Executive's 
service contract).

Fixed 
Remuneration 
at the end of 
FY15
2,325,000
1,350,000
1,100,000
1,040,000
1,200,000
1,080,000
1,350,000

Notice 
period

Termination 
payment

6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months

6 months
6 months
6 months
12 months
6 months
6 months
12 months

Andrew Penn
Gordon Ballantyne
Warwick Bray
Stuart Lee
Kate McKenzie
Robert Nason
Brendon Riley

As detailed in Table 1.1, Mr Thodey ceased to be a Senior Executive 
after 30 April 2015, therefore, he is not included in the table above.

The termination payment provisions in each executive contract 
reflect the company’s policy at the time the contract was entered 
into. Telstra’s current policy is to provide for a 6 month termination 
payment in executive contracts.

4. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION

4.1 Remuneration structure
The Telstra Board and Committee fee structure (inclusive of 
superannuation) during FY15 was:

Board fees

Board

Committee fees

Audit & Risk Committee
Remuneration Committee
Nomination Committee

Chairman

Non-executive 
Director

775,000

235,000

Committee 
Chair

Committee 
member

70,000
50,000
-

35,000
25,000
7,000

The Chairman of the Board does not receive Committee fees in 
respect of her role as a Chair or a member of any Board Committee.

In FY15, Telstra reviewed its non-executive Director fees relative 
to other major companies in the ASX20. Following the review, the 
Board, (other than the Chairman), decided to increase the 
Chairman's fee by 9.9 per cent to $775,000, effective 1 October 
2014, to position it more appropriately against other companies in 
the ASX20. No other changes were made to any of the Committee 
or non-executive Director fees.

Telstra's non-executive Directors are remunerated in accordance 
with Telstra's Constitution, which provides for an aggregate fee 
pool that is set, and varied, only by approval of a resolution of 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The current 
annual fee pool of $3.5 million was approved by shareholders at 
Telstra's 2012 AGM.

The total of Board and Committee fees, including superannuation, 
paid to non-executive Directors in FY15 remained within the 
approved fee pool.

 56

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

 
 
Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

4.2 Remuneration policy and strategy
Telstra's non-executive Directors are remunerated with set fees 
and do not receive any performance based pay. This enables non-
executive Directors to maintain independence and impartiality 
when making decisions affecting the future direction of the 
company.

To align the non-executive Directors' interests with the interests 
of our shareholders, the Board has established a policy which 
encourages non-executive Directors to hold Telstra shares 
equivalent to at least 50 per cent of the annual non-executive 
Director base fee. This holding requirement should be met by the 
end of the five year period from the date of appointment.

Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis. Directors' 
shareholdings as at 13 August 2015 are set out in the Directors' 
Report on page 45 of this Annual Report.

4.3 Remuneration components
Superannuation contributions are included within each non-
executive Director's Total Remuneration, in accordance with the 
ASX Listing Rules and Telstra policy. Non-executive Directors may 
choose to increase the proportion of their remuneration taken as 
superannuation, subject to legislative requirements.

Telstra does not provide retirement benefits for non-executive 
Directors other than the superannuation contributions noted 
above.

Table 5.7 provides full details of non-executive Director 
remuneration for FY15.

Section 2.2 d) of this report provides details on the Telstra 
securities trading restrictions that apply to all KMP, including 
non-executive Directors.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

57

Remuneration Report 

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E

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report

5.2 STI Payments (cash and shares)

Name

Andrew Penn

Gordon Ballantyne

Warwick Bray

Stuart Lee

Kate McKenzie

Robert Nason (3)

Brendon Riley

David Thodey (3)

Current year grant of STI ($)(2)

Maximum 
potential STI 
opportunity 
($) (1)

75% cash 
component
(3)

25% deferred 
shares 
component 
(3) (4)

% of the 
maximum 
potential 
opportunity 
earned

% of the 
maximum 
potential 
opportunity 
forfeited

Total grant of 
STI ($)

3,275,753

1,638,696

2,900,000

1,156,013

2,700,000

975,038

2,700,000

1,005,413

367,671

177,034

-

1,560,000

1,560,000

-

569,205

930,150

2,400,000

1,181,850

2,400,000

956,700

2,160,000

1,386,720

2,160,000

804,330

2,700,000

1,337,550

2,700,000

754,059

4,414,247

2,833,946

546,232

385,337

325,013

335,137

59,011

-

189,735

310,050

393,950

318,900

-

268,110

445,850

251,354

-

5,300,000

2,112,713

704,237

66.7%

53.2%

48.2%

49.7%

64.2%

-

48.7%

79.5%

65.7%

53.2%

64.2%

49.7%

66.1%

37.2%

64.2%

53.2%

33.3%

46.8%

51.8%

50.3%

35.8%

-

51.3%

20.5%

34.3%

46.8%

35.8%

50.3%

33.9%

62.8%

35.8%

46.8%

2,184,928

1,541,350

1,300,051

1,340,550

236,045

-

758,940

1,240,200

1,575,800

1,275,600

1,386,720

1,072,440

1,783,400

1,005,413

2,833,946

2,816,950

Year

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

(1)  Represents the maximum potential STI specific to FY15 and FY14 respectively, adjusted for any variation in Fixed Remuneration throughout FY15 and FY14 that impacts the 
maximum potential STI available. If the minimum threshold performance is not met, the minimum possible STI payment is nil.

(2)  The STI plan outcomes for FY15 and FY14 were approved by the Board on 12 August 2015 and 13 August 2014 respectively.

(3)  In accordance with the provisions for retirement of Telstra's policy for the FY15 STI plan, no STI deferral will be made for Mr Thodey and Mr Nason. Their FY15 STI payment will 
be paid as 100 per cent cash.

(4)  The Restricted Shares awarded are expected to be allocated in November 2015 and are subject to a Restriction Period. Half are restricted for one year and half for two years 
ending 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017 respectively, subject to the Senior Executive's continued employment. Refer to 2.3 c) for further details.

 60

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

5.3 Summary of LTI plans and other equity plans as at 30 June 2015

Name (*)

Plan

Type of instrument 
granted

Performance period

Restriction 
Period end date 
(1)

Future 
financial 
years in 
which grants 
may Vest

Accounting value yet to 
vest (2)

Min ($)

Max ($)

Andrew Penn

Gordon Ballantyne

Warwick Bray

Stuart Lee (3)

Kate McKenzie

Robert Nason

Brendon Riley

Total

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY14

FY15

FY14

FY15

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

Performance Rights

1/07/12 - 30/06/15

17-08-2016

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

Restricted Shares

Restricted Shares

Restricted Shares

n/a

n/a

n/a

17-08-2015

01-07-2016

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/11 - 30/06/14

19-08-2015

Performance Rights

1/07/12 - 30/06/15

17-08-2016

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

Performance Rights

1/07/11 - 30/06/14

19-08-2015

Performance Rights

1/07/12 - 30/06/15

17-08-2016

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

Performance Rights

1/07/11 - 30/06/14

19-08-2015

Performance Rights

1/07/12 - 30/06/15

17-08-2016

Performance Rights

1/07/13 - 30/06/16

30-06-2017

Performance Rights

1/07/14 - 30/06/17

30-06-2018

FY17

FY17

FY18

FY17

FY18

FY17

FY18

FY16

FY17

FY17

FY16

FY17

FY17

FY18

FY16

FY17

FY17

FY18

FY16

FY17

FY17

FY18

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

350,110

695,089

1,222,341

647,149

1,100,104

122,997

244,467

-

226,666

440,962

-

250,080

498,547

977,874

-

262,582

64,715

-

-

325,103

647,149

1,100,104

9,176,039

(1)  Restriction period end date refers to the end of the Restriction Period for Performance Rights and Restricted Shares.

(2)  The values included in the table above have been calculated by applying valuation methodologies or are based on the market value of Telstra shares at the grant date, as 
described in note 27 to the financial statements.

(3)  The FY15 Restricted Shares grant to Mr Lee was made in lieu of participation in the FY14 LTI plan. See 2.3 d) for more information. Mr Lee was granted TESOP99 shares in 1999, 
with an interest free loan. The loan can be repaid at any time. There are no outstanding performance or restriction periods and the shares will vest if and when the loan is repaid in 
full. As these instruments were issued prior to 7 November 2002 and were therefore included in the exemption permitted under AASB 1 "First-time Adoption of Australian 
Equivalence to International Financial Reporting Standards", no expense has been recognised therefore there is no minimum or maximum accounting value yet to vest to be 
disclosed. Refer to note 27 of the financial statements for further information.

(*) As Mr Thodey ceased to be a Senior Executive as at 30 April 2015, he has been excluded from the table above. As per the FY12 LTI plan outcome, 1,225,272 shares will be released 
from restriction to him on 19 August 2015. In accordance with the FY13 LTI plan outcome, Mr Thodey has 1,189,371 Restricted Shares. Following retirement, he will retain 564,013 
of the 1,041,256 FY14 LTI Performance Rights allocation and 274,083 of the 939,716 FY15 LTI Performance Rights allocation. The FY13 Restricted Shares and both the FY14 and 
FY15 LTI Performance Rights remain subject to the original performance conditions and restriction period of the respective plan terms. 

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

61

Remuneration Report

5.4 Accounting value of all LTI and other equity instruments (*)

Name

Andrew Penn

Gordon Ballantyne

Warwick Bray

Stuart Lee

Kate McKenzie

Robert Nason

Brendon Riley

David Thodey

Accounting value of all LTI equity allocations (1) (2)
Performance 
Performance 
Shares ($)
Rights ($)

Restricted 
Shares ($)

1,008,683

745,864

690,276

323,575

33,289

-

-

135,756

978,139

744,371

682,493

768,547

1,217,553

796,861

2,502,936

2,580,070

20,345

74,225

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

595,326

374,845

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Year

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Total

($)

1,029,028

820,089

690,276

323,575

33,289

-

595,326

510,601

978,139

744,371

682,493

768,547

1,217,553

796,861

2,502,936

2,580,070

(1)  The value of each equity instrument is calculated by applying valuation methodologies or is based on the market value of Telstra shares at the grant date as described in note 
27 to the financial statements and is then amortised, based on the maximum achievable allocation, over the relevant vesting period. The values included in the table relate to the 
current year amortised value of all LTI instruments detailed in the Equity Settled share-based payments in the remuneration Table 5.1.

(2)  As required under AASB 2, accounting expense that was previously recognised as remuneration has been reversed in both FY15 and FY14. For FY15, this occurred for a portion 
of the FY13 plan that failed to satisfy the FCF ROI performance target at 30 June 2015, a non-market (i.e. non-RTSR) measure, resulting in equity instruments lapsing. Similarly for 
FY14, this occurred for a portion of the FY12 LTI plan that failed to satisfy the FCF ROI performance target at 30 June 2014, resulting in equity instruments lapsing. Refer to 3.3 on 
LTI outcomes for FY15 for further information.

(*)  STI Restricted Shares are excluded from this table, refer to tables 5.2 and 5.8 for further information.

 62

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report 

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

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Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report

5.6 Value of LTI and other equity instruments granted, exercised and expired/forfeited in FY15 (*)

Name
Andrew Penn
Gordon Ballantyne
Warwick Bray
Stuart Lee
Kate McKenzie
Robert Nason
Brendon Riley
David Thodey

Granted during period ($) (1) (2)

Performance Rights
1,629,788
1,466,806
325,956
-
1,303,832
1,173,443
1,466,806
3,599,112

Restricted Shares
-
-
-
661,442
-
-
-
-

Vested/exercised ($) (3)
Performance Rights Performance Shares
275,025
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
811,214
1,761,324
1,712,399
1,663,474
-
7,674,575

(1)  The fair value of the RTSR and FCF ROI Performance Rights granted in FY15 at the grant date of 15 October 2014 is $3.07 and $4.59 respectively. The fair value reflects the 
valuation approach required by AASB 2 using an option pricing model, as explained in note 27 to the financial statements.

(2)  The FY15 Restricted Share grant to Stuart Lee was made in lieu of participation in the FY14 LTI plan, see 2.3 d) for more information. The fair value of the Restricted Shares 
granted during FY15 at the grant date of 15 August 2014 was $5.64 and was based on the market value of Telstra shares.

(3)  The value of the equity instruments vested/exercised reflects the market value at the date the instruments vested and were released from restriction.

(*)  STI Restricted Shares are excluded from this table, refer to tables 5.2 and 5.8 for further information.

 64

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

5.7 Non-executive Director remuneration

Name

Catherine B Livingstone

Chairman

Geoffrey A Cousins (3)

Director

Peter R Hearl (4)

Director

Russell A Higgins

Director

Chin Hu Lim (5) (6)

Director

John P Mullen

Director

Nora L Scheinkestel (7)

Director

Margaret L Seale

Director

Steven M Vamos

Director

John D Zeglis (6)

Director

Total

Year

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Short term employee benefits

Post-employment 
benefits

Salary and fees ($) 
(1)

Non-monetary 
benefits ($) (2)

Superannuation ($)

Total ($)

738,573

687,225

248,217

267,000

202,314

-

251,217

252,225

230,923

199,033

273,217

274,225

292,327

287,225

251,217

252,225

248,217

249,225

231,022

230,672

7,304

4,425

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18,783

17,775

18,783

4,444

16,467

-

18,783

17,775

4,077

5,701

18,783

17,775

18,783

17,775

18,783

17,775

18,783

17,775

3,978

4,328

764,660

709,425

267,000

271,444

218,781

-

270,000

270,000

235,000

204,734

292,000

292,000

311,110

305,000

270,000

270,000

267,000

267,000

235,000

235,000

2,967,244

2,699,055

7,304

4,425

156,003

121,123

3,130,551

2,824,603

(1)  Includes fees for membership on Board Committees.

(2)  For FY14 and FY15, Telstra has applied the exemption for transactions with KMP that are not remuneration and are trivial or domestic in nature (Corporations Regulation 
2M.3.03 (3B)) such as Foxtel or the provision of phones or computers. The non-monetary value of $7,304 for FY15 is the value of a car parking benefit. The value of the non-monetary 
benefits include the FBT gross up rate of $2.0647 for FY14 and $2.0802 for FY15.

(3)  As noted in the FY14 remuneration report, the insufficient superannuation contribution of $13,331 and salary and fees overpayment of $4,444 for Geoffrey Cousins were 
rectified in FY15 via a payment by Mr Cousins to Telstra Corporation Limited.

(4)  Peter Hearl qualifies as a KMP from 15 August 2014, when he was appointed as a non-executive Director of the Company.

(5)  As noted in the FY14 remuneration report, the excess superannuation contribution of $2,274 for Chin Hu Lim was rectified in FY15 via a payment by Mr Lim to Telstra Corporation 
Limited.

(6)  As Mr Lim and John Zeglis are overseas residents, their superannuation contributions for FY15 are less than the contributions for Australian resident non-executive Directors.

(7)  Nora Scheinkestel's fees for FY15 includes additional fees of $6,110 for services provided in relation to the 2014 Telstra off-market share buy-back.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

65

Remuneration Report

5.8 KMP interests in Telstra Shares
During FY15, our KMP and their related parties held Telstra shares directly, indirectly or beneficially as follows:

Total shares 
held at 
30 June 2014 
(1)(2)

Equity 
instruments 
vested/
exercised

STI 
Restricted 
Shares 
granted (3)

LTI 
Restricted 
Shares 
received 
during FY15 
(4)

Net shares 
acquired or 
disposed of 
and other 
changes

Total shares 
held at 
30 June 2015 
(1)(5)

Shares held 
nominally at 
30 June 2015 
(6)

185,816
101,765
-
88,404
-
26,159
74,115
240,641
40,000
103,993
860,893

278,407
274,958
87,578
1,082,861
806,940
621,587
383,310
3,319,003
6,854,644

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

10,000
-
45,000
-
10,000
-
12,389
46,000
-
-
123,389

48,250
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
48,250

68,322
59,420
-
54,972
56,542
47,536
44,566
124,864
456,222

-
-
-
117,277
381,955
402,057
502,572
1,225,272
2,629,133

-
-
-
-
(607,882)
(415,000)
-
-
(1,022,882)

195,816
101,765
45,000
88,404
10,000
26,159
86,504
286,641
40,000
103,993
984,282

394,979
334,378
87,578
1,255,110
637,555
656,180
930,448
4,669,139
8,965,367

189,379
21,765
-
88,404
-
26,159
86,504
286,641
40,000
37,493
776,345

172,746
98,620
87,578
548,593
469,857
483,811
930,448
4,669,139
7,460,792

7,715,537

48,250

456,222

2,629,133

(899,493)

9,949,649

8,237,137

Non-Executive Directors
Catherine B Livingstone
Geoffrey A Cousins
Peter R Hearl
Russell A Higgins
Chin Hu Lim
John P Mullen
Nora L Scheinkestel
Margaret L Seale
Steven M Vamos
John D Zeglis
Total
Senior Executives
Andrew Penn
Gordon Ballantyne
Warwick Bray
Stuart Lee
Kate McKenzie
Robert Nason
Brendon Riley
David Thodey
Total

Each equity instrument exercised or granted in FY15 (where applicable) in the table above, was issued by Telstra and resulted or will result in one ordinary Telstra share per equity 
instrument exercised or granted. 

(1)  Total shareholdings include shares held by our KMP and their related parties. Unless related to our employee share plans, shares acquired or disposed by our KMP during FY15 
were on an arm's length basis at market price.

(2)  For Mr Hearl, the total shares held at 30 June 2014, was the balance held when he commenced as a non-executive Director on 15 August 2014. Similarly for Mr Bray, the total 
shares held at 30 June 2014, was the balance held when he commenced as a Senior Executive on 1 May 2015.

(3)  STI Restricted Shares granted during FY15 relate to the FY14 STI plan which were allocated on 11 November 2014. However, the allocation of Restricted Shares under the FY15 
STI plan will be made after the reporting date of 30 June 2015, therefore they have not been included in the table above.

(4)  This column relates to those equity instruments that have been provided as Restricted Shares during this financial year. For FY15, this relates to the FY12 LTI plan that was 
performance tested last financial year. However, for Stuart Lee only, this relates to the FY15 GE Wholesale Restricted Share LTI plan.

(5)  For Mr Thodey, the total shares held at 30 June 2015 was the balance held when he ceased as a Senior Executive on 30 April 2015.

(6)  Nominally refers to shares held either indirectly or beneficially, including (for non-executive Directors) those acquired under Directshare, as well as (for Senior Executives) 
certain Restricted Shares. These shares are subject to a restriction period, such that the non-executive Director or Senior Executive is restricted from dealing with the shares until 
the restriction period ends. Refer to note 27 to the financial statements for further details.

 66

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Remuneration Report

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

5.9 Glossary

Average Investment 

EBITDA

EBITDA for STI

FCF for LTI

FCF ROI

FCF for STI

Average investment over the period is the average of the sum of net debt and shareholders' 
funds over the entire three year performance period

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation 

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (excluding profit/loss on land & 
building disposals)

Annual FCF adjusted for interest paid and non-recurring factors such as spectrum licence 
purchases, acquisitions, divestments and material regulatory adjustments

The average of the annual FCF for LTI over the period of the scheme expressed as a percentage 
of the Average Investment over the period of the scheme

FCF adjusted for spectrum license purchases, acquisitions and divestments

Fixed Remuneration

Base salary plus company and private salary sacrificed superannuation contributions.

FCF

GE

GMD

KMP

LTI

NBN

NBN Transaction

NPS

Performance Right

Permitted Reason

Free Cashflow from operating and investing activities

Group Executive

Group Managing Director

Key Management Personnel

Long Term Incentive

National Broadband Network

Agreements with NBN Co and the Government in relation to Telstra's participation in the rollout 
of the NBN

Net Promoter Score. A non financial measure in Telstra's STI plan. Refer to 3.2 b) for further 
information

A right to a Restricted Share at the end of a performance period, subject to the satisfaction of 
certain performance measures

For both LTI plans and STI Deferral plans death, total and permanent disablement, certain 
medical conditions, redundancy, or retirement (where notice of retirement is given six months 
after the actual date of allocation) are permitted reasons. For LTI plans (other than GE 
Wholesale) separation by mutual agreement is also considered as permitted reason. For STI 
plans, fixed term contract expiry more than six months after the actual date of allocation is a 
permitted reason.

Performance Share

A right to a Telstra share at the end of a performance period, subject to the satisfaction of 
certain performance measures

Restricted Share

A Telstra share that is subject to a Restriction Period

Restriction Period

A period during which a Telstra share is subject to a service condition and cannot be traded. 
Restricted Shares are transferred to a Senior Executive on the first day after the end of the 
Restriction Period that the Senior Executive is able to deal in shares under Telstra's Securities 
Trading Policy.

RTSR

Relative Total Shareholder Return

Senior Executive

Refers to the CEO and those executives who are KMP with authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the company and Group, directly or 
indirectly

Service Agreement

A Senior Executive's contract of employment

SSU

STI

STI Deferral plan

Straight-line Vesting

Structural Separation Undertaking

Short Term Incentive

Senior Executives are provided with a percentage of their actual STI payment in the form of 
Restricted Shares

Describes the vesting calculation between target and stretch of an LTI plan, where the payout 
between two levels is based on equal increments determined by performance

Total Income

Total Telstra income excluding profit/loss on land & building disposals

Total Remuneration

The sum of all the fixed and variable components of remuneration as detailed in Table 5.1 for 
Senior Executives, and all the remuneration components as detailed in Table 5.7 for non-
executive Directors

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

67

Directors’ Report

Ernst & Young
680 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
GPO Box 2646 Sydney NSW 2001
Tel: +61 2 9248 5555
Fax: +61 2 9248 5959
ey.com/au

Rounding of amounts

The Telstra Entity is a company of the kind referred to in the 
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Class Order 
98/100, dated 10 July 1998 and issued pursuant to section 341(1) 
of the Corporations Act. As a result, amounts in this Directors’ 
Report and the accompanying financial report have been rounded 
to the nearest million dollars ($m), except where otherwise 
indicated.

This report is made on 13 August 2015 in accordance with a 
resolution of the Directors.

Auditor’s Independence Declaration to the Directors of 
Telstra Corporation Limited

In relation to our audit of the financial report of Telstra 
Corporation Limited for the financial year ended 30 June 2015, to 
the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no 
contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 or any applicable code of professional 
conduct.

Catherine B Livingstone AO
Chairman
13 August 2015

Ernst & Young

Andrew R Penn
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
13 August 2015

SJ Ferguson
Partner
Sydney
13 August 2015

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards 
Legislation

 68

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

FINANCIAL  
REPORT

TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED 
AND CONTROLLED ENTITIES

Australian Business Number (ABN): 33 051 775 556

Financial Report
As at 30 June 2015

Financial Statements
Income Statement
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Statement of Financial Position
Statement of Cash Flows
Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Financial Statements
-   Basis of preparation
Note 1
-   Summary of significant accounting policies, estimates, assumptions and judgements
Note 2
-   Earnings per share
Note 3
-   Dividends
Note 4
-   Segment information
Note 5
-   Income
Note 6
-   Expenses
Note 7
-   Remuneration of auditors
Note 8
-   Income taxes
Note 9
-   Trade and other receivables
Note 10
-   Inventories
Note 11
-   Non current assets held for sale and discontinued operation
Note 12
-   Property, plant and equipment
Note 13
-   Intangible assets
Note 14
-   Trade and other payables
Note 15
-   Provisions
Note 16
-   Capital management and financial instruments
Note 17
-   Financial risk management
Note 18
-   Share capital
Note 19
-   Notes to the statement of cash flows
Note 20
-   Impairment
Note 21
-   Expenditure commitments
Note 22
-   Contingent liabilities and contingent assets
Note 23
-   Post employment benefits
Note 24
-   Investments in controlled entities
Note 25
-   Investments in joint ventures and associated entities
Note 26
-   Employee share plans
Note 27
-   Key management personnel compensation
Note 28
-   Related party disclosures
Note 29
-   Parent entity information
Note 30
-   Events after reporting date
Note 31

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditor’s Report

Page
Number

71
72
73
74
75

77
78
93
94
95
98
99
101
102
104
106
107
109
111
113
114
116
124
133
134
140
142
143
144
148
155
159
168
169
172
174

175

176

 70

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

INCOME
STATEMENT

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Continuing operations

Income

Revenue (excluding finance income)

Other income

Expenses

Labour

Goods and services purchased

Other expenses

Share of net profit from joint ventures and associated entities

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

6

6

7

26

26,023

25,320

584

976

26,607

26,296

4,921

6,847

4,113

4,732

6,465

3,988

15,881

15,185

19

24

15,862

15,161

Earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

10,745

11,135

Depreciation and amortisation

Earnings before interest and income tax expense (EBIT)

Finance income

Finance costs

Net finance costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Discontinued operation

Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operation

7

6

7

9

3,983

6,762

157

846

689

6,073

1,787

4,286

3,950

7,185

156

1,113

957

6,228

1,679

4,549

12

19

(204)

Profit for the year from continuing and discontinued operations

4,305

4,345

Attributable to

Equity holders of Telstra Entity

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share from continuing operations (cents per share)

Basic

Diluted

Earnings per share (cents per share)

Basic

Diluted

The notes following the financial statements form part of the financial report.

4,231

4,275

74

70

4,305

4,345

cents

cents

34.3

34.3

34.5

34.5

36.1

36.0

34.4

34.3

3

3

3

3

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

71

STATEMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Profit for the year from continuing and discontinued operations

Attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Retained profits:

- actuarial gain on defined benefit plans attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

- income tax on actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

- actuarial gain on defined benefit plans attributable to non-controlling interests

Fair value of equity instruments reserve:

- gains from investments in equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive 
income

- income tax on gains from investments in equity instruments

Foreign currency translation reserve:

- translation differences of foreign operations attributable to non-controlling interests

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to the income statement

Foreign currency translation reserve:

- translation differences of foreign operations attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

- income tax on movements in the foreign currency translation reserve

- translation differences transferred to the income statement on disposal of controlled entities

- income tax on translation differences transferred to the income statement on disposal of controlled 
entities
- translation differences transferred to the income statement for controlled entities deregistered or in 
liquidation

Cash flow hedging reserve:

- changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

- changes in fair value transferred to other expenses

- changes in fair value transferred to goods and services purchased

- changes in fair value transferred to finance costs

- changes in fair value transferred to property, plant and equipment

- income tax on movements in the cash flow hedging reserve

Foreign currency basis spread reserve:

- changes in the value of the foreign currency basis spread

- income tax on movements in the foreign currency basis spread reserve

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

The notes following the financial statements form part of the financial report.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

4,231

4,275

74

70

4,305

4,345

233

(69)

-

7

(1)

48

218

196

9

2

-

-

91

(277)

(13)

212

(2)

(3)

72

(22)

265

116

(34)

1

-

-

(4)

79

39

(13)

239

48

100

(116)

(140)

(17)

228

-

15

-

-

383

483

4,788

4,666

122

462

4,807

4,740

67

 72

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 June 2015

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Derivative financial assets
Current tax receivables
Prepayments
Assets classified as held for sale
Total current assets
Non current assets
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Investments - accounted for using the equity method
Investments - other
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Derivative financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Defined benefit asset
Total non current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Current tax payables
Revenue received in advance
Liabilities classified as held for sale
Total current liabilities
Non current liabilities
Other payables
Provisions
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Defined benefit liability
Revenue received in advance
Total non current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Reserves
Retained profits
Equity available to Telstra Entity shareholders
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

Note

20
10
11
17

10
11
26

13
14
17
9
24

15
16
17
17

15
16
17
17
9
24

19

1,396
4,721
491
7
9
346
-
6,970

1,171
32
201
137
20,450
9,332
1,790
66
296
33,475
40,445

4,045
970
1,496
214
291
1,113
-
8,129

74
284
14,138
911
1,558
4
837
17,806
25,935
14,510

5,198
372
8,533
14,103
407
14,510

5,527
4,172
362
23
2
329
23
10,438

973
29
196
127
19,842
6,382
1,322
7
44
28,922
39,360

3,834
932
2,277
400
296
926
19
8,684

66
261
13,547
1,169
1,286
-
387
16,716
25,400
13,960

5,719
(228)
8,331
13,822
138
13,960

The notes following the financial statements form part of the financial report.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

73

STATEMENT OF
CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts from customers (inclusive of goods and services tax (GST))
Payments to suppliers and to employees (inclusive of GST)
Government grants received
Net cash generated by operations
Income taxes paid
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for:
- property, plant and equipment
- intangible assets
Capital expenditure (before investments)
- shares in controlled entities (net of cash acquired)
- payments for joint ventures and associated entities
- payments for businesses and other investments
Total capital expenditure (including investments)
Proceeds from:
- sale of property, plant and equipment
- sale of shares in controlled entities (net of cash disposed) and other investments
Proceeds from finance lease principal amounts
Interest received
Settlement of hedges in net investments
Term deposits
Distributions received from joint ventures and associated entities
Net cash used in investing activities
Operating cash flows less investing cash flows
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings
Proceeds from borrowings from joint ventures and associated entities
Repayment of borrowings
Repayment of borrowings to joint ventures and associated entities
Repayment of finance lease principal amounts
Share buy-back
Staff repayments of share loans
Purchase of shares for employee share plans
Proceeds received from exercise of equity instruments
Proceeds from sale of controlled entity shares
Finance costs paid
Issue of equity by controlled entities
Payment for share buy-back of non-controlling interests
Proceeds from sale of controlled entity shares on behalf of non-controlling interests
Payments to non-controlling interests for sale of their shares in controlled entity (including tax paid on 
their behalf)
Dividends paid to equity holders of Telstra Entity
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Net cash used in financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

The notes following the financial statements form part of the financial report.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

29,521
(19,621)
166
10,066
(1,755)
8,311

28,950
(18,710)
147
10,387
(1,774)
8,613

(2,845)
(2,257)
(5,102)
(984)
(48)
(72)
(6,206)

94
4
92
167
(31)
4
184
(5,692)
2,619

1,714
79
(3,368)
(45)
(47)
(1,004)
2
(54)
-
333
(916)
121
-
57

(54)

(3,699)
(1)
(6,882)
(4,263)
5,527
132
1,396

(2,868)
(894)
(3,762)
(165)
(3)
(88)
(4,018)

94
2,397
98
150
(21)
4
166
(1,130)
7,483

1,572
-
(1,387)
-
(91)
-
3
(61)
29
-
(947)
160
(149)
8

-

(3,545)
(22)
(4,430)
3,053
2,479
(5)
5,527

20

20
26

20

20

20

20
20

4

20

 74

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Telstra Group

Foreign 
currency 
trans- 
lation (a)
$m
(499)
-

413

413

Cash flow 
hedging 
(b)

$m
(92)
-

(30)

(30)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Share 
capital

$m
5,711
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

(61)

29

37

5,719

(86)

(122)

-

-

-

-

(509)

-

-

-

-

2

(54)

40

-

207

207

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 1 July 2013
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income
Total comprehensive 
income for the year
Dividends
Non-controlling 
interests on 
acqusitions
Non-controlling 
interests on disposals
Transactions with 
non-controlling 
interests (g)
Amounts repaid on 
share loans provided 
to employees
Additional shares 
purchased
Exercise of employee 
share options
Share-based 
payments
Balance at 30 June 
2014
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income
Total comprehensive 
income for the year
Dividends
Share buy-back (net of 
income tax) (f)
Non-controlling 
interests on 
acqusitions
Non-controlling 
interests on disposals
Transfers to income 
statement (e)
Transactions with 
non-controlling 
interests (g)
Amounts repaid on 
share loans provided 
to employees
Additional shares 
purchased
Share-based 
payments
Balance at 30 June 
2015

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

Reserves
Foreign 
currency 
basis 
spread 
(c)

$m
-
-

Fair 
value of 
equity 
instru- 
ments (d)
$m
-
-

General 
reserve 
(e)

$m
(28)
-

Retained 
profits

$m
7,519
4,275

Non- 
control- 
ling 
interests
$m
264
70

Total

$m
12,611
4,275

Total 
equity

$m
12,875
4,345

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

50

50

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

-

-

-

-

-

8

-

-

-

-

82

465

(3)

462

4,357

4,740

67

4,807

(3,545)

(3,545)

(22)

(3,567)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

3

(61)

29

37

6

6

(198)

(198)

13

-

-

-

8

21

3

(61)

29

45

(20)

8,331

13,822

138

13,960

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(27)

356

-

-

-

4,231

4,231

164

435

74

48

4,305

483

4,395

4,666

122

4,788

(3,699)

(3,699)

(1)

(3,700)

(494)

(1,003)

-

(1,003)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(27)

22

22

(13)

-

(13)

(27)

356

113

469

2

(54)

40

-

-

26

2

(54)

66

309

8,533

14,103

407

14,510

5,198

121

(114)

50

The notes following the financial statements form part of the financial report.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

75

STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN EQUITY (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2015
(a) The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record 
exchange differences arising from the conversion of the non-
Australian controlled entities’ financial statements into 
Australian dollars. This reserve is also used to record our 
percentage share of exchange differences arising from our equity 
accounted non-Australian investments in joint ventures and 
associated entities.

(b) The cash flow hedging reserve represents the effective portion 
of gains or losses on remeasuring the fair value of hedge 
instruments, where a hedge qualifies for hedge accounting.

The closing balance of the cash flow hedging reserve at 30 June 
relates to continuing hedges, which are used to hedge the foreign 
currency and interest rate risk of a portion of our borrowing 
portfolio and highly probable forecast transactions settled in a 
foreign currency.

(c) The foreign currency basis spread reserve is used to record 
changes in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments 
attributable to movements in foreign currency basis spread. 
Currency basis is included in interest on borrowings in the income 
statement over the life of the borrowing.

The closing balance of the foreign currency basis spread reserve 
at 30 June represents amounts deferred in relation to hedges of 
foreign currency risk of a portion of our borrowings. During 
financial year 2015, $6m has been recognised within finance 
costs.

Foreign currency basis is not separately accounted for in 
transaction related hedges such as hedges of forecast 
transactions.

(d) Fair value of equity instruments reserve represents changes in 
fair value of equity instruments we have elected to measure at fair 
value through other comprehensive income. 

(e) The general reserve represents other items we have taken 
directly to equity.

On 10 December 2013, Telstra Octave Holdings Limited acquired 
the remaining 33 per cent interest in Octave Investments Holdings 
Limited in exchange for selling the net assets of the five variable 
interest entities controlled by Sharp Point Group Limited. 
Subsequently, on 12 December 2014, we liquidated Octave 
Investments Holdings Limited and Telstra Octave Holdings 
Limited and as a result a $27 million gain was transferred from the 
general reserve to the income statement.

(f) On 6 October 2014, we completed an off-market share buy-
back of 217,418,521 ordinary shares as part of our capital 
management program. Refer to note 19 for further details.

(g) Our ownership of Autohome Inc. decreased from 63.2 per cent 
at 30 June 2014 (this percentage takes into account shares that 
Autohome Inc. has reserved but not granted, pursuant to 
Autohome Inc.'s employee equity compensation plans) to 54.3 per 
cent at 30 June 2015 due to employee share issues, sale of a 
portion of our Autohome Inc. shares and Autohome Inc.’s on-
market share issue. None of these transactions resulted in a 
change of control and we recognised a $356 million increase in 
general reserve. 

During the comparative period, we acquired the minority interests 
of the Octave Group and we decreased our ownership of Autohome 
Inc. from 66.0 per cent at 30 June 2013 to 63.2 per cent at 30 June 
2014, via share buy-back, subsequent initial public offering (IPO) 
and employee share issues. Neither of these transactions 
resulted in a change of control. Changes in valuation of non-
controlling interests resulting from these transactions are 
recorded in the general reserve. 

Refer to note 20 for further details.

 76

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

1.2 Clarification of terminology used in our income 
statement

Under the requirements of AASB 101: “Presentation of Financial 
Statements”, we must classify all of our expenses (apart from any 
finance costs and our share of net profit/loss from joint ventures 
and associated entities) according to either the nature (type) of 
the expense or the function (activity to which the expense relates). 
We have chosen to classify our expenses using the nature 
classification as it more accurately reflects the type of operations 
we undertake.

Earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and 
amortisation (EBITDA) reflects our profit for the year prior to 
including the effect of net finance costs, income taxes, 
depreciation and amortisation. Depreciation and amortisation are 
calculated in accordance with AASB 116: “Property, Plant and 
Equipment” and AASB 138: “Intangible Assets” respectively. We 
believe that EBITDA is a relevant and useful financial measure 
used by management to measure the Company’s operating 
performance.

Our management uses EBITDA and earnings before interest and 
income tax expense (EBIT), in combination with other financial 
measures, primarily to evaluate the Company’s operating 
performance before financing, income tax and non-cash capital 
related expenses. In addition, we believe EBITDA is useful to 
investors because analysts and other members of the investment 
community largely view EBITDA as a key and widely recognised 
measure of operating performance.

EBIT is a similar measure to EBITDA, but takes into account 
depreciation and amortisation.

1.3  Rounding

All dollar amounts in this financial report (except where indicated) 
have been rounded to the nearest million dollars ($m) for 
presentation. This has been done in accordance with Australian 
Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Class Order 98/
100, dated 10 July 1998, issued under section 341(1) of the 
Corporations Act 2001. Telstra is an entity to which this class 
order applies.

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

In this financial report, we, us, our, Telstra, the Telstra Group and 
the Group all mean Telstra Corporation Limited, an Australian 
corporation and its controlled entities as a whole. Telstra Entity is 
the legal entity, Telstra Corporation Limited. Telstra Entity, the 
Company, is a company limited by shares incorporated in 
Australia whose shares are publicly traded on the Australian 
Securities Exchange.

Our financial year ends on 30 June. Unless we state differently, the 
following applies:
• year or financial year means the year ended 30 June
• reporting date means 30 June
• 2015 means financial year 2015 and similarly for other financial 

years.

The financial report of the Telstra Group for the year ended 30 
June 2015 was authorised for issue in accordance with a 
resolution of the Telstra Board of Directors on 13 August 2015. The 
Directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial 
report.

The principal accounting policies used in preparing the financial 
report of the Telstra Group are set out in note 2 to our financial 
statements.

1.1 Basis of preparation of the financial report

This financial report is a general purpose financial report, 
prepared by a for-profit entity, in accordance with the 
requirements of the Australian Corporations Act 2001, Accounting 
Standards applicable in Australia and other authoritative 
pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board 
(AASB). This financial report also complies with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Interpretations 
published by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IASB).

Both the functional and presentation currency of the Telstra Entity 
and its Australian controlled entities is Australian dollars. The 
functional currency of certain non Australian controlled entities is 
not Australian dollars. As a result, the results of these entities are 
translated into Australian dollars for presentation in the Telstra 
Group financial report.

This financial report is prepared in accordance with historical 
cost, except for some categories of financial instruments, which 
are recorded at fair value; and assets held for sale, which are 
measured at fair value less costs to sell. Cost is the fair value of the 
consideration given in exchange for net assets acquired.

In preparing this financial report, we are required to make 
judgements and estimates that affect:
• income and expenses for the year
• the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
• the disclosure of off-balance sheet arrangements, including 

contingent assets and contingent liabilities.

We continually evaluate our judgements and estimates. We base 
our judgements and estimates on historical experience, various 
other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the 
circumstances and, where appropriate, practices adopted by 
international telecommunications companies. Actual results may 
differ from our estimates.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

77

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS

Financial liabilities
The requirements in AASB 139 regarding classification and 
measurement of financial liabilities have been retained, including 
the related application and implementation guidance. Financial 
liabilities continue to be measured at either fair value through 
profit or loss or amortised cost. The criteria for designating a 
financial liability at fair value through profit or loss also remain 
unchanged.

Where financial liabilities are designated at fair value through 
profit or loss, changes in the fair value due to changes in our own 
credit risk can be recognised in other comprehensive income and 
there is no subsequent recycling of these amounts to profit or loss 
(accumulated gains or losses may be transferred within equity). 
Where this creates an accounting mismatch in profit or loss, all 
fair value movements must be recognised in profit or loss.

Impact of changes
On adoption of AASB 9 (2013) we have classified our financial 
assets as subsequently measured at either amortised cost or fair 
value, depending on the business model for those assets and on 
the assets' contractual cash flow characteristics.

As at 1 July 2014, we elected to measure our existing investments 
in securities, previously held at cost as available-for-sale, at fair 
value through other comprehensive income, with the exception of 
our investment in Ooyala Inc., which was measured at fair value 
through profit or loss prior to obtaining control via a step 
acquisition (refer to note 20 for further details). The fair value of all 
the investments approximated their carrying value at 30 June 
2014.

There were no changes in classification or measurement of our 
financial liabilities.

There was no impact on the statement of comprehensive income 
or the statement of changes in equity on adoption of AASB 9 (2013) 
in relation to classification and measurement of financial assets 
and financial liabilities.

2.1 Changes in accounting policies

The following accounting policy changes occurred during the year 
ended 30 June 2015:

(a) Financial Instruments: classification and measurement of 
financial assets and financial liabilities and hedge accounting 
(AASB 9 (2013))
In December 2013, the AASB issued AASB 2013-9: “Amendments 
to Australian Accounting Standards - Conceptual Framework, 
Materiality and Financial Instruments” which consolidated a 
series of amendments to AASB 9: “Financial Instruments” (AASB 9 
(2013)). AASB 9 (2013) replaces the relevant sections of AASB 139: 
“Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (AASB 
139) and applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2018, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted 
AASB 9 (2013) on a retrospective basis, with the exception of 
hedge accounting, from 1 July 2014 without restatement of prior 
periods. Hedge accounting must be applied on a prospective 
basis. No material differences were identified on the adoption of 
AASB 9 (2013).

AASB 9 (2013) simplifies the classification and recognition of 
financial instruments and aligns hedge accounting more closely 
with common risk management practices.

(i) Changes to classification and measurement of financial 
assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets
AASB 9 (2013) requires that an entity classifies its financial assets 
as subsequently measured at either amortised cost or fair value 
depending on the entity's business model for managing the 
financial assets and the contractual characteristics of the 
financial assets.

A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if two criteria are 
met:
• the objective of the business model is to hold the financial asset 

for the collection of the contractual cash flows

• the contractual cash flows under the instrument solely 

represent payments of principal and interest.

The new standard removes a requirement to separate embedded 
derivatives from financial asset hosts. Instead, a hybrid contract 
should be classified in its entirety at either amortised cost or fair 
value.

An election can be made to designate a financial asset as 
measured at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition 
if this significantly reduces an accounting mismatch. The 
designation at fair value through profit or loss is irrevocable.

AASB 9 (2013) prohibits reclassifications, except in rare 
circumstances when the entity's business model changes, in 
which case, the entity is required to reclassify affected financial 
assets prospectively.

All equity investments in the scope of AASB 9 (2013) should be 
measured at fair value. The new standard provides the option to 
present separately in other comprehensive income unrealised and 
realised fair value gains and losses on equity investments that are 
not held for trading. Such designation is only available on initial 
recognition on an instrument by instrument basis and it is 
irrevocable. There is no subsequent recycling of fair value gains 
and losses to profit or loss; however, dividends from such 
investments will continue to be recognised in profit or loss. AASB 
9 (2013) removes the exemption that allowed unquoted equity 
instruments to be recognised at historical cost but provides 
guidance on when cost may be an appropriate estimate of fair 
value.

 78

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.1 Changes in accounting policy (continued)

(a) Financial Instruments: classification and measurement of 
financial assets and financial liabilities and hedge accounting 
(AASB 9 (2013)) (continued)

(i) Changes to classification and measurement of financial 
assets and financial liabilities (continued)

Impact of changes (continued)

The following table summarises the impact on the classification 
and measurement of our financial assets as at 1 July 2014:

Presented in statement of 
financial position

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other 
receivables – current
Trade and other 
receivables – non current

Financial asset
Bank deposits and 
negotiable certificates of 
deposit
Loans and receivables - 
current
Loans and receivables - 
non current

Telstra Group
As at 1 July 2014
Reported Restated

AASB 139

AASB 9 (2013)

$m

$m

Available-for-sale

Amortised cost

5,222

5,222

Loans and receivables

Amortised cost

4,172

4,172

Loans and receivables

Amortised cost

973

127

973

127

Investments other – non 
current

Equity investments not 
held for trading

Available-for-sale

Fair value through profit or 
loss / other comprehensive 
income

For more details on the classification of financial assets see note 
17.

(ii) Changes to hedge accounting 
AASB 9 (2013) aligns hedge accounting more closely with common 
risk management practices. Hedge ineffectiveness will continue 
to be recognised in profit or loss. An entity is still required to 
prepare contemporaneous documentation; however, the 
information to be documented under AASB 9 (2013) differs.

The following summarises the key changes:
• risk components that are separately identifiable and reliably 
measurable will be eligible as hedged items, including non-
financial items 

• effectiveness measurement testing is required only on a 

prospective basis and new hedge effectiveness criteria include 
existence of an economic relationship between the hedged item 
and the hedging instrument 

• certain requirements must be met for discontinuing a hedge 
relationship. Changes to the hedge relationship may result in 
rebalancing of the hedge ratio rather than de-designation
• hedging of groups of net positions is permitted subject to 

certain criteria.

The accounting and presentation requirements for hedge 
accounting remain largely unchanged, however additional 
disclosures are required under the new standard.

Hedge relationships
Transactions previously de-designated from fair value hedge 
relationships relating to a portion of our borrowing portfolio have 
been re-instated in fair value hedges with effect from 1 July 2014. 
These transactions were and continue to be in effective economic 
relationships based on contractual amounts and cash flows over 
the life of the transaction, however previously they did not satisfy 
the requirements for hedge accounting. We have also redefined 
our hedge relationships relating to the portion of our offshore 
borrowing portfolio in fair value hedges to exclude borrowing 
margins from the hedged risk. This has resulted in de-designating 
our existing fair value hedge relationships and re-designating 
from 1 July 2014 without any change to the underlying economic 
objective of the hedging, i.e. to convert foreign currency 
borrowings to floating Australian dollar borrowings. The above 
changes did not result in any market transactions.

Foreign currency basis spreads and forward element of forward 
contracts
We have the option to exclude the forward element of forward 
contracts and the foreign currency basis spreads of financial 
instruments that hedge transaction related or time-period related 
hedged items.

We have elected to separate and exclude foreign currency basis 
spreads from financial instruments that are designated hedging 
instruments of our foreign currency overseas borrowings. The 
cumulative change in fair value of the foreign currency basis 
spreads is recognised in a separate component of equity. Cross 
currency basis spreads are included in interest on borrowings in 
the income statement over the life of the borrowing.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

79

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.1 Changes in accounting policy (continued)

(a) Financial Instruments: classification and measurement of 
financial assets and financial liabilities and hedge accounting 
(AASB 9 (2013)) (continued)

(ii) Changes to hedge accounting (continued)

Foreign currency basis spreads and forward element of forward 
contracts (continued)

For designated hedge relationships of forecast transactions we 
may choose to separate the forward element of forward contracts 
that hedge transaction related items such that only the change in 
the spot element of the forward contract is designated as the 
hedging instrument. Where this is the case, the cumulative change 
in fair value of the forward elements of forward contracts is 
recognised in a separate component of equity. These amounts are 
reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period as the 
hedged items affect profit or loss.

Upon transition to AASB 9 (2013), the balance of foreign currency 
basis spread was a loss of $69m. We have elected not to 
retrospectively apply the provisions in relation to the accounting 
treatment of foreign currency basis spread. Accordingly, this 
amount will be unwound partly to the income statement and partly 
to the cash flow hedging reserve over the remaining life of the 
borrowing to which the amount relates to. 

(iii) Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have been updated and are 
applicable from 1 July 2014:
• Foreign currency transactions and balances
• Cash and cash equivalents
• Trade and other receivables
• Investments in listed securities and other corporations
• Impairment of financial assets
• Fair value hedges
• Derivatives and borrowings de-designated from fair value hedge 

relationships or not in a designated hedging relationship

• Embedded derivatives.

(b) Other 
In addition to the above changes in accounting policy, we note the 
following new accounting standards that are applicable to us from 
1 July 2014:
• AASB 1031: “Materiality”
• AASB 2012-3: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 
[AASB 132]”

• AASB 2013-9: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Part B: Materiality”

• AASB 2014-1: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Part A: Annual Improvements 2010-2012 and 2011-
2013 Cycles, Part B: Defined Benefit Plans: Employee 
Contributions (Amendments to AASB 119), Part C: Materiality”

• Interpretation 21: “Levies”.

These new accounting standards do not have any material impact 
on our financial results.

2.2 Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial report includes the assets and 
liabilities of the Telstra Entity and its controlled entities as a whole 
as at the end of the year and the consolidated results and cash 
flows for the year. The effect of all intra-group transactions and 
balances are eliminated in full from our consolidated financial 
statements.

An entity is considered to be a controlled entity where we are 
exposed, or have rights, to variable returns from our involvement 
with the entity and have the ability to affect those returns through 
our power to direct the activities of the entity.

Where we do not control an entity for the entire year, results and 
cash flows for those entities are only included from the date on 
which control commences, or up until the date on which there is a 
loss of control.

Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of controlled 
entities are shown separately in our income statement, statement 
of comprehensive income and statement of financial position.

We account for the acquisition of our controlled entities using the 
acquisition method of accounting. This involves recognising the 
acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the fair 
value of consideration over our interest in the fair value of the 
acquiree’s net identifiable assets is recognised as goodwill.

The financial statements of controlled entities are prepared for 
the same reporting period as the Telstra Entity, using consistent 
accounting policies. Adjustments are made to bring into line any 
dissimilar accounting policies.

2.3 Foreign currency translation

(a) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are converted into the relevant 
functional currency at market exchange rates applicable at the 
date of each transaction. Amounts payable or receivable in foreign 
currencies at reporting date are converted into the relevant 
functional currency at market exchange rates at reporting date. 
Any currency translation gains and losses that arise are included 
in our income statement. Where we enter into a hedge for a 
specific expenditure commitment or for the construction of an 
asset, hedging gains and losses are accumulated in other 
comprehensive income over the period of the hedge and are 
transferred to the carrying value of the asset upon completion, or 
included in the income statement at the same time as the 
discharge of the expenditure commitment.

Non-monetary items in foreign currency that are measured at fair 
value (i.e. certain equity instruments not held for trading) are 
translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair 
value was determined with the translation differences reported as 
part of the fair value gain or loss. The fair value changes presented 
in other comprehensive income in accordance with AASB 9 (2013) 
include any related foreign exchange component.

(b) Financial reports of foreign operations that have a functional 
currency that is not Australian dollars
Our operations include controlled entities, associates and joint 
ventures, whose activities and operations are in an economic 
environment where the functional currency is not Australian 
dollars. 

The financial statements of these entities are translated into 
Australian dollars (our presentation currency) using the following 
method:
• assets and liabilities are translated into Australian dollars using 

market exchange rates at reporting date

• equity at the date of investment is translated into Australian 
dollars at the exchange rate current at the date. Movements 
post-acquisition (other than retained profits/accumulated 
losses) are translated at exchange rates current at the dates of 
those movements

 80

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.3 Foreign currency translation (continued)

(b) Financial reports of foreign operations that have a functional 
currency that is not Australian dollars (continued)

• income statements are translated into Australian dollars at 

average exchange rates, unless there are significant 
identifiable transactions, which are translated at the exchange 
rate that existed on the date of the transaction

• current translation gains and losses are recorded in other 

comprehensive income.

Refer to note 2.22(c) for details regarding our accounting policy for 
derivative financial instrument items that are used to hedge our 
net investment in entities whose functional currency is not 
Australian dollars.

2.4 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and on hand, 
bank deposits and negotiable certificates of deposit that are held 
for the purposes of meeting short term cash commitments rather 
than investment purposes.

Bank deposits and negotiable certificates of deposit are classified 
as financial assets held at amortised cost.

2.5 Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are financial assets. They are initially 
recorded at the fair value of the amounts to be received and are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. These financial assets are derecognised when 
the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have 
expired or have been transferred and we have transferred 
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

An allowance for doubtful debts is raised to reduce the carrying 
amount of trade receivables, based on a review of outstanding 
amounts at reporting date. The allowance for doubtful debts is 
based on historical trends and management's assessment of 
general economic conditions. An allowance for doubtful debts is 
raised when management considers there is a credit risk, an 
insolvency risk or an incapacity to pay a legally recoverable debt.

Bad debts specifically provided for in previous years are 
eliminated against the allowance for doubtful debts. In all other 
cases, bad debts are eliminated directly against the carrying 
amount and written off as an expense in the income statement.

2.6 Inventories

Our finished goods include goods available for sale and material 
and spare parts to be used for less than one year in constructing 
and maintaining the telecommunications network. We also 
purchase strategic inventories for use in maintenance of network 
assets beyond one year. We value inventories at the lower of cost 
and net realisable value.

For the majority of inventory items, we assign cost using the 
weighted average cost basis.

Net realisable value of items expected to be sold is the estimated 
selling price in the ordinary course of business less estimated 
costs of completion and the estimated costs incurred in 
marketing, selling and distribution. It approximates fair value less 
cost of disposal. We calculate net realisable value of inventories 
by making certain price assumptions to project selling prices into 
the future and assumptions about technologies at reporting date.

Net realisable value of items expected to be consumed, for 
example, used in the construction of another asset, is the net 
value expected to be earned through future use.

2.7 Construction contracts

(a) Valuation
We record construction contracts in progress at cost, include any 
profits recognised less progress billings and any provision for 
foreseeable losses. Cost includes:
• both variable and fixed costs directly related to specific 

contracts

• amounts that are attributable to contract activity in general and 
can be allocated to specific contracts on a reasonable basis
• costs expected to be incurred under penalty clauses, warranty 

provisions and other variances.

Where a significant loss is estimated to be made on completion, a 
provision for foreseeable losses is brought to account and 
recorded against the gross amount of construction work in 
progress.

(b) Recognition of revenue and profit
Revenue and profit is recognised on an individual project basis 
using the percentage of completion method. The percentage of 
completion is calculated based on estimated costs of completion. 
Refer to note 2.17(c) for further details.
Profits are recognised when:
• the stage of contract completion can be reliably determined
• costs to date can be clearly identified
• total contract revenues to be received and costs to complete 

can be reliably estimated.

(c) Disclosure
The construction work in progress balance is recorded in current 
inventories after deducting progress billings. Where progress 
billings exceed the balance of construction work in progress, the 
net amount is shown as a current liability within trade and other 
payables.

2.8 Investments

(a) Joint arrangements
A joint arrangement is a contractual arrangement whereby two or 
more parties have joint control. Joint control involves the 
contractually agreed sharing of control over an arrangement 
where decisions about the relevant activities require the 
unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The 
classification of a joint arrangement as a joint operation or joint 
venture depends on the rights and obligations of the parties to the 
arrangement.

(i) Joint ventures
A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that 
have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets 
of the arrangement. In the Telstra Group financial statements our 
interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity 
method of accounting.

Under the equity method of accounting, we adjust the initial 
recorded amount of the investment for our share of:
• profits or losses after tax for the year since the date of 

investment

• reserve movements since the date of investment
• unrealised profits or losses
• dividends or distributions received
• deferred profit brought to account.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

81

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.8 Investments (continued)

(a) Joint arrangements (continued)

(i) Joint ventures (continued)

Where the equity accounted amount of our investment in an entity 
falls below zero, we suspend the equity method of accounting and 
record the investment at zero. When this occurs, the equity 
method of accounting does not recommence until our share of 
profits and reserves exceeds the cumulative prior years’ share of 
losses and reserve reductions. Where we have long term assets 
that in substance form part of our investment in equity accounted 
interests and the equity accounted amount of the investment falls 
below zero, we reduce the value of these long term assets in 
proportion to our cumulative losses.

Assets with an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation 
and are tested for impairment on an annual basis or whenever an 
indication of impairment exists. Assets that are subject to 
amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may 
not be recoverable.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value 
less cost of disposal and its value in use. Value in use represents 
the present value of the future amount expected to be recovered 
through the cash inflows and outflows arising from the asset’s 
continued use and subsequent disposal. We recognise any 
reduction in the carrying value as an expense in the income 
statement in the reporting period in which the impairment loss 
occurs.

(ii) Joint operations
A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that 
have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets and 
obligations for the liabilities relating to the arrangement. We 
recognise our own, and our share of any jointly held or incurred, 
assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses under the appropriate 
headings. We are not party to any joint operations at present.

Fair value less cost of disposal is measured with reference to 
quoted market prices in an active market. In determining value in 
use, we apply management judgement in establishing forecasts of 
future operating performance, as well as the selection of growth 
rates, terminal rates and discount rates. These judgements are 
applied based on our understanding of historical information and 
expectations of future performance.

(b) Associated entities 
Where we hold an interest in the equity of an entity, generally of 
between 20 per cent and 50 per cent, and are able to significantly 
influence the decisions of the entity, that entity is an associated 
entity. In the Telstra Group financial statements associated 
entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

(c) Investments in listed securities and other corporations
Our investments in listed securities and in other corporations 
where we do not have control, joint control or significant influence, 
are initially measured at fair value. The subsequent changes in fair 
value of investments held for trading are recognised in the income 
statement. For the investments not held for trading we can elect to 
present the subsequent changes in fair value in the income 
statement or in other comprehensive income. The election is made 
on initial recognition, is irrevocable and is made on an investment 
by investment basis.

Fair values are calculated on the following basis:
• for listed securities traded in an active market, we use the 

current quoted market bid price at reporting date

• for investments in unlisted entities whose securities are not 

traded in an active market, we establish fair value by using other 
valuation techniques, including reference to discounted cash 
flows and fair values of recent orderly transactions between 
market participants involving instruments that are 
substantially the same, maximising the use of observable 
(market) inputs and minimising the use of unobservable (non-
market) inputs.

We remeasure the fair value of our investments in listed securities 
and other corporations. Purchases and sales of investments are 
recognised on settlement date, being the date on which we receive 
or deliver an asset.

2.9 Impairment

(a) Non-financial assets
Our tangible and intangible assets (excluding inventories, assets 
arising from construction contracts, current and deferred tax 
assets, defined benefit assets and financial assets) are measured 
using the cost basis and are written down to recoverable amount 
where their carrying value exceeds recoverable amount.

The expected net cash flows included in determining recoverable 
amounts of our assets are discounted to present values using a 
market determined, risk adjusted discount rate. When 
determining an appropriate discount rate, we use the weighted 
average cost of capital (WACC) as an initial point of reference, 
adjusted for specific risks associated with each different category 
of assets assessed.

For assets that do not generate largely independent cash inflows, 
the recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit 
(CGU) to which that asset belongs. In addition, when goodwill is 
allocated to a CGU, the unit cannot be larger than an operating 
segment. Our CGUs are determined according to the lowest level 
of aggregation for which an active market exists and the assets 
involved generate largely independent cash inflows.

We apply management judgement to establish our CGUs. We have 
determined that assets forming part of our ubiquitous 
telecommunications network work together to generate net cash 
inflows. No one item of telecommunications equipment is of any 
value without the other assets to which it is connected in order to 
achieve the delivery of products and services. As a result, we have 
determined that the ubiquitous telecommunications network is a 
single CGU. In our financial report we have referred to this CGU as 
the Telstra Entity CGU.

The Telstra Entity CGU excludes the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) 
cable network, which we consider not to be integrated with the 
rest of our telecommunications network for the purposes of 
generating independent cash flows. Refer to note 21 for further 
details.

(b) Financial assets
At each reporting date we assess whether there is objective 
evidence to suggest that any of our financial assets, other than 
investments in equity instruments, are impaired. Our investments 
in securities are measured at fair value and are not tested for 
impairment.

For financial assets held at amortised cost, we consider the 
financial asset to be impaired when there is objective evidence, as 
a result of one or more events, that the present value of estimated 
discounted future cash flows is lower than the carrying value. Any 
impairment losses are recognised immediately in the income 
statement.

 82

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.10 Property, plant and equipment

(a) Acquisition
Items of property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and 
depreciated as described in note 2.10(b) below. The cost of our 
constructed property, plant and equipment is directly attributable 
in bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for its 
intended use and includes:
• the cost of material and direct labour
• an appropriate proportion of direct and indirect overheads
• where we have an obligation for removal of the asset or 

restoration of the site, an estimate of the cost of restoration or 
removal if that cost can be reliably estimated.

Management judgement is required in the assessment of the 
types of costs that are directly attributable to the construction of 
our property, plant and equipment. Satisfying the directly 
attributable criteria requires an assessment of those unavoidable 
costs that, if not incurred, would result in the property, plant and 
equipment not being constructed. We capitalise borrowing costs 
that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or 
production of a qualifying asset.

We review our property, plant and equipment assets and property, 
plant and equipment under construction on a regular basis to 
ensure that the assets are still in use and that the projects are still 
expected to be completed. Refer to note 7 for details of 
impairment losses recognised on our property, plant and 
equipment.

Where settlement of any part of the cash consideration is 
deferred, the amounts payable in the future are discounted to 
their present value as at the date of acquisition. The unwinding of 
this discount is recorded within finance costs.

We account for our assets individually where this is practical, 
feasible and in line with commercial practice. Where it is not 
practical and feasible to do so, we account for assets in groups. 
Group assets are automatically removed from our financial 
statements on reaching the group life. Therefore, any individual 
asset may be physically retired before or after the group life is 
attained. This is the case for certain communication assets as we 
assess our technologies to be replaced by a certain date.

(b) Depreciation
Items of property, plant and equipment, including buildings and 
leasehold property but excluding freehold land, are depreciated 
on a straight line basis to the income statement over their 
estimated service lives. We start depreciating assets when they 
are installed and ready for use. The service lives of our significant 
items of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

Telstra Group
As at 30 June

2015
Service 
life
(years)

2014
Service 
life
(years)

31 - 52
-
4 - 40

10 - 53
3 - 49
2 - 30
3 - 16
3 - 10
4 - 10
3 - 18
3 - 32
3 - 7
7 - 25
4 - 12
2 - 13
4 - 7

4 - 7
11 - 15
8 - 20

32 - 52
10 - 20
4 - 40

10 - 58
3 - 51
4 - 30
3 - 16
3 - 10
4 - 10
3 - 18
3 - 30
3 - 7
9 - 21
4 - 12
2 - 13
4 - 7

3 - 7
5 - 15
8 - 20

Property, plant and equipment
Buildings
Buildings
Fitouts (a)
Leasehold improvements
Communication assets
Network land and buildings
Network support infrastructure
Access fixed
Access mobile
Content/IP products - core
Core network - data
Core network - switch
Core network - transport
Specialised premise equipment
International connect
Managed service
Network control layer
Network product
Other plant and equipment
IT equipment
Motor vehicles/trailer/caravan/huts
Other plant and equipment

(a) From financial year 2015, fitouts are included as part of 
buildings and have an immaterial impact on the buildings service 
life. 

The service lives and residual values of our assets are reviewed 
each year. We apply management judgement in determining the 
service lives of our assets. This assessment includes a 
comparison with international trends for telecommunications 
companies and, in relation to communication assets, includes a 
determination of when the asset may be superseded 
technologically or made obsolete.

The net effect of the assessment of service lives within the ranges 
above for financial year 2015 was a decrease in depreciation 
expense of $166 million (2014: $200 million) for the Telstra Group.

Our major repairs and maintenance expenses relate to 
maintaining our exchange equipment and the customer access 
network. We charge to operating expenses the cost of repairs and 
maintenance, including the cost of replacing minor items that are 
not substantial improvements.

2.11 Leased plant and equipment

We distinguish between finance leases, which effectively transfer 
substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of 
the leased asset from the lessor to the lessee, and operating 
leases under which the lessor effectively retains substantially all 
such risks and benefits. The determination of whether an 
arrangement is, or contains a lease is based on the substance of 
the arrangement at inception date, whether fulfilment of the 
arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets 
and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset, even if that 
right is not explicitly specified in an arrangement.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

83

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.11 Leased plant and equipment (continued)

(a) Telstra as a lessee
Where we acquire non current assets via a finance lease, the lower 
of the fair value of the asset and the present value of future 
minimum lease payments is capitalised as equipment under 
finance leases at the beginning of the lease term. Capitalised 
lease assets are depreciated on a straight line basis over the 
shorter of the lease term or the expected useful life of the assets. 
A corresponding liability is also established and each lease 
payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges.

Operating lease payments are charged to the income statement 
on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Where we lease properties, costs of improvements to these 
properties are capitalised as leasehold improvements and 
amortised over the shorter of the useful life of the improvements 
and the term of the lease.

(b) Telstra as a lessor
Where we lease non current assets via a finance lease, a lease 
receivable equal to the present value of the minimum lease 
payments receivable plus the present value of any unguaranteed 
residual value expected to accrue at the end of the lease term is 
recognised at the beginning of the lease term. Finance lease 
receipts are allocated between finance income and a reduction of 
the lease receivable over the term of the lease in order to reflect a 
constant periodic rate of return on the net investment outstanding 
in respect of the lease.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight 
line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

2.12 Intangible assets

Intangible assets are assets that have value but do not have 
physical substance. In order to be recognised, an intangible asset 
must be either separable or arise from contractual or other legal 
rights.

(a) Goodwill
On the acquisition of investments in controlled entities, joint 
ventures and associated entities, when we pay an amount greater 
than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the entity, this 
excess is considered to be goodwill. We calculate the amount of 
goodwill as at the date of purchasing our ownership interest in the 
entity.

When we purchase an entity that we will control, the amount of 
goodwill is recorded in intangible assets. When we acquire a joint 
venture or associated entity, the goodwill amount is included as 
part of the cost of the investment.

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment on an 
annual basis or when an indication of impairment exists in 
accordance with note 2.9(a).

(b) Internally generated intangible assets
Research costs are recorded as an expense as incurred.

Management judgement is required to determine whether to 
capitalise development costs. Development costs are capitalised 
if the project is technically and commercially feasible, we are able 
to use or sell the asset and we have sufficient resources and intent 
to complete the development.

We capitalise borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the 
acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset.

(i) Software assets

We record direct costs associated with the development of 
business software for internal use as software assets if the 
development costs satisfy the criteria for capitalisation described 
above.

Costs included in software assets developed for internal use are:
• external direct costs of materials and services consumed
• payroll and direct payroll-related costs for employees (including 

contractors) directly associated with the project.

We review our software assets and software assets under 
development on a regular basis to ensure the assets are still in use 
and projects are still expected to be completed. Refer to note 7 for 
details of impairment losses recognised on our intangible assets.

Software assets developed for internal use have a finite life and 
are amortised on a straight line basis over their useful lives to us.   
Amortisation commences once the software is ready for use.

(c) Acquired intangible assets
We acquire other intangible assets either as part of a business 
combination or through separate acquisition. Intangible assets 
acquired in a business combination are recorded at their fair value 
at the date of acquisition and recognised separately from 
goodwill. Intangible assets acquired through specific acquisition 
are recorded at cost. We apply management judgement to 
determine the appropriate fair value of identifiable intangible 
assets.

Intangible assets that are considered to have a finite life are 
amortised on a straight line basis over the period of expected 
benefit. Intangible assets that are considered to have an indefinite 
life are not amortised but tested for impairment on an annual 
basis or when an indication of impairment exists in accordance 
with note 2.9(a).

(d) Deferred expenditure
Deferred expenditure mainly includes direct incremental costs of 
establishing a customer contract, costs incurred for basic access 
installation and connection fees, for existing and new services, as 
well as deferred costs related to the NBN Definitive Agreements.

Significant items of expenditure are deferred to the extent that 
they are recoverable from future revenue and will contribute to our 
future earning capacity. Any costs in excess of future revenue are 
recognised immediately in the income statement. Handset 
subsidies are considered to be separate units of accounting and 
are expensed as incurred.

We amortise deferred expenditure over the average period in 
which the related benefits are expected to be realised.

 84

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.12 Intangible assets (continued)

(e) Amortisation
The weighted average amortisation periods of our identifiable 
intangible assets are as follows:

Telstra Group
As at 30 June

2015
Expected 
benefit
(years)
8
-
-
15
15
9
4

2014
Expected 
benefit
(years)
9
5
5
15
14
8
4

Identifiable intangible assets
Software assets
Patents and trademarks
Mastheads
Licences
Brand names
Customer bases
Deferred expenditure

The service lives of our identifiable intangible assets are reviewed 
each year. Any reassessment of service lives in a particular year 
will affect the amortisation expense through to the end of the 
reassessed useful life for both that of current year and future 
years.

The net effect of the reassessment for financial year 2015 was a 
decrease in our amortisation expense of $51 million (2014: $72 
million) for the Telstra Group.

In relation to acquired intangible assets, we apply management 
judgement to determine the amortisation period based on the 
expected useful lives of the respective assets. In some cases, the 
useful lives of certain acquired intangible assets are supported by 
external valuation advice on acquisition. In addition, we apply 
management judgement to assess annually the indefinite useful 
life assumption applied to certain acquired intangible assets.

2.13 Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables, including accruals, are recorded when 
we are required to make future payments as a result of purchases 
of assets or services. Trade and other payables are carried at 
amortised cost.

2.14 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when:
• the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to make 

a future sacrifice of economic benefits as a result of past 
transactions or events

• it is probable that a future sacrifice of economic benefits will 

arise

• a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

(a) Employee benefits
We accrue liabilities for employee benefits relating to wages and 
salaries, annual leave and other current employee benefits at 
their nominal amounts. These are calculated based on 
remuneration rates expected to be current at the date of 
settlement and include related costs.

Certain employees who have been employed by Telstra for at least 
10 years are entitled to long service leave of three months (or more 
depending on the actual length of employment), which is included 
in our employee benefits provision.

We accrue liabilities for other employee benefits not expected to 
be paid or settled within 12 months of reporting date, including 
long service leave, at the present values of future amounts 
expected to be paid. This is based on projected increases in wage 
and salary rates over an average of 10 years, experience of 
employee departures and periods of service.

We calculate present values using rates based on high quality 
corporate bonds (2014: government guaranteed securities) with 
due dates similar to those of our liabilities.

We apply management judgement in estimating the following key 
assumptions used in the calculation of our long service leave 
provision at reporting date:
• weighted average projected increases in salaries
• discount rate.

As at 30 June 2015 we have used a 10 year high quality corporate 
bond rate (2014: State and Commonwealth blended 10 year 
Australian government bond rate) to determine the discount rate. 
This change resulted in a $71 million decrease in our long service 
leave expense and long service leave provision.

Refer to note 16 for further details on the key management 
judgements used in the calculation of our long service leave 
provision.

(b) Workers’ compensation
We self insure our workers’ compensation liabilities. We take up a 
provision for the present value of these estimated liabilities, 
based on an actuarial review of the liability. This review includes 
assessing actual accidents and estimating claims incurred but 
not reported. Present values are calculated using appropriate 
rates (determined by reference to a State and Commonwealth 
blended Australian government bond rate) based on the risks 
specific to the liability with a similar due date.

Certain controlled entities do not self insure but pay annual 
premiums to third party insurance companies for their workers’ 
compensation liabilities.

(c) Redundancy and restructuring costs
We recognise a provision for redundancy costs when a detailed 
formal plan for the redundancies has been developed and a valid 
expectation has been created that the redundancies will be 
carried out in respect of those employees likely to be affected.

We recognise a provision for restructuring when a detailed formal 
plan has been approved and we have raised a valid expectation in 
those affected by the restructuring that it will be carried out.

2.15 Borrowings

Borrowings are included as non current liabilities except for those 
with maturities less than 12 months from the reporting date, 
which are classified as current liabilities.

Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying asset form part of the 
cost of that asset. All other borrowing costs are recognised as an 
expense in our income statement when incurred.

We recognise borrowings initially on the trade date, which is the 
date on which we become a party to the contractual provisions of 
the instrument. We derecognise borrowings when our contractual 
obligations are discharged or cancelled or expire.

Our borrowings fall into two categories: borrowings in a 
designated hedging relationship and borrowings not in a 
designated hedging relationship.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

85

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.15 Borrowings (continued)

(a) Borrowings in a designated hedging relationship
Our offshore borrowings that are designated as hedged items are 
either in fair value or cash flow hedges. The method by which they 
are hedged determines their accounting treatment.

Borrowings subject to fair value hedges are recognised initially at 
fair value. The carrying amount of our borrowings in fair value 
hedges is adjusted for fair value movements attributable to the 
hedged risk (being changes in value due to interest rate and 
currency movements).

Fair value is calculated using valuation techniques that utilise 
data from observable markets. Assumptions are based on market 
conditions existing at each reporting date. The fair value is 
calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows 
using an appropriate market based yield curve that is 
independently derived and representative of Telstra’s cost of 
borrowing. These borrowings are remeasured each reporting 
period and the gains or losses are recognised in the income 
statement along with the associated gains or losses on the 
hedging instrument.

Borrowings subject to cash flow hedges are recognised initially at 
fair value plus any transaction costs that are directly attributable 
to the issue of the borrowing. These borrowings are subsequently 
carried at amortised cost and translated at the applicable spot 
exchange rate at reporting date. Any difference between the final 
amount paid to discharge the borrowing and the initial borrowing 
proceeds (including transaction costs) is recognised in the income 
statement over the borrowing period using the effective interest 
method.

When currency gains or losses on the borrowings are recognised in 
the income statement, the associated gains or losses on the 
hedging instrument are also transferred from the cash flow 
hedging reserve to the income statement.

(b) Borrowings not in a designated hedging relationship
Such borrowings are initially recognised at fair value plus any 
transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of the 
instruments and are subsequently measured at amortised cost. 
Any difference between the final amount paid to discharge the 
borrowing and the initial borrowing proceeds (including 
transaction costs) is recognised in the income statement over the 
borrowing period using the effective interest method.

As a result of the adoption of AASB 9 (2013) all offshore 
borrowings previously ineligible for hedge accounting were re-
designated into hedge relationships.

(c) Statement of cash flows presentation
Where our short term borrowings are held for the purposes of 
meeting short term cash commitments, we report the cash 
receipts and subsequent repayments on a net basis in the 
statement of cash flows.

2.16 Share capital 

Issued and paid up capital is recognised at the fair value of the 
consideration received by the Telstra Entity.

Any transaction costs arising on the issue of ordinary shares are 
recognised directly in equity, net of tax, as a reduction of the share 
proceeds received.

Where we undertake a share buy-back, contributed equity is 
reduced in accordance with the structure of the buy-back 
arrangement. Costs associated with the buy-back, net of tax, are 
also deducted from contributed equity. We also record the 
purchase of Telstra Entity shares by our employee share plan 
trusts as a reduction in share capital.

Share-based remuneration associated with our employee share 
plans is recognised as additional share capital. Non-recourse 
loans provided to employees to participate in these employee 
share plans are recorded as a reduction in share capital.

Refer to note 2.21 for further details on our accounting for 
employee share plans.

2.17 Revenue recognition

Our categories of sales revenue are recorded after deducting sales 
returns, trade allowances, discounts, sales incentives, duties and 
taxes.

(a) Services revenue
Services revenue includes the provision of telecommunication 
services, rent of our fixed and mobile networks to retail and 
wholesale customers and provision of advertising services.

(i) Telecommunication services
Revenue from the provision of our telecommunications services 
includes telephone calls and other services and facilities 
provided, such as internet and data.

We record revenue earned from:
• telephone calls on completion of the call
• other services generally at completion, or on a straight line basis 
over the period of service provided, unless another method 
better represents the stage of completion.

Installation and connection fee revenues that are not considered 
to be separate units of accounting are deferred and recognised 
over the average estimated customer life. Incremental costs 
directly related to these revenues are also deferred and amortised 
over the customer contract life in accordance with note 2.12(d). In 
relation to basic access installation and connection revenue, we 
apply management judgement to determine the estimated 
customer contract life.

Based on our reviews of historical information and customer 
trends, we have determined that our average estimated customer 
life is 5 years (2014: 5 years).

(ii) Rent of network facilities
We earn rent mainly from access to retail and wholesale fixed and 
mobile networks and from the rent of dedicated lines, customer 
equipment, property, plant and equipment and other facilities. 
The revenue from providing access to the network is recorded on 
an accrual basis over the rental period.

(iii) Advertising services
Revenue from online advertising services is recognised when the 
advertisements are published over the stated display period in the 
case of websites or when the services have been rendered in the 
case of promotional activities. The amount recognised is limited to 
the amount that is not contingent upon delivery of additional 
deliverables or meeting other specified performance conditions. 

Voice directory revenues are recognised at the time of providing 
the service to customers.

 86

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.17 Revenue recognition (continued)

(b) Sale of goods
Our revenue from the sale of goods includes revenue from the sale 
of customer equipment and similar goods. This revenue is 
recorded on delivery of the goods sold.

(c) Construction contracts
We record construction revenue and profit on a percentage of 
contract completion basis. The percentage of completion is 
calculated based on estimated costs to complete the contract. 
Our construction contracts are classified according to their type. 
There are two types of construction contracts: material intensive 
and short duration. Revenue and profit are recognised on a 
percentage of completion basis using the appropriate measures 
as follows:
• for material intensive projects: (actual costs divided by planned 

costs) multiplied by planned revenue, including profit
• for short duration projects (those that are expected to be 
completed within a month): revenues, profit and costs are 
recognised on completion.

(d) Royalties
Royalty revenue is recognised on an accrual basis in accordance 
with the substance of the relevant agreements.

(e) Interest revenue
We record interest revenue on an accruals basis. For financial 
assets, interest revenue is determined by the effective yield on the 
instrument.

(f) Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables
Where two or more revenue generating activities or deliverables 
are sold under a single arrangement, each deliverable that is 
considered to be a separate unit of accounting is accounted for 
separately. When the deliverables in a multiple deliverable 
arrangement are not considered to be separate units of 
accounting, the arrangement is accounted for as a single unit.

A separate unit of accounting exists where the deliverable has 
value to the customer on a stand-alone basis and any undelivered 
items cannot be terminated by the customer without incurring 
penalties if the delivered item was returned.

We allocate the consideration from the revenue arrangement to its 
separate units based on the relative selling prices of each unit. If 
there is neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third party 
evidence for the selling price, then the item is measured based on 
the best estimate of the selling price of that unit. When allocating 
revenue to the separate units within an arrangement, the amount 
allocated to a delivered item is limited to the amount that is not 
contingent upon the delivery of additional items or meeting other 
specified performance conditions (non-contingent amount). The 
non-contingent revenue allocated to each unit is then recognised 
in accordance with our revenue recognition policies described 
above.

(g) Principal versus agency relationship (gross versus net 
revenue recognition)
Generally, we record the full gross amount of sales proceeds as 
revenue. However, if we are acting as an agent, revenue is 
recorded on a net basis (being the gross amount billed less the 
amount paid to the supplier acting as a principal in the 
arrangement). We review the facts and circumstances of each 
sales arrangement to determine if we are acting as an agent or as 
a principal. 

Indicators supporting that we are the principal include:
• Telstra is primarily responsible for the fulfilment of the 

customer order

• Telstra has risks of ownership of the product or delivery of the 

services

• Telstra is involved in price setting
• Telstra is involved in determining the product or service 

specifications

• Telstra bears the credit risk.

(h) Sales incentives
Sales incentives are provided by Telstra to customers in the form 
of either cash consideration or non-cash consideration and are 
accrued for up to the point where it is probable that the customer 
will earn the incentives.

A cash consideration (for example, cash payment, credit or rebate) 
provided to a customer is generally recorded as a reduction in 
revenue.

A sales incentive provided to a customer in the form of non-cash 
consideration (for example, in the form of a free product or service 
or a gift voucher) is considered to be a separate deliverable in a 
multiple deliverable arrangement, regardless of whether it is 
provided to customers at the commencement of a contract or is an 
amount that can be used to purchase future products and 
services. A portion of the total revenue under the arrangement is 
allocated to the non-cash consideration in accordance with note 
2.17(f). The sales revenue allocated to the incentive is recognised 
when the customer redeems or utilises the award (i.e. when 
Telstra provides the product or service).

Cash sales incentives are generally paid to customers in cases 
where Telstra provides a number of different products and 
services to the customer under a single arrangement. If this is the 
case then the reduction in revenue must be allocated to each 
product/service that contributed towards the customer earning 
the incentive. The allocation should be based on the relative 
amounts of revenue earned for each product and service, unless a 
more appropriate methodology is available.

(i) Government grants
Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value 
where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be 
received and Telstra will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants relating to costs are deferred and recognised 
in the income statement over the period necessary to match them 
with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

Government grants relating to the purchase of property, plant and 
equipment are included in non current liabilities as deferred 
income and are credited to the income statement on a straight line 
basis over the expected lives of the related assets.

The benefit of a government loan at a below-market rate of 
interest is treated as a government grant. The loan is measured at 
amortised cost. The benefit of the below-market rate of interest is 
measured as the difference between the initial carrying value of 
the loan, which is measured at amortised cost, and the actual 
proceeds received. The benefit is accounted for in accordance 
with our accounting policy for government grants described 
above.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

87

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.18 Taxation

(a) Income taxes
Our income tax expense represents the sum of current tax and 
deferred tax. Current tax is calculated on accounting profit after 
allowing for non-taxable and non-deductible items based on the 
amount expected to be paid to taxation authorities on taxable 
profit for the period. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that 
are expected to apply to the period in which the asset is realised or 
the liability is settled. Both our current tax and deferred tax are 
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at reporting date.

Our current and deferred tax is recognised as an expense in the 
income statement, except when it relates to items directly debited 
or credited to other comprehensive income or equity, in which 
case our current and deferred tax is also recognised directly in 
other comprehensive income or equity.

We apply the balance sheet method for calculating our deferred 
tax. Deferred tax is the expected tax payable or recoverable on all 
taxable and deductible temporary differences determined with 
reference to the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 
carrying amount for financial reporting purposes as at the 
reporting date.

We offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities in the 
statement of financial position where they relate to income taxes 
levied by the same taxation authority and to the extent that we 
intend to settle our current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 
Our deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are netted 
within the tax consolidated group, as these deferred tax balances 
relate to the same taxation authority. We do not net deferred tax 
balances between controlled entities unless they are within the 
tax consolidated group.

(b) Goods and Services Tax (GST) (including other value added 
taxes)
We record our revenue, expenses and assets net of any applicable 
GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable 
from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In these circumstances 
the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset 
or as part of the expense item.

Receivables and payables balances include GST where we have 
either included GST in our price charged to customers or a supplier 
has included GST in their price charged to us. The net amount of 
GST due to the ATO but not paid is included under payables.

2.19 Earnings per share

We generally recognise deferred tax liabilities for all taxable 
temporary differences, except to the extent that the deferred tax 
liability arises from:
• the initial recognition of goodwill
• the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that 

Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing the profit 
attributable to ordinary shareholders after tax, excluding any 
costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during 
the period.

is not a business combination and affects neither our 
accounting profit nor our taxable income at the time of the 
transaction.

In respect of our investments in controlled entities, joint ventures 
and associated entities, we recognise deferred tax liabilities for all 
taxable temporary differences, except where we are able to 
control the timing of our temporary difference reversal and it is 
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

Management judgement is required to determine the amount of 
deferred tax assets that can be recognised. Deferred tax assets 
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit 
will be available against which the deductible temporary 
differences, and the carry forward of unused tax losses and tax 
credits, can be utilised.

The carrying amount of our deferred tax asset is reviewed at each 
reporting date. We reduce the carrying amount to the extent that it 
is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available 
to allow the benefit of part or all of the deferred tax asset to be 
utilised. At each reporting date, we subsequently reassess our 
unrecognised deferred tax assets to determine whether it has 
become probable that future taxable profit will allow this deferred 
tax asset to be recovered.

The Telstra Entity and its Australian resident wholly owned 
entities have formed a tax consolidated group. The Telstra Entity 
is the head entity and recognises, in addition to its transactions, 
the current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets arising from 
unused tax losses and tax credits for all entities in the tax 
consolidated group. The Telstra Entity and the entities in the tax 
consolidated group account for their own current tax expense and 
deferred tax amounts arising from temporary differences. These 
tax amounts are measured as if each entity in the tax consolidated 
group continues to be a separate taxpayer.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit 
attributable to ordinary shareholders after tax by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period 
(adjusted for the effects of the instruments in the Telstra 
Growthshare Trust and the Telstra Employee Share Ownership 
Plans).

2.20 Post employment benefits

(a) Defined contribution plans
Our commitment to defined contribution plans is limited to 
making contributions in accordance with our minimum statutory 
requirements. We do not have any legal or constructive obligation 
to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient 
assets to pay all employee benefits relating to current and past 
employee services.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recorded as an 
expense in the income statement as the contributions become 
payable. We recognise a liability when we are required to make 
future payments as a result of employee services provided.

(b) Defined benefit plans

(i) Telstra Superannuation Scheme
We currently sponsor a post employment defined benefit plan 
under the Telstra Superannuation Scheme. 

At reporting date, where the fair value of the plan assets is less 
than the present value of the defined benefit obligations, the net 
deficit is recognised as a liability. If the fair value of the plan assets 
exceeds the present value of the defined benefit obligations, the 
net surplus is recognised as an asset. We recognise the asset as 
we have the ability to control this surplus to generate future funds 
that will be available to us in the form of reductions in future 
contributions or as a cash refund. Fair value is used to determine 
the value of the plan assets at reporting date and is calculated by 
reference to the net market values of the plan assets.

 88

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.20 Post employment benefits (continued)

2.21 Employee Share Plans

(b) Defined benefit plan (continued)

(i) Telstra Superannuation Scheme (continued)

Defined benefit obligations are based on the expected future 
payments required to settle the obligations arising from current 
and past employee services. These obligations are influenced by 
many factors, including final salaries and employee turnover. We 
engage qualified actuaries to calculate the present value of the 
defined benefit obligations which are measured gross of tax.

The actuaries use the projected unit credit method to determine 
the present value of the defined benefit obligations of the plan. 
This method determines each year of service as giving rise to an 
additional unit of benefit entitlement. Each unit is measured 
separately to calculate the final obligation. The present value is 
determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows 
using rates based on high quality corporate bonds (2014: 
government guaranteed securities) with similar due dates to 
these expected cash flows.

We recognise all our defined benefit costs in the income 
statement, with the exception of actuarial gains and losses that 
are recognised directly in other comprehensive income. 
Components of defined benefit costs include current and past 
service cost, interest cost and return on assets. Past service cost 
is recognised immediately.

Actuarial gains and losses are based on an actuarial valuation of 
each defined benefit plan at reporting date. Actuarial gains and 
losses represent the differences between previous actuarial 
assumptions of future outcomes and the actual outcome, in 
addition to the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions.

We apply judgement in estimating the following key assumptions 
used in the calculation of our defined benefit liabilities and assets 
at reporting date:
• discount rates 
• salary inflation rate.

As at 30 June 2015 we have used a nine year high quality corporate 
bond rate (2014: State and Commonwealth blended 10 year 
Australian government bond rate) to determine the discount rate. 
This change resulted in a $247 million increase in other 
comprehensive income and the defined benefit asset, and 
contributed to a $233 million actuarial gain recognised in other 
comprehensive income for the financial year 2015.

The estimates applied in the actuarial calculation have a 
significant impact on the reported amount of our defined benefit 
plan liabilities and assets. If the estimates prove to be incorrect, 
the carrying value may be materially affected in the next reporting 
period. Additional volatility may also potentially be recorded in 
other comprehensive income to reflect differences between 
actuarial assumptions of future outcomes applied at the current 
reporting date and the actual outcome in the next annual 
reporting period.

We account for our proportionate share of assets, liabilities and 
costs of our defined benefit divisions and our contributions to the 
defined contribution divisions.

Refer to note 24 for details on the key management judgements 
used in the calculation of our defined benefit liabilities and assets.

(ii) Other defined benefit schemes
Our controlled entities also participate in both funded and 
unfunded defined benefit schemes, which are individually and in 
aggregate immaterial. 

We own 100 per cent of the equity of Telstra ESOP Trustee Pty Ltd, 
the corporate trustee for the Telstra Employee Share Ownership 
Plan Trust (TESOP97) and Telstra Employee Share Ownership Plan 
Trust II (TESOP99). We consolidate the results, position and cash 
flows of TESOP97 and TESOP99.

The Telstra Growthshare Trust (Growthshare) was established to 
allocate equity based instruments as required. Current equity 
based instruments include options, performance rights, 
restricted shares, incentive shares and Ownshare instruments. 
Restricted shares and incentive shares are subject to a specified 
period of service. Options and performance rights can be subject 
to performance hurdles or a specified period of service.

We own 100 per cent of the equity of Telstra Growthshare Pty Ltd, 
the corporate trustee for Growthshare. We also consolidate the 
results, position and cash flows of Growthshare.

We recognise an expense for all share-based remuneration 
determined with reference to the fair value at grant date of the 
equity instruments issued. The fair value of our equity instruments 
is calculated using a valuation technique that is consistent with 
the Black-Scholes methodology and utilises Monte Carlo 
simulations. The fair value is recognised in the income statement 
over the relevant vesting periods, adjusted to reflect actual and 
expected levels of vesting.

2.22 Derivative financial instruments

We use derivative financial instruments such as forward exchange 
contracts, cross currency swaps and interest rate swaps to hedge 
risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate 
fluctuations.

The use of hedging instruments is governed by the guidelines set 
by our Board of Directors (the Board).

Derivative financial instruments are included as non current 
assets or liabilities except for those with maturities less than 12 
months from the reporting date, which are classified as current 
assets or liabilities.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date on 
which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured to fair value. Refer to note 17 for details on the basis 
used to estimate fair value. The method of recognising the 
resulting remeasurement gain or loss depends on whether the 
derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and, if so, the 
nature of the item being hedged. Where we hold derivative 
financial instruments that are not designated as hedges, they are 
categorised as “held for trading” financial instruments. All our 
derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value.

Derivative assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash 
flows from the derivative assets have expired or have been 
transferred and we have transferred substantially all the risks and 
rewards of ownership. Derivative liabilities are derecognised when 
the contractual obligations are discharged, are cancelled or 
expire.

The carrying value of our cross currency and interest rate swaps 
refers to the fair value of our receivable or payable under the swap 
contract. We do not offset the receivable or payable with the 
underlying financial asset or financial liability being hedged, as 
the transactions are usually with different counterparties and are 
not generally settled on a net basis.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

89

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

2.22 Derivative financial instruments (continued)

Where we have a legally recognised right to offset the derivative 
asset and the derivative liability, and we intend to settle on a net 
basis or simultaneously, we record this position on a net basis in 
our statement of financial position. Where we enter into master 
netting arrangements relating to a number of financial 
instruments, have a legal right of set-off, and intend to exercise 
that right, we also include this position on a net basis in our 
statement of financial position.

Our derivative financial instruments that are held to hedge 
exposures can be classified into three different types, according 
to the reason we are holding them: fair value hedges, cash flow 
hedges and hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation.

Hedge accounting can only be utilised where effectiveness tests 
are met on a prospective basis. For all our hedging instruments, 
except where we are hedging equity instruments when we have 
elected to measure changes in their fair value through other 
comprehensive income, any gains or losses on remeasuring to fair 
value any portion of the instrument not considered to be effective 
are recognised directly in the income statement for the period in 
which they incur.

We formally designate and document at the inception of a 
transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and 
hedged items, as well as our risk management objective and 
strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions, together 
with the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of 
the hedge relationship. We also document, both at hedge 
inception and on an ongoing basis, our assessment of whether the 
hedging instruments that are used in hedging transactions are 
and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair 
values or cash flows of hedged items.

Purchases and sales of derivative financial instruments are 
recognised on the date on which we commit to purchase or sell an 
asset or liability.

(a) Fair value hedges
Where fair value hedges qualify for hedge accounting, the gains or 
losses on the hedging instruments are recognised in the income 
statement, except where those hedging instruments hedge 
investments in equity instruments where we have elected to 
present changes in fair value in other comprehensive income, in 
which case the gains or losses on the hedging instrument will be 
recognised within other comprehensive income. The hedging gain 
or loss on the hedged item will adjust the carrying amount of the 
hedged item and is recognised in the income statement except 
where the hedged item is an equity instrument where we have 
elected to present fair value in other comprehensive income, in 
which case the hedging gain or loss on the hedged item shall 
remain in other comprehensive income.

When a hedged item is an unrecognised firm commitment, the 
cumulative change in its fair value subsequent to designation is 
recognised as an asset or a liability with a corresponding gain or 
loss recognised in the income statement.

We use fair value hedges to mitigate the risk of changes in the fair 
value of our foreign currency borrowings from foreign currency 
and interest rate fluctuations over the hedging period. Where 
these fair value hedges qualify for hedge accounting, gains or 
losses from remeasuring the fair value of the hedging instrument 
are recognised within finance costs in the income statement, 
together with gains or losses in relation to the hedged item where 
those gains or losses relate to the risk intended to be hedged.

If the hedged item is an equity instrument where we have elected 
to present changes in fair value in other comprehensive income, 
and the hedged exposure is one that could affect other 
comprehensive income, recognised hedge ineffectiveness is 
presented in other comprehensive income.

(b) Cash flow hedges
We use cash flow hedges to mitigate the risk of variability of future 
cash flows attributable to foreign currency fluctuations over the 
hedging period associated with our foreign currency borrowings 
and our ongoing business activities, predominantly where we have 
highly probable purchase or settlement commitments in foreign 
currencies. We also use cash flow hedges to hedge variability in 
cash flows due to interest rate movements associated with some 
of our domestic borrowings.

Where a cash flow hedge qualifies for hedge accounting, the 
effective portion of gains or losses on remeasuring the fair value of 
the hedging instrument is recognised directly in other 
comprehensive income in the cash flow hedging reserve until such 
time as the hedged item affects profit or loss, and then the gains 
or losses are transferred to the income statement. However, in our 
hedges of forecast transactions, when the forecast transaction 
that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset 
(for example, property, plant and equipment or inventory), the 
gains and losses previously deferred in other comprehensive 
income are transferred from other comprehensive income and 
included in the measurement of the initial cost or carrying amount 
of the asset. Gains or losses on any portion of the hedge 
determined to be ineffective are recognised immediately in the 
income statement. The application of hedge accounting will 
create volatility in equity reserve balances.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold or terminated, or 
when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
any cumulative gains or losses existing in other comprehensive 
income at that time remain in other comprehensive income and 
are recognised when the hedged item is ultimately recognised in 
the income statement.

If a forecast hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the 
cumulative gains or losses on the hedging instrument that were 
reported in other comprehensive income are transferred 
immediately to the income statement.

(c) Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation
Our investments in foreign operations are exposed to foreign 
currency risk, which arises when we translate the net assets of our 
foreign investments from their functional currency to Australian 
dollars. We hedge our net investments to mitigate exposure to this 
risk by using forward foreign currency contracts, cross currency 
swaps and/or borrowings in the relevant currency of the 
investment.

Gains and losses on remeasurement of our derivative instruments 
designated as hedges of foreign investments are recognised in the 
foreign currency translation reserve in equity to the extent that 
they are considered to be effective.

The cumulative amount of the recognised gains or losses included 
in equity is transferred to the income statement when the foreign 
operation is sold.

 90

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

We first determine whether an obligation should be recorded as a 
liability or a contingent liability. This requires management to 
assess the probability that Telstra will be required to make 
payment as well as an estimate of that payment.

This assessment is made based on the facts and circumstances, 
factoring in past experience and, in some cases, reports from 
independent experts. The evidence considered includes any 
additional evidence provided by events after the reporting date.

Refer to note 23, note 26 and note 30 for further details on 
contingent liabilities.

2.24 Non current assets (or disposal groups) held for sale 
and discontinued operations

Non current assets (or disposal groups) are classified as held for 
sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through 
a sale transaction, rather than through continuing use, and a sale 
is considered highly probable. They are measured at the lower of 
their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, except for 
assets such as deferred tax assets, assets arising from employee 
benefits and financial assets that are carried at fair value.

An impairment loss is recognised for any initial or subsequent 
write-down of the asset (or disposal group) to fair value less costs 
to sell. A gain is recognised for any subsequent increases in fair 
value less costs to sell of an asset (or disposal group), but not in 
excess of any cumulative impairment loss previously recognised. 
A gain or loss not previously recognised by the date of the sale of 
the non current asset (or disposal group) is recognised at the date 
of derecognition.

Non current assets (including those that are part of a disposal 
group) are not depreciated or amortised while they are classified 
as held for sale. Interest and other expenses attributable to the 
liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale continue to 
be recognised.

Non current assets classified as held for sale and the assets of a 
disposal group classified as held for sale are presented separately 
from other assets in the statement of financial position. The 
liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale are 
presented separately from other liabilities in the statement of 
financial position.

A discontinued operation is a component of the entity that has 
been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and that 
represents a separate major line of business or geographical area 
of operations, is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of 
such a line of business or area of operations, or is a subsidiary 
acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results of 
discontinued operations are presented separately in the income 
statement.

Refer to note 12 for further details.

2.22 Derivative financial instruments (continued)

(d) Derivatives and borrowings de-designated from fair value 
hedge relationships or not in a designated hedging relationship
We will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively only when the 
hedging relationship, or part of the hedging relationship, no longer 
qualifies for hedge accounting, which includes where there has 
been a change to our risk management objective and strategy for 
undertaking the hedge and instances when the hedging 
instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. For this 
purpose, the replacement or rollover of a hedging instrument into 
another hedging instrument is not an expiration or termination if 
such a replacement or rollover is consistent with our documented 
risk management objective.

Derivatives associated with borrowings de-designated from fair 
value hedge relationships or not in a designated hedge 
relationship for hedge accounting purposes are classified as “held 
for trading”.

For borrowings de-designated from fair value hedge relationships, 
from the date of de-designation the derivatives continue to be 
recognised at fair value and the borrowings are accounted for on 
an amortised cost basis consistent with a revised effective 
interest rate as at the de-designation date. The gains or losses on 
both the borrowings and derivatives are included within finance 
costs on the basis that the net result primarily reflects the impact 
of movements in interest rates and the discounting impact of 
future cash flows on the derivatives. The cumulative gains or 
losses previously recognised from the remeasurement of these 
borrowings as at the date of de-designation are unwound and 
amortised to the income statement over the remaining life of the 
borrowing. This amortisation expense is also included within 
finance costs.

For borrowings not in designated hedge relationships for hedge 
accounting purposes, the derivatives are recognised at fair value 
and the borrowings are accounted for on an amortised cost basis. 
The gains or losses on both the borrowings and derivatives are 
included within finance costs on the basis that the net result 
primarily reflects the impact of movements in interest rates and 
the discounting impact of future cash flows on the derivatives.

Any gains or losses on remeasuring to fair value forward exchange 
contracts that are not in a designated hedging relationship are 
recognised directly in the income statement in the period in which 
they occur within other expenses or other income.

(e) Embedded derivatives
Derivatives embedded in host contracts that are financial assets 
are not separated from financial asset hosts and a hybrid contract 
is classified in its entirety at either amortised cost or fair value.

Derivatives embedded in other financial liabilities or other host 
contracts are treated as separate financial instruments when 
their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of 
the host contracts and the host contracts are not measured at fair 
value through profit or loss.

2.23 Contingent liabilities

A contingent liability is a liability of sufficient uncertainty that it 
does not qualify for recognition as a liability, or a liability whose 
existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-
occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly 
within the control of Telstra. In addition, the term contingent 
liability is used for liabilities that do not meet the recognition 
criteria.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

91

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND 
JUDGEMENTS (continued)

(c) Other
In addition to the above recently issued accounting standards that 
are applicable in future years, we note the following new 
accounting standards that are applicable in future years:
• AASB 2014-3: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint 
Operations [AASB 1 & AASB 11]”

• AASB 2014-4: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Clarification of Acceptable Methods of 
Depreciation and Amortisation [AASB 116 & AASB 138]”

• AASB 2014-9: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements 
[AASB 127]”

• AASB 2014-10: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor 
and its Associate or Joint Venture [AASB 10 & AASB 128]”

• AASB 2015-1: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Annual Improvements to Australian Accounting 
Standards 2012-2014 Cycle”

• AASB 2015-2: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 101”

• AASB 2015-3: “Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards arising from the Withdrawal of AASB 1031 
Materiality”.

We do not expect these accounting standards will have any 
material impact on our financial results upon adoption.

2.25 New accounting standards to be applied in future 
reporting periods

The accounting standards that have not been early adopted for the 
year ended 30 June 2015 but will be applicable to the Telstra 
Group in future reporting periods are detailed below.

Apart from these standards, we have considered other accounting 
standards that will be applicable in future periods but are 
considered insignificant to Telstra.

(a) Financial Instruments 
In December 2014, AASB issued the final version of AASB 9: 
“Financial Instruments” (AASB 9 (2014)), AASB 2014-7: 
“Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from 
AASB 9 (December 2014)” and AASB 2014-8: “Amendments to 
Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 9 (December 
2014) - Application of AASB 9 (December 2009) and AASB 9 
(December 2010)”.

AASB 9 (2014) is the final version of a new principal standard that 
consolidates requirements on the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and liabilities; hedge accounting 
and an expected credit losses model for impairment of financial 
assets that replaces the incurred loss impairment model used 
today. It supersedes AASB 9 issued in December 2009 (as 
amended) and AASB 9 issued in December 2010.

AASB 9 (2014) and AASB 2014-7 apply to Telstra from 1 July 2018, 
with early adoption permitted.

AASB 2014-8 limits the application of the existing versions of 
AASB 9 (AASB 9 (December 2009) and AASB 9 (December 2010)) 
from 1 February 2015. We have early adopted the previous version 
of the standard, AASB 9 (2013), from 1 July 2014. This version 
excludes the impairment section.

We are currently assessing the impact of the new impairment 
model on our financial results.

(b) Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In December 2014, the AASB issued AASB 15: “Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers” and AASB 2014-5: “Amendments to 
Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 15”.

AASB 15 establishes principles for reporting the nature, amount, 
timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an 
entity’s contracts with customers. AASB 15 and AASB 2014-5 
apply to Telstra from 1 July 2017, with early application permitted. 
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has 
confirmed a one-year deferral of the effective date of IFRS 15. As 
a result, we anticipate that AASB will follow and AASB 15 will only 
apply to Telstra from 1 July 2018. We are currently assessing the 
impact of AASB 15 on our financial results.

 92

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share from continuing operations

Basic

Diluted

Earnings used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share

Profit for the year from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

Earnings used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of Telstra Entity

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue (a)

Effect of shares held by employee share plan trusts (b)(c)

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

Effect of dilutive employee share instruments (d)

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

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
cents

2015
cents

34.3

34.3

$m

4,212

cents

34.5

34.5

$m

36.1

36.0

$m

4,479

cents

34.4

34.3

$m

4,231

4,275

Number of shares 
(millions)

12,284

12,443

(20)

(25)

12,264

12,418

16

27

12,280

12,445

(a)  On 6 October 2014 we completed an off-market share buy-
back of 217,418,521 ordinary shares as a part of our capital 
management program. The effects of this off-market buy-back 
have been included in the calculation of the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares on issue. Refer to note 19 for further 
details.

(b)  In order to underpin the equity instruments issued under the 
Growthshare plan, the Telstra Growthshare Trust purchases 
Telstra shares already on issue. These shares are not considered 
to be outstanding for the purposes of calculating basic and diluted 
earnings per share.

(c)  Loan shares held under the Telstra Employee Share Ownership 
Plan Trust II (TESOP99) are not considered outstanding for the 
purpose of calculating basic earnings per share.

(d)  The following equity instruments are considered dilutive to 
earnings per share: 
• restricted shares granted under the Growthshare short term 

incentive (STI) scheme

• certain restricted shares granted under the Growthshare long 
term incentive (LTI) scheme, which have satisfied the relevant 
performance hurdles and are expected to vest

• certain loan shares held under TESOP99, which are considered 

to be issued at no consideration.

Refer to note 27 for details of equity instruments issued under the 
Growthshare and TESOP99 share plans.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

93

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 4. DIVIDENDS

Dividends paid

Previous year final dividend paid

Interim dividend paid

Total dividends paid

Dividends paid per ordinary share

Previous year final dividend paid

Interim dividend paid

Total dividends paid

Dividends paid are fully franked at a tax rate of 30 per cent.

Dividends per share in respect of each financial year are detailed below.

During the financial year 2015, we have also completed an off-
market share buy-back, which comprised a fully franked dividend 
component of $494 million. Refer to note 19 for further details.

Dividends per ordinary share

Interim dividend paid

Final dividend to be paid (a)

Total dividends

Franking credits available for use in subsequent reporting periods

Franking account balance

Franking credits that will arise from the payment of income tax payable as at 30 June (b)

(a)  As the final dividend for financial year 2015 was not 
determined or publicly recommended by the Board as at 30 June 
2015, no provision for dividend has been raised in the statement of 
financial position. The final dividend has been reported as an 
event subsequent to reporting date. Refer to note 31 for further 
details.

(b)  Franking credits that will arise from the payment of income tax 
are expressed at the 30 per cent tax rate on a tax paid basis.

We believe that our current balance in the franking account, 
combined with the franking credits that will arise on tax 
instalments expected to be paid, will be sufficient to fully frank our 
final 2015 dividend.

Telstra Entity
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

1,866

1,833

3,699

1,742

1,803

3,545

cents

cents

15.0

15.0

30.0

14.0

14.5

28.5

Telstra Entity
Year ended 30 June
2014
cents

2015
cents

15.0

15.5

30.5

14.5

15.0

29.5

Telstra Entity
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

32

232

264

111

253

364

 94

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 5. SEGMENT INFORMATION

5.1 Operating segments

We report segment information on the same basis as our internal 
management reporting structure, which determines how our 
Company is organised and managed.

Segment results are reported according to the internal 
management reporting structure at the reporting date. Segment 
comparatives reflect the organisational changes that have 
occurred since the prior reporting period to present a like-for-like 
view.

In our segment results, the “All Other” category consists of various 
business units that do not qualify as reportable segments in their 
own right. The comparative period also includes the results of 
entities fully or partially divested in prior periods, namely CSL New 
World Mobility Limited and its controlled entities (CSL Group) and 
Sensis Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Sensis Group).

Following the disposal of the CSL Group in May 2014, our Telstra 
International Group (TIG) operating segment mainly consists of 
the results of Autohome Inc., our controlled entity listed on the 
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The results of the TIG operating 
segment have been disclosed in the “All Other” category.

There have been no other changes to our operating segments 
during the year ended 30 June 2015.

For the financial year 2015 the Telstra Group is organised for 
internal management reporting purposes into the following 
reportable segments:
Telstra Retail (TR) is responsible for:
• supporting consumer customers and small to medium 

enterprises in Australia

• providing a full range of telecommunication products, services 
and solutions across mobiles, fixed and mobile broadband, 
telephony and Pay TV

• the operation of inbound and outbound call centres, Telstra 

shops (owned and licensed) and the Telstra dealership network

• delivering self-care capabilities for Telstra customers, across 

all phases of the customer experience, from browsing to buying, 
billing and service requests

• the supply of Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable services to our 
Foxtel joint venture and the distribution of Foxtel products
• providing a connected health IT ecosystem and delivering 

transformative change in the healthcare sector.

Global Enterprise and Services (GES) is responsible for:
• sales and contract management support for business and 

government customers in Australia and globally

• management of Telstra's networks outside Australia
• product management for advanced technology solutions, 

including data and Internet Protocol (IP) networks and Network 
Applications and Services (NAS) services such as managed 
network, unified communications, cloud, industry solutions and 
integrated services in Australia and globally

• development of industry vertical solutions based on Telstra's 

networks and technology

• development and management of Telstra's software assets.
Telstra Operations (TOps) is responsible for:
• overall planning, design, engineering and architecture of Telstra 

networks, technology and information technology

• construction of infrastructure for our Australian fixed, mobile, IP 

and data networks

• delivery of customer services across these networks
• operation, assurance and maintenance (including activation 

and restoration of these networks)

• supply and delivery of information technology solutions to 

support our products, services, customer support functions and 
our internal needs

• provision of network services to NBN Co under the NBN 
Definitive Agreements or separate commercial contracts
• provision of various telecommunication services to meet our 
Telecommunication Universal Service Management Agency 
(TUSMA) obligations. Going forward this will be known as the 
Telstra Universal Service Obligation Performance Agreement 
(TUSOPA).

Telstra Wholesale (TW) is responsible for:
• provision of a wide range of telecommunication products and 

services delivered over Telstra networks and associated 
support systems to non-Telstra branded carriers, carriage 
service providers and internet service providers.

5.2 Segment results

The measurement of segment results is in line with information 
presented to management for internal management reporting 
purposes. The result of each segment is measured based on its 
“earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and 
amortisation (EBITDA) contribution”. EBITDA contribution 
excludes the effects of all inter-segment balances and 
transactions (with the exception of transactions referred to in 
footnote (a)). As such, only transactions external to the Telstra 
Group are reported.

We have no reconciling items between segment results and 
Telstra Group’s reported EBITDA. The reconciliation of segment 
results to Telstra Group’s reported EBIT and profit before income 
tax expense in the financial statements includes only depreciation 
and amortisation expenses and net finance costs.

Certain items of income and expense are recorded by our 
corporate areas, rather than being allocated to each segment. 
These items include:
• the adjustment to defer our basic access installation and 
connection fee revenues and costs in accordance with our 
accounting policy (our reportable segments record these 
amounts upfront)

• the majority of redundancy expenses for the Telstra Entity.

In addition, the following narrative further explains how some 
items are allocated and managed and, as a result, how they are 
reflected in our segment results:
• revenue associated with mobile handsets sold via dealers for 

the GES segment is allocated to the TR segment along with the 
associated costs of goods and services purchased, as the TR 
segment manages our supplier, delivery and dealership 
arrangements. Ongoing prepaid and postpaid mobile revenues 
derived from our mobile usage services are recorded in the TR 
and GES segments depending on the type of customer serviced

• NAS costs associated with revenue from the Telstra Business 

(TB) customers, included in the TR segment, are reported in the 
GES segment

• the TOps segment result includes network service delivery costs 

for the TR, GES and TW customers

• the TOps segment recognises certain expenses in relation to the 

installation and running of the HFC cable network

• domestic promotion and advertising expenses for the Telstra 
Entity are recorded centrally in the TR head office function

• call centre costs associated with the GES segment are included 

in the TR segment

• the TW segment result includes revenue from rental under the 
NBN Definitive Agreements, while the associated costs are 
reported in the TOps segment.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

95

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 5. SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

5.2 Segment results (continued)

The following tables detail our segment results based on our 
reporting structure as at 30 June 2015:

Revenue from external customers (a)

Other income

Total income

Labour expenses

Goods and services purchased (a)

Other expenses

Share of equity accounted profits/(losses) (b)

EBITDA contribution

Revenue from external customers (a)

Other income

Total income

Labour expenses

Goods and services purchased (a)

Other expenses

Share of equity accounted profits/(losses) (b)

EBITDA contribution

TR
$m
17,192

60

17,252

1,256

5,390

1,158

1

9,449

TR
$m
16,308

75

16,383

1,179

4,676

1,159

-

9,369

(a)  Revenue from external customers in the GES segment includes 
$187 million (2014: $168 million) of inter-segment revenue 
treated as external expenses in the TR and TW segments, which is 
eliminated in the “All Other” category.

External expenses in the GES segment also include $23 million 
(2014: $22 million) of inter-segment expenses treated as external 
revenue in the TW segment and eliminated in the “All Other” 
category.

(b)  The “All Other” category includes a $22 million share of net 
profit (2014: $24 million share of net profit) from our 30 per cent 
investment in Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd, the new holding company 
of the Sensis Group. Refer to note 26 for further details.

(c)  Following the disposal of our entire 55 per cent shareholding in 
Sequel Media Inc. and its controlled entities (Sequel Media Group) 
on 26 November 2014, the current period includes only four 
months of the Sequel Media Group results. The comparative 
period includes 12 months, as well as a $12 million goodwill 
impairment recorded in other expenses. Refer to note 12 for 
further details.

As a result of the Octave Group entering into voluntary liquidation, 
the comparative period includes a $98 million loss reclassified 
from the foreign currency translation reserve.

Following the sale of the CSL Group in May 2014, the comparative 
period includes 10 months of the CSL Group results, including a 
$561 million profit on disposal. Refer to note 20  for further details.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June 2015

GES
$m
5,658

16

5,674

1,118

1,586

531

-

TOps
$m
266

158

424

1,584

7

1,605

-

TW All Other (c)
$m
$m
463
2,444

142

2,586

75

86

27

-

208

671

888

(222)

773

18

Total
$m
26,023

584

26,607

4,921

6,847

4,094

19

2,439

(2,772)

2,398

(750)

10,764

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June 2014

GES
$m
5,252

5

5,257

888

1,389

499

-

TOps
$m
127

162

289

1,601

11

1,577

-

TW All Other (c)
$m
$m
1,923
2,262

66

2,328

72

78

51

-

668

2,591

1,203

378

1,052

24

(18)

Total
$m
25,872

976

26,848

4,943

6,532

4,338

24

11,059

2,481

(2,900)

2,127

On 28 February 2014, we divested 70 per cent of our directories 
business via disposal of our 100 per cent shareholding in the 
Sensis Group and acquisition of 30 per cent of Project Sunshine I 
Pty Ltd, the new holding company of the Sensis Group. Following 
the disposal of the Sensis Group, the current period includes $19 
million net profit (reduction in other expenses) related to the 
discontinued operation. The comparative period includes eight 
months of the Sensis Group results, including the total income 
from the discontinued operation of $552 million and a net loss of 
$204 million. Refer to notes 12 and 20 for further details. 

 96

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 5. SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

5.2 Segment results (continued)

A reconciliation of EBITDA contribution for reportable segments to 
Telstra Group’s EBITDA, EBIT and profit before income tax expense 
is provided below:

EBITDA contribution

All other

Telstra Group EBITDA from continuing and discontinued operations

Depreciation and amortisation

Telstra Group EBIT from continuing and discontinued operations

Net finance costs

Telstra Group profit before income tax expense

Telstra Group profit before income tax expense, including:

Profit before income tax expense from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) before income tax expense from discontinued operation

Telstra Group profit before income tax expense

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m
11,077

2015
$m
11,514

(750)

(18)

10,764

11,059

(3,983)

(4,042)

6,781

7,017

(689)

(957)

6,092

6,060

6,073

6,228

19

(168)

6,092

6,060

Information about our geographic 
operations (d)
Revenue from external customers

Australian customers

Offshore customers

Carrying amount of non current assets (e)

Located in Australia

Located offshore

Telstra Group
Year ended/As at
30 June

2015
$m

2014
$m

24,770

24,011

1,253

1,861

26,023

25,872

27,225

25,953

2,758

467

29,983

26,420

(d) Our geographical operations are split between our Australian 
and offshore operations. Our offshore operations include 
Autohome Inc. (China), Telstra Limited (United Kingdom), Telstra 
International Limited (Hong Kong), Telstra Inc. (United States), 
Ooyala Inc. (United States), Videoplaza (Sweden/United Kingdom), 
Pacnet Group (Asia), Nativ Holdings (United Kingdom) and Sequel 
Media Group (China) up to the date of disposal. The comparative 
period also includes the CSL Group (Hong Kong) up to the date of 
disposal. No individual geographical area, other than our 
Australian operations, forms a significant part of our operations.

(e) The carrying amount of our segment non current assets 
excludes financial instrument assets, inventories, defined benefit 
assets and deferred tax assets.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

Income from our products and 
services
Fixed

Mobile

Data & IP

Network applications and services

Media

CSL Group

Global connectivity

Other sales revenue (f)

Other revenue (g)

Other income

Sensis Group
Total income (excluding finance 
income)

6

6

12

6

6,944

10,651

2,883

2,418

931

-

780

1,238

178

584

-

7,076

9,668

2,968

1,963

900

1,045

611

888

201

976

552

26,607

26,848

(f) Other sales revenue includes China Digital Media, NBN rental of 
our infrastructure, late payment fees and miscellaneous revenue. 
Financial year 2014 also includes revenue for the build of the NBN 
related infrastructure.

(g) Other revenue primarily consists of distributions from our 
Foxtel Partnership and rental income.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

97

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 6. INCOME

Continuing operations

Sales revenue

Rendering of services

Sale of goods

Construction contracts

Other revenue (excluding finance income)

Distribution from Foxtel Partnership

Rent from property

Total revenue (excluding finance income)

Other income

Net gain on disposal of:

- property, plant and equipment and intangibles (a)

- investments (b)

Fair value gain on equity investments

Net foreign currency translation gains

Government grants (c)

NBN disconnection fees

Other miscellaneous income

Total income (excluding finance income)

Finance income

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

Interest on finance lease receivables

Interest on loans to joint ventures and associated entities

Interest on receivables

Interest on defined benefit plan

Total income from continuing operations

Total income from discontinued operation

(a)  Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment includes 
a net gain on sale of assets to NBN Co under the NBN Definitive 
Agreements.

(b)  The 2014 net gain on disposal of investments relates to the 
$561 million net gain on disposal of the CSL Group. Refer to note 
20 for further details.

(c)  We recognised income from government grants under the 
Telecommunications Universal Services and Management Agency 
National Broadband Network (NBN) Definitive Agreement, which 
replaced the Universal Services Obligation (USO), the Retraining 
Fund Deed NBN Definitive Agreement (which was received in 
financial year 2012 and is being used to retrain certain employees 
over a period of eight to 10 years) and other individually immaterial 
contracts accounted for as government grants.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

23,022

22,497

2,426

397

2,358

264

25,845

25,119

125

53

178

165

36

201

26,023

25,320

156

(2)

6

21

138

163

102

584

76

561

-

-

175

66

98

976

26,607

26,296

62

18

54

18

5

85

14

54

3

-

157

156

26,764

26,452

-

552

20

24

12

There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies 
attached to these grants.

 98

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 7. EXPENSES

Continuing operations
Labour
Included in our labour expenses are the following:
Employee redundancy
Share-based payments
Defined contribution plan expense
Defined benefit plan expense

Cost of goods sold

Other expenses
Impairment losses
- impairment in value of inventories
- impairment in value of trade and other receivables
- impairment in value of property, plant and equipment
- impairment in value of intangibles (a)
- impairment in value of goodwill (a)
- impairment in investments

Reversal of impairment in value of trade and other receivables
Rental expense on operating leases
Net foreign currency translation losses (b)
Service contracts and other agreements
Promotion and advertising
General and administration
Other operating expenses
Other expenses

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets

Finance costs
Interest on borrowings
Net interest on defined benefit plan
Loss on fair value hedges - effective (c)
Loss/(gain) on cash flow hedges - ineffective
Loss on borrowing transactions not in a designated hedge relationship/de-designated from fair value 
hedge relationships (c)
Other

Less: interest on borrowings capitalised (d)

Research and development expenses

Total expenses from discontinued operation

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

24

13
14
14
26

10

13

17
24

113
66
202
61

251
45
199
107

3,079

2,906

23
189
10
5
-
2
229
(12)
587
-
1,556
421
1,007
325
4,113

2,922
1,061
3,983

875
-
6
1

-

28
910
(64)
846

30
220
15
1
12
2
280
(20)
632
111
1,468
346
977
194
3,988

2,896
1,054
3,950

961
10
128
(11)

64

19
1,171
(58)
1,113

2

4

12

(19)

720

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

99

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 7. EXPENSES (continued)

(a)  We have recognised a $5 million impairment loss relating to 
intangible assets (2014: $13 million relating to goodwill and other 
intangible assets). Refer to note 14 for further details.

(b)  During the financial year 2014, we recognised $111 million net 
foreign currency translation losses, including a $98 million foreign 
currency translation reserve written off as a result of the Octave 
Group entering into voluntary liquidation. 

(c)  On adoption of AASB 9 (2013) “Financial Instruments” we de-
designated existing fair value hedge relationships and re-
designated them in new fair value hedge relationships to exclude 
borrowing margins from the hedged risk. Also, transactions 
previously de-designated from fair value hedge relationships 
relating to a portion of our borrowings portfolio have been 
reinstated in fair value hedges with effect from 1 July 2014. The 
resulting cumulative fair value adjustment as at the date of de-
designation is unwound and amortised to the income statement 
and included within other finance costs over the remaining life of 
the borrowings. There has been no change to the underlying 
economic objective of this hedging which is to convert fixed rate 
borrowings to floating Australian dollar borrowings. 

The current year revaluation impacts of our offshore debt portfolio 
and associated hedges that are in fair value hedges have been 
reduced. This is partly due to changes implemented in the way we 
designate fair value hedges for accounting purposes and the 
adoption of AASB 9 (2013), which allows a component of Telstra’s 
borrowing margin associated with cross currency swaps to be 
treated as a cost of hedging and deferred to equity. Residual 
volatility from market movements has also not been significant. 

In general, it is our intention to hold our borrowings and associated 
derivative instruments to maturity. Accordingly, unrealised 
revaluation gains and losses will be recognised in finance costs 
over the life of the financial instrument and for each transaction 
will progressively unwind to nil at maturity.

(d)  Interest on borrowings has been capitalised using a 
capitalisation rate of 6.2 per cent (2014: 6.2 per cent).

 100

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 8. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

8.104

9.138

1.324

1.338

0.015

0.105

1.444

0.011

0.100

1.449

Audit fees

Ernst & Young (EY) has charged for auditing and reviewing the financial reports

Other services

Audit related (a)

Non-audit services

- Tax services

- Advisory services

Total other services provided by EY

Other services comprise audit related fees and non-audit 
services.

(a)  Audit related fees charged by EY are for services that are 
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our 
financial statements and other assurance engagements. These 
services include assurance services over debt raising 
prospectuses, additional control assessments, various 
accounting advice and additional audit services related to our 
controlled entities.

We have processes in place to maintain the independence of the 
external auditor, including the level of expenditure on non-audit 
services. EY also has specific internal processes in place to ensure 
auditor independence.

The Audit & Risk Committee approves the recurring audit and non-
audit fees. The provision of additional audit and non-audit 
services by EY must always be approved by either the Chief 
Financial Officer, the Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee or 
the Audit & Risk Committee, unless covered by the Audit & Risk 
Committee pre-approval. The level of approval will depend upon 
the nature of the services provided and fees involved, subject to 
confirmation by both management and EY that the provision of 
these services does not compromise auditor independence. Our 
auditor independence guidelines clearly identify prohibited 
services. All additional approved EY engagements are reported to 
the Audit & Risk Committee at the next meeting.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

101

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES

Major components of income tax expense
Current tax expense
Deferred tax resulting from the origination and reversal of temporary differences
(Over)/under provision of tax in prior years

Effective income tax rate (a)
Reconciliation of notional income tax expense to actual income tax expense:
Profit/(loss) before income tax expense from discontinued operation
Profit before income tax expense from continuing operations
Profit before income tax expense
Notional income tax expense calculated at the Australian tax rate of 30%
Notional income tax expense differs from actual tax income expense due to the tax effect of:
Impact of different tax rates in overseas jurisdictions
Non assessable and non deductible items (b)
Amended assessments
(Over)/under provision of tax in prior years
Income tax expense on profit
Comprising:
Income tax expense from continuing operations
Income tax expense from discontinued operation
Income tax expense/(benefit) recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity during the year

Deferred tax (liabilities)/assets
Deferred tax items recognised in the income statement (including impact of foreign exchange 
movements in deferred tax items recognised in the income statement)
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Borrowings and derivative financial instruments
Provision for employee entitlements
Revenue received in advance
Allowance for doubtful debts
Defined benefit (asset)/liability (c)
Trade and other payables
Provision for workers' compensation and other provisions
Income tax losses
Other

Deferred tax items recognised in other comprehensive income or equity (d)
Defined benefit (asset)/liability (c)
Financial instruments
Other

Net deferred tax liability
Our net deferred tax liability is split as follows:
Deferred tax assets recognised in the statement of financial position
Deferred tax liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

1,722
67
(2)
1,787
29.3%

1,799
(90)
6
1,715
28.3%

19
6,073
6,092
1,828

14
(39)
(14)
(2)
1,787

1,787
-
85

(168)
6,228
6,060
1,818

(44)
(56)
(9)
6
1,715

1,679
36
(16)

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

(1,175)
(953)
(17)
342
55
29
99
140
27
34
(9)
(1,428)

(188)
123
1
(64)
(1,492)

66
(1,558)
(1,492)

(1,110)
(881)
(14)
307
103
34
105
95
47
1
13
(1,300)

(120)
141
-
21
(1,279)

7
(1,286)
(1,279)

 102

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES (continued)

Deferred tax assets not recognised (e)

Income tax losses

Capital tax losses

Deductible temporary differences

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

316

549

311

1,176

48

349

306

703

(a)  The effective income tax rate is calculated as income tax 
expense divided by profit before income tax expense from 
continuing and discontinued operations.

(b)  Non assessable and non deductible items in the current period 
include non assessable capital distributions, franked dividends 
received, estimated research and development tax offset, tax 
losses not recognised and various other items. 

Non assessable and non deductible items in the prior period 
included a non assessable gain on disposal of the CSL Group, a 
non deductible goodwill impairment loss on disposal of the Sensis 
Group, a non deductible write off of Octave foreign currency 
translation reserve and various other items.

(c)  Our net deferred tax liability on our net defined benefit asset for 
the Telstra Group is $89 million (2014: $15 million).

(d)  When the underlying transactions to which our deferred tax 
relates are recognised directly in other comprehensive income or 
equity, the temporary differences associated with these 
adjustments are also recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income or equity.

(e)  Our deferred tax assets not recognised in the statement of 
financial position may be used in future years if the following 
criteria are met:
• our controlled entities have sufficient future taxable profit to 
enable the income tax losses and temporary differences to be 
offset against that taxable profit

The Telstra Entity, as the head entity in the tax consolidated group, 
recognises, in addition to its own transactions, the current tax 
liabilities and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax 
losses and tax credits for all entities in the group. However, the 
Telstra Entity and its Australian resident wholly owned entities 
account for their own current tax expense and deferred tax 
amounts.

Current tax expense includes an estimate of the tax payable on 
2015 taxable income for the Australian tax consolidated group of 
$1,711 million (2014: $1,763 million).

Upon tax consolidation, the entities within the tax consolidated 
group entered into a tax sharing agreement. The terms of this 
agreement specified the methods of allocating any tax liability in 
the event of default by the Telstra Entity on its group payment 
obligations and the treatment where a subsidiary member exits 
the group. The tax liability of the group otherwise remains with the 
Telstra Entity for tax purposes.

For entities within the tax consolidated group, a tax funding 
arrangement is also in place under which:
• the Telstra Entity compensates its Australian resident wholly 

owned controlled entities for any current tax receivable 
assumed

• the Telstra Entity compensates its Australian resident wholly 

owned controlled entities for any deferred tax assets relating to 
unused tax losses and tax credits

• Australian resident wholly owned entities compensate the 

• we have sufficient future capital gains to be offset against the 

Telstra Entity for any current tax payable assumed. 

The funding amounts are based on the amounts recorded in the 
financial statements of the wholly owned entities.

Amounts receivable by the Telstra Entity of $41 million (2014: $35 
million) and amounts payable by the Telstra Entity of $73 million 
(2014: $74 million) under the tax funding arrangements are due in 
the next financial year upon final settlement of the current tax 
payable for the tax consolidated group.

above capital losses

• we continue to satisfy the conditions required by tax legislation 

to be able to use the tax losses

• there are no future changes in tax legislation that will adversely 

affect us in using the benefit of the tax losses.

As at 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015, our deferred tax assets not 
recognised in the statement of financial position include an 
estimate of the capital loss on disposal of the Sensis Group in 
February 2014, and impact of acquisitions and divestments of 
other controlled entities. 

9.1 Tax consolidation

The Telstra Entity and its Australian resident wholly owned 
entities previously elected to form a tax consolidated group. As a 
consequence of the election to enter tax consolidation, the tax 
consolidated group is treated as a single entity for income tax 
purposes.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

103

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 10. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

10.1 Current and non current trade and other receivables

Current

Trade receivables (a)

Allowance for doubtful debts (a)

Finance lease receivable (b)

Accrued revenue

Other receivables

Non current

Trade receivables (a)

Note

Amounts owed by joint ventures and associated entities

Allowance for amounts owed by joint ventures and associated entities - loans

29

29

Finance lease receivable (b)

Other receivables

(a) Trade receivables and allowance for doubtful debts
The ageing of current and non current trade receivables is detailed 
below.

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

3,438

2,950

(113)

3,325

102

1,172

122

1,396

4,721

(120)

2,830

93

1,155

94

1,342

4,172

476

317

459

(7)

452

201

42

243

1,171

457

(6)

451

184

21

205

973

Not past due

Past due 0 - 30 days

Past due 31 - 60 days

Past due 61 - 90 days

Past due 91 - 120 days

Past 120 days

Telstra Group
As at 30 June

2015

2014

Gross

Allowance

Gross

Allowance

$m
2,727

732

197

75

62

121

3,914

$m
(13)

(13)

(6)

(7)

(12)

(62)

$m
2,297

631

135

62

49

93

$m
(25)

(12)

(8)

(12)

(10)

(53)

(113)

3,267

(120)

 104

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 10. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (continued)

Our trade receivables include our customer deferred debt. Our 
customer deferred debt program allows eligible customers the 
opportunity to repay the cost of their mobile handset, other 
hardware and approved accessories monthly over 12, 24 or 36 
months. The loan is provided interest free to our mobile postpaid 
customers.

Trade receivables have been aged according to their original due 
date in the above ageing analysis, including where repayment 
terms for certain long outstanding trade receivables have been 
renegotiated.

We hold security for a number of trade receivables, including past 
due or impaired receivables in the form of guarantees, letters of 
credit and deposits. During financial year 2015, the securities we 
called upon were insignificant.

We have used the following basis to assess the allowance for 
doubtful debts for trade receivables:
• a statistical approach to apply risk segmentation to the debt 

and applying the historical impairment rate to each segment at 
the end of the reporting period

• an individual account by account assessment based on past 

credit history

• any prior knowledge of debtor insolvency or other credit risk.

As at 30 June 2015, trade receivables with a carrying amount of 
$1,087 million (2014: $875 million) for the Telstra Group were past 
due but not impaired.

These trade receivables, along with our trade receivables that are 
neither past due nor impaired, comprise customers who have a 
good debt history and are considered recoverable.

The interest rate inherent in the leases is fixed at the contract date 
for the entire lease term. The average effective interest rate 
contracted is 6.0 per cent (2014: 6.1 per cent) per annum.

10.1 Current and non current trade and other receivables 
(continued)

(a) Trade receivables and allowance for doubtful debts 
(continued)

Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts in respect of trade 
receivables is detailed below:

Opening balance
- additional allowance from continuing 
operations
- additional allowance from discontinued 
operation
- amount used
- amount reversed from continuing 
operations
- amount reversed from discontinued 
operation
- foreign currency exchange differences

- acquisition of controlled entities

- disposal of controlled entities

Closing balance

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m
(180)

2015
$m
(120)

(49)

(34)

-

52

12

-

(2)

(6)

-

(113)

(6)

51

20

9

-

-

20

(120)

Our policy requires customers to pay us in accordance with agreed 
payment terms. Depending on the customer segment, our 
settlement terms are generally 14 to 30 days from date of invoice. 
All credit and recovery risk associated with trade receivables has 
been provided for in the statement of financial position.

(b) Finance lease receivable
We enter into finance leasing arrangements predominantly for 
communication assets dedicated to solutions management and 
outsourcing services that we provide to our customers. The 
weighted average term of finance leases entered into is 5.3 years 
(2014: 3.8 years).

Amounts receivable under finance leases

Within 1 year

Within 1 to 5 years

After 5 years

Total minimum lease receivables

Less unearned finance income
Present value of minimum lease 
receivables
Included in the financial statements as:

Current finance lease receivables

Non current finance lease receivables

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

116

182

55

353

(50)

303

102

201

303

106

178

30

314

(37)

277

93

184

277

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

105

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 11. INVENTORIES

Current

Finished goods recorded at cost

Finished goods recorded at net realisable value

Total finished goods

Raw materials and stores recorded at cost

Construction contracts (a)

Non current

Finished goods recorded at net realisable value

(a) Construction contract disclosures are shown as follows

Contract costs incurred and recognised profits

Progress billings

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

234

77

311

40

140

491

32

32

201

78

279

11

72

362

29

29

701

(561)

140

589

(517)

72

 106

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 12. NON CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATION

12.1 Current Year

There were no non current assets held for sale or discontinued 
operations as at and for the financial year ended 30 June 2015.

12.2 Prior Year

(a) Sensis disposal group and discontinued operation
On 28 February 2014, we divested 70 per cent of our directories 
business via disposal of our 100 per cent shareholding in the 
Sensis Group for a total cash consideration of $454 million and 
acquisition of 30 per cent shareholding in Project Sunshine I Pty 
Ltd, the new holding company of Sensis Pty Ltd and its controlled 
entities (Sensis Group). The sale excluded voice services 
(including the 1234 and 12456 services) which are a part of our 
core telecommunication offering and continue to be operated by 
us. 

On disposal we deconsolidated 100 per cent of the balance sheet 
of the Sensis Group and recorded, at fair value of $157 million, our 
30 per cent interest in Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd. From 1 March 
2014, the investment in the associate is equity accounted.

Adjustments of $19 million shown below (reduction in other 
expenses) related to the discontinued operation in the current 
period and eight months of the Sensis Group results to the date of 
disposal in the comparative period are reported in the “All Other” 
category in our segment disclosures in note 5. This adjustment is 
distinct from our share of profits in the current year of $22 million 
from our 30 per cent investment in Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd 
which is included in the total share of equity accounted profits of 
$19 million (2014: $24 million), after share of losses from other 
associated investments.

Financial information related to the discontinued operation is set 
out below.

Revenue

Expenses

Profit/(loss) before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit/(loss) after income tax expense from discontinued operation

(Loss) on disposal of discontinued operation (a)

Profit/(loss) after tax on disposal of discontinued operation

Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operation

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by investing activities (includes proceeds from sale)

Net cash (used in) financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Earnings per share for profit/(loss) from discontinued operation (cents per share)

Basic

Diluted

Sensis Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

-

(19)

19

-

19

-

-

19

-

-

-

-

552

570

(18)

36

(54)

(150)

(150)

(204)

339

414

(2)

751

cents

cents

0.2

0.2

(1.7)

(1.7)

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

107

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 12. NON CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATION (continued)

12.2 Prior year (continued)

(a) Sensis disposal group and discontinued operation 
(continued)

The effect of the disposal of the Sensis Group is detailed below:

The Sequel Media Group is included in “All Other” category in our 
segment disclosures in note 5, with four months of its results 
reported in the current period to the date of disposal and 12 
months in the comparative period.

Sensis 
Group
Year 
ended
30 June
2014
$m

454
157
611

1,002
(391)
611
-

Consideration on disposal
Cash consideration
Fair value of investment in the associate
Total consideration on disposal
Assets/(liabilities) at disposal date
Assets classified as held for sale (a)
Liabilities classified as held for sale (a)
Net assets classified as held for sale (a)
Loss on disposal after impairment (a)

(a)  In accordance with AASB 5: “Non current Assets Held for Sale 
and Discontinued Operations”, the carrying value of assets and 
liabilities of the Sensis Group were classified as held for sale. 
Based on the sale price of $454 million, $157 million fair value of 
the 30 per cent shareholding in Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd, and 
final completion adjustments, on the re-measurement of assets 
and liabilities of the disposal group the carrying value of the 
Sensis Group goodwill was impaired by $150 million and 
recognised in the loss for the year from the discontinued 
operation.

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity 
holders of Telstra Entity
Profit for the year from continuing 
operations
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued 
operation

Telstra Entity
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

4,212

4,479

19

(204)

4,231

4,275

(b) Sequel Media disposal group
On 2 July 2014 we signed a binding term sheet to dispose of our 
entire 55 per cent shareholding in Sequel Media Inc. and its 
controlled entities (Sequel Media Group) for total consideration of 
$3 million subject to completion adjustments. In accordance with 
AASB 5: “Non Current Assets held for Sale and Discontinued 
Operations”, as at 30 June 2014, the assets and liabilities of the 
Sequel Media Group (with the exception of cash balances) were 
classified as held for sale and measured at the lower of the 
carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Based on the agreed sale price, subject to completion 
adjustments, the carrying value of the Sequel Media Group 
goodwill was impaired by $12 million in the prior financial year. 
The disposal was completed on 26 November 2014. Refer to note 
20 for further details.

 108

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 13. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Land and site improvements

At cost

Buildings (including leasehold improvements)

At cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Communication assets

At cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Other plant, equipment and motor vehicles

At cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Total property, plant and equipment

At cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Written down value at 1 July 2013
- additions
- additions due to acquisitions of controlled entities
- disposals
- disposals through the sale of controlled entities
- impairment losses from continuing operations
- depreciation expenses from continuing operations
- depreciation expenses from discontinued operation
- transfer to non current asset held for sale
- net foreign currency exchange differences
Written down value at 30 June 2014
- additions
- additions due to acquisitions of controlled entities
- disposals
- impairment losses from continuing operations
- depreciation expenses from continuing operations
- net foreign currency exchange differences
- transfers
Written down value at 30 June 2015

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

52

51

1,267

1,209

(620)

647

(606)

603

62,156

59,761

(42,974)

(41,055)

19,182

18,706

1,854

1,647

(1,285)

(1,165)

569

482

65,329

62,668

(44,879)

(42,826)

20,450

19,842

Telstra Group

Land and 
site 
improve- 
ments

Buildings 
(a)

$m
52
-
-
(1)
-
-
-
-
-
-
51
-
5
(2)
-
-
-
(2)
52

$m
580
106
1
(7)
(9)
-
(73)
-
-
5
603
82
9
(2)
(3)
(64)
12
10
647

Other 
plant, 
equip- 
ment and 
motor 
vehicles

Total 
property, 
plant and 
equipment 
(c)

$m
515
159
5
(20)
(47)
(1)
(127)
(3)
(1)
2
482
201
27
(2)
-
(137)
15
(17)
569

$m
20,326
2,849
7
(40)
(390)
(15)
(2,896)
(3)
(1)
5
19,842
2,605
817
(9)
(10)
(2,922)
67
60
20,450

Commu- 
nication 
assets (b)
$m
19,179
2,584
1
(12)
(334)
(14)
(2,696)
-
-
(2)
18,706
2,322
776
(3)
(7)
(2,721)
40
69
19,182

(a)  Includes leasehold improvements and the $58 million (2014: 
$53 million) net book value of buildings under finance lease.

(c)  Includes $40 million (2014: $39 million) of capitalised 
borrowing costs directly attributable to qualifying assets.

(b)  Includes certain network land and buildings which are 
essential to the operation of our communication assets.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

109

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 13. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

13.1  Work in progress

As at 30 June 2015, the Telstra Group has property, plant and 
equipment under construction amounting to $598 million (2014: 
$550 million). As the assets are not installed and ready for use, 
there is no depreciation being charged on these amounts.

 110

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 14. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

At cost

Accumulated impairment

Internally generated intangible assets

Software assets developed for internal use

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Acquired intangible assets

Mastheads

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Patents and trademarks

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Licences

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Customer bases

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Brand names

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Total acquired intangible assets

Deferred expenditure

Deferred expenditure

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Total intangible assets

At cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

1,652

-

1,652

489

(94)

395

9,518

8,733

(5,053)

(4,468)

4,465

4,265

-

-

-

12

-

12

447

(447)

-

12

-

12

2,441

1,168

(399)

2,042

288

(104)

184

30

(8)

22

(352)

816

129

(87)

42

14

(5)

9

2,260

879

1,823

1,667

(868)

955

(824)

843

15,764

12,659

(6,432)

(6,277)

9,332

6,382

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

111

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 14. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Telstra Group

Patents 
and 
trade- 
marks (c)
$m

Licences 
(d)

$m

18

1,053

Mast- 
heads

$m

67

Cus- 
tomer 
bases

Brand 
names

Software 
assets 
devel- 
oped 
(a)(b)

$m

Goodwill
$m

1,382

4,740

-
116

907
38

(944)

(459)

(12)

(150)

(1)

-

-

-

3

-

395

-
-

1,173

-

-

84

-

(85)

2

-

4,265

1,035
2

130

(4)

(919)

21

(65)

Written down value at 
1 July 2013
- additions
- acquisition of controlled entities
- disposal through sale of 
controlled entities (f)
- impairment losses from 
continuing operations (g)
- impairment losses from 

discontinued operation (h)
- amortisation expense from 

continuing operations

- amortisation expense from 

discontinued operation

- net foreign currency exchange 

differences

- transfers to non current assets 

held for sale (g)

Written down value at 
30 June 2014
- additions
- acquisition of business
- acquisition of controlled entities 

(i)

- impairment losses from 
continuing operations

- amortisation expense from 

continuing operations

- net foreign currency exchange 

differences

- transfers
Written down value at 
30 June 2015

(877)

(67)

$m

11

2
42

(2)

-

-

1
-

(145)

-

-

(93)

(11)

-

-

-

816

1,336
-

12

-

-

-

-

42

-
2

151

-

-
-

(5)

-

-

-

(1)

-

-

12

1
-

-

(1)

-

-

-

-
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Deferred 
expen- 
diture (e)
$m

855

840
-

Total 
intan- 
gible 
assets

$m

8,202

1,750
199

$m

76

-
3

(55)

(33)

(1,643)

-

-

(6)

(2)

(1)

(6)

9

-
-

13

-

-

-

(13)

(150)

(819)

(1,873)

-

-

-

843

950
-

-

-

(88)

4

(6)

6,382

3,322
4

1,479

(5)

1,652

4,465

12

2,042

184

(128)

(12)

(2)

(838)

(1,899)

1

5

1

-

2

-

22

-

-

109

(60)

955

9,332

(a)  As at 30 June 2015, we had software assets under 
development amounting to $335 million (2014: $214 million). As 
these assets were not installed and ready for use, there is no 
amortisation being charged on the amounts.

(b)  Includes $24 million (2014: $19 million) of capitalised 
borrowing costs directly attributable to software assets.

(c)  The patents have an indefinite life and they are reviewed on an 
annual basis for impairment. 

(d)  During financial year 2015, we recognised $1,321 million for 
the 700MHz, 1800MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum licences won at 
auction in the previous financial year.

(e)  The deferred expenditure relates mainly to: 
• the deferral of direct incremental costs of establishing a 

customer contract, which are amortised to goods and services 
purchased in the income statement

• basic access installation and connection fees for in place and 

new services

• deferred costs related to the NBN Definitive Agreements.

(f)  During financial year 2014, we disposed of our interests in the 
Sensis Group and the CSL Group. Refer to notes 12 and 20 for 
further details.

(g)  As at 30 June 2014, Sequel Media Group’s assets and liabilities 
were classified as held for sale and subsequently disposed of in 
November 2014. Impairment loss of $12 million was recognised 
against goodwill for the Sequel Media cash generating unit (CGU). 
Refer to notes 12 and 20 for further details.

(h)  During financial year 2014, we recognised an impairment 
charge of $150 million against goodwill for the Sensis Group and 
Location Navigation CGUs disposed of in that period. Refer to note 
12 for further details.

(i)  During financial year 2015, on acquisition of controlled entities 
we recognised goodwill of $1,173 million, including $317 million 
for Ooyala, $72 million for Videoplaza, $614 million for Pacnet and 
$58 million for Nativ. Refer to note 20 for further details.

 112

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current

Trade creditors (a)

Accrued expenses

Accrued capital expenditure

Accrued interest

Contingent consideration

Other creditors (a)

Non current

Contingent consideration

Other creditors

(a)  Trade creditors and other creditors are non-interest bearing 
liabilities. Our payment terms vary but we generally process 
payments within 30 to 45 days from the invoice date.

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

1,256

1,675

271

313

20

510

1,164

1,519

257

386

10

498

4,045

3,834

4

70

74

-

66

66

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

113

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 16. PROVISIONS

16.1 Current and non current provisions

Current

Employee benefits (a)

Workers' compensation (b)

Redundancy (a)(b)

Other (b)

Non current

Employee benefits (a)

Workers' compensation (b)

Other (b)

(a) Aggregate employee benefits

Current provision for employee benefits
Non current provision for employee 
benefits
Current provision for redundancy

Accrued labour and on-costs (a)

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

844

838

21

11

94

22

40

32

970

932

147

117

20

284

135

121

5

261

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m
844

2014
$m
838

147

11

553

135

40

440

1,555

1,453

Employee benefits are measured at their present value. Refer to 
note 2.14 for further details. The following assumptions were 
adopted in measuring this amount. 

Weighted average projected 
increase in salaries, wages and 
associated on-costs
Discount rates

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
%

2014
%

4.8

4.4

4.8

3.7

(a) Accrued labour and related on-costs are included within our 
current trade and other payables (note 15).

Provision for employee benefits consists of amounts for annual 
leave and long service leave accrued by employees. 

For long service leave, these amounts cover all unconditional 
entitlements where employees have completed the required 
period of service and also those where employees are entitled to 
pro-rata payments in certain circumstances. The amounts of the 
current provision are presented as current, since we do not have 
an unconditional right to defer settlement for any of these 
obligations. However, based on past experience, we do not expect 
all employees to take the full amount of accrued leave or require 
payment within the next 12 months. 

The following amounts have been determined in accordance with 
an actuarial assessment and reflect leave that is not expected to 
be taken or paid within the next 12 months:

Leave obligations expected to be 
settled after 12 months

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

524

521

 114

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

(iii) Other
Other provisions include provision for legal claims, lease 
incentives, reinstatement costs, and other provisions.

NOTE 16. PROVISIONS (continued)

16.1 Current and non current provisions (continued)

(b)  Movement in provisions other than employee benefits

Workers' compensation (i)

Opening balance

- additional provisions

- amount used
- unwinding of discount on liabilities 

recognised at present value

- effect of any change in the discount rate

Closing balance

Redundancy (ii)

Opening balance

- additional provisions

- reversal of amounts unused

- amount used

Closing balance

Other (iii)

Opening balance

- additional provisions

- foreign currency exchange differences

- acquisition of controlled entities

- disposal of controlled entities

- amount used

- reversal of amounts unused

Closing balance

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

143

8

(23)

5

5

149

8

(22)

5

3

138

143

40

1

(2)

(28)

11

37

92

1

9

-

(21)

(4)

114

6

42

(1)

(7)

40

55

22

-

-

(9)

(30)

(1)

37

(i) Workers’ compensation
We self insure for our workers’ compensation liabilities. We 
provide for our obligations through an assessment of accidents 
and estimated claims incurred. The provision is based on a semi-
annual actuarial review of our workers’ compensation liability. 
Actual compensation paid may vary where accidents and claims 
incurred vary from those estimated. The average time for which 
these payments are expected to be made is eight years (2014: 
eight years).

Certain controlled entities do not self insure but pay annual 
premiums to third party insurance companies for their workers’ 
compensation.

(ii) Redundancy
A provision exists only for those redundancy costs for which a 
detailed formal plan has been approved and we have raised a valid 
expectation in those affected that the plan will be carried out. Only 
those costs that are not associated with the ongoing activities of 
the Company have been included. The costs included in the 
redundancy provision are based on current estimates of the likely 
amounts to be incurred and include an estimate of the termination 
benefits that affected employees will be entitled to. The execution 
of these detailed formal plans, for which the redundancy provision 
has been raised, is expected to be completed during financial year 
2016.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

115

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

This note includes information on our gross and net debt positions 
including carrying values as disclosed in the statement of 
financial position, fair values and contractual face values of our 
financial instruments. 

We also provide details on our interest costs and yields.

Our exposures to market, credit and liquidity risks and our risk 
management strategies are disclosed in note 18.

(b) Borrowings
Our borrowings comprise debt issued offshore and in the domestic 
market. Offshore borrowings comprise the major component of 
our total debt portfolio and are denominated in various currencies. 
The carrying amount of the offshore borrowings are shown in 
Table A. Our policy is to swap these foreign currency denominated 
borrowings into Australian dollars using cross currency and 
interest rate swaps.

17.1 Capital management

Table A

Australian dollar
Euro
United States dollar
British pound sterling
Japanese yen
New Zealand dollar
Swiss franc
Hong Kong dollar
Indian rupee

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m
189
8,920
2,786
-
396
88
336
58
10
12,783

2014
$m
190
9,533
1,210
361
494
236
282
47
4
12,357

Borrowings issued in the domestic market as at 30 June 2015 
amounted to $2,353 million (2014: $2,793 million) and were 
denominated in Australian dollars.

Our borrowings are unsecured, except for finance leases, which 
are secured, as the rights to the leased asset transfer to the lessor 
in the event of a default by us. No assets are pledged as security 
for our borrowings. All our borrowings are interest bearing, except 
for some loans from wholly owned controlled entities and other 
organisations.

Table B shows the carrying amount of the components of our gross 
debt, including derivatives, which totals to the applicable line item 
in the statement of financial position. We also have potential 
financial liabilities not included in the table below which may arise 
from certain contingencies disclosed in note 23 and note 30.

Our objectives when managing capital are to safeguard our ability 
to continue as a going concern and to maintain an optimal capital 
structure and cost of capital that provides flexibility for strategic 
investments whilst continuing to provide returns for shareholders 
and benefits for other stakeholders.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, we may issue 
or repay debt, adjust the amount of dividends paid to 
shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares.

During financial year 2015, we paid dividends of $3,699 million 
(2014: $3,545 million). Refer to note 4 for further details.

During the year we completed an off-market share buy-back at a 
price of $4.60 per share for a total cost of $1,003 million (including 
associated transaction costs net of income tax). This comprised a 
capital component of $2.33 per share and a fully franked dividend 
component of $2.27 per share. Refer to note 19 for further details.

We are not subject to any externally imposed capital 
requirements.

(a) Agreement with lenders
During the current and prior years there were no defaults or 
breaches on any of our agreements with our lenders.

(b) Gearing and net debt
A parameter used to monitor capital management is the gearing 
ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total capital. 
Net debt is calculated as total interest bearing financial liabilities 
and derivative financial instruments, less cash and cash 
equivalents. Total capital is calculated as equity, as shown in the 
statement of financial position, plus net debt.

Our target for the net debt gearing ratio is currently 50 to 70 per 
cent (2014: 50 to 70 per cent). Refer to section 17.2(d) for 
information on net debt and gearing.

17.2 Financial instruments

(a) Derivative financial instruments
We enter into derivative transactions in accordance with Board 
approved policies to manage our exposure to market risks and 
volatility of financial outcomes that arise as part of our normal 
business operations. We do not speculatively trade in derivative 
financial instruments.

Derivative financial instruments used to hedge interest rate and 
foreign currency risk include:
• cross currency swaps
• interest rate swaps
• forward foreign currency contracts.

All of our derivatives are in effective economic relationships based 
on contractual face value amounts and cash flows over the life of 
the contract. 

The fair value of our derivative instruments equates to the carrying 
amounts in the statement of financial position, which differs from 
the face values that are also provided in Table E. 

 116

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(b) Borrowings (continued)

Table B

Borrowings by hedge designation
Fair value hedges (a)
Offshore borrowings
Domestic borrowings
Commercial paper
Cash flow hedges
Offshore borrowings
Domestic borrowings
Not in a hedge relationship
Finance leases payable
Commercial paper
Offshore borrowings
Domestic borrowings
Total borrowings
Derivative assets by hedge designation
Fair value hedges
Cross currency swaps
Interest rate swaps
Cash flow hedges
Cross currency swaps
Interest rate swaps
Forward contracts
Not in a hedge relationship
Cross currency swaps
Interest rate swaps
Forward contracts
Total derivative assets
Derivative liabilities by hedge designation
Fair value hedges
Cross currency swaps
Forward contracts
Cash flow hedges
Cross currency swaps
Interest rate swaps
Forward contracts
Not in a hedge relationship
Cross currency swaps
Interest rate swaps
Forward contracts
Total derivative liabilities
Net derivative assets/(liabilities)
Gross debt

Face 
value

$m

Carrying value
Non-
Current
current
As at 30 June 2015
$m

$m

Telstra Group

Total

Face 
value

$m

$m

Carrying value
Non-
Current
current
As at 30 June 2014
$m

$m

Total

$m

(4,829)
(950)
-

(7,360)
(275)

(488)
(155)
(150)
(1,109)
(15,316)

399
-

546
-
1

-
-
3
949

(73)
-

(419)
-
(4)

(966)
-
-

(245)
-

(4,349)
(979)
-

(5,315)
(979)
-

(3,774)
(950)
(265)

(7,077)
(275)

(7,322)
(275)

(6,105)
(275)

-
-
(265)

(894)
-

(4,211)
(964)
-

(4,211)
(964)
(265)

(5,178)
(274)

(6,072)
(274)

(93)
(154)
-
(38)
(1,496)

(251)
-
(146)
(1,061)
(14,138)

(344)
(154)
(146)
(1,099)
(15,634)

(444)
(100)
(2,098)
(1,568)
(15,579)

(78)
(100)
(440)
(500)
(2,277)

(231)
-
(1,634)
(1,055)
(13,547)

(309)
(100)
(2,074)
(1,555)
(15,824)

-
2

-
-
2

-
-
3
7

(60)
-

(141)
(11)
(2)

386
381

608
415
-

-
-
-
1,790

(9)
-

(291)
(611)
-

386
383

608
415
2

-
-
3
1,797

(69)
-

(432)
(622)
(2)

326
-

286
-
-

36
-
-
648

(19)
(12)

(626)
-
(7)

-
-

20
1
-

-
1
1
23

-
(12)

(238)
(2)
(5)

272
294

250
414
-

36
56
-
1,322

(18)
-

(431)
(545)
-

272
294

270
415
-

36
57
1
1,345

(18)
(12)

(669)
(547)
(5)

-
-
-
(496)
453
(14,863)

-
-
-
(214)
(207)
(1,703)

-
-
-
(911)
879
(13,259)

-
-
-
(1,125)
672
(14,962)

(290)
-
(1)
(955)
(307)
(15,886)

(141)
-
(2)
(400)
(377)
(2,654)

(140)
(35)
-
(1,169)
153
(13,394)

(281)
(35)
(2)
(1,569)
(224)
(16,048)

(a) The carrying amount is adjusted for fair value movements 
attributable to the hedged risk.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

117

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(c) Valuation and disclosure within fair value hierarchy
Our derivatives are measured at fair value in the statement of 
financial position. We also disclose fair value for all of our financial 
instruments in Table E. A portion of our borrowing portfolio that is 
in fair value hedges is also remeasured for fair value movements 
attributable to hedged risks, including interest rate and foreign 
currency risk. Changes in fair value from movements in exchange 
rates are minimal as we swap our foreign currency denominated 
borrowings into Australian dollars. Refer to note 18 for further 
details.

In determining fair value we use observable and unobservable 
inputs. We classify the inputs used in the valuation of our financial 
instruments according to the following three level hierarchy. The 
highest ranking is given to market quoted prices for identical 
instruments. The classification is determined based on the lowest 
level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a 
whole.
• Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for 

identical assets or liabilities 

• Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input 

that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly (as 
prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) observable

• Level 3: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input 

that is significant to the fair value measurement is 
unobservable.

The classification of our financial instruments within the fair value 
hierarchy is shown in Table E. 

There were no changes in valuation techniques during the year. 
Assumptions are based on market conditions existing at each 
reporting date.

(i) Borrowings, cross currency and interest rate swaps
The fair value is calculated as the present value of the estimated 
future cash flows using an appropriate market based yield curve, 
which is independently derived and representative of Telstra's 
cost of borrowing. Yield curves are sourced from readily available 
market data quoted for all major currencies. 

Pricing data used to estimate Telstra's borrowing margins is not 
directly observable. Sensitivity analysis on changes to this 
unobservable input does not result in a significant change to the 
valuation.

Accordingly, we have classified these financial instruments as 
Level 2.

(ii) Forward contracts
The fair value of forward exchange contracts is calculated by 
reference to forward exchange market rates at reporting date for 
contracts with similar maturity profiles. These market rates are 
observable and therefore these derivatives have been classified 
as Level 2.

(iii) Investments in equity instruments
We hold a number of securities not listed on any stock exchange 
and where a quoted market price in an active market is not 
available. We establish the fair value by using valuation 
techniques, including reference to discounted cash flows and fair 
values of recent orderly sell transactions between market 
participants involving instruments that are substantially the 
same. 

The fair value of these unlisted securities is classified as Level 3 
and shown in Table C.

As at 1 July 2014 (upon adoption of AASB 9 (2013): “Financial 
Instruments”) we elected to present subsequent changes 
resulting from remeasurement of fair values of our investments in 
equity instruments, with the exception of our investment in Ooyala 
Inc., in other comprehensive income. This presentation basis is 
considered appropriate as these investments are not held for 
short term trading purposes.

Our investment in Ooyala Inc. was measured at fair value through 
profit or loss prior to obtaining control during the year and 
subsequently consolidating its results (refer to note 20 for further 
details). 

Table C

Opening balance 1 July 2014 (a)

Purchases (b)
Remeasurement recognised in other 
comprehensive income (c)
Remeasurement recognised in the income 
statement (d)
Disposals (d)

Transfers out of Level 3 (e)

Closing balance 30 June 2015 (f)

Unlisted 
securities
Level 3

$m
126

53

10

6

(73)

(9)

113

(a)  As at 30 June 2014 and under AASB 139: "Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement", our available-for-
sale investments comprising unlisted securities were measured 
at historical cost. On adoption of AASB 9 (2013): “Financial 
Instruments” fair value estimates were determined and 
accordingly these investments were restated into Level 3 of the 
fair value hierarchy on 1 July 2014 (refer to note 2.1 for further 
details). These fair value estimates approximated the carrying 
value at 30 June 2014.

(b)  During the financial year we acquired a number of individually 
insignificant investments in unlisted securities.

(c)  During the financial year, we have recognised in other 
comprehensive income a $10 million net gain on remeasurement 
of our unlisted equity instruments.

(d)  $6 million gain on remeasurement of our equity investment 
and $70 million included in disposals related to Ooyala Inc. in 
which we obtained control during the year. Refer to note 20.3(a)(i) 
for further details.

(e)  During the financial year Box Inc. listed its shares on NASDAQ 
stock exchange. These shares are currently actively traded in that 
market. The equity shares now have a published price quotation in 
active market, the fair value measurement was transferred from 
Level 3 to Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy at 30 June 2015.

(f)  During the financial year, we have not received any dividends 
from our investments in equity instruments.

 118

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(c) Valuation and disclosure within fair value hierarchy 
(continued)

(iv) Contingent consideration payable
Trade and other payables as shown in the statement of financial 
position include contingent consideration liabilities arising on a 
number of business combinations and related to additional 
consideration payable for acquisitions of our controlled entities if 
certain future conditions are met. Amounts classified as a 
financial liability are recognised at fair value at the date of 
acquisition and subsequently remeasured to fair value, with 
changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

Table D

Opening balance 1 July 2013

Additions

Closing balance 30 June 2014

Additions (a)
Remeasurement recognised in the income 
statement
Amounts used

Closing balance 30 June 2015

Contingent 
consideration
Level 3

$m
-

10

10

24

(2)

(8)

24

(a)  During the year we acquired the following controlled entities 
where total consideration included a contingent consideration 
amount:
• Videoplaza AB and its controlled entities
• Nativ Holdings Limited 
• Other individually immaterial entities.

Refer to note 20 for further details. 

On initial recognition the fair value of contingent consideration 
was estimated based on our expectations of future performance 
of the businesses. Subsequent measurement is based on the 
present value of the future expected cash flows.

(d) Net debt and gearing
The carrying amounts, fair values and face values of each category 
of our financial instruments are shown in Table E. For foreign 
denominated balances face value equates to the face value in the 
underlying currency converted at the spot exchange rate as at 30 
June. Face value represents contractual obligations excluding the 
effect of fair value measurements. Fair values are provided for 
each category of financial instruments including those not 
recognised at fair value for accounting purposes.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

119

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(d) Net debt and gearing (continued)

Table E

Telstra Group

Commercial paper

Offshore borrowings

Domestic borrowings

Finance lease payable

Total borrowings

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Gross debt

Fair value 
hierarchy

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

As at 30 June 2015

As at 30 June 2014

Carrying 
value

Fair value Face value

Carrying 
value

Fair value Face value

$m
(154)

$m
(154)

$m
(155)

$m
(365)

$m
(365)

$m
(365)

(12,783)

(13,932)

(12,339)

(12,357)

(13,041)

(11,977)

(2,353)

(2,545)

(2,334)

(2,793)

(2,952)

(2,793)

(344)

(344)

(488)

(309)

(309)

(444)

(15,634)

(16,975)

(15,316)

(15,824)

(16,667)

(15,579)

Level 2

Level 2

1,797

1,797

(1,125)

(1,125)

949

(496)

1,345

(1,569)

1,345

(1,569)

648

(955)

(14,962)

(16,303)

(14,863)

(16,048)

(16,891)

(15,886)

Cash and cash equivalents

1,396

1,396

1,396

5,527

5,527

5,557

Net debt
Other interest bearing financial assets at 
amortised cost
Finance lease receivable
Amounts owed by joint ventures and 
associated entities
Other receivables (a)

(13,566)

(14,907)

(13,467)

(10,521)

(11,364)

(10,329)

303

451

4

303

451

4

353

451

4

277

451

3

277

451

3

314

451

3

Net interest bearing financial liabilities

(12,808)

(14,149)

(12,659)

(9,790)

(10,633)

(9,561)

Equity investments at fair value

Listed securities

Unlisted securities (b)

Loans and receivables at amortised cost
Trade/other receivables and accrued revenue 
(a)
Amounts owed by joint ventures and 
associated entities
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Trade/other creditors and accrued expenses 
(a)
Financial liabilities at fair value through 
profit or loss
Contingent consideration
Net financial liabilities

Level 1

Level 3

24

113

24

113

n/a

n/a

1

126

1

n/a

n/a

n/a

5,133

5,133

5,247

4,414

4,414

4,534

1

1

7

-

-

6

(4,095)

(4,095)

(4,095)

(3,890)

(3,890)

(3,890)

(24)
(11,656)

(24)
(12,997)

n/a

(10)
(9,149)

(10)
(10,118)

n/a

(a)  For financial assets and financial liabilities with a short term to 
maturity, the carrying amount is considered to approximate fair 
value.

(b)  As at 30 June 2014 and under AASB 139: "Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement", our available-for-
sale investments comprising unlisted securities were measured 
at historical cost. On adoption of AASB 9 (2013): “Financial 
Instruments” fair value estimates were determined and 
accordingly these investments were restated into Level 3 of the 
fair value hierarchy on 1 July 2014.

The movement in the carrying amount of our net debt and our 
gearing ratio is shown in Table F.

 120

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Long term debt of $1,453 million will mature during financial year 
2016. This represents the contractual face value amount after 
hedging including offshore borrowings that were swapped into 
Australian dollars from the date of issuance. 

This amount differs from the carrying amount of $1,249 million 
that is included in current borrowings (along with commercial 
paper of $154 million and finance leases of $93 million) in the 
statement of financial position. The carrying amount reflects the 
amount of our borrowings due to mature within 12 months prior to 
netting offsetting risk positions of associated derivative financial 
instruments hedging these borrowings. The carrying amount 
reflects a mixed measurement basis, with part of the borrowing 
portfolio recorded at amortised cost and part adjusted for fair 
value movements attributable to hedged risks.

(e) Interest and yields
The gross interest on borrowings is shown in Table G below. Where 
applicable, finance costs are assigned to categories on the basis 
of the hedged item.

Table G

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

Note

Interest on borrowings (a)
Financial instruments in hedge 
relationships (b)
Domestic borrowings in cash flow 
and fair value hedges
Offshore borrowings in cash flow 
and fair value hedges hedges
Commercial paper in fair value 
hedges
Derivatives hedging net 
investments in foreign operations
Other financial instruments

Commercial paper
Offshore borrowings not in a hedge 
relationship
Domestic borrowings not in a hedge 
relationship
Finance leases

Other

Total interest on borrowings

7

53

662

11

-

5

8

98

21

17

875

51

633

21

(9)

7

117

114

20

7

961

(a)  The interest expense is categorised based on the classification 
of financial instruments applicable as at 30 June.

(b)  Interest expense is a net amount after offsetting interest 
income and interest expense on associated derivative 
instruments.

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(d) Net debt and gearing (continued)

Table F

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June

Opening net debt
Debt issuance
Net commercial paper
Debt repayments
Finance lease repayments
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
Fair value (gains)/losses impacting:
Equity
Other expenses
Finance costs
Other movements:
Borrowings on acquisition of domestic 
controlled entity
Debt on acquisition of Pacnet Limited
Finance lease additions
Total (decrease)/increase in gross debt
Net decrease/(increase) in cash and 
cash equivalents (a)
Total increase/(decrease) in net debt
Closing net debt

Total equity
Total capital

Gearing ratio

2015
$m
10,521
1,398
(220)
(2,798)
(47)
(1,667)

(85)
(22)
26

-

580
82
(1,086)

2014
$m
13,149
498
252
(565)
(91)
94

(19)
23
200

1

-
121
420

4,131

(3,048)

3,045
13,566

(2,628)
10,521

14,510
28,076
%
48.3

13,960
24,481
%
43.0

(a)  Includes foreign exchange differences

Debt issuances during the year comprised:
• $1,308 million United States public bond maturing on 7 April 

2025

• $79 million loan from associated entities
• $11 million other controlled entity loans.

Our commercial paper is used principally to support working 
capital and short term liquidity. Commercial paper will continue to 
be supported by liquid financial assets and ongoing committed 
bank facilities.

We repaid the following long term debt during the year (Australian 
dollar equivalent):
• $858 million Euro public bond, matured 15 July 2014 
• $584 million British pound public bond, matured 6 August 2014
• $65 million Japanese yen private placement, matured 29 

September 2014

• $62 million Japanese yen private placement, matured 4 

November 2014

• $123 million New Zealand dollar public bond, matured 24 

November 2014

• $500 million domestic public bond, matured15 April 2015 
• $561 million repayment of the whole debt acquired on 

acquisition of Pacnet Limited (including foreign exchange 
differences)

• $45 million repayment of loan from associated entities.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

121

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(f) Offsetting and netting arrangements
The following tables present our financial assets and financial 
liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting 
arrangements or similar agreements:

Table H

Telstra Group

Gross amounts not offset in the 
statement of financial position 
(a)

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial assets
Derivative financial 
liabilities
Total

Table I

Gross amounts 
of recognised 
financial 
instruments

Amounts that 
are offset in 
the statement 
of financial 
position

Net amounts of 
financial 
instruments 
presented in 
the statement 
of financial 
position

Financial 
instruments (b)

Collateral 
received or 
pledged

Net amounts 
that are not 
subject to 
offsetting 
arrangements

$m
A

$m
B

As at 30 June 2015
$m
$m
D
C=A-B

$m
E

$m
F=C-D+E

801

(520)

1,797

(1,125)

953

96

(96)

-

-

-

705

(424)

1,797

(1,125)

953

181

(181)

781

(781)

-

(8)

-

-

-

(8)

516

(243)

1,016

(344)

945

Telstra Group

Gross amounts not offset in the 
statement of financial position 
(a)

Gross amounts 
of recognised 
financial 
instruments

Amounts that 
are offset in the 
statement of 
financial 
position

Net amounts of 
financial 
instruments 
presented in 
the statement 
of financial 
position

Financial 
instruments (b)

Collateral 
received or 
pledged

Net amounts 
that are not 
subject to 
offsetting 
arrangements

$m
A

$m
B

As at 30 June 2014
$m
$m
D
C=A-B

$m
E

$m
F=C-D+E

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial assets
Derivative financial 
liabilities
Total

500

(463)

1,345

(1,569)

(187)

73

(73)

-

-

-

427

(390)

1,345

(1,569)

(187)

156

(156)

748

(748)

-

(3)

-

-

-

(3)

268

(234)

597

(821)

(190)

 122

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 17. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

17.2 Financial instruments (continued)

(f) Offsetting and netting arrangements (continued)

(a)  Reflects amounts subject to conditional offsetting 
arrangements.

(b)  Below is a description of our material rights of set-off that are 
not otherwise included in column B in Tables H and I above:
• for our inter operative tariff arrangements with some of our 

international roaming partners, we have executed agreements 
that allow the netting of amounts payable and receivable by us 
on cessation of the contract

• for our wholesale customers we have executed Customer 
Relationship Agreements which allow for the netting of 
amounts payable and receivable by us in certain circumstances 
where there is a right to suspend the supply of services or on the 
expiration or termination of the agreement

• for all our derivative financial instruments, we have executed 
master netting arrangements under our International Swaps 
and Derivatives Association agreements. These arrangements 
allow for the netting of amounts payable and receivable by us or 
the counterparty in the event of default or a credit event. In line 
with contractual provisions, in the event of insolvency all 
derivatives with a positive or negative fair value that exist with 
the respective counterparty are offset against each other, 
leaving a net receivable or liability.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

123

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Our underlying business activities result in exposure to 
operational risk and a number of financial risks, including market 
risk (interest rate risk and foreign currency risk), credit risk and 
liquidity risk. 

Our overall risk management program seeks to mitigate these 
risks in order to reduce volatility on our financial performance and 
to support the delivery of our financial targets. Financial risk 
management is carried out centrally by our treasury department, 
under policies approved by the Board that cover foreign exchange 
risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial 
instruments and liquidity management.

We undertake the following transactions in relation to the 
management of our net debt portfolio and associated financial 
risks: 
• invest surplus cash in bank deposits and negotiable certificates 

of deposit

• issue commercial paper and have committed bank facilities in 

place to support working capital and short term liquidity 
requirements

• issue long term debt including bank loans, private placements 
and public bonds both in the domestic and offshore markets
• use derivative financial instruments including cross currency 
swaps, interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange 
contracts to hedge foreign currency and interest rate risk.

In addition we have financial instruments that result from our 
underlying business activities, including receivables, payables, 
listed and unlisted investments.

Section 18.1 of this note sets out the key financial risk factors that 
arise from our activities, including our policies for managing these 
risks.

Sections 18.2 and 18.3 provide details of our hedging strategies 
and hedge relationships that are used for financial risk 
management. 

18.1 Risk and mitigation

(a) Interest rate risk
Our risk exposure to changes in market interest rates arises 
primarily as a result of our debt obligations. Borrowings issued at 
fixed rates expose us to fair value interest rate risk. Variable rate 
borrowings give rise to cash flow interest rate risk; this is partially 
offset by cash and cash equivalents balances held at variable 
rates.

We manage interest rate risk on our net debt portfolio by:
• adjusting our target ratio of fixed interest debt to variable 
interest debt, as required by our debt management policy

• ensuring access to diverse sources of funding
• reducing risks of refinancing by establishing and managing in 

accordance with target maturity profiles

• entering into cross currency and interest rate swaps (refer 

sections 18.2 and 18.3 for further information).

The weighted average interest rates on our financial instruments 
as at 30 June, and the principal/notional balances on which 
interest is calculated, are shown in Table A. Principal/notional 
amounts shown are net of discounts and therefore may differ from 
the face values disclosed in note 17. 

The reported balances represent our economic residual position 
after netting offsetting risks of our derivative and non-derivative 
financial instruments in a hedge relationship. It is our policy to 
swap foreign currency borrowings into Australian dollars using 
derivative financial instruments, therefore the amounts 
predominantly reflect our Australian dollar end positions. 

 124

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.1 Risk and mitigation (continued)

(a) Interest rate risk (continued)

Table A

Australian interest rates
Fixed rate instruments
Post hedge borrowings (a)
Finance lease payable
Domestic borrowings
Offshore borrowings
Variable rate instruments
Cash and cash equivalents (b)
Post hedge borrowings (a)
Domestic borrowings
Loans from associates
Commercial paper
Net forward contract liability (d)
Total Australian dollar instruments
Foreign interest rates
Fixed rate instruments
Finance lease payable
Offshore borrowings
Variable rate instruments
Cash and cash equivalents (b)
Total foreign dollar instruments
Other interest bearing financial assets
Fixed rate instruments - Australian interest rates
Finance lease receivable
Amounts owed by joint ventures
Floating rate instruments - foreign interest rate
Other receivables
Total other financial assets

(a) Refer to Table I, which details the use of cross currency and 
interest rate swaps used to hedge offshore and domestic 
borrowings.

(b) Weighted average rates earned on net positive cash balances 
after taking into account bank set-off arrangements and 
excluding non-interest bearing balances.

(c) Weighted average effective interest rate based on principal/
notional value as at reporting date.

(d) Includes final pay legs $654 million (2014: $603 million) as 
described in Table J. The balances offset by receive legs relating to 
hedges of forecast purchases, trade and other non-interest 
bearing liabilities of $654 million (2014: $318 million).

Telstra Group

As at 30 June 2015

As at 30 June 2014

Principal/ 
notional

$m

Weighted 
average (c)
%

Principal/ 
notional

$m

Weighted 
average (c)
%

(7,124)
(272)
(1,061)
(140)

502
(5,837)
(3)
(34)
(154)
-
(14,123)

(72)
(10)

894
812

303
451

4
758

6.66
5.79
7.12
6.10

2.32
4.00
4.90
8.00
2.28
-

8.92
11.00

1.44

6.02
12.00

4.33

(6,200)
(250)
(1,056)
(140)

5,162
(7,145)
(499)
-
(100)
(285)
(10,513)

(59)
(4)

365
302

277
451

3
731

7.26
6.14
7.14
6.10

3.15
4.58
6.50
-
2.84
2.41

9.41
11.06

1.84

6.13
12.00

2.86

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

125

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.1 Risk and mitigation (continued)

(a) Interest rate risk (continued)

(i) Sensitivity analysis - interest rate risk
The sensitivity analysis in Table B is based on the interest rate risk 
exposures of our net debt portfolio as at 30 June. In accordance 
with our policy to swap foreign currency borrowings into 
Australian dollars, interest rate sensitivity relates primarily to 
movements in Australian interest rates.

The analysis shows the impact that a 10 per cent shift in interest 
rates would have on our profit after tax and on equity. A sensitivity 
of 10 per cent has been selected as a reasonably possible change 
in interest rates based on the current level of both short term and 
long term interest rates; this is not a forecast or prediction of 
future market conditions.

The results are driven by the following main assertions:
• the analysis takes into account all underlying exposures and 

related hedges and does not include the impact of any 
management action that might take place if a 10 per cent shift 
were to occur

• our net unhedged floating rate position will directly impact 

profit or loss as a result of interest rate movements

• there is a parallel shift in all components of interest rates 

including credit and foreign currency basis spreads with all 
other variables held constant

• changes in the fair value of derivatives which are in effective 
cash flow hedge relationships are assumed to be reported 
solely in equity

• there is no material net impact to finance costs as a result of fair 
value movements on derivatives designated in effective fair 
value hedge relationships as there will be an offsetting 
adjustment to the underlying borrowing

• changes in the fair value of foreign currency basis spreads, a 

component of interest rates, associated with our cross currency 
swaps are reported in equity. 

Table B

Telstra Group

As at 30 June 2015

As at 30 June 2014

Net profit 
or loss
Gain/
(loss)

Equity
Gain/
(loss)

Net profit 
or loss
Gain/
(loss)

Equity
Gain/
(loss)

$m

(24)

24

$m

53

(55)

$m

(7)

7

$m

47

(49)

Interest rates 
(+10%)
Interest rates 
(-10%)

(b) Foreign currency risk
We are exposed to foreign exchange risk from various currencies, 
however, our largest concentration of risk is attributable to the 
Euro and the United States dollar. Foreign currency risk is the risk 
that the value of a financial commitment, forecast transaction, 
recognised asset or liability will fluctuate due to changes in 
foreign exchange rates. Our risk exposure arises primarily from:
• borrowings denominated in foreign currencies
• trade and other creditor balances denominated in foreign 

currencies

• firm commitments or highly probable forecast transactions for 
receipts and payments settled in foreign currencies or with 
prices dependent on foreign currencies

• net investments in foreign controlled entities.

Borrowings denominated in foreign currency are converted to 
Australian dollar borrowings using derivative financial 
instruments, unless the borrowing is held to offset the translation 
of a foreign controlled entity.

Our policy for managing foreign exchange transaction risk arising 
from firm commitments or highly probable forecast transactions 
denominated in foreign currencies is to hedge a proportion of the 
exposure in accordance with our risk management policy. We also 
economically hedge a proportion of foreign currency risk 
associated with trade and other liability and asset balances. 

Our controlled entities may also be exposed to transactions, both 
forecast and committed, in currencies other than their functional 
currency. These risks are managed through the use of forward 
foreign exchange contracts in accordance with our overall risk 
management policy.

We may choose to hedge foreign currency risk arising from the 
translation of the net assets of our foreign controlled entities. 

Refer to section 18.2 “Hedging strategies” and section 18.3 
“Hedge relationships” in this note for further information, 
including the various instruments used to hedge our exposures.

(i) Sensitivity analysis - foreign currency risk
The sensitivity analysis included in Table C is based on foreign 
currency risk exposures arising from both our financial 
instruments and forecast transactions (transaction risk) and net 
foreign investment balances (translation risk) as at 30 June. 

The analysis shows the impact that a 10 per cent shift in 
applicable exchange rates against the Australian dollar would 
have on our profit after tax and on equity. This sensitivity is 
considered reasonable taking into account the current level of 
exchange rates and the volatility observed both on an historical 
basis and on market expectations for future movements; it is not a 
forecast or prediction. 

 126

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.1 Risk and mitigation (continued)

(b) Foreign currency risk (continued)

(i) Sensitivity analysis - foreign currency risk (continued)

The results are driven by the following main assertions: 
• we are exposed to equity impacts from foreign currency 
movements associated with our investments in foreign 
controlled entities and our derivatives in cash flow hedges of 
offshore borrowings. This foreign currency risk is spread over a 
number of currencies and accordingly we have disclosed the 
sensitivity analysis on a total portfolio basis and not separately 
by currency 

• any unhedged foreign exchange positions associated with our 
transactional exposures will directly impact profit or loss as a 
result of foreign currency movements 

• there is no material net impact to finance costs as a result of 
foreign currency movements associated with derivatives 
designated in effective fair value hedge relationships as there 
will be an offsetting adjustment to the underlying borrowing 
• the analysis does not include the impact of any management 
action that might take place if a 10 per cent shift in foreign 
exchange rates were to occur.

Table C

Telstra Group

As at 30 June 2015
Net profit 
or loss
Gain/
(loss)

Equity
Gain/
(loss)

As at 30 June 2014
Net profit 
or loss
Gain/
(loss)

Equity
Gain/
(loss)

$m

$m

$m

$m

Foreign exchange 
rates (+10%)
Translation of 
foreign controlled 
entities (a)
Transaction 
exposures (b)
Foreign exchange 
rates (-10%)
Translation of 
foreign controlled 
entities (a)
Transaction 
exposures (b)

-

25

(159)

(31)

-

193

-

4

-

(30)

38

(5)

(38)

(44)

46

54

(a)  The higher sensitivity in the current year reflects the 
acquisition during the year of foreign controlled entities, Ooyala 
Inc. and Pacnet Limited.

At 30 June 2015 we had no hedges of foreign controlled entities in 
place (2014: no hedges).

(b) Where net exposures relate to forecast purchases of property, 
plant and equipment, profit and loss will be impacted as the 
assets are depreciated over their useful lives.

(c) Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will default on its 
contractual obligations and will cause us to incur a financial loss. 
We are exposed to credit risk from our operating activities 
(primarily customer credit risk) and financing activities. To help 
manage this risk we:
• have a policy for performing credit risk assessments on new and 
existing customers and, where required, establishing credit 
limits and payment terms for entities we deal with 

• monitor exposure to high risk debtors on a predictive and 

proactive basis 

• may require collateral where appropriate
• assign credit limits to all financial counterparties with whom we 

transact or enter into derivative contracts.

We may also be exposed to credit risk on transactions not included 
in the statement of financial position, such as when we provide a 
guarantee for another party. Details of our contingent liabilities 
are disclosed in notes 23 and 30. 

(i) Customer credit risk
Trade and other receivables consist of a large number of 
customers, spread across the consumer, business, enterprise, 
government and international sectors. We do not have any 
significant credit risk exposure to a single customer or group of 
customers. Ageing analysis and ongoing credit evaluation are 
performed on the financial condition of our customers and, where 
appropriate, an allowance for doubtful debts is raised. In addition, 
receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure 
that our exposure to bad debts is not significant. Refer to note 10 
for further details about our trade and other receivables. 

(ii) Treasury credit risk
We are exposed to credit risk from investments in money market 
instruments (primarily deposits) and from the use of derivatives. 
We have policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to 
individual counterparties, and these risk limits are regularly 
monitored. Our policy minimises the concentration of risk by 
spreading our financial instruments across a number of financial 
institutions.

We also manage our credit exposure using a value at risk (VaR) 
methodology. This measures the maximum potential exposure of 
risk positions in the future as a result of movements in market 
rates over a specified time horizon, given a specified confidence 
level (which is statistically determined). This helps to ensure that 
we do not underestimate credit exposure with any single 
counterparty. 

All money market instruments and derivative contracts are held 
with counterparties of investment grade credit rating. At 30 June 
2015, no material credit risk exposure existed in relation to 
potential counterparty failure on our financial instruments.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

127

 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.1 Risk and mitigation (continued)

(d) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk refers to the risk that we will be unable to meet our 
financial obligations as they fall due. To address this risk, we have 
established an appropriate liquidity risk policy that targets a 
minimum and average level of cash and cash equivalents to be 
maintained, and that ensures we have readily accessible 
committed bank facilities in place. Our objective is to maintain a 
balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the 
use of liquid instruments, borrowings and available committed 
bank facilities.

We monitor rolling forecasts of liquidity reserves on the basis of 
expected cash flow. We also endeavour to use instruments that 
trade in highly liquid markets and have a liquidity portfolio 
structure that requires surplus funds to be invested within various 
bands of liquid instruments.   

We believe that our contractual obligations can be met through 
existing cash and cash equivalents, business cash flows, and 
other funding arrangements we reasonably expect to have 
available to us, including the use of committed bank facilities if 
required.

Table D shows our financial liabilities categorised into relevant 
maturity periods based on contractual maturity date. The 
contractual maturity amounts represent the future undiscounted 
cash flows and therefore do not necessarily equate to the carrying 
values as disclosed in the statement of financial position. For all 
line items, the amounts shown are based on the earliest date at 
which we can be required to pay. Floating rate interest is 
estimated using a forward interest rate curve as at 30 June.

Table D

Telstra Group
Contractual maturity (nominal cash flows)

Less than 
1 year

As at 30 June 2015
2 to 5 
years

1 to 2 
years

Over 5 
years

Total

Less than 
1 year

As at 30 June 2014
2 to 5 
years

1 to 2 
years

Over 5 
years

Total

Non – Derivative 
financial liabilities
Borrowings, excluding 
finance lease 
liabilities
Interest payments on 
borrowings
Finance leases
Other (a)
Derivative Financial 
instruments (b)
Cross currency swaps 
payable
Cross currency swaps 
receivable
Forward foreign 
exchange contracts 
payable
Forward foreign 
exchange contracts 
receivable
Net interest rate 
swaps payable (c)
Net interest rate 
swaps receivable (c)
Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

(1,405)

(1,846)

(3,241)

(8,336)

(14,828)

(2,199)

(1,167)

(3,511)

(8,258)

(15,135)

(583)

(534)

(1,230)

(777)

(3,124)

(627)

(528)

(1,211)

(887)

(3,253)

(113)
(4,045)

(87)
(16)

(93)
(19)

(195)
(39)

(488)
(4,119)

(99)
(3,843)

(82)
(3)

(109)
(21)

(154)
(33)

(444)
(3,900)

(1,856)

(2,090)

(3,082)

(7,719)

(14,747)

(2,172)

(1,866)

(3,294)

(8,136)

(15,468)

1,407

1,647

2,519

8,235

13,808

1,522

1,338

2,378

8,144

13,382

(696)

695

-

-

-

-

-

-

(696)

(651)

695

631

-

-

-

-

-

-

(651)

631

(218)

(204)

(274)

(58)

(754)

(208)

(176)

(274)

(74)

(732)

268

231

348

105

952

284

229

348

109

970

(6,546)

(2,899)

(5,072)

(8,784)

(23,301)

(7,362)

(2,255)

(5,694)

(9,289)

(24,600)

(a) Includes trade and other creditors, accrued expenses, and 
contingent consideration.

(b) Includes derivative assets as they have a direct relationship to 
an underlying financial liability.

(c) Interest rate swaps are net settled.

 128

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.1 Risk and mitigation (continued)

(d) Liquidity risk (continued)

(i) Financing arrangements 
We have commercial paper facilities in place in the United States 
and Australia. As at 30 June 2015 we had on issue $155 million 
(2014: $365 million) under these facilities. We also have 
committed bank facilities in place, as back up to our borrowings. 
Table E shows the lines of credit that are available to us at 30 June. 
During the current and prior years there were no defaults or 
breaches under any of our facility agreements.

Table E

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

Unsecured committed cash standby 
facilities (a)
Unsecured syndicated bank loan facility
Unsecured bank term loan facility (b)
Amount of credit unused

195

1,500
300
1,995

559

-
-
559

(a)  Cancelled in full effective 27 July 2015

(b)  Fully drawn down on 24 July 2015

18.2 Hedging strategies

Hedging refers to the way in which we use financial instruments, 
primarily derivatives, to manage our exposure to financial risks 
(described in 18.1). The gain or loss on the underlying item (the 
“hedged item”) is expected to move in the opposite direction to the 
gain or loss on the derivative (the “hedging instrument”), therefore 
offsetting our risk position. Hedge accounting is a technique that 
enables the matching of the gains and losses on associated 
hedging instruments and hedged items in the same accounting 
period to minimise volatility in the income statement.

The applicable accounting standard (AASB 9 (2013): “Financial 
Instruments”) requires that certain criteria be met in order for 
hedge accounting to be applied. We are also required, under AASB 
7: “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”, to provide a number of 
specific disclosures in regards to our hedging activities.

(a) Hedge accounting
Our major exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency risk 
arises from our long term borrowings. We also have translation 
foreign currency risk associated with investments in foreign 
operations and transactional foreign currency exposures, such as 
purchases in foreign currencies.

We enter into cross currency swaps, interest rate swaps, and 
forward foreign exchange contracts to offset these risks. To the 
extent permitted by AASB 9 (2013), we formally designate and 
document these financial instruments as fair value, cash flow or 
net investment hedges for accounting purposes. In order to qualify 
for hedge accounting, AASB 9 (2013) requires that prospective 
hedge effectiveness testing meet all of the following criteria: 
• an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and 

hedging instrument

• the effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes 

resulting from the economic relationship

• the hedge ratio is the same as that resulting from actual 

amounts of hedged items and hedging instruments for risk 
management.

Each hedge accounting method is described below: 

(b) Fair value hedges
The objective of our fair value hedging is to convert fixed interest 
rate borrowings to floating interest rate borrowings. 

We enter into interest rate and cross currency swaps to mitigate 
our exposure to changes in the fair value of our long term 
borrowings. Changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument, 
and changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is 
attributable to the hedged risk (‘fair value hedge adjustment’) are 
recognised in the income statement. Ineffectiveness reflects the 
extent to which the fair value movements do not offset and is 
primarily driven by movements in Telstra’s borrowing margins.

AASB 9 (2013) allows a component of Telstra’s borrowing margin 
associated with cross currency swaps (“foreign currency basis 
spread”) to be deferred in equity. This component is included in 
interest on borrowings in the income statement over the 
remaining maturity of the borrowing. Refer to note 7 for the impact 
on finance costs relating to borrowings in fair value hedges. 

Our fair value hedges have an economic relationship on the basis 
that the critical terms of the hedging instrument and hedged item 
(including face value, cash flows, and maturity date) are aligned. 
The relationship between the hedged risk and the corresponding 
value of the hedging derivatives results in a hedge ratio of one. 

The cumulative amount of fair value hedge adjustments which are 
included in the carrying amount of our borrowings in the 
statement of financial position is shown in Table F:

Table F

Telstra Group

As at 30 June 2015
Offshore 
borrow- 
ings (a)

Commer- 
cial 
paper

Domestic 
borrow- 
ings

As at 30 June 2014
Offshore 
borrow- 
ings (a)

Commer- 
cial 
paper

Domestic 
borrow- 
ings

Face value as at 30 June (a)
Unamortised discounts/premiums
Amortised cost
Cumulative fair value hedge adjustments (b)
Carrying amount

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

$m
-
-
-
-
-

$m
4,829
(23)
4,806
509
5,315

$m
950
(5)
945
34
979

$m
265
-
265
-
265

$m
3,774
(26)
3,748
463
4,211

$m
950
(6)
944
20
964

129

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.2 Hedging strategies (continued)

(b) Fair value hedges (continued)

Table G

(a)  For offshore borrowings, face value equates to the face value 
in the underlying currency converted at the spot exchange rate as 
at 30 June. Revaluation impacts since inception of the borrowing 
due to foreign exchange movements are reflected in the amortised 
cost balance. 

(b) Fair value revaluation impacts arising from movements in 
foreign currency exchange rates and market interest rates (that 
relate to the hedged risk) are effectively hedged. We use cross 
currency and interest rate swaps as fair value hedges to convert 
fixed rate borrowings into Australian dollar floating rate 
borrowings.

(c) Cash flow hedges
The objective of our cash flow hedging is to hedge the exposure 
arising from variability in future interest and foreign currency cash 
flows arising from borrowings that bear interest at variable rates, 
or are denominated in foreign currency. Cash flow hedging is also 
used to mitigate the foreign currency exposure arising from 
anticipated future transactions.

We enter into interest rate and cross currency swaps as hedges of 
future cash flows arising from our borrowings. Ineffectiveness is 
recognised in the income statement if the change in the fair value 
of the hedging instrument exceeds the change in fair value of the 
underlying borrowing. The portion of fair value movement 
qualifying as effective movement is recognised in the cash flow 
hedging reserve in equity. 

Forward foreign exchange contracts are used to hedge a portion of 
highly probable forecast transactions denominated in foreign 
currency. These contracts hedge foreign currency risk arising from 
spot rate changes. During the year, there has been no material 
impact on profit or loss as a result of discontinuing hedge 
accounting for forecast transactions no longer expected to occur.

All our cash flow hedges are in effective economic relationships on 
the basis that the critical terms of the hedging instrument and 
hedged item are aligned (including face values, cash flows and 
currency). During the year, there has been no material 
ineffectiveness attributable to our cash flow hedges. 

(i) Cash flow profile
Table G shows the maturities of the payments in our cash flow 
hedges (i.e. when the cash flows are expected to occur). These 
amounts represent the undiscounted cash flows reported in 
Australian dollars based on the applicable exchange rate as at 30 
June and represent the identified foreign currency exposures at 
reporting date. 

Telstra Group
Nominal cash 
outflows
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

(801)

(306)

(135)
(2)

(539)
(4,168)
(4,559)
(10,204)

-
-

(1,156)
(2,485)
(4,055)
(8,002)

Highly probable forecast transactions
Non-capital items (a)
Within 1 year
Capital items (b)
Within 1 year
After 1 year
Borrowings (c)
Within 1 year
Within 1 to 5 years
After 5 years

(a) These amounts will affect our income statement in the same 
period in which the cash flows are expected to occur. 

(b) For purchases of property, plant and equipment, the gains and 
losses on the associated hedging instrument are included in the 
measurement of the initial cost of the assets. The hedged assets 
affect profit or loss as the assets are depreciated over their useful 
lives.

(c) The impact on our income statement from foreign currency 
movements associated with these hedged borrowings will affect 
profit or loss over the life of the borrowing, however the impact on 
profit or loss is expected to be nil as the borrowings are effectively 
hedged.

(d) Hedges of net investments in foreign operations
Foreign exchange exposure arises from our investments in foreign 
operations. This risk arises from the translation of the net assets 
of these entities from their functional currency into Australian 
dollars. We may designate forward foreign currency contracts, 
cross currency swaps and/or foreign currency borrowings as 
hedges of this risk. By applying hedge accounting, foreign 
exchange gains or losses on the hedging instruments are 
transferred to the foreign currency translation reserve in equity to 
offset gains or losses on translation of the net investment. No 
material ineffectiveness arises from our net investment hedges as 
we designate on a spot to spot basis only the nominal amount of 
hedging instruments required to match the desired hedge 
percentage of the investment, in accordance with our risk 
management policy.    

As at 30 June 2015, we had no hedges of net investments in foreign 
controlled entities in place.

(e) Derivatives not in a designated hedge relationship
We hold some derivative financial instruments that are not 
formally designated in hedging relationships as natural offset 
achieves substantially the same accounting results. This primarily 
includes forward foreign currency contracts that are used to 
economically hedge fair value movements attributable to 
exchange rate fluctuations associated with trade creditors and 
other liability and asset balances denominated in foreign 
currency. 

On adoption of AASB 9 (2013), we were able to reinstate a portion 
of fair value hedges which were previously ineligible for hedge 
accounting; refer note 2.1(a) for further details. All other financial 
liabilities that do not meet the strict criteria for hedge accounting 
are in effective economic relationships based on contractual face 
value amounts and cash flows over the life of the transaction. 
Refer to note 7 for the impact on finance costs relating to 
transactions not in designated hedge relationships.

 130

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.2 Hedging strategies (continued)

(f) Hedge effectiveness
Refer to note 17 Table B for a detailed breakdown of the carrying 
amounts and face values of designated financial instruments. 

The adoption of AASB 9 (2013) has resulted in less ineffectiveness 
being recognised as certain costs of hedging may now be excluded 
from designated hedge relationships. We have utilised the option 
to exclude foreign currency basis spreads from our designated fair 
value and cash flow hedge relationships, refer to note 2.1(a) for 
further details.

Table H shows the ineffectiveness relating to financial 
instruments in designated fair value hedges that are included in 
net debt.

Table H

Re-measurement of hedged item used to 
measure ineffectiveness
Change in value of hedging instruments
Net loss before tax
Net loss after tax

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June

2015
(Gain)/
loss

2014
(Gain)/
loss

$m

184

(178)
6
4

$m

331

(203)
128
90

The cash flow hedge reserve is adjusted to the lower of (in absolute 
amounts) the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument 
and the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged item. This 
adjustment did not result in any material ineffectiveness. 

For hedge gains or losses transferred to and from the cash flow 
hedging reserve refer to the statement of comprehensive income.

For cash flow hedges of highly probable forecast transactions 
settled in a foreign currency and hedges of net investments in 
foreign operations, the change in value of the hedged item was not 
materially different to the change in value of the hedging 
instruments with no resulting material ineffectiveness. 

18.3 Hedge relationships

The following tables give context to our hedge transactions and 
shows our economic residual risk position as a result of the 
hedges executed. It should be noted that the economic residual 
position in each of the tables will not be equal to the carrying 
values.

Table I describes each of our hedge relationships which use cross 
currency and interest rate swaps. The post hedge position 
represents our net final currency and fixed/float positions.

Table I

Telstra Group

As at 30 June 2015
Post hedge 
position: 
(pay) float

Post hedge 
position: 
(pay) fixed

As at 30 June 2014
Post hedge 
position: 
(pay) float

Post hedge 
position: 
(pay) fixed

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Pre hedge 
exposure
Local 
currency

Pre hedge 
exposure
Local 
currency

In hedge relationships
Offshore borrowings - fixed
Swiss francs
Euros
Hong Kong dollar
Japanese yen
United States dollar
New Zealand dollar
Australian dollar
Offshore borrowings - floating (a)
Euros
British pounds sterling
New Zealand dollar
United States dollar
Japanese yen
Domestic borrowings - fixed
Australian dollar
Domestic borrowings - floating
Australian dollar

m

$m

$m

m

$m

$m

(225)
(5,325)
(330)
(10,000)
(2,000)
(100)
(50)

(500)
-
-
(150)
(27,000)

(252)
(3,059)
(50)
(62)
-
-
(50)

(781)
-
-
(203)
(430)

(950)

(950)

-
(4,447)
-
(60)
(2,263)
(79)
-

-
-
-
-
-

-

(225)
(5,825)
(330)
(37,000)
(1,150)
(100)
(50)

(500)
(200)
(155)
-
(10,000)

(251)
(3,841)
(50)
(108)
(203)
-
(50)

(858)
(584)
(123)
-
(127)

(950)

(950)

-
(4,447)
-
(444)
(955)
(79)
-

-
-
-
-
-

-

(275)

-
(5,837)

(275)
(7,124)

(275)

-
(7,145)

(275)
(6,200)

(a)  Borrowings due to mature within 12 months are classified as 
floating.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

131

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

18.3 Hedge relationships (continued)

(a) Forward foreign exchange contracts
Table J summarises the impact of outstanding forward contracts 
based on contractual face value amounts, which are formally 
designated as hedging instruments or act as an economic hedge 
of currency exposures as at 30 June. Hedged exposures include 
commercial paper liabilities, highly probable forecast 
transactions and foreign currency trade and other liabilities. 

The fair value of forward contracts outstanding as at 30 June 2015 
was $3 million asset (2014: ($18) million liability).

Table J

Telstra Group

Pre hedge 
exposure

Forward contract 
(pay)/receive
As at 30 June 2015

Pre hedge 
exposure

Forward contract
(pay)/receive
As at 30 June 2014

Forward contracts hedging 
interest bearing debt
Commercial paper
United States dollars
Loans to and from wholly owned 
controlled entities
British pounds sterling
Japanese yen
United States dollars
New Zealand dollars
Hong Kong dollars
Forward contracts hedging 
forecast payments and other 
liabilities
Forecast transactions
United States dollars
Euro
Philippine peso
New Zealand dollars
British pounds sterling
Indonesian rupiah
Japanese yen
Other assets and liabilities - 
non-interest bearing
United States dollars
Total in Australian dollars

Local currency

m

-

(13)
240
(80)
(1)
(26)

m

-

13
(313)
58
1
26

(569)
(4)
(5,848)
(16)
(1)
(166)
(345)

274
2
4,600
8
1
166
172

(34)

34

Australian 
dollars

Average 
exchange 
rate

Local currency

Australian 
dollars

Average 
exchange 
rate

$m

$

m

m

$m

$

-

-

(250)

250

(278)

0.8998

(24)
3
(75)
(1)
(4)

0.5217
94.15
0.7727
1.1079
5.9997

0.7646
0.6851
34.28
1.1316
0.5007
48.93
94.69

(358)
(3)
(134)
(7)
(1)
(4)
(2)

(44)
(654)

(28)
83
(68)
(1)
(8)

(289)
-
-
-
-
-
-

55
(136)
47
1
4

138
-
-
-
-
-
-

(98)
1
(50)
(1)
(1)

0.5548
94.59
0.9268
1.0871
7.1738

(154)
-
-
-
-
-
-

(22)
(603)

0.8993
-
-
-
-
-
-

0.9487

0.7714

(21)

21

 132

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 19. SHARE CAPITAL

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m
5,284

2014
$m
5,793

(15)

(93)

22

(17)

(107)

50

5,198

5,719

Contributed equity

Share loan to employees

Shares held by employee share plans

Net services received under employee share plans

19.1 Contributed equity

Our contributed equity represents our authorised and issued fully 
paid ordinary shares. Each of our fully paid ordinary shares carries 
the right to one vote at a meeting of the Company. Holders of our 
shares also have the right to receive dividends and to participate 
in the proceeds from sale of all surplus assets in proportion to the 
total shares issued in the event of the Company winding up.

As part of our capital management program, on 6 October 2014 we 
completed an off-market share buy-back of 217,418,521 ordinary 
shares (or 1.75 per cent of our total shares on issue). The ordinary 
shares were bought back at $4.60 per share, which represented a 
14 per cent discount to the Telstra market price and comprised a 
fully franked dividend component of $2.27 per share (or $494 
million in total) and a capital component of $2.33 per share (or 
$506 million in total). The shares bought back were subsequently 
cancelled. The total cost of the share buy-back amounted to 
$1,003 million, including $3 million of associated transaction 
costs (net of income tax).

We have 12,225,655,836 (2014: 12,443,074,357) authorised fully 
paid ordinary shares on issue.

19.2 Share loan to employees

The share loan to employees represents the outstanding balance 
of the non recourse loans provided to our employees under the 
Telstra Employee Share Ownership Plan Trust II (TESOP99). Refer 
to note 27 for further details regarding this plans.

19.3 Shares held by employee share plans

The shares held by employee share plans represent the cost of 
shares held by the Telstra Growthshare Trust (Growthshare) in 
Telstra Corporation Limited. The purchase of these shares has 
been fully funded with contributions and intercompany loans from 
Telstra Corporation Limited. As at 30 June 2015, the number of 
shares totalled 17,584,122 (2014: 21,550,102). These shares are 
excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per 
share. Refer to note 3 for further details.

The total number of shares acquired on market during the 
financial year by Growthshare for employee incentive schemes 
was 9,484,108 shares. The average price per share at which the 
shares were acquired during the financial year was $5.68.

19.4 Net services received under employee share plans

The net services received under employee share plans represents 
the cumulative value of our options, performance rights, 
restricted shares, Directshare and Ownshare issued under 
Growthshare. Contributions by Telstra Corporation Limited to 
Growthshare are also included in this account.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

133

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

20.1 Reconciliation of profit to net cash provided by operating activities

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operation

Profit for the year

Add/(subtract) the following transactions

Depreciation and amortisation

Finance income

Finance costs

Distribution from Foxtel Partnership

Share based payments

Defined benefit plan expense

Consideration in kind

Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Fair value gain on equity instruments

Net loss/(gain) on disposal of controlled entities

Share of net (profit) from joint ventures and associated entities

Impairment losses (excluding inventories, trade and other receivables)

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

Other miscellaneous income
Cash movements in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions and disposals of controlled 
entity balances)
Increase in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Increase in prepayments and other assets

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase in revenue received in advance

Increase/(decrease) in net taxes payable

Increase in provisions

Net cash provided by operating activities

20.2  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and on hand

Bank deposits and negotiable certificates of deposit

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m
4,549

2015
$m
4,286

19

(204)

4,305

4,345

3,983

4,042

(157)

846

(125)

66

61

(11)

(156)

(6)

2

(19)

17

(21)

(28)

(457)

(122)

(208)

165

143

32

1

(156)

1,113

(165)

45

107

(23)

(76)

-

(561)

(24)

180

111

-

(164)

35

(49)

(192)

54

(59)

50

8,311

8,613

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m
305

2015
$m
581

815

1,396

5,222

5,527

 134

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

20.3 Acquisitions

(a) Current year

(i) Ooyala Inc.
On 30 September 2014, our newly incorporated controlled entity, 
Ooyala Holdings Inc., in which we held a 98.9 per cent 
shareholding, acquired additional shares in our existing 
investment, Ooyala Inc. (Ooyala). Ooyala Holdings Inc. now owns 
all of the shares in Ooyala, which has a number of controlled 
entities.

Ooyala enables broadcasters, operators, and media organisations 
to deliver digital TV and video content across any device to mass 
audiences, using analytics to provide recommendations, 
personalised content and advertising to the end user. 

The goodwill arising from the Ooyala acquisition is to create an 
integrated software business. None of the goodwill recognised is 
expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

As at 30 June 2014, we owned 27 per cent (undiluted) of equity in 
Ooyala Inc. valued at $64 million. The investment was accounted 
for as an available-for-sale investment because it did not meet 
the AASB 128: "Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures" 
criteria for equity accounting as an associate. On 1 July 2014, i.e. 
the first time adoption date of AASB 9 (2013): "Financial 
Instruments", the existing investment was remeasured at fair 
value with subsequent changes to be recorded through profit or 
loss. The investment was revalued immediately before the 
acquisition of the additional shares resulting in a $6 million gain 
recognised in the income statement.

The total consideration for Ooyala amounted to $364 million, 
including a non cash consideration of $72 million ($70 million 
representing the fair value of our existing investment in Ooyala 
and $2 million representing the portion of an employee cash 
incentive plan replacing the existing shared based payments plan 
at the date of acquisition).

The costs incurred in completing this transaction amounted to $1 
million and are included in "Other expenses" in the income 
statement.

The effect of the acquisition is detailed below:

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Non cash consideration
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Non cash consideration
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Revenue received in advance
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Adjustment to reflect non-controlling 
interests
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Ooyala
Year ended 30 June
2015
$m

2015
$m

292
72
364
(18)
(72)
274

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (a)

18
39
5
3
3
(34)
(28)
(1)
-
5

18
39
5
60
3
(34)
(22)
(1)
(20)
48

(1)

317
364

(a) Carrying value in entity’s financial statements

The fair value of trade and other receivables amounted to $39 
million and equalled the gross contractual amount which is 
expected to be collectible.

The $1 million non-controlling interest recognised at the 
acquisition date was measured as a proportionate share of 
identifiable net assets.

Since the date of acquisition, Ooyala has contributed income of 
$49 million and a loss before income tax expense of $65 million.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

135

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

20.3 Acquisitions (continued)

(a) Current year (continued)

(ii) Videoplaza AB
On 20 October 2014, our controlled entity Ooyala Holdings Inc., in 
which we held a 98.9 per cent shareholding, acquired 100 per cent 
shareholding in Videoplaza AB and its controlled entities 
(Videoplaza) for a total consideration of $79 million, including $3 
million contingent on the entities achieving predetermined 
financial and non-financial targets by 30 June 2016.

Videoplaza is a leader in video advertising technology and 
monetization. It operates premium video advertising serving 
platforms and programmatic trading solutions, delivering 
advertising to viewers across all devices. It is used by 
broadcasters and media companies in Europe and the Asia Pacific 
region to maximise video monetisation.

Goodwill arising from the acquisition relates to Ooyala gaining  
access to the fast growing video advertising market and build out 
of a new business dimension in advertising. None of the goodwill 
recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The costs incurred in completing this transaction amounted to $1 
million and are included in "Other expenses" in the income 
statement.

The effect of the acquisition is detailed below:

(iii) Nativ Holdings Limited
On 29 June 2015, our controlled entity Videoplaza Limited, in 
which we held 98.9 per cent, acquired 100 per cent shareholding 
in Nativ Holdings Limited and its controlled entities (Nativ) for a 
total consideration of $77 million, including equity consideration 
of $12 million in Ooyala Holdings Inc. and $13 million contingent 
consideration on the entity achieving predetermined revenue 
targets by 30 June 2016. The acquisition price is subject to 
completion adjustments.

Nativ is a provider of TV and video management solutions for 
content owners, broadcasters and brands. Goodwill arising from 
the acquisition relates to Nativ in conjunction with Ooyala and 
Videoplaza, allowing content distributors to leverage audience, 
content and advertising data to create personalised viewing 
experiences. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be 
deductible for income tax purposes.

The costs incurred in completing this transaction amounted to $1 
million and are included in "Other expenses" in the income 
statement.

The effect of the acquisition is detailed below: 

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Contingent consideration
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Contingent consideration
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Intangible assets
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Videoplaza
Year ended 30 June
2015
$m

2015
$m

76
3
79
(5)
(3)
71

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Equity consideration
Contingent consideration
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Equity consideration
Contingent consideration
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (a)

5
2
-
1
(4)
-
4

5
2
4
1
(4)
(1)
7
72
79

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Trade and other payables
Revenue received in advance
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Nativ
Year ended 30 June
2015
$m

2015
$m

52
12
13
77
(3)
(12)
(13)
49

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (a)

3
3
-
2
(1)
(1)
-
6

3
3
20
-
(1)
(2)
(4)
19
58
77

(a) Carrying value in entity’s financial statements

The fair value of trade and other receivables amounted to $2 
million and equalled the gross contractual amount which is 
expected to be collectible.

Since the date of acquisition, Videoplaza has contributed income 
of $7 million and a loss before income tax expense of $8 million.

(a) Carrying value in entity's financial statements

The fair value of trade and other receivables amounted to $3 
million and equalled the gross contractual amount which is 
expected to be collectible.

Since the date of acquisition, Nativ has contributed nil income and 
nil profit before income tax expense.

 136

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

20.3 Acquisitions (continued)

(a) Current year (continued)

(iv) Pacnet Limited
On 15 April 2015, our controlled entity Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd 
acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in Pacnet Limited and its 
wholly and partly owned controlled entities (Pacnet) for a total 
consideration of $454 million. The acquisition included $580 
million of gross debt which has been repaid before 30 June 2015.

Pacnet is an Asian telecommunications and services provider of 
connectivity, managed services and data centre services to 
carriers, multinational corporations and governments in the Asia 
Pacific region.

The goodwill comprises the value of Pacnet’s infrastructure, 
technology and expertise and the operational and cost synergies 
expected to be achieved from the acquisition. None of the goodwill 
recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.  

The costs incurred in completing this transaction amounted to $4 
million and are included in "Other expenses" in the income 
statement.

The effect of the acquisition is detailed below: 

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Revenue received in advance
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Adjustment to reflect non-controlling 
interests
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Pacnet
Year ended 30 June
2015
$m

2015
$m

454
454
(31)
423

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (a)

31
151
803
3
127
85
(75)
(769)
(684)
(8)
(336)

31
151
803
129
-
85
(75)
(438)
(756)
(91)
(161)

1

614
454

(a) Carrying value in entity's financial statements

The fair value of trade and other receivables amounted to $151 
million. Of the $157 million gross contractual amount, $6m is 
expected to be uncollectable.

Since the date of acquisition, Pacnet has contributed income of 
$104 million and a loss before income tax expense of $22 million.

(v) Other acquisitions
On 15 July 2014, we acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in 
Medinexus Pty Ltd (Medinexus). Medinexus provides a cloud 
based solution to diagnostic imaging providers that enables them 
to receive e-referrals from healthcare providers and deliver 
digitised images and reports back to the referrer via the internet.

On 1 August 2014, we acquired a controlling 51 per cent 
shareholding in Telstra SNP Monitoring Pty Ltd (TSM). TSM 
provides back-to-base monitoring of alarm systems from two 
monitoring centres and delivers security installation projects.

On 13 October 2014, our controlled entity O2 Networks Pty Ltd (O2 
Networks) acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in Bridge Point 
Communications Pty Ltd (Bridge Point). Bridge Point is a provider 
of information security, networks and data management 
solutions.

On 13 November 2014, we acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in 
iCareHealth Pty Ltd (iCareHealth). iCareHealth provides e-health 
solutions for residential aged care.

On 28 November 2014, we acquired a controlling 50.1 per cent 
shareholding in AFN Solutions Pty Ltd (AFN). AFN provides 
products, services and consulting in the security sector.

On 1 December 2014, we acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in 
Emerging Holdings Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Emerging 
Holdings). Emerging Holdings provides e-health solutions to 
hospitals.

On 15 December 2014, our controlled entity CloudMed Pty Ltd 
(CloudMed) acquired the assets of Cloud 9 Software Pty Ltd and 
IdeaObject Software Private Limited. CloudMed provides eHealth 
cloud software solutions to general practitioners in Australia and 
hospitals in Asia.

On 25 March 2015, our controlled entity Telstra Limited acquired a 
100 per cent shareholding in Dr Foster Intelligence Ltd and its 
controlled entities (Dr Foster). Dr Foster provides health service 
benchmarking data and quality improvement services for 
hospitals in various countries.

On 31 May 2015, we acquired a controlling 51 per cent 
shareholding in Neto E-Commerce Solutions Pty Ltd (Neto). We 
also subscribed to capital of $10 million as part of this 
transaction. Neto produces a SaaS e-commerce solution. 

On 16 June 2015, we acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in 
Globecast Australia Pty Ltd (Globecast) and its controlled entity. 
Globecast is a leading provider of media services for broadcasters 
in Australasia.

On 25 June 2015, we acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in 
Cygnus Satellite Pty Ltd (Cygnus). Cygnus operates as a wholesale 
satellite managed service provider.

The aggregate consideration paid for the above acquisitions 
amounted to $182 million, including $8 million contingent 
consideration and $9 million deferred consideration.

During the financial year 2015 total cash consideration paid for 
shares in controlled entities (net of cash acquired) amounted to 
$984 million, as disclosed in the Statement of Cash Flows.

The aggregate non-controlling interests amounting to $22 million 
recognised at the acquisition dates of the above acquisitions were 
measured as a proportionate share of identifiable net assets.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

137

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

20.3 Acquisitions (continued)

(a) Current year (continued)

(v) Other acquisitions (continued)

The costs incurred in completing these transactions amounted to 
$6 million and are included in "Other expenses" in the income 
statement.

The effect of all these acquisitions on payments for shares in 
controlled entities is detailed below:

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Contingent consideration
Deferred consideration (a)
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Contingent consideration
Deferred consideration (a)
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Revenue received in advance
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Adjustment to reflect non-controlling 
interests
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Other acquisitions
Year ended 30 June
2015
$m

2015
$m

165
8
9
182
(15)
(8)
(9)
150

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (b)

15
35
9
1
36
11
(35)
(16)
(5)
-
51

15
35
9
93
-
11
(35)
(16)
(5)
(15)
92

(22)

112
182

(a) Deferred consideration of $9 million was paid for iCareHealth 
during the financial year 2015. 

(b) Carrying value in entities’ financial statements 

The fair value of trade and other receivables amounted to $35 
million and equalled the gross contractual amount which is 
expected to be collectible.

If all the acquisitions made in the financial year had occurred on 1 
July 2014, our adjusted consolidated income and consolidated 
profit before income tax expense for the year ending 30 June 2015 
for the Telstra Group would have been $27,116 million and $5,957 
million, respectively.

(b) Prior year

(i) Acquisitions 
We acquired the following controlled entities during the financial 
year 2014:

NSC Group Pty Ltd and its controlled entities

DCA eHealth Solutions Pty Ltd and its controlled entities

Fred IT Group Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Fred IT Group)

O2 Networks via an acquisition of three holding entities: Prentice 
Management Consulting Pty Ltd, Kelzone Pty Ltd and Goodwin 
Enterprises (Vic) Pty Ltd.

The effect of these acquisition is detailed below:

Consideration for acquisition
Cash consideration
Contingent consideration
Total purchase consideration
Cash balances acquired
Contingent consideration
Loan
Outflow of cash on acquisition

Assets/(liabilities) at acquisition date
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Revenue received in advance
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Adjustment to reflect non-controlling 
interests
Goodwill on acquisition
Total purchase consideration

Total acquisitions
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2014
$m

166
10
176
(5)
(10)
4
165

Fair 
value

Carrying 
value (a)

5
28
7
54
11
(25)
(15)
(12)
(2)
51

5
28
7
82
11
(25)
(15)
(12)
(15)
66

(6)

116
176

(a) Carrying value in entities’ financial statements 

Since the dates of acquisition, all these acquired entities have 
contributed income of $101 million and a loss before income tax 
expense of $10 million.

During the financial year 2015, contingent consideration of $6  
million and $2 million was paid for Fred IT Group and O2 Networks, 
respectively, for targets achieved by 30 June 2014. 

The goodwill comprises the value of expected synergies arising 
from the acquisitions. There is no goodwill that is expected to be 
deductible for tax purposes.

The remaining $2 million of O2 Networks contingent consideration 
has been reversed to the income statement.

 138

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 20. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

20.4 Disposals

(a) Current Year

20.5 Other transactions

(a) Current year

(i) Sequel Media Inc.
On 26 November 2014, our controlled entity Telstra Holdings Pty 
Ltd disposed of our entire 55 per cent shareholding in Sequel 
Media Inc. and its controlled entities (Sequel Media Group) for a 
total consideration of $18 million (including cash balances), 
resulting in a $2 million net loss on sale, largely representing the 
$2 million foreign currency translation loss reclassified on the 
disposal from reserves to the income statement. On completion of 
the sale we deconsolidated the Sequel Media Inc. balance sheet, 
including $26 million of cash balances disposed.

(b) Prior Year

(i) Sensis Group and CSL Group
On 28 February 2014, we divested 70 per cent of our directories 
business via disposal of our 100 per cent shareholding in Sensis 
Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Sensis Group) for total 
consideration of $454 million and acquisition of 30 per cent of 
Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd, the new holding company of Sensis Pty 
Ltd and its controlled entities. The Sensis Group was classified as 
a discontinued operation and, on the remeasurement of assets of 
the disposal group, the carrying value of its goodwill was impaired 
by $150 million. Refer to note 12 for further details.

On 14 May 2014, we disposed of our entire 76.4 per cent 
shareholding in CSL New World Mobility Limited and its controlled 
entities (CSL Group). The effect of the disposal is detailed below:

Consideration on disposal
Cash consideration
Cash and cash equivalents disposed
Total inflow of cash on disposal
Contingent consideration
Total consideration on disposal
Assets/(liabilities) at disposal date
Assets classified as held for sale (including cash 
disposed)
Liabilities classified as held for sale
Net assets classified as held for sale
Foreign currency translation reserve disposed 
(net of income tax)
Adjustments for non-controlling interests
Other adjustments
Profit on disposal

CSL Group
Year ended 
30 June

2014
$m

2,107
(164)
1,943
33
1,976

1,957

(473)
1,484

287

(198)
6
561

Unlike the Sensis Group, the CSL Group does not meet the criteria 
of a discontinued operation under AASB 5: “Non Current Assets 
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”.

(i) Share buy back
On 6 October 2014, we completed an off-market share buy-back of 
217,418,521 ordinary shares as part of our capital management 
program. Refer to note 19 for further details.

(ii) Changes in Autohome ownership
Our ownership interest in Autohome Inc. decreased from 63.2 per 
cent at 30 June 2014 (this percentage takes into account shares 
that Autohome has reserved but not granted, pursuant to 
Autohome's employee equity compensation plans) to 62.9 per 
cent following employee share issues. Following this on 25 
November 2014, our controlled entity Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd 
disposed of a 6.4 per cent interest in Autohome Inc. for a total 
consideration of $333 million (net of underwriting commissions). 
At the same time Autohome Inc. completed an on-market share 
issue for total consideration of $116 million. The combined effect 
of the two transactions decreases Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd 
ownership in Autohome Inc. from 62.9 per cent to 55.3 per cent. A 
further employee share issue has decreased our ownership to 
54.3 per cent at 30 June 2015. None of these transactions resulted 
in a change of control. Changes in valuation of non-controlling 
interests resulting from these transactions are recorded in the 
general reserve.

(iii) Other
On 12 December 2014, we contributed $5 million cash to 
incorporate PT Teltranet Aplikaski Solusi, with an additional $5 
million contributed by other shareholders. We own 49 per cent 
shareholding in the entity, however, we control it through our 
decision making ability on the board. 

During the period we borrowed $79 million (2014: nil) under a loan 
agreement with an associated entity, Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd. 
The loan interest is eight per cent per annum and has a maturity 
date of 31 December 2015. As at 30 June 2015 the loan payable is 
$34 million.

During the financial year 2015, Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd returned 
capital of $45 million and paid dividends of $14 million (2014: nil).

(b) Prior year

(i) Changes in Autohome ownership 
On 4 November 2013, Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd acquired an 
additional 2.8 per cent interest in Autohome Inc. from minority 
shareholders for total consideration of $60 million. At the same 
time Autohome Inc. completed a share buy-back from minority 
shareholders for total consideration of $84 million. The combined 
effect of the two transactions increased Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd 
ownership in Autohome Inc. from 66.0 per cent at 30 June 2013 to 
71.5 per cent immediately prior to the initial public offering (IPO).

Following this, on 11 December 2013 Autohome Inc. was listed on 
the New York Stock Exchange with gross proceeds to Autohome 
Inc. of $160 million. Immediately following the IPO, our ownership 
interest decreased from 71.5 per cent to 65.4 per cent. Our 
ownership interest further decreased to 63.2 per cent at 30 June 
2014 resulting from employee share issues.

(ii) Other
On 10 December 2013, Telstra Octave Holdings Limited acquired 
the remaining 33 per cent interest in Octave Investments Holdings 
Limited for a total consideration of $5 million, including $1 million 
of cash disposed, in exchange for selling the net assets of the five 
variable interest entities controlled by Sharp Point Group Limited. 

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

139

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 21. IMPAIRMENT

21.1 Cash generating units

For the purposes of undertaking our impairment testing, we 
identify cash generating units (CGUs). Our CGUs are determined 
according to the smallest group of assets that generate cash 
inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other 
assets or groups of assets.

(a) Cash generating units with allocated goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated to the CGUs as 
detailed below:

CGUs
Telstra UK Group (a)
1300 Australia Group
Autohome Group (a)
O2 Networks Group
HealthConnex Group (previously DCA 
Health Group)
Fred IT Group
Telstra Enterprise & Services Group (c)
Ooyala Group (a)
Videoplaza Group (a) (b)
Pacnet Group (a) (b)
Nativ Group (a) (b)
Other

Telstra Group
Goodwill
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

74
16
130
57

16

21
122
361
73
619
58
105
1,652

65
16
108
47

16

21
122
-
-
-
-
-
395

(a)  These CGUs operate in overseas locations, therefore the 
goodwill allocated to these CGUs will fluctuate in line with 
movements in applicable foreign exchange rates during the 
period.

(b)  Refer to note 20 for further details on acquisitions during the 
year. There are no indicators of impairment in relation to these 
assets since their acquisition dates.

(c)  The Telstra Enterprise & Services Group includes goodwill from 
past acquisitions integrated into our business. 

(b) Ubiquitous telecommunications network and Hybrid Fibre 
Coaxial (HFC) cable network
In addition to the aforementioned CGUs, we have two further 
significant CGUs that are reviewed for impairment. These are:
• the Telstra Entity CGU, excluding the HFC cable network
• the CGU comprising the HFC cable network.

The Telstra Entity CGU consists of our ubiquitous 
telecommunications network in Australia, excluding the HFC 
cable network as we consider it not to be integrated with the rest 
of our telecommunications network. Assets that form part of the 
ubiquitous telecommunications network, comprising the 
customer access network and the core network, are considered to 
be working together to generate our cash inflows. No one item of 
telecommunications equipment is of any value without the other 
assets to which it is connected in order to achieve delivery of our 
products and services.

21.2 Impairment testing

(a) Cash generating units with allocated goodwill
Our impairment testing compares the carrying amount of an 
individual asset or CGU with its recoverable amount as 
determined using a value in use calculation, with the exception of 
Autohome whose recoverable amount was determined using fair 
value less cost of disposal as an observable market price is 
available for Autohome following its listing on the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE).

Our assumptions for determining the recoverable amount using 
value in use of each asset and CGU are based on past experience 
and our expectations for the future. Our cash flow projections are 
based on a maximum five year management approved forecasts 
unless a longer period is justified. These forecasts use 
management estimates to determine income, expenses, capital 
expenditure and cash flows for each asset and CGU. 

(i) Value in use
We have used the following key assumptions in determining the 
recoverable amount of our CGUs to which goodwill or indefinite 
useful life intangible assets have been allocated:

Telstra Group

Discount rate (a)
As at 30 June
2015
%
6.6

2014
%
7.5

Terminal value 
growth rate (b)
As at 30 June
2015
%
3.0

2014
%
3.0

10.4

11.1

10.6

10.4

13.7

11.1

11.7

12.4

11.7

11.5

14.3

n/a

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

n/a

Telstra UK Group
1300 Australia 
Group
O2 Networks Group
HealthConnex 
Group (previously 
DCA Health Group)
Fred IT Group
Telstra Enterprise 
& Services Group
Ooyala Group

(a)  Discount rate represents the pre tax discount rate applied to 
the cash flow projections. The discount rate reflects the market 
determined, risk adjusted discount rate which is adjusted for 
specific risks relating to the CGU and the countries in which it 
operates.

(b)  Terminal value growth rate represents the growth rate applied 
to extrapolate our cash flows beyond the five year forecast period. 
These growth rates are based on our expectation of the CGUs’ long 
term performance in their respective markets.

Sensitivity analysis was undertaken to examine the effect of a 
change in a variable on each CGU. The discount rate would need to 
increase by 210 basis points (2014: 431 basis points) or the 
terminal value growth rate would need to be 0.5 per cent (2014: 
negative 3.0 per cent) before the recoverable amount of any of the 
CGUs would be equal to the carrying value.

 140

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

We will reassess our network CGUs going forward in light of the 
terms of the revised NBN DAs to determine if our ubiquitous 
network CGU should include the HFC assets. 

NOTE 21. IMPAIRMENT (continued)

21.2 Impairment testing (continued)

(a) Cash generating units with allocated goodwill (continued)

(ii) Fair value less cost of disposal
From 30 June 2014 onwards and following the Autohome Inc. 
listing on 11 December 2013, the recoverable amount calculation 
for this CGU was based on fair value less cost of disposal 
measured with reference to quoted market prices in an active 
market (Level 1). Our assumption for determining the fair value 
less cost of disposal for the Autohome CGU was based on the 
NYSE 30 June 2015 closing share price of US$50.54 (2014: 
US$34.43). Telstra holds 61,824,328 shares (2014: 68,788,940 
shares) valued at $4,070 million (US$3,125 million) (2014: $2,514 
million (US$2,368 million)).

(b) Ubiquitous telecommunications network and Hybrid Fibre 
Coaxial (HFC) cable network (“the networks”)
On 14 December 2014 we signed revised Definitive Agreements 
(DAs) with NBN Co and the Commonwealth Government to enable 
the rollout of the Government's Optimised Multi-Technology Mix 
(OMTM) National Broadband Network (NBN). The agreements 
came into effect on 26 June 2015 when all conditions precedent 
had been satisfied, including approval by the Australian 
Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of our varied 
Migration Plan and an acceptable ruling from the Australian 
Taxation Office. 

The main change to the original agreements relates to the 
approach taken to our copper and HFC networks. Under the 
original agreements, we were required to progressively disconnect 
premises connected to our copper and HFC broadband networks 
as the NBN is rolled out. Under the revised agreements, we will 
continue to disconnect premises. However, where NBN Co uses 
the copper and HFC networks to deliver an NBN service, we will 
progressively transfer ownership, and the operational and 
maintenance responsibilities for the relevant copper and HFC 
assets to NBN Co. The payment structure remains linked to the 
rollout of the NBN. We will also continue to deliver Foxtel Pay TV 
services through continued access to the HFC network negotiated 
with NBN Co and NBN Co has agreed to reimburse us for any 
direct, reasonable, substantiated and incremental costs we incur 
as a result of the move by NBN Co to the OMTM rollout.

The estimated net present value (NPV) that the revised 
agreements are expected to deliver is equivalent, on a like for like 
basis, to the estimated NPV of the original agreements and is 
based on a range of dependencies and assumptions over the long 
term life of the agreements.

Our discounted expected future cash flows support the carrying 
amount of the networks. This is based on:
• forecast cash flows from continuing to: 

-  use the core network
-  provide Pay TV services through continued access to the HFC 

network negotiated with NBN Co into the future 

• the consideration we expect to receive under the NBN DAs for:
-  the progressive disconnection of copper-based Customer 

Access Network services and broadband services on our HFC 
cable network (excluding Pay TV services on the HFC cable 
network) provided to premises in the NBN footprint

-  providing access to certain infrastructure, including dark fibre 

links, exchange rack spaces and ducts

-  the sale of our copper and HFC network assets and lead-in-

conduits within scope of the revised agreements.

Given the above, the results of our impairment testing for the 
networks show that the carrying amounts are recoverable at 30 
June 2015.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

141

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 22. EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS

22.1 Capital expenditure commitments 

Total capital expenditure commitments contracted for at balance 
date but not recorded in the financial statements:

22.3 Finance lease commitments 

Property, plant and equipment 
commitments (a)
Intangible assets commitments (b)

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

684

174

880

1,350

(a)  This includes the Telstra Entity capital expenditure 
commitments of $666 million (2014: $847 million). Refer to note 
30 for further details.

(b)  During financial year 2015, we paid $1,302 million for the 
700MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum licences which we were committed 
to in the prior financial year. Refer to note 14 for further details.

22.2 Operating lease commitments 

Future lease payments for non-cancellable operating leases not 
recorded in the financial statements:

Finance lease commitments

Within 1 year

Within 1 to 5 years

After 5 years

Total minimum lease payments

Future finance charges on finance leases
Present value of net future minimum lease 
payments
The present value of finance lease 
liabilities is as follows:
Within 1 year

Within 1 to 5 years

After 5 years

Total finance lease liabilities

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

113

180

195

488

99

191

154

444

(144)

(135)

344

309

93

139

112

344

78

155

76

309

Within 1 year

Within 1 to 5 years

After 5 years

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m
570

2014
$m
476

1,368

1,003

2,941

1,273

1,029

2,778

We have operating leases for the following types of assets:
• rental of land and buildings
• rental of motor vehicles, caravan huts and trailers, mechanical 

aids and heavy excavation equipment

• rental of personal computers, laptops, printers and other 

related equipment that are used in non communications plant 
activities.

The weighted average lease term is:
• 16 years for land and buildings
• 2 years for motor vehicles, 4 to 5 years for light commercial 

vehicles, and 7 to 12 years for trucks and mechanical aids and 
heavy excavation equipment

• 3 years for personal computers and related equipment.

The majority of our operating leases relate to land and buildings. 
We have several subleases with total minimum lease payments of 
$36 million (2014: $39 million) for the Telstra Group. Our property 
operating leases generally contain escalation clauses, which are 
fixed increases generally between 3 and 5 per cent, or increases 
subject to the consumer price index or market rate. We do not have 
any significant purchase options.

We have finance leases for the following types of assets:
• property lease in our controlled entity, Telstra Limited
• computer mainframes, computer processing equipment and 

other related equipment.

The weighted average lease term is:
• 25 years for the property lease, with a remaining average life of 

22 years

• 5 years for computer mainframes and associated equipment.

Interest rates for our finance leases are:
• property lease interest rate of 9.5 per cent
• computer mainframes, computer processing equipment 

associated equipment weighted average interest rate of 5.8 per 
cent.

We sublease computer mainframes, computer processing 
equipment and other related equipment as part of the solutions 
management and outsourcing services that we provide to our 
customers. Refer to note 10 for further details on these finance 
subleases.

During financial year 2013, we restructured the property head 
leases held by Telstra Limited and entered into a lease back 
transaction, whereby a finance lease asset and finance lease 
liability of $52 million were recognised. The lease term is 25 years, 
with two 10 year options to extend. There is no purchase option. 
Rent is based on market prices, reviewed on an annual basis and 
subject to a cap and collar of 5 per cent and 2 per cent 
respectively. 

Information on our share of our joint ventures’ commitments is 
included in note 26.

 142

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 23. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETS

We have no significant contingent assets as at 30 June 2015. The 
details and maximum amounts (where reasonable estimates can 
be made) are set out below for our contingent liabilities.

23.1 Telstra Entity

Refer to note 30 for Telstra Entity contingent liabilities.

23.2 Other

Other contingent liabilities identified for the Telstra Group relate 
to the ASIC deed of cross guarantee.

A list of the companies that are part of our deed of cross guarantee 
is included in note 25. Each of these companies (except Telstra 
Finance Limited) guarantees the payment in full of the debts of the 
other named companies in the event of their winding up. Refer to 
note 25 for further details.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

143

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 24. POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

We participate in or sponsor defined benefit and defined 
contribution schemes. It is our policy to contribute to the schemes 
at rates specified in the governing rules for defined contribution 
schemes or at rates determined by the actuaries for defined 
benefit schemes.

The defined contribution divisions receive fixed contributions and 
our legal or constructive obligation is limited to these 
contributions.

The present value of our obligations for the defined benefit plans 
is calculated by an actuary using the projected unit credit method. 
This method determines each year of service as giving rise to an 
additional unit of benefit entitlement and measures each unit 
separately to calculate the final obligation.

Details of our defined benefit plans are set out below.

Fair value of defined benefit plan assets

Present value of the defined benefit obligation

Net defined benefit asset/(liability) at 30 June

Attributable to:

Telstra Super Scheme

Other

(b) Amounts recognised in the income statement and in other 
comprehensive income

24.1 Net defined benefit plan asset/(liability)

(a) Historical summary
Our net defined benefit plan asset/(liability) recognised in the 
statement of financial position for the current and previous 
periods is as follows:

Telstra Group
As at 30 June

2014
$m
2,953

2,909

44

44

n/a

44

2013
$m
2,944

2,983

(39)

(42)

3

(39)

2012
$m
2,559

3,390

(831)

(825)

(6)

(831)

2011
$m
2,599

2,793

(194)

(205)

11

(194)

2015
$m
2,694

2,402

292

296

(4)

292

Components of the defined benefit plan expense recognised in the income statement

Service cost (including settlement gain)

Net interest (income)/expense on net defined benefit (asset)/liability

Total expense from continuing operations recognised in the income statement

Actuarial gain recognised directly in other comprehensive income

Cumulative actuarial gains recognised directly in other comprehensive income

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

61

(5)

56

107

10

117

233

117

312

79

24.2 Telstra Superannuation Scheme (Telstra Super)

The Telstra Entity participates in Telstra Super, a regulated fund in 
accordance with Superannuation Industry Supervision Act 
governed by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority.

Responsibility for governance of the plan, including investment 
decisions and plan rules, rests solely with the board of directors of 
Telstra Super. Contribution levels are determined by Telstra after 
obtaining the advice of the actuary and consulting with the 
Trustee. The board of directors comprises of an equal number of 
member and employer representatives and an independent chair.

Telstra Super has both defined benefit and defined contribution 
divisions. The defined benefit divisions, which are closed to new 
members, provide benefits based on years of service and final 
average salary paid as a lump sum. Post employment benefits do 
not include payments for medical costs.

Contribution levels made to the defined benefit divisions are 
designed to ensure that benefits accruing to members and 
beneficiaries are fully funded as the benefits fall due. The benefits 
received by members of each defined benefit division take into 
account factors such as each employee’s length of service, final 
average salary and employer and employee contributions.

 144

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 24. POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (continued)

24.2 Telstra Superannuation Scheme (Telstra Super) 
(continued)

(d) Reconciliation of changes in the present value of the wholly 
funded defined benefit obligation

Present value of defined benefit 
obligation at beginning of year
Current service cost

Interest cost

Member contributions

Benefits paid
Actuarial (gain)/loss due to change in 
financial assumptions
Actuarial gain due to change in 
demographic assumptions
Actuarial loss/(gain) due to experience

Settlement/curtailment (gain)
Present value of wholly funded defined 
benefit obligation at end of year

Telstra Super
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

2,909

2,903

101

114

21

(554)

(144)

(29)

6

(26)

127

114

15

(327)

124

-

(34)

(13)

2,398

2,909

(e) Amounts recognised in the income statement and in other 
comprehensive income

Components of the defined benefit plan 
expense recognised in the income 
statement
Service cost (including settlement gain)
Net interest (income)/expense on net 
defined benefit (asset)/liability
Total expense from continuing 
operations recognised in the income 
statement

Telstra Super
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

61

(5)

56

104

10

114

Actuarial gain recognised directly in other 
comprehensive income

233

113

Cumulative actuarial gains recognised 
directly in other comprehensive income

312

79

We engage qualified actuaries on an annual basis to calculate the 
present value of the defined benefit obligations. Furthermore, an 
actuarial investigation of this scheme is carried out at least every 
three years to comply with the legislative requirement. The 
purpose of the investigation is to assess the scheme’s financial 
position and to recommend the rate at which Telstra should 
contribute to the scheme. 

Telstra Super is exposed to Australia’s inflation, credit risk, 
liquidity risk and market risk. Market risk includes interest rate 
risk, equity price risk and foreign currency risk. The strategic 
investment policy of the fund is to build a diversified portfolio of 
assets across equities, alternative investments, fixed interest 
securities and cash to generate sufficient growth to match the 
projected liabilities of the defined benefit plan while providing 
appropriate liquidity to meet the expected timing of such 
liabilities, in line with the fund’s actuarial reviews.

(a) Measurement dates
For Telstra Super, we use actual membership data as at 30 April, 
details of assets, benefit payments and other cash flows as at 31 
May and contributions as at 30 June to value the defined benefit 
plan. The April and May figures were rolled forward to 30 June to 
allow for changes in the membership and actual asset return. 

The fair value of the defined benefit plan assets and the present 
value of the defined benefit obligations are determined by our 
actuaries. The details of the defined benefit divisions are set out in 
the following pages.

(b) Defined benefit scheme settlement event
On 6 November 2014, 708 members covered by the defined benefit 
scheme accepted a voluntary offer from Telstra Super to transfer 
from the defined benefit scheme to a defined contribution 
scheme. As a result, we settled all defined benefit obligations 
relating to these employees and recognised a $28 million gain on 
settlement. This is reflected in the settlement/curtailment (gain) 
movement for the year.

(c)  Reconciliation of changes in fair value of defined benefit plan 
assets

Fair value of defined benefit plan assets 
at beginning of year
Employer contributions

Member contributions

Benefits paid (including contributions tax)

Plan expenses after tax

Interest income on plan assets

Actual asset gain
Fair value of defined benefit plan assets 
at end of year

Telstra Super
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

2,953

2,862

75

54

(554)

(19)

119

66

86

44

(327)

(19)

104

203

2,694

2,953

The actual return on defined benefit plan assets was 6.5 per cent 
(2014: 10.6 per cent).

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

145

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 24. POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (continued)

24.2 Telstra Superannuation Scheme (Telstra Super) 
(continued)

(f) Categories of plan assets
The weighted average asset allocation as a percentage of the fair 
value of total plan assets for defined benefit divisions as at 30 
June is as follows:

(h) Sensitivity analysis of actuarial assumptions
The sensitivity analysis is based on a change in an assumption 
while holding all other assumptions constant. The following table 
summarises how the defined benefit obligation as at 30 June 
would have increased/(decreased) as a result of a change in the 
respective assumptions by 1 percentage point (1pp):

Asset allocations

Equity instruments

- Australian equity (a)

- International equity (a)

- Private equity
Debt instruments

- Fixed Interest (a)
Property

Cash and cash equivalents (a)

International hedge funds

Opportunities (a)

Telstra Super
As at 30 June
2015
%

2014
%

15

15

8

39

1

16

6

-

14

15

8

36

1

19

5

2

100

100

(a) These assets have quoted prices in active markets.

Telstra Super’s investments in debt and equity instruments 
include bonds issued by, and shares in Telstra Corporation 
Limited. Refer to note 29 for further details.

(g) Principal actuarial assumptions
We used the following major annual assumptions to determine our 
defined benefit obligations for the year ended 30 June:

Discount rate
Expected rate of increase in future 
salaries

Telstra Super
Year ended 30 June
2014
%
3.7

2015
%
4.3

3.5

3.5

Telstra Super
Defined benefit 
obligation
1pp
increase
$m
(195)

1pp
decrease
$m
223

202

(180)

Discount rate (a)
Expected rate of increase in future 
salaries (b)

(a)  The present value of our defined benefit obligation is 
determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows 
using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bond 
securities (2014: government guaranteed securities) with due 
dates similar to those of these expected cash flows.

For Telstra Super we have used a nine year high quality corporate 
bond rate (2014: blended 10-year Australian government bond 
rate) as the term matches the closest to the term of the defined 
benefit obligations. Refer to note 2.20(b) for further information.

(b)  Our assumption for the salary inflation rate for Telstra Super is 
3.5 per cent, which is reflective of our long term expectation for 
salary increases.

(i) Employer contributions
Our employer contributions are currently determined by the 
funding deed we have with Telstra Super. Under the terms of the 
deed, contributions are required to be made with reference to the 
average vested benefits index (VBI). Our actual contribution rates 
are also influenced by the actuary’s recommendations and 
legislative requirements. At VBI levels greater than 103 per cent, 
we are not required to pay any contributions under the funding 
deed.

For the quarter ended 30 June 2015, the VBI was 112 per cent 
(2014: 109 per cent). While no contributions are required under the 
funding deed, consistent with the actuarial recommendation, we 
have continued to contribute at a rate of 15 per cent of defined 
benefit members’ salaries effective June 2015 (2014: 15 per cent).

During the year we paid contributions totalling $75 million (2014: 
$86 million).

 146

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 24. POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (continued)

24.2 Telstra Superannuation Scheme (Telstra Super) 
(continued)

(i) Employer contributions (continued)

We expect to continue to contribute at the rate of 15 per cent to our 
defined benefit divisions for financial year 2016, although this is 
subject to review in the actuarial investigation of Telstra Super as 
at 30 June 2015 (to be completed by 31 March 2016 and 
conducted every three years). This contribution rate could also 
change depending on market conditions during financial year 
2016.

The following table shows the expected proportion of benefits paid 
from the defined benefit obligation in future years:

Less than 1 year

Between 2 and 4 years

Between 5 and 10 years

Between 11 and 19 years

Beyond 20 years

Telstra Super
Year ended 30 June
2014
%
4

2015
%
7

21

22

41

9

16

23

45

12

100

100

The average duration of the defined benefit plan obligation at the 
end of the reporting period is 9 years (2014: 10 years).

24.3 Other defined benefit schemes

Our controlled entities also participate in both funded and 
unfunded defined benefit schemes, which are individually and in 
aggregate immaterial.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

147

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities

Telstra Group

Name of entity
Parent entity
Telstra Corporation Limited (a)
Controlled entities
Chief Entertainment Pty Ltd
Research Resources Pty Ltd
Telstra 3G Spectrum Holdings Pty Ltd
Telstra Communications Limited (a)
Telstra ESOP Trustee Pty Ltd
Telstra Finance Limited (a)
Telstra Foundation Limited
Telstra Foundation (Philippines) Inc. 
Telstra Growthshare Pty Ltd
Telstra SNP Monitoring Pty Ltd (f)
Telstra International (Aus) Limited (a)
Telstra Media Pty Ltd
Telstra Multimedia Pty Ltd (a)
Telstra OnAir Holdings Pty Ltd
Telstra Pay TV Pty Ltd (a)
Telstra Plus Pty Ltd (a)
Telstra Services Solutions Holdings Limited (a)
Telstra Ventures Pty Ltd (a)
Telstra Readycare Pty Ltd
CloudMed Pty Ltd (f)
AFN Solutions Pty Ltd (e) (f) 
Medinexus Pty Ltd (f)
iCareHealth Pty Ltd (f)
Network Design and Construction Limited (a)
Fred IT Group Pty Ltd (d) (e)

• ERX Script Exchange Pty Ltd (e)

Telstra iVision Pty Ltd (a)
Cygnus Satellite Pty Ltd (f)
Globecast Australia Pty Ltd (c) (f)

• Mediasat Pty Ltd (c) (f)

Neto E-Commerce Solutions Pty Ltd (f)

• Neto (Hong Kong) Limited (f)

1300 Australia Pty Ltd

• Alpha Phone Words Pty Ltd
DCA eHealth Solutions Pty Ltd (a)

• Argus Connecting Care Pty Ltd 
• Communicare EHealth Solutions Pty Ltd
• DCA Direct Health Pty Ltd (a)
• KCS Solutions Pty Ltd
Emerging Holdings Pty Ltd (f)

• Emerging Systems Pty Ltd (f)
• R&R Holdings Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (f)

Goodwin Enterprises (Vic) Pty Ltd (a)

• O2 Networks Pty Ltd (a)

(continued over page)

Telstra Entity’s 
recorded amount 
of investment ($)
As at 30 June
2014
2015

% of equity held by 
immediate parent
As at 30 June
2014
2015

Country of 
incorporation

$m

$m

%

%

Australia

Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Philippines
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Hong Kong
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia

-
-
302
29
-
-
-
-
-
20
5
393
2,678
478
-
-
303
173
2
19
6
4
26
20
27
-
41
5
37
-
18
-
20
-
44
-
-
-
-
14
-
-
16
-

-
-
302
29
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
393
2,678
478
-
-
303
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
27
-
41
 -
-
     -
-
-
20
-
44
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
-

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
51.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
100.0
50.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
51.0
100.0
85.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
31.6

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
-
-
-
-
100.0
50.0
100.0
100.0
-
-
-
-
-
85.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
-
-
100.0
31.6

 148

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities (continued)

Telstra Group

Name of entity
Kelzone Pty Ltd (a)

• O2 Networks Pty Ltd (a)

Prentice Management Consulting Pty Ltd (a)

• O2 Networks Pty Ltd (a)

O2 Networks Pty Ltd (a)

• Bridge Point Communications Pty Ltd (a) (f)

NSC Group Pty Ltd (a)

• NSC Enterprise Solutions Pty Ltd (a)

• NSC NZ Limited 
Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd (a)
• Pacnet Limited (c) (f) (i)

Country of 
incorporation

Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
New Zealand
Australia
Bermuda

• Asia Communications Investment Holdings (Taiwan) Ltd (c) (f) (i) Taiwan
• Pacnet Services Corporation Limited (c) (f) (i)
• Pacnet Internet (S) Pte Ltd (c) (e) (f) (i)
• Pacnet Network Limited (c) (f) (i)
• Pacnet Cable Group Limited (c) (f) (i)

• Autohome Inc.(c)(d)(g)

• Cheerbright International Holdings Limited (c)
• Beijing Cheerbright Technologies Co. Ltd (c)

• Autohome (Tianjin) Automobile Sales Co. Ltd (c) (f)

• Autohome (Hong Kong) Limited (c)
• Autohome Media Limited (c)

• Autohome Shanghai Advertising Co. Ltd (c)
• Beijing Prbrownies Software Co. Ltd (c)
• Beijing Autohome Technologies Co. Ltd (c)

• Tianjin Autohome Technologies Co. Ltd (c) (f)

• Beijing Autohome Advertising Co. Ltd (c)
• Guangzhou Autohome Advertising Co. Ltd (c)
• Beijing Australia Telecommunications Technical Consulting 

Services Co. Ltd

• Reach Holdings Limited (c)

• Reach Network India Private Limited (c)
• Reach Data Services India Private Limited (c)

• Sequel Media Inc. (h)

• China Topside Limited (h)

• Beijing Topside Technologies Co. Ltd (h)

• Norstar Advertising Media Holdings Limited (h)

• Shengtuo Shidai (Beijing) Information Technology Co. Ltd (h) China
• Union Tough Advertisement Limited (h)

• Haochen Shidai (Beijing) Advertisement Co. Ltd (h)

• Telstra Asia Holdings Limited (c)

• Telstra Octave Holdings Limited (b)

• Octave Investments Holdings Limited (b)

• Sharp Point Group Limited (h)

• Beijing Liang Dian Shi Jian Technology Co. Ltd (h)

• Telstra Robin Holdings Limited (b)

• Telstra Asia Limited (c)

• Telstra SE Asia Holdings Limited (c)

• PT Reach Network Services Indonesia

(continued over page)

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Bermuda
Singapore
Bermuda
Bermuda
Cayman Islands
British Virgin Islands
China
China
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
China
China
China
China
China
China
China

Mauritius
India
India
Cayman Islands
British Virgin Islands
China
Cayman Islands

Hong Kong
China
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
China
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Indonesia

Telstra Entity’s 
recorded amount 
of investment ($)
As at 30 June
2014
2015

% of equity held by 
immediate parent
As at 30 June
2014
2015

$m
16
-
16
-
22
-
45
-
-
8,012
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

$m
16
-
16
-
9
-
45
-
-
7,474
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

%
100.0
31.7
100.0
31.7
5.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.0
99.9
99.9
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100.0
-
-
-
-
-
100.0
100.0
90.0

%
100.0
31.7
100.0
31.7
5.0
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
63.2
100.0
100.0
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
100.0
100.0
100.0

100.0
99.9
99.9
55.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
30.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
90.0

149

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities (continued)

Telstra Group

Name of entity

• Telstra Asia Regional Holdings Limited (c)

• Telstra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Telstra (Thailand) Limited (d)

• Telstra Network (Thailand) Limited

• Telstra Network (Thailand) Limited
• Telstra Philippines Holdings Limited (c)

• Incomgen Holdings Inc. (d)

• Telstra Web Holdings Inc.
• Telstra Philippines Inc.

• Telstra Philippines Inc.
• Telstra Web Holdings Inc.

• Thai Cyber Web Co. Ltd (d)
• Telstra Global Holdings Limited
• Telstra International Limited

• Telstra Global Limited
• Telstra Limited 

• Dr Foster Intelligence Limited (c) (f)
• Dr Foster Research Limited (c) (f)
• Dr Foster Limited (c) (f)
• Dr Foster Inc. (c) (f)

• Telstra Holdings (Bermuda) No 1 Limited
• Telstra Holdings (Bermuda) No 2 Limited
• Telstra Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd 
• PT Teltranet Aplikasi Solusi (d) (f)

• Telstra Inc.
• Telstra India (Private) Limited (c)
• Telstra International HK Limited
• Telstra International Holdings Limited
• Telstra International Philippines Inc.
• Telstra International PNG Limited (c)
• Telstra Japan K. K.
• Telstra Network Services NZ limited
• Telstra NZ Limited
• Telstra Services Korea Limited
• Telstra Singapore Pte. Ltd
• Telstra Technology Services (Hong Kong) Limited
• Telstra Telecommunications Private Limited (c)
• Willoughby (602) Limited
• Telstra Software Group Pty Ltd (f)

• Ooyala Holdings Inc. (c) (f)

• Ooyala Inc. (c) (f)

• Ooyala International Inc. (c) (f)

• Ooyala Mexico, S. De R.L.De C.V. (c) (f)
• Ooyala Singapore Pte Ltd (c) (f)
• Ooyala Australia Pty Ltd (c) (f)
• Ooyala UK Limited (c) (e) (f)

• Videoplaza AB (c) (e) (f)

• Videoplaza Limited (c) (e) (f)

(continued over page)

Telstra Entity’s 
recorded amount 
of investment ($)
As at 30 June
2014
2015

% of equity held by 
immediate parent
As at 30 June
2014
2015

$m
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

$m
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

%
100.0
51.0
49.0
68.0
32.0
100.0
40.0
60.0
60.0
40.0
40.0
48.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
49.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
74.0
100.0
100.0
97.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

%
100.0
51.0
49.0
68.0
32.0
100.0
40.0
60.0
60.0
40.0
40.0
48.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
-
-
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
74.0
100.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Country of 
incorporation
British Virgin Islands
Malaysia
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand
British Virgin Islands
Philippines
Philippines
Philippines
Philippines
Philippines
Thailand
British Virgin Islands
Hong Kong
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United States
Bermuda
Bermuda
Singapore
Indonesia
United States
India
Hong Kong
Bermuda
Philippines
Papua New Guinea
Japan
New Zealand
New Zealand
Republic of Korea
Singapore
Hong Kong
India
United Kingdom
Australia
United States
United States
United States
Mexico
Singapore
Australia
United Kingdom
Sweden
United Kingdom

 150

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities (continued)

Telstra Group

Country of 
incorporation

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Spain
Australia

Telstra Entity’s 
recorded amount 
of investment ($)
As at 30 June
2014
2015

% of equity held by 
immediate parent
As at 30 June
2014
2015

%
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

%
-
-
-
-
-

$m
-
-
-
-
-
12,791
(8,579)
4,212

$m
-
-
-
-
3
11,916
(7,635)
4,281

Name of entity

• Nativ Holdings Limited (c) (f)

• Nativ Limited (c) (f)
• Nativ Systems Limited (c) (f)

• Aunia Publicidad Interactiva SLU (Spain) (c) (f)

• muru-D Pty Ltd (h)

Investment in controlled entities
Allowance for impairment in value
Total Investment in controlled entities

*We have not disclosed dormant entities. 

(a) ASIC deed of cross guarantee financial information
A deed of cross guarantee, as defined in ASIC Class Order 98/1418 
(Class Order), was entered into on 17 May 2010.

The following entities form part of the deed of cross guarantee:
• Telstra Corporation Limited
• Telstra Multimedia Pty Ltd
• Telstra International (Aus) Limited
• Telstra Pay TV Pty Ltd
• Telstra Ventures Pty Ltd
• Telstra iVision Pty Ltd
• Telstra Communications Limited
• Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd
• Network Design and Construction Limited
• Telstra Services Solutions Holdings Limited
• NSC Group Pty Ltd
• NSC Enterprise Solutions Pty Ltd
• DCA eHealth Solutions Pty Ltd
• DCA Direct Health Pty Ltd
• Kelzone Pty Ltd
• Goodwin Enterprises (Vic) Pty Ltd
• Prentice Management Consulting Pty Ltd
• O2 Networks Pty Ltd. 

The following entities were added via an assumption deed on 22 
June 2015:
• Telstra Plus Pty Ltd
• Bridge Point Communications Pty Ltd.

Telstra Finance Limited is trustee of the closed group. However, it 
is not a group entity under the deed.

The relevant group entities under the deed:
• form a closed group and extended closed group as defined in the 

ASIC Class Order 98/1418 (Class Order)

• do not have to prepare and lodge audited financial reports under 

the Corporations Act 2001 

• guarantee the payment in full of the debts of the other parties to 

the deed in the event of their winding up.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

151

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities (continued)

(a) ASIC deed of cross guarantee financial information (continued)

The statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income of the closed group are presented according to the Class 
Order as follows. This excludes Telstra Finance Limited. All significant transactions between members of the closed group have been 
eliminated.

Closed group statement of financial position

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Derivative financial assets
Current tax receivables
Prepayments
Total current assets
Non current assets
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Investments - accounted for using the equity method
Investments in controlled entities
Investments - other
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Derivative financial assets
Defined benefit asset
Total non current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Current tax payables
Revenue received in advance
Total current liabilities
Non current liabilities
Other payables
Provisions
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Revenue received in advance
Total non current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Reserves
Retained profits
Equity available to the closed group

Closed group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

485
3,785
479
7
8
294
5,058

1,152
32
196
2,674
136
19,162
7,443
-
1,790
296
32,881
37,939

3,558
954
1,967
214
257
890
7,840

66
267
14,058
911
1,401
402
17,105
24,945
12,994

5,156
3,429
361
23
2
315
9,286

966
29
196
1,536
126
19,391
6,064
1
1,322
44
29,675
38,961

3,525
925
3,618
400
259
852
9,579

63
259
13,484
1,169
1,238
375
16,588
26,167
12,794

5,198
(54)
7,850
12,994

5,719
(118)
7,193
12,794

 152

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities (continued)

(a) ASIC deed of cross guarantee financial information (continued)

Closed group statement of comprehensive income

Continuing operations
Income
Revenue (excluding finance income)
Other income

Expenses
Labour
Goods and services purchased
Other expenses

Share of net profit from joint ventures and associated entities

Earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)
Depreciation and amortisation
Earnings before interest and income tax expense (EBIT)
Finance income
Finance costs
Net finance costs
Profit before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit for the year from continuing and discontinued operations available to the closed group
Items that will not be reclassified to the closed group income statement
Retained profits:
- actuarial gain on defined benefit plans
- income tax on actuarial gain on defined benefit plans
Fair value of equity instruments reserve:
- gains from investments in equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive 
income
- income tax on gains from investments in equity instruments

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to the closed group income statement
- changes in fair value of cash flow hedging reserve
- income tax on movements in the cash flow hedging reserve
- changes in the value of the foreign currency basis spread reserve
- income tax on movements in the foreign currency basis spread reserve

Total other comprehensive income for the closed group
Total comprehensive income for the year for the closed group
Retained profits reconciliation
Retained profits at the beginning of the financial year available to the closed group
Effect on retained profits from removal of entities from the closed group
Effect on retained profits from addition of entities to the closed group
Share buy-back (net of income tax)
Total comprehensive income recognised in retained profits
Dividends
Retained profits at the end of the financial year available to the closed group

Closed group
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

24,773
930
25,703

4,428
6,500
3,866
14,794
19
14,775
10,928
3,822
7,106
148
840
692
6,414
1,781
4,633
4,633

233
(69)

7

(1)
170

11
(3)
72
(22)
58
228
4,861

7,193
-
53
(494)
4,803
(3,699)
7,856

25,493
441
25,934

4,349
5,730
5,681
15,760
24
15,736
10,198
3,798
6,400
152
1,096
944
5,456
1,780
3,676
3,676

114
(34)

-

-
80

(45)
15
-
-
(30)
50
3,726

6,725
257
-
-
3,756
(3,545)
7,193

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

153

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 25. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

25.1 List of our investments in controlled entities 
(continued)

We have control over Fred IT Group Pty Ltd and PT Teltranet 
Aplikasi Solusi through our decision making ability on the board. 

(b) Liquidations 
During the year the following entities were liquidated:
• Telstra Octave Holdings Limited (liquidated on 12 December 

(e) Controlled entities not individually audited by EY
These companies are not audited by EY, our Australian statutory 
auditor.

(f) New incorporations and business combinations 
On 8 August 2014 we incorporated Ooyala Holdings Inc. in which 
we held a 98.9 per cent shareholding. On 29 June 2015, our 
shareholding reduced to 97.3 per cent, following the issuance of 
equity as part of the consideration to acquire Nativ Holdings 
Limited. Refer to note 20.

On 12 December 2014 we incorporated PT Teltranet Aplikasi 
Solusi in which we own 49 per cent. 

On 10 November 2014 we incorporated CloudMed Pty Ltd in which 
we own 100 per cent.

Refer to note 20 for details of business combinations for the 
financial year 2015.

(g) Changes in controlling interest 
During the year we decreased our ownership of Autohome Inc. 
from 63.2 per cent at 30 June 2014 to 54.3 per cent at 30 June 
2015, via share buy-back, subsequent initial public offering and 
employee share issues. None of these transactions resulted in a 
change of control. Changes in valuation of non-controlling 
interests resulting from these transactions are recorded in the 
general reserve. Refer to note 20 for further details.

(h) Sales and disposals
Refer to note 20 for details of sales and disposals of our controlled 
entities.

We transferred our 100 per cent shareholding in muru-D Pty Ltd to 
Telstra Software Group Pty Ltd during the financial year.

(i) Pacnet
We acquired Pacnet Limited and its wholly and partly owned 
controlled entities on 15 April 2015. Given the size of the Pacnet 
structure we have only disclosed the holding entities within this 
group. We have not disclosed all of the trading entities nor all of 
the holding and partly owned entities.

2014)

• Octave Investments Holdings Limited (liquidated on 12 

December 2014)

• Telstra Robin Holdings Limited (liquidated on 28 November 

2014).

(c) Controlled entities with different reporting dates
The following companies have reporting dates that differ from our 
reporting date of 30 June for the financial year 2015:

31 December:
• Autohome Inc. and its controlled entities
• Telstra Asia Holdings Limited
• Telstra Asia Limited
• Telstra SE Asia Holdings Limited
• Telstra Asia Regional Holdings Limited
• Telstra Philippines Holdings Limited
• Telstra International PNG Limited
• Reach Holdings Limited
• Dr Foster Intelligence Limited and its controlled entities
• Globecast Australia Pty Ltd and its controlled entity
• Ooyala Holdings Inc. and its controlled entities
• Pacnet Limited and its controlled entities.

31 March:
• Reach Network India Private Limited
• Reach Data Services India Private Limited
• Telstra India (Private) Limited
• Telstra Telecommunications Private Limited.

These entities have different reporting dates due to jurisdictional 
requirements. Financial reports prepared as at 30 June are used 
for consolidation purposes.

(d) Controlled entities in which our equity ownership is less than 
or equal to 50 per cent
We have no direct equity interest in the following entities within 
the Autohome Inc. (Autohome) group:
• Beijing Autohome Information Technology Co. Ltd
• Shanghai You Che You Jia Advertising Co. Ltd
• Guangzhou You Che You Jia Advertising Co. Ltd.

The purpose of these entities is to hold the licences and approvals 
required to operate Autohome’s internet content provision and 
advertising business in China. Laws and regulations in the 
People’s Republic of China (PRC) currently limit foreign ownership 
of such companies, therefore Autohome’s operations in China are 
conducted primarily through contractual agreements between 
these entities and Beijing Cheerbright Technologies Co. Ltd. The 
contractual arrangements enable Autohome to exercise effective 
control over the entities, receive substantially all of the economic 
benefits of the entities and have exclusive options to purchase all 
of the equity interests in these entities when and to the extent 
permitted under PRC law. Based on this, we have consolidated the 
financial results, financial position and cash flows of these 
entities into our Telstra Group financial report.

We have effective control over the following entities through 
economic dependency and contractual arrangements with the 
majority shareholders and have consolidated them into our group:
• Telstra (Thailand) Limited
• Incomgen Holdings Inc.
• Thai Cyber Web Co. Ltd.

 154

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 26. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATED ENTITIES

Investments in joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Investments in joint ventures

Carrying amount of investments in joint ventures

Investments in associated entities accounted for using the equity method

Investments in associated entities

Allowance for impairment in value

Carrying amount of investments in associated entities

26.1 List of our investments in joint ventures and 
associated entities 

Name of Entity

Principal activities

Joint ventures
Foxtel Partnership (e)(f)
Foxtel Television Partnership (e)(f)
Customer Services Pty Ltd (e)(f)
Foxtel Management Pty Ltd (e)(f)
Foxtel Cable Television Pty Ltd (a)(e)(f)
Reach Ltd (incorporated in Bermuda) (d)(e)(f)

3GIS Pty Ltd (d)(e)

HealthEngine Pty Ltd (b)(e)
Associated entities
Australia-Japan Cable Holdings Limited (incorporated 
in Bermuda) (d)(e)(f)
Telstra Super Pty Ltd (a)(e)(f)
Mandoe Pty Ltd (e)
IPscape Pty Ltd (e)
Whispir Limited (c)(e)
IP Health Pty Ltd (e)
Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd (c)(e)
Adnear Pte Ltd (incorporated in Singapore)(c)(d)(e)
Panviva Pty Ltd (e)
Gorilla Technology Group Inc (incorporated in the 
Cayman Islands, principal place of business in 
Taiwan)(c)(d)(e)
Zimperium Inc (incorporated in the United States of 
America)(c)(d)(e)
Dacom Crossing Inc (incorporated in Korea) (d)(e)(f)
enepath Group Holdings Pte Ltd (incorporated in 
Singapore)(d)(e)

Pay television
Pay television
Customer service
Management services
Pay television
International connectivity services
Management of former 3GIS Partnership (non-
operating)
Online healthcare booking

Network cable provider

Superannuation trustee
Signage software provider
Cloud based call centre solution
Software as a solution provider
Software development
Holding entity of Sensis Pty Ltd (directory services)
Advertiser focused demand side platform provider
Cloud based business process guidance software

Video analytics software provider

Mobile security system provider

Network cable provider

Voice software provider

Unless otherwise noted, all investments have a reporting date of 
30 June, are incorporated in Australia and our voting power is the 
same as our ownership interest.

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

5

5

221

(25)

196

201

4

4

216

(24)

192

196

Telstra Group
Ownership interest
As at 30 June
2015
%

2014
%

50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
80.0
50.0

50.0

34.8

46.9

100.0
28.4
27.3
23.7
32.1
30.0
12.3
22.4

9.3

19.8

49.0

13.4

50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
80.0
50.0

50.0

33.3

46.9

100.0
26.7
24.9
18.0
32.1
30.0
-
-

-

-

-

-

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

155

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 26. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATED ENTITIES (continued)

26.1 List of our investments in joint ventures and 
associated entities (continued)

(a) Joint ventures and associated entities in which we own more 
than 50 per cent equity
• We own 80 per cent of the equity of Foxtel Cable Television Pty 
Ltd. This entity is disclosed as a joint venture because our 
effective voting power is restricted to 50 per cent due to the 
participative rights of the other equity shareholder and we have 
joint control

• We own 100 per cent of the equity of Telstra Super Pty Ltd, the 
trustee for the Telstra Superannuation Scheme. We do not 
consolidate Telstra Super Pty Ltd as we do not control the board 
of directors. The board of directors consists of an equal number 
of employer and member representatives and an independent 
chairman. Our voting power over the relevant activities is 44 per 
cent, which is equivalent to our representation on the board. The 
entity is therefore classified as an associated entity as we have 
significant influence over it.

(b) Joint ventures in which we own less than or equal to 50 per 
cent equity
We own 34.8 per cent (2014: 33.3 per cent) of HealthEngine Pty Ltd 
and we have joint control through our decision making ability on 
the board.

(c) Associated entities in which we own less than or equal to 20 
per cent equity
We own less than 20 per cent of Adnear Pte Ltd, enepath Group 
Holdings Pte Ltd, Zimperium Inc. and Gorilla Technology Group 
Inc., however we have significant influence over these entities 
through our decision making ability on the board.

(d) Joint ventures and associated entities with different 
reporting dates
Several of our joint ventures and associated entities have 
reporting dates that differ from our reporting date of 30 June for 
financial year 2015, as follows:
• Reach Ltd - 31 December
• 3GIS Pty Ltd - 31 December
• Australia-Japan Cable Holdings Limited - 31 December
• Dacom Crossing Inc. - 31 December
• Gorilla Technology Group Inc - 31 December
• Zimperium Inc. - 31 December
• Adnear Pte Ltd - 31 December
• enepath Group Holdings Pte Ltd - 31 March 

The differences in reporting dates are due to jurisdictional 
requirements. Financial reports prepared as at 30 June are used 
for equity accounting purposes. Our ownership interest in joint 
ventures and associated entities with different reporting dates is 
the same at that reporting date as at 30 June unless otherwise 
noted.

(e)  Other disclosures for joint ventures and associated entities
The movements in the consolidated equity accounted amount of 
our joint ventures and associated entities are summarised as 
follows:

Telstra Group
Year ended/As at 30 June

Joint ventures

2015
$m
4

2014
$m
5

Associated entities
2014
$m
13

2015
$m
192

2

-

-

-

6

(1)

-

-

5

4

6

2

(2)

-

-

5

(1)

-

-

4

5

4

46

-

-

(2)

236

20

(15)

(45)

196

-

-

158

-

(1)

(2)

168

25

(1)

-

192

-

-

Carrying amount of investments at beginning of year

Additional investments made during the year

Disposal of investments during the year

Investment reclassifed to equity instruments during the year

Impairment loss recognised in the income statement

Share of net profit/(loss) for the year (a)

Dividends received (b)

Capital return (b)

Carrying amount of investments at end of year

Our share of contingent liabilities of joint ventures and associated entities

Our share of capital commitments contracted for by our joint ventures and 
associated entities

(a)  Share of the net profit/(loss) from associated entities includes 
a $22 million profit (1 March 2014 to 30 June 2014: $24 million) 
from our 30 per cent investment in Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd, the 
holding company of the Sensis Group.

(b)  During the year, Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd returned capital of 
$45 million and paid dividends of $14 million (2014: nil). 

 156

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 26. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATED ENTITIES (continued)

26.1 List of our investments in joint ventures and 
associated entities (continued)

Full financial information of the Foxtel Partnership and its 
controlled entities is presented in the table below:

(e) Other disclosures for joint ventures and associated entities 
(continued)

(i) Commitments
Our joint venture Foxtel has other commitments amounting to 
approximately $2,779 million (2014: $4,658 million), with our 
share equal to 50 per cent. Majority of these commitments relate 
to broadcasting and minimum subscriber guarantees (MSG) for 
pay television programming agreements. The reduction in 
commitments resulted mainly from new agreements for pay 
television programming signed by Foxtel during the period. The 
agreements are for the periods of between one and five years and 
are based on current prices and costs under agreements entered 
into between the Foxtel Partnership and various other parties. The 
minimum subscriber payments fluctuate in accordance with price 
escalation, as well as foreign currency movements.

(ii) Other disclosures
Our joint venture Foxtel includes Foxtel Partnership and its 
controlled entities, Foxtel Television Partnership, Customer 
Services Pty Ltd, Foxtel Cable Television Pty Ltd and Foxtel 
Management Pty Ltd and its controlled entities. Foxtel is not a 
publicly listed entity.

Telstra has a strategic partnership with Foxtel primarily delivering 
subscription television services over cable, satellite and 
broadband to our customers in Australian regional and 
metropolitan areas.

Equity accounting of our investment in Foxtel is currently 
suspended. Refer to section (f) for further details.

Current assets

Non current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net liabilities

Foxtel joint venture
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m
526

2015
$m
600

3,140

3,740

933

3,166

4,099

2,989

3,515

816

3,068

3,884

(359)

(369)

Cash and cash equivalents

Current financial liabilities (a)

41

8

34

37

Non current financial liabilities (a)

3,134

3,034

Revenue

Expenses

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Other finance costs

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

3,165

2,267

3,107

2,120

387

1

235

2

36

239

23

262

394

1

236

11

24

323

(40)

283

(a) Financial liabilities exclude trade and other payables and 
provisions.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

157

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 26. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATED ENTITIES (continued)

26.1 List of our investments in joint ventures and 
associated entities (continued)

(e) Other disclosures for joint ventures and associated entities 
(continued)

(ii) Other disclosures (continued)

We also have interests in a number of individually immaterial joint 
ventures and associated entities. Our share of the aggregate 
financial information (including joint ventures and associated 
entities where equity accounting has been suspended) is 
presented in the table below:

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

(f) Suspension of equity accounting
Our unrecognised share of (profits)/losses for the period and 
cumulatively, for our entities where equity accounting has ceased 
and the investment is recorded at zero due to losses made by 
these entities and/or reductions in the equity accounted carrying 
amount, is shown below:

Joint ventures

Foxtel

Reach Ltd

Associated entities

Australia - Japan Cable Holdings Limited

Equity accounting has been suspended for Telstra Super Pty Ltd. 
There is no significant unrecognised (profits)/losses in this entity.

A $125 million (2014: $165 million) distribution was received from 
Foxtel during the year. This has been recorded as revenue in the 
income statement. Our share of Foxtel's profit for the year of $119 
million together with our share of reserve movements of $12 
million exceeded the $125 million distribution, resulting in a net 
decrease in our cumulative share of unrecognised losses in Foxtel.

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June

Joint ventures

2015
$m
1

(18)

(17)

2014
$m
(2)

1

(1)

Associated entities
2014
$m
36

2015
$m
35

(9)

26

1

37

Telstra Group
Year ended 30 June
Cumula-
tive
2015
$m

Period
2014
$m

Cumula-
tive
2014
$m

179

556

101

836

31

-

(11)

20

185

558

115

858

Period
2015
$m

(6)

(2)

(14)

(22)

 158

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS

The executives are able to vote and receive dividends as and from 
the actual allocation date. Performance hurdles are applied in 
determining the number of restricted shares allocated and 
therefore restricted shares are not subject to any further 
performance hurdles.

(ii) Summary of movements and other information
Allocations of Telstra’s shares have been made in the form of 
restricted shares under our STI plans and are detailed in the 
following table:

Telstra Group
Restricted shares (a)

Weighted 
average fair 
value (b)
3.10
3.96
2.98
3.67
3.46
5.64
3.50
4.43
4.07

Number
4,048,652
3,156,996
(162,702)
(928,022)
6,114,924
2,460,563
(378,465)
(923,108)
7,273,914

Outstanding at 30 June 2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised (c)
Outstanding at 30 June 2014
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised (c)
Outstanding at 30 June 2015 (d)

(a) The weighted average share price for restricted shares 
exercised during the financial year was $5.59 (2014: $5.01).

(b) The fair value of restricted shares granted is based on the 
market value of Telstra shares on grant date.

(c) Exercise refers to restricted shares being released from 
restriction. As at 30 June 2015, there were no exercisable STI 
instruments.

(d) The number outstanding includes restricted shares that are 
subject to a restriction period.

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans
The purpose of LTI plans is to align key executives’ rewards with 
shareholders’ interests and reward performance improvement 
whilst supporting business plans and corporate strategies. 
Telstra Growthshare Pty Ltd administers the plans as trustee of 
the Telstra Growthshare trust, and the Remuneration Committee 
and the Board determine who is invited to participate in these 
plans.

Performance of the LTI plans is measured with respect to the 
relevant performance period and subject to subsequent 
verification, ratification and sign off by the Remuneration 
Committee and approval by the Board.

We have a number of employee share plans that are available for 
executives and employees of the Telstra Group. These include 
those conducted through the Telstra Growthshare Trust, the 
Telstra Employee Share Ownership Plan Trust (TESOP99) and our 
controlled entity Autohome Inc.

The nature of each plan, details of plan holdings, movements in 
holdings, and other relevant details are disclosed below.

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust

The Telstra Growthshare Trust commenced in financial year 2000. 
Under the trust, we operate a number of different equity plans, 
including:
• short term incentive plans
• long term incentive plans
• other equity plans.

The trustee for the trust is Telstra Growthshare Pty Ltd. This 
company is 100 per cent owned by Telstra. Funding is provided to 
the Telstra Growthshare Trust to purchase Telstra shares to 
underpin the equity instruments issued.

In financial year 2015, we recorded an expense of $40 million 
(2014: $37 million) for our share-based payment plans operated 
by the Telstra Growthshare Trust. As at 30 June 2015, we had an 
estimated total expense yet to be recognised of $28 million (2014: 
$29 million), which is expected to be recognised over a weighted 
average of 1.7 years (2014: 1.7 years).

(a) Short term incentive (STI) plans
The purpose of the STI is to link key executives’ rewards to 
individual key performance indicators and to Telstra's financial 
performance. The STI is delivered in cash and restricted shares 
and the executive is paid an annual STI only when the threshold 
targets are met or exceeded.

(i) Description of equity instruments

Restricted shares 
For financial years 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Board 
approved 25 per cent of executives’ STI to be allocated as 
restricted shares. The effective allocation dates were 1 July 2015, 
1 July 2014, 1 July 2013 and 17 August 2012 for financial years 
2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

For Telstra’s Executive Committee, half these shares are 
restricted for 12 months and half for 24 months. For other 
executives, these shares are restricted for three years from their 
effective allocation date.

The shares will be forfeited in certain circumstances where the 
executive ceases, before the end of the restriction period, to be 
employed by any entity in the Telstra Group. However, in certain 
other circumstances the shares may be retained if the executive 
ceases employment, for example in case of death, total and 
permanent disablement or redundancy (in each case subject to 
applicable law relating to the provision of benefits).

Restricted shares may also be retained if the executive ceases 
employment due to retirement or expiry of a fixed term contract, 
providing that notice of retirement or fixed term contract expiry is 
more than six months after the actual allocation date. Restricted 
shares allocated in financial years 2015, 2014 and 2013 may be 
forfeited if certain clawback events occur during the restriction 
period.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

159

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans  (continued)

(i) Outstanding equity based instruments
Allocations have been made over a number of years in the form of 
performance rights and restricted shares under our LTI plans. 
These represent a share or a right to acquire a share in Telstra 
subject to certain conditions. Further information regarding each 
type of LTI plan that was outstanding during the year is detailed in 
the following table:

Allocation date

Telstra Group

Performance period
to
from

Exercise price

End date (a)

Growthshare 2011
RTSR performance rights

FCF ROI performance rights

Growthshare 2012

ESP restricted shares

RTSR performance rights

FCF ROI performance rights

Growthshare 2013

ESP restricted shares

RTSR performance rights

FCF ROI performance rights

20 Aug 2010

1 Jul 2010

30 Jun 2013

20 Aug 2010

1 Jul 2010

30 Jun 2013

19 Apr 2012

n/a

n/a

19 Aug 2011

1 Jul 2011

30 Jun 2014

19 Aug 2011

1 Jul 2011

30 Jun 2014

21 Feb 2013

n/a

n/a

17 Aug 2012

1 Jul 2012

30 Jun 2015

17 Aug 2012

1 Jul 2012

30 Jun 2015

GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

17 Aug 2012

Growthshare 2014

ESP restricted shares

RTSR performance rights

FCF ROI performance rights

GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

Growthshare 2015

ESP restricted shares

RTSR performance rights

FCF ROI performance rights

GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

28 Feb 2014

1 Jul 2013

1 Jul 2013

1 Jul 2013

27 Feb 2015

1 Jul 2014

1 Jul 2014

1 Jul 2014

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 Jul 2013

30 Jun 2016

1 Jul 2013

30 Jun 2016

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 Jul 2014

30 Jun 2017

1 Jul 2014

30 Jun 2017

n/a

n/a

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

20 Aug 2014

20 Aug 2014

19 Apr 2015

19 Aug 2015

19 Aug 2015

21 Feb 2016

17 Aug 2016

17 Aug 2016

17 Aug 2015

28 Feb 2017

30 Jun 2017

30 Jun 2017

1 Jul 2016

27 Feb 2018

30 Jun 2018

30 Jun 2018

1 Jul 2017

(a) End date refers to end of the restriction period for Employee 
Share Plan (ESP) restricted shares or end of the service period for 
performance rights and Group Executive (GE) Telstra Wholesale 
restricted shares to vest.

Refer to section (b)(ii) for a description of the following equity 
instruments:
• Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) performance rights
• Free-Cashflow Return-on-Investment (FCF ROI) performance 

rights

• ESP restricted shares
• GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares.

In relation to these executive LTI plans, the Board may, in its 
discretion, reset the hurdles governing the financial year 2015, 
2014 and 2013 equity instruments to make them consistent with 
the changed circumstances resulting from the occurrence of 
certain factors, including:
• a material change in strategic business plan
• a material regulatory change or
• a significant out-of-plan business development (this could 

include a major acquisition outside the current business plan, 
resulting in a significant change to the business of Telstra or the 

Telstra Group that means (in the reasonable opinion of the 
Board) the targets for that class of equity instruments are no 
longer appropriate).

In financial year 2015, the Board did not reset the hurdles 
governing the equity instruments issued in financial years 2015, 
2014 and 2013.

(ii) Description of equity instruments

Performance rights

Executive LTI performance rights

In respect of performance rights, an executive has no legal or 
beneficial interest in the underlying shares, no entitlement to 
dividends received from the shares and no voting rights in relation 
to the shares until the performance rights become restricted 
shares.

 160

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans (continued)

(ii) Description of equity instruments (continued)

Performance rights (continued)

Executive LTI performance rights (continued)

In relation to performance rights issued, if the performance hurdle 
is satisfied during the applicable performance period, a specified 
number of performance rights, as determined in accordance with 
the trust deed and terms of issue, will become restricted shares.

Although the trustee holds the shares in trust, the executive will 
retain beneficial interest (dividends, voting rights, bonuses and 
rights issues) in the shares until they vest and are transferred to 
them following the end of the restriction period.

There are two types of Executive LTI performance rights that 
existed in financial year 2015:
• Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) performance rights - 
the performance hurdle for these rights is based on growth in 
Telstra's total shareholder return relative to the growth in total 
shareholder return of the companies in a peer group

• Free Cashflow Return on Investment (FCF ROI) performance 
rights - the performance hurdle for these rights is based on 
Telstra’s average annual free cashflow (less finance costs) paid 
over the performance period divided by the average investment 
over the performance period.

Restricted shares

GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares 

Due to the Structural Separation Undertaking (SSU) arising from 
the National Broadband Network (NBN) transaction, GE Telstra 
Wholesale is prohibited from participating in the financial year 
2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 LTI plans. As a result, an alternative 
remuneration arrangement has been provided, which is a 
restricted share plan where the number of restricted shares 
allocated is based on the same performance measures as his 
financial year 2014, 2013 and 2012 STI plans.

Employee Share Plan (ESP) restricted shares 

Restricted shares provided under the ESP in financial years 2015, 
2014, 2013 and 2012 were allocated at no cost to certain eligible 
employees (excluding executives). The shares are held by the 
Trustee on behalf of employees until the restriction period ends. 
During the restriction period, employees are entitled to exercise 
the voting rights attached to the shares and to receive dividends 
on the shares. The shares are released from trust on the earlier of 
three years from the date of allocation or the date on which the 
participating employee ceases relevant employment.

(iii) Performance hurdles

Performance rights
Details of the relevant performance hurdles in relation to 
performance rights, are set out below.

Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) performance rights

For financial years 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 RTSR 
performance rights, the single performance period is the three 
year period ending on 30 June 2017, 30 June 2016, 30 June 2015, 
30 June 2014 and 30 June 2013 respectively.

If Telstra achieves a result placing it in at least the 50th percentile 
for the performance period, then:
• the number of RTSR performance rights that will meet the 

hurdle for that performance period is scaled proportionately 
from the 50th percentile (which equates to 25 per cent of the 
allocation) to the 75th percentile (which equates to 100 per cent 
of the allocation)

• any performance rights that do not meet the hurdle will lapse.

If Telstra does not reach the 50th percentile, all of these RTSR 
performance rights will lapse.

Any RTSR performance rights that meet the hurdle become 
restricted shares and are held by the Trustee until transferred to 
the executive after the restriction period ends (four years after the 
effective allocation date of the performance rights).

Free Cashflow Return on Investment (FCF ROI) performance rights

For financial years 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 FCF ROI 
performance rights, the single performance period is the three 
year period ending on 30 June 2017, 30 June 2016, 30 June 2015, 
30 June 2014 and 30 June 2013 respectively.

The number of FCF ROI performance rights that will meet the 
hurdle is calculated as follows:
• if the threshold target is achieved, then 50 per cent of the 

allocation of FCF ROI performance rights will meet the hurdle

• if the result achieved is between the threshold and stretch 

targets, then the number of FCF ROI performance rights that will 
meet the hurdle is scaled proportionately between 50 per cent 
and 100 per cent

• if the stretch target is achieved or exceeded, then 100 per cent 

of the FCF ROI performance rights will meet the hurdle
• if the threshold target is not achieved, all of these FCF ROI 

performance rights will lapse.

Any FCF ROI performance rights that meet the hurdle become 
restricted shares and are held by the Trustee until transferred to 
the executive after the end of the restriction period (four years 
after the effective allocation date of the performance rights).

Restricted shares
Details of the relevant performance hurdles in relation to 
restricted shares are set out below.

GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

As part of the financial year 2015, 2014 and 2013 GE Telstra 
Wholesale restricted share plans, the GE Telstra Wholesale was 
provided with restricted shares. Performance hurdles were 
applied in determining the number of restricted shares allocated 
and therefore the restricted shares are not subject to any further 
performance hurdles.

Employee Share Plan (ESP) restricted shares

As part of the financial year 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 ESP, 
certain eligible employees were provided with restricted shares. 
There are no performance hurdles for these restricted shares.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

161

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans (continued)

(iv) Summary of movements and other information

Growthshare 2011
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
Growthshare 2012
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
Growthshare 2013
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares
Growthshare 2014
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares
Growthshare 2015
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

Telstra Group
Number of equity instruments

Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2014

Granted

Forfeited (a)

Exercised 
(b)

Expired (c)

Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2015

4,915,419
4,905,186

1,923,900
2,418,690
1,361,722

2,229,900
2,275,378
2,275,378
116,371

2,605,600
2,560,235
2,560,235
133,595

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

2,499,400
1,938,147
1,938,147
117,277

(11,633)
(11,633)

(4,903,786)
(4,893,553)

-
(174,141)
(174,138)

(1,923,900)
-
-

-
(191,076)
(191,076)
-

-
(143,025)
(143,025)
-

-
-
-
-

(194,400)
-
-
-

(237,800)
-
-
-

(56,900)
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
2,244,549
1,187,584

-
(187,582)
(416,856)
-

2,035,500
1,896,720
1,667,446
116,371

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

2,367,800
2,417,210
2,417,210
133,595

2,442,500
1,938,147
1,938,147
117,277

(a) Forfeited refers to either instruments that lapsed on cessation 
of employment or the instrument lapsing unexercised.

(b) Exercised refers to performance rights and restricted shares 
released from restriction.

(c) Expired refers to the performance hurdle not being met.

There are no equity instruments exercisable as at 30 June 2015.

 162

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans (continued)

(iv) Summary of movements and other information (continued)

Growthshare 2009
ESOP options
US ESOP options
RTSR options
Growthshare 2010
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
Growthshare 2011
ESRP performance rights
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
Growthshare 2012
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
Growthshare 2013
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares
Growthshare 2014
ESP restricted shares
RTSR performance rights
FCF ROI performance rights
GE Telstra Wholesale restricted shares

Telstra Group
Number of equity instruments

Outstanding  
at 30 June 
2013

Granted

Forfeited (d)

Exercised 
(e)

Expired (f)

Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2014

9,169,697
29,000
2,329,659

3,674,716
2,116,894

982,905
5,069,579
5,059,346

2,138,600
2,453,859
2,453,859

2,483,900
2,469,604
2,469,604
116,371

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

2,695,300
2,705,618
2,705,618
133,595

(4,734,733)
(17,500)
(55,329)

(4,434,964)
(11,500)
(2,274,330)

-
-

(3,674,716)
(2,116,894)

(13,400)
(154,160)
(154,160)

(969,505)
-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
4,915,419
4,905,186

-
(35,169)
(35,169)

(214,700)
-
-

-
-
(1,056,968)

1,923,900
2,418,690
1,361,722

-
(194,226)
(194,226)
-

-
(145,383)
(145,383)
-

(254,000)
-
-
-

(89,700)
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

2,229,900
2,275,378
2,275,378
116,371

2,605,600
2,560,235
2,560,235
133,595

(d) Forfeited refers to either instruments that lapsed on cessation 
of employment or the instrument lapsing unexercised.

(e) Exercised refers to performance rights and restricted shares 
released from restriction.

(f) Expired refers to the performance hurdle not being met.

There are no equity instruments exercisable as at 30 June 2014.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

163

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans (continued)

(iv) Summary of movements and other information (continued)

Outstanding at 30 June 2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised (l)
Expired
Outstanding at 30 June 2014
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised (m)
Expired
Outstanding at 30 June 2015

Options (g)

Telstra Group
Performance rights (h)

Restricted Shares (i)

Weighted 
average fair 
value (j)

$0.21
-
$0.22
$0.20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Weighted 
average fair 
value (j)

$2.03
$3.05
$2.50
$1.71
$2.68
$2.31
$3.83
$2.68
$1.74
$2.93
$3.00

Number
26,750,366
5,411,236
(1,071,276)
(6,761,115)
(1,056,968)
23,272,243
3,876,294
(1,039,747)
(9,797,339)
(604,438)
15,707,013

Number
4,738,871
2,828,895
-
(558,400)
-
7,009,366
2,616,677
-
(2,413,000)
-
7,213,043

Weighted 
average fair 
value (k)

$4.01
$5.10
-
$4.19
-
$4.44
$6.46
-
$3.70
-
$5.42

Number
11,528,356
-
(4,807,562)
(6,720,794)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Exercisable at 30 June 2015

-

-

-

-

-

-

(g) Options include RTSR, ESOP and US ESOP options. For further 
information on these plans, refer to the 2014 financial report.

(h) Performance rights include RTSR, FCF ROI and ESRP 
performance rights. For further information on the ESRP 
performance rights, refer to the 2014 financial report.

(i) Restricted shares relate to GE Telstra Wholesale and ESP 
restricted shares.

(j) The fair value of these instruments is calculated using an option 
pricing model that takes into account various factors, including 
the exercise price and expected life of the instrument, the current 
price of the underlying share and its expected volatility, expected 
dividends, the risk free rate for the expected life of the instrument, 
and the expected average volatility of Telstra’s peer group 
companies.

(k) The fair value of these instruments is based on the market 
value of Telstra shares at the allocation date.

(l) The weighted average share price for instruments exercised 
during financial year 2014 was $5.03 for the financial year 2009 
allocation of options, $4.92 for the financial years 2010 and 2011 
allocations of performance rights, and $5.11 for financial years 
2012, 2013 and 2014 allocations of ESP restricted shares 
respectively. These share prices were based on the closing market 
price on the exercise dates.

(m) The weighted average share price for instruments exercised 
during financial year 2015 was $5.66 for the financial years 2011 
allocations of performance rights, and $6.10 for financial years 
2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 allocations of ESP restricted shares 
respectively. These share prices were based on the closing market 
price on the exercise dates.

 164

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1 Telstra Growthshare Trust (continued)

(b) Long term incentive (LTI) plans (continued)

(v) Fair value of equity instruments granted
The fair value of LTI instruments granted during the financial year 
was calculated by an independent qualified valuer using a 
valuation technique that is consistent with the Black-Scholes 
methodology and utilises Monte Carlo simulations. The following 
weighted average assumptions were used in determining the 
valuation:

Telstra Group

Growthshare LTI 
FCF ROI 
performance 
rights
Oct 2014

Growthshare LTI 
RTSR 
performance 
rights
Oct 2014

Growthshare LTI 
FCF ROI 
performance 
rights
Oct 2013

Growthshare LTI 
RTSR 
performance 
rights
Oct 2013

Share price
Risk free rate
Dividend yield
Expected stock volatility
Expected life
Expected rate of achievement of TSR performance hurdles

$5.38
2.60%
6.0%
15.0%
(a)
n/a

$5.38
2.60%
6.0%
15.0%
(a)
59.6%

$4.96
3.17%
7.0%
17.0%
(a)
n/a

$4.96
3.17%
7.0%
17.0%
(a)
39.4%

(a) The date on which the instruments become exercisable.

For financial year 2015 LTI FCF ROI and RTSR performance rights, 
the fair value was measured at a grant date of 15 October 2014 
and has been allocated over the period for which the service is 
received, which commenced on 1 July 2014.

The expected stock volatility is a measure of the amount by which 
the price is expected to fluctuate during a period. This was based 
on historical daily and weekly closing share prices.

The fair value of financial year 2015 ESP restricted shares is based 
on the market value of Telstra shares at the grant date of 27 
February 2015.

The fair value of financial year 2015 GE Telstra Wholesale 
restricted shares is based on the market value of Telstra shares at 
the grant date of 15 August 2014.

Telstra Ownshare 
The Ownshare plan, previously operated by the Company, has not 
been offered since October 2013 and will not be offered in the 
future. Under the Ownshare plan, certain eligible employees 
could, at their election, be provided with part of their remuneration 
in Telstra shares. Shares were acquired by the trustee from time to 
time and allocated to these employees at the time when their 
application was accepted. Although the trustee holds the shares 
in trust, the participant retains the beneficial interest in the 
shares (dividends, voting rights, bonuses or rights issues) until 
they are transferred at the expiration of the restriction period.

The restriction period continues until the earliest of:
• three years from the date of allocation
• the time when the participant ceases employment with the 

Telstra Group

• the time when the Board of Telstra determines that an ‘event’ 

(c) Telstra Directshare and Ownshare

has occurred

At the end of the restriction period, the Ownshare instruments will 
be transferred to the participant. The participant is not able to 
deal in the shares until this transfer has taken place.

Existing grants under the plan will remain on foot under the terms 
of the Ownshare plan and the relevant trust deed will continue to 
apply to such grants.

(ii) Instruments granted during the financial year
No instruments were granted under the Ownshare plan during 
financial year 2015 or 2014. 

(i) Nature of Telstra Directshare and Ownshare

Telstra Directshare
The Directshare plan, previously operated by the Company, was 
cancelled with effect from August 2012 as it is no longer in use. 
Under the Directshare plan, non-executive Directors could 
nominate to receive a percentage of their total remuneration 
package as Telstra shares (allocated to participating Directors at 
market price). As a result of its cancellation, no new grants may be 
made under the Directshare plan. Existing grants under the plan 
will remain on foot and, under the terms of the Directshare plan 
and the relevant trust deed, will continue to apply to such grants.

The restriction period on Directshares already allocated continues 
until the earliest of:
• 10 years from the date of allocation of the shares
• the time when the participating Director is no longer a Director 
of, or is no longer employed by, a company in the Telstra Group
• the time when the Trustee determines that an ‘event’ under the 

terms of Directshare has occurred.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

165

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.1  Telstra Directshare and Ownshare (continued)

(c) Telstra Directshare and Ownshare (continued)

(iii) Summary of movements
The table below provides information about our Directshare and 
Ownshare plans.

Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2013

Telstra Group
Number of equity instruments
Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2014

Distributed 
(a)

Distributed 
(a)

Outstanding 
at 30 June 
2015

Directshares
5 September 2003 allocation
20 February 2004 allocation
20 August 2004 allocation
19 February 2005 allocation
19 August 2005 allocation
17 February 2006 allocation
18 August 2006 allocation
23 February 2007 allocation
17 August 2007 allocation
29 February 2008 allocation
21 August 2008 allocation
6 March 2009 allocation
21 August 2009 allocation
19 February 2010 allocation

Ownshares
5 November 2010 allocation
21 October 2011 allocation
23 October 2012 allocation

(a) Directshares and Ownshare instruments are not required to be 
exercised. The fully paid shares held by the Telstra Growthshare 
Trust relating to these instruments are transferred to the 
participants at the completion of the restriction period.

(d) Other equity plans 
In exceptional circumstances, Telstra has put in place structured 
retention incentive plans. These are designed to protect Telstra 
from the loss of employees who possess specific skill sets 
considered critical to the business and where Telstra is vulnerable 
to losing key personnel. The plans are granted on an ad hoc basis 
and the participants receive Telstra shares subject to satisfaction 
of certain conditions.

As part of his service agreement negotiated upon his appointment 
to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Andrew Penn was 
allocated 96,500 performance shares of which 50 per cent were 
eligible to vest after two years and the remaining 50 per cent were 
eligible to vest after three years from the date of commencement 
of his employment. During financial year 2015, the second and 
final tranche of 48,250 performance shares vested on 14 
December 2014.

1,877
2,017
543
2,000
2,373
3,731
6,646
9,461
10,507
15,685
19,367
41,907
6,313
6,809
129,236

138,382
164,913
154,793
458,088

(1,877)
(2,017)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,894)

(138,382)
(20,945)
(13,691)
(173,018)

-
-
543
2,000
2,373
3,731
6,646
9,461
10,507
15,685
19,367
41,907
6,313
6,809
125,342

-
143,968
141,102
285,070

-
-
(543)
(2,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,543)

-
(143,968)
(11,382)
(155,350)

-
-
-
-
2,373
3,731
6,646
9,461
10,507
15,685
19,367
41,907
6,313
6,809
122,799

-
-
129,720
129,720

27.2 TESOP99

As part of the Commonwealth’s sale of its shareholding in 
financial years 2000 and 1998, Telstra offered eligible employees 
the opportunity to buy ordinary shares of Telstra.

The applicable share plans were:
• the Telstra Employee Share Ownership Plan II (TESOP99)
• the Telstra Employee Share Ownership Plan (TESOP97), which 

no longer has any equity instruments outstanding.

Although the Telstra ESOP Trustee Pty Ltd (wholly owned 
subsidiary of Telstra) is the trustee for TESOP99 and holds the 
shares in the trust, a participating employee retains the beneficial 
interest in the shares (dividends and voting rights).

Generally, Telstra offered employees interest free loans to acquire 
certain shares and in some cases the employees became entitled 
to certain extra shares and loyalty shares as a result of 
participating in the plans. All shares acquired under the plans 
were transferred from the Commonwealth either to the employees 
or to the trustee for the benefit of the employees.

 166

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 27. EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (continued)

27.2 TESOP99 (continued)

While a participant remains an employee of an entity within the 
Telstra Group, there is no date by which the employee must repay 
the loan. However, a participant may, at any time:
• elect to repay the loan and have the shares transferred into their 

name or

• arrange through the trustee the sale of the shares where the 
proceeds of the sale (after deducting the costs of sale) will be 
enough to repay the loan.

There are no remaining restriction periods under the plan. If a 
participant ceases to be employed by an entity within the Telstra 
Group, the employee must repay their loan within two months of 
leaving to acquire the relevant shares.This is the case except 
where the employee ceases to be employed due to death or 
disablement (in which case the loan must be repaid within 12 
months).

If the employee has ceased employment and does not repay the 
loan when required, the trustee must sell the shares if the sale 
proceeds (after deducting the costs of sale) will be enough to 
repay the loan. The sale proceeds must then be used to pay the 
costs of the sale and any amount outstanding on the loan, after 
which the balance will be paid to the employee. Telstra’s recourse 
under the loan is limited to the amount recoverable through the 
sale of the employee’s shares.

The Telstra ESOP Trust Trustee continues to hold loan shares 
where the employee ceased employment and elected not to repay 
the loan, until the share price is sufficient to recover the loan 
amount and associated costs of sale. The Trustee is then required 
to sell the shares. As at 30 June 2015, there were 83,800 (2014: 
148,800) shares held for this purpose.

The following table provides information about our TESOP99 share 
plan.

Telstra Group
TESOP99
Weighted 
average 
fair value 
(a)
$4.77
$5.09
$5.17
$5.21
$5.85
$5.72
$6.14

Number
4,149,800
(96,000)
(236,400)
3,817,400
(125,800)
(217,000)
3,474,600

Total fair 
value ($m)
20
-
1
20
1
1
21

Equity instruments outstanding and exercisable at 30 June 2013
Exercised (b)
Sold (c)
Equity instruments outstanding and exercisable at 30 June 2014
Exercised (b)
Sold (c)
Equity instruments outstanding and exercisable at 30 June 2015

(a) The fair value of these shares is based on the market value of 
Telstra shares at reporting date and exercise date.

(b) The amount exercised relates to the shares released from trust 
as a result of the interest free loan to employees being fully repaid 
during the year.

(c) The amount sold relates to loan shares disposed of to external 
third parties during the year.

The employee share loan balance as at 30 June 2015 was $15 
million (2014: $17 million). For TESOP99, the weighted average 
loan still to be repaid was $4.19 (2014: $4.42) per instrument.

27.3 Autohome Inc.

Our subsidiary, Autohome Inc., operates two share incentive 
plans, the 2011 Plan and the 2013 Plan, which allows the company 
to grant equity-settled and cash-settled share-based awards to 
its employees, directors and consultants. Options, restricted 
shares, restricted share units and share appreciation rights 
(applicable to the 2011 plan only) may be granted under these 
plans.   Since the implementation of the plans and, as at 30 June 
2015 only options and restricted shares have been granted under 
the 2011 Plan and the 2013 Plan, respectively. Both awards are 
equity-settled.

The maximum aggregate number of Class A Autohome Inc. 
ordinary shares which may be issued for the awards is 7,843,100 
shares under the 2011 Plan and 3,350,000 shares under the 2013 
Plan.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

167

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

In accordance with AASB 124: “Related Party Disclosures”, key 
management personnel (KMP) have authority and responsibility 
for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Telstra 
Group. Hence, KMP are deemed to include the following:
• the non-executive Directors of the Telstra Entity
• certain executives in the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO’s) senior 

leadership team, including the CEO.

28.1 KMP aggregate compensation

During financial years 2015 and 2014, the aggregate 
compensation provided to our KMP was as follows:

Short term employee benefits

Post employment benefits

Other long term benefits

Termination benefits

Telstra Group
As at 30 June
2015
$
23,259,768

2014
$
20,991,753

323,452

322,011

247,469

4,845,292

-

1,020,456

Share-based payments

9,789,030

9,161,751

33,619,719

36,341,263

Refer to the Remuneration Report, which forms part of the 
Directors’ Report for further details regarding KMP’s 
remuneration.

28.2 Other transactions with our KMP and their related 
parties

During financial year 2015, apart from transactions trivial and 
domestic in nature and on normal commercial terms and 
conditions, there were no other transactions with our KMP and 
their related parties.

 168

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 29. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

29.1 Transactions involving our controlled entities

Interests in controlled entities are set out in note 25. Transactions 
with our controlled entities recorded in the income statement and 
statement of financial position were as follows.

Income from controlled entities

Sale of goods and services (a)

Dividend revenue (b)

Expenses to controlled entities

Purchase of goods and services (a)

Finance costs

Total current amounts receivable at 30 June

Controlled entities - receivables (d)

Controlled entities - loans (e)(f)

Allowance for amounts owed by controlled entities (e)

Movement in allowance for amounts owed by controlled entities

Opening balance

Reversal of impairment loss (c)

Impairment loss (c)

Closing balance (e)

Total current amounts payable at 30 June

Controlled entities - payables (a)(d)

Controlled entities - loans (e)

(a)  The Telstra Entity sold and purchased goods and services and 
received and paid interest to its controlled entities. These 
transactions are in the ordinary course of business and are on 
normal commercial terms and conditions.

Details of our individually significant transactions involving our 
controlled entities during financial year 2015 were as follows:
• the Telstra Entity received income from its controlled entity 
Telstra Multimedia Pty Ltd amounting to $375 million (2014: 
$367 million) for access to ducts that store the hybrid fibre 
coaxial (HFC) cable network

• the Telstra Entity paid for international connectivity and 
management services to Telstra International Limited 
amounting to $264 million (2014: $249 million).

In February 2014, we divested 70 per cent of our directories 
business, Sensis Pty Ltd and its controlled entities (Sensis Group). 
As a result, the financial year 2014 included only eight months of 
transactions with the Sensis Group and any transactions 
subsequent to the date of disposal, have been included in 
transactions with our joint ventures and associated entities. The 
transactions with Sensis Group as a controlled entity were as 
follows:
• the Telstra Entity received procurement fees from Sensis Pty 

Ltd for the use of Yellow Pages** and White Pages** 
trademarks amounting to $63 million 

Telstra Entity
Year ended/As at
30 June

2015
$m

2014
$m

399

1,586

634

3

541

217

713

9

71

60

3,493

3,466

(3,224)

(3,074)

340

452

(3,074)

(3,163)

-

(150)

89

-

(3,224)

(3,074)

87

1,695

1,782

77

3,826

3,903

• the Telstra Entity paid management fees to Sensis Pty Ltd 

amounting to $190 million for undertaking agency and contract 
management services for the national directory service.

(b)  During financial year 2015, the Telstra Entity recorded dividend 
revenue, including mainly:
• $240 million (2014: $150 million) from Telstra Media Pty Ltd
• $1,343 million (2014: $64 million) from Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd.

(c)  The profit before income tax expense of the Telstra Entity 
includes impairment loss of $150 million (2014: $89 million 
reversal of impairment loss) relating to a movement in allowance 
for amounts owed by controlled entities.

(d)  The Telstra Entity and its Australian controlled entities have 
formed a tax consolidated group, with a tax funding arrangement 
currently in place. The amounts receivable or amounts payable to 
the Telstra Entity under this arrangement are due in the next 
financial year upon final settlement of the current tax payable for 
the tax consolidated group. Refer to note 9 for further details.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

169

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 29. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES (continued)

29.1 Transactions involving our controlled entities 
(continued)

29.2 Transactions involving our joint ventures and 
associated entities

Interests in our joint ventures and associated entities are set out 
in note 26. Transactions with our joint ventures and associated 
entities recorded in the income statement and statement of 
financial position were as follows.

(e)  The Telstra Entity operates a current account with some of its 
controlled entities, being an internal group bank account used to 
settle transactions with these controlled entities or between two 
controlled entities. Cash deposit balances in the current account 
owed to these controlled entities are recorded as loans. All loan 
balances with our controlled entities are unsecured, with 
settlement required in cash. As at 30 June 2015, $3,351 million 
(2014: $3,324 million) related to loans owed by controlled entities, 
and $1,695 million (2014: $3,826 million) related to loans payable 
to controlled entities. We also have an allowance for amounts 
owed by controlled entities as at 30 June 2015 of $3,224 million 
(2014: $3,074 million). 

(f)  As at 30 June 2015, the Telstra Entity had a loan of $142 million 
(2014: $142 million) with Telstra OnAir Holdings Pty Ltd. This loan 
is an interest free loan.

Income from joint ventures and associated entities

Sale of goods and services (a)

Distribution from Foxtel Partnership (b)

Interest on loans to joint ventures and associated entities (c)

Expenses to joint ventures and associated entities

Purchase of goods and services (a)

Finance cost on loans from joint ventures and associated entities (d)

Total amounts receivable at 30 June

Current

Joint ventures and associated entities - trade receivables (a)

Non current

Joint ventures and associated entities - loans (c)

Allowance for amounts owed by joint ventures and associated entities (c)

Movement in allowance for amounts owed by joint ventures and associated entities

Opening balance

Foreign currency exchange differences

Closing balance

Total amounts payable at 30 June

Current

Joint ventures and associated entities - payables (a)

Joint ventures and associated entities - loans (d)

Telstra Group
Year ended/As at
30 June

2015
$m

2014
$m

231

125

54

899

1

4

4

459

(7)

452

(6)

(1)

(7)

77

34

111

177

165

54

775

-

3

3

457

(6)

451

(6)

-

(6)

58

-

58

 170

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 29. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES (continued)

29.3 Transactions involving other related entities

(i) Post employment benefits
As at 30 June 2015, the Telstra Superannuation Scheme (Telstra 
Super) owned 39,737,735 shares in the Telstra entity (2014: 
38,774,394) at a cost of $152 million (2014: $135 million) and a 
market value of $243 million (2014: $202 million). All of these 
shares were fully paid at 30 June 2015. In financial year 2015, we 
paid dividends to Telstra Super of $11 million (2014: $11 million). 
We own 100 per cent of the equity of Telstra Super Pty Ltd, the 
trustee of Telstra Super.

Telstra Super also holds bonds issued by the Telstra entity. These 
bonds had a cost of $14 million (2014: $16 million) and a market 
value of $15 million (2014: $16 million) at 30 June 2015.

All purchases and sales of Telstra shares and bonds by Telstra 
Super are on arm’s length basis and are determined by the trustee 
and/or its investment managers on behalf of the members of 
Telstra Super.

(ii) Key management personnel (KMP)
Refer to note 28 for further details on our KMP’s remuneration and 
their other related parties transactions.

29.2 Transactions involving our joint ventures and 
associated entities (continued)

(a)  We sold and purchased goods and services, and received 
interest from our joint ventures and associated entities. These 
transactions were in the ordinary course of business and on 
normal commercial terms and conditions.

Details of individually significant transactions involving our joint 
ventures and associated entities during financial year 2015 are as 
follows:
• We purchased pay television services amounting to $742 million 

(2014: $668 million) from our joint venture Foxtel. The 
purchases were to enable the resale of Foxtel services, 
including pay television content, to our existing customers as 
part of our ongoing product bundling initiatives. In addition, we 
made sales to Foxtel for our broadband system services of $117 
million (2014: $119 million)

• We sold telecommunication services to our associated entity 

Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd amounting to $33 million (2014: $12 
million) 

• We received $27 million (2014: $10 million) for the sub lease of 
property to our associated entity, Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd
• We made purchases of $31 million (2014: $23 million) from our 
joint venture Reach Ltd (Reach) in line with market prices. These 
were for the purchase of, and entitlement to, capacity and 
connectivity services.

(b)  A $125 million (2014: $165 million) distribution was received 
from our joint venture Foxtel during the year.

(c)  Loans provided to joint ventures and associated entities mainly 
relate to loans provided to Reach of $7 million (2014: $6 million) 
and Foxtel Management Pty Ltd of $451 million (2014: $451 
million).

The loan provided to Reach is an interest free loan and repayable 
upon the giving of 12 months’ notice by both PCCW Limited and us. 
We have fully provided for the non-recoverability of the loan as we 
do not consider that Reach is in a position to be able to repay the 
loan amount in the medium term.

In April 2012, Telstra Corporation Limited provided a loan to Foxtel 
Management Pty Ltd to fund the acquisition of shares in AUSTAR. 
The loan is interest bearing and it has a minimum term of just over 
10 years and a maximum of 15 years.

(d) During the period, we borrowed $79 million (2014: nil) under a 
loan agreement with an associated entity, Project Sunshine I Pty 
Ltd. The loan interest rate is eight per cent per annum and the loan 
has a maturity date of 31 December 2015. After repayment of $45 
million during the year, the loan payable amount at 30 June 2015 
was $34 million. 

(i) Commitments with our joint ventures and associated entities
Our purchase commitments to Project Sunshine I Pty Ltd, 
primarily for advertising services, amount to $45 million over the 
remaining four year contract term (2014: $69 million). 

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

171

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 30. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION

Statement of financial position

Total current assets

Total non current assets (a)

Total assets

Total current liabilities

Total non current liabilities

Total liabilities

Share capital

Cashflow hedging reserve

Foreign currency basis spread reserve

General reserve

Retained profits

Total equity

Statement of comprehensive income

Profit for the year (a)

Total comprehensive income

(a)   Includes $1,093 million of impairment losses (2014: $595 
million of reversal of impairment losses) relating to the value of 
our investments in, and amounts owed by, our controlled entities. 
The impairment losses have been eliminated on consolidation of 
the Telstra Group.

Except for those noted below, our accounting policies for the 
Telstra Entity are consistent with those for the Telstra Group:
• under our tax funding arrangements, amounts receivable (or 
payable) recognised by the Telstra Entity for the current tax 
payable (or receivable) assumed from our wholly owned entities 
are booked as current assets or liabilities

• investments in controlled entities, included within non current 

assets above, are recorded at cost less impairment of the 
investment value. Where we hedge the value of our investment 
in an overseas controlled entity, the hedge is accounted for in 
accordance with note 2.22. Refer to note 25 for details on our 
investments in controlled entities

• our interests in associated entities and joint ventures, including 

partnerships, are accounted for using the cost method of 
accounting and are included within non current assets in the 
table above.

Telstra Entity
As at 30 June
2015
$m

2014
$m

5,720

33,849

39,569

8,970

17,091

26,061

5,198

10,137

31,896

42,033

12,077

16,586

28,663

5,719

(114)

(122)

50

194

-

194

8,180

7,579

13,508

13,370

Telstra Entity
Year ended 30 June
2014
$m

2015
$m

4,631

4,859

3,407

3,457

30.1 Property, plant and equipment commitments

Total property, plant and equipment expenditure commitments 
contracted for at balance date but not recorded in the financial 
statements amounted to $666 million (2014: $847 million).

30.2 Contingent liabilities and guarantees

(a) Common law claims
Certain common law claims by employees and third parties are yet 
to be resolved. As at 30 June 2015, management believes that the 
resolution of these contingencies will not have a significant effect 
on the Telstra Entity’s financial results. The maximum amount of 
these contingent liabilities cannot be reliably estimated.

 172

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

_Telstra Financial Report 2015

NOTE 30. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION (continued)

30.2 Contingent liabilities and guarantees (continued)

(b) Indemnities, performance guarantees and financial support
We have provided the following indemnities, performance 
guarantees and financial support through the Telstra Entity:
• indemnities to financial institutions to support bank guarantees 
to the value of $241 million (2014: $483 million) in respect of the 
performance of contracts

• indemnities to financial institutions and other third parties in 

respect of performance and other obligations of our controlled 
entities. The maximum amount of our contingent liabilities for 
this purpose is $141 million (2014: $130 million)

• indemnities to financial institutions in respect of the obligations 
of TelstraClear to third parties of $26 million (2014: $27 million). 
We have, however, received an indemnity for an equal amount 
from the acquirer as part of the TelstraClear disposal in October 
2012

• financial support for certain controlled entities to the amount 
necessary to enable those entities to meet their obligations as 
and when they fall due. The financial support is subject to 
conditions, including individual monetary limits totalling $72 
million (2014: $45 million) and a requirement that the entity 
remains our controlled entity

• during financial year 1998 we resolved to provide IBM Global 

Services Australia Limited (IBMGSA) with guarantees issued on 
a several basis up to $210 million as a shareholder of IBMGSA. 
During financial year 2000 we issued a guarantee of $68 million 
on behalf of IBMGSA. During financial year 2004, we sold our 
shareholding in this entity. The $68 million guarantee, provided 
to support service contracts entered into by IBMGSA and third 
parties, was made with IBMGSA bankers or directly to IBMGSA 
customers. As at 30 June 2015, this guarantee remains 
unchanged and $142 million (2014: $142 million) of the $210 
million guarantee facility remains unused. Upon sale of our 
shareholding in IBMGSA and under the deed of indemnity 
between shareholders, our liability under these performance 
guarantees has been indemnified for all guarantees that were in 
place at the time of sale. Therefore, the overall net exposure to 
any loss associated with a claim has effectively been offset.

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

173

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 31. EVENTS AFTER REPORTING DATE

We are not aware of any matter or circumstance that has occurred 
since 30 June 2015 that, in our opinion, has significantly affected 
or may significantly affect in future years:
• our operations
• the results of those operations 
• the state of our affairs 

other than the following:

31.1 Final dividend

On 13 August 2015, the Directors of Telstra Corporation Limited 
resolved to pay a fully franked final dividend of 15.5 cents per 
ordinary share. The record date for the final dividend will be 27 
August 2015, with payment being made on 25 September 2015. 
Shares will trade excluding the entitlement to the dividend on 25 
August 2015.

A provision for dividend payable amounting to $1,894 million has 
been raised as at the date of resolution.

The final dividend will be fully franked at a tax rate of 30 per cent. 
The financial effect of the dividend resolution was not brought to 
account as at 30 June 2015.

There are no income tax consequences for the Telstra Group 
resulting from the resolution and payment of the final ordinary 
dividend, except for $812 million of franking debits arising from 
the payment of this dividend that will be adjusted in our franking 
account balance.

The board has determined that Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) 
will operate for the final dividend for financial year 2015 to be paid 
in September 2015. The election date for participation in the DRP 
is 28 August 2015.

 174

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

DIRECTORS’ 
DECLARATION

This Directors’ Declaration is required by the Corporations Act 
2001 of Australia.

The Directors of Telstra Corporation Limited have made a 
resolution that declared:

(a) in the Directors’ opinion, the financial statements and 

notes of the Telstra Group for the financial year ended 30 
June 2015 set out on pages 70 to 174:
(i)

comply with the Accounting Standards applicable in 
Australia, International Financial Reporting 
Standards and Interpretations (as disclosed in note 
1.1 to the financial statements), and Corporations 
Regulations 2001

(ii) give a true and fair view of the financial position of 

Telstra Corporation Limited and the Telstra Group as 
at 30 June 2015 and of the performance of Telstra 
Corporation Limited and the Telstra Group, for the 
year ended 30 June 2015

(iii) have been made out in accordance with the 

Corporations Act 2001.

(b) they have received declarations as required by section 

295A of the Corporations Act 2001

(c) at the date of this declaration, in the Directors’ opinion, 
there are reasonable grounds to believe that Telstra 
Corporation Limited will be able to pay its debts as and 
when they become due and payable

(d) at the date of this declaration there are reasonable 

grounds to believe that the members of the extended 
closed group identified in note 25.1(a) to the financial 
statements, as parties to a Deed of Cross Guarantee, will 
be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they 
are, or may become subject to, under the Deed of Cross 
Guarantee described in note 25.1(a). 

For and on behalf of the board

Catherine B Livingstone AO
Chairman

Andrew R Penn
Chief Executive Officer and 
Managing Director

13 August 2015
Sydney, Australia

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

175

Ernst & Young
8 Exhibition Street 
Melbourne  VIC  3000  Australia
GPO Box 67 Melbourne  VIC  3001

Tel: +61 3 9288 8000
Fax: +61 3 8650 7777
ey.com/au

Independent Auditor's report to the Members of Telstra Corporation Limited

Report on the Financial Report

Independence

We have audited the accompanying financial report of Telstra 
Corporation Limited, which comprises the consolidated 
statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015, the 
consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes 
in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the 
year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant 
accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the 
directors' declaration of the consolidated entity comprising the 
company and the entities it controlled at the year's end or from 
time to time during the financial year.

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report

The directors of the company are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view 
in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the 
Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal controls as the 
directors determine are necessary to enable the preparation of 
the financial report that is free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. In note 1, the directors also state, 
in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 101 
Presentation of Financial Statements, that the financial 
statements comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report 
based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with 
Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we 
comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit 
engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free 
from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit 
evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's 
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material 
misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or 
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers 
internal controls relevant to the entity's preparation and fair 
presentation of the financial report in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not 
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of 
the entity's internal controls. An audit also includes evaluating 
the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, 
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial 
report.

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

In conducting our audit we have complied with the 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. We 
have given to the directors of the company a written Auditor's 
Independence Declaration, a copy of which is included in the 
directors' report.

Opinion

In our opinion: 

a. the financial report of Telstra Corporation Limited is in 
accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

i   giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s 

financial position as at 30 June 2015 and of its 
performance for the year ended on that date; and

ii  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the 

Corporations Regulations 2001; and

b. the financial report also complies with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as disclosed in note 1.

Report on the Remuneration Report

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 44 
to 63 of the directors' report for the year ended 30 June 2015. 
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.

Opinion

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Telstra Corporation 
Limited for the year ended 30 June 2015, complies with section 
300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Ernst & Young

SJ Ferguson
Partner
Sydney
13 August 2015

176

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION

Stock Exchange Listings

We are listed, and our issued shares are quoted on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the New Zealand Stock Exchange 
(NZX).

As an overseas listed issuer on the NZX, Telstra is deemed to satisfy and comply with the NZX Listing Rules, so long as it remains 
listed on the ASX. The only NZX requirements applicable to the company are to give the NZX the same information and notices the 
company is required to give to the ASX and to include the statement appearing below in Telstra’s Annual Report.

In compliance with NZX Listing Rule 5.1.8(d), Telstra notes that the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance 
Principles & Recommendations may materially differ from the NZX’s corporate governance rules and principles in the NZX Corporate 
Governance Best Practice Code. More information about the corporate governance rules and principles of the ASX can be found at 
www.asx.com.au and, in respect of the NZX, at www.nzx.com. Further information in relation to Telstra’s corporate governance 
practices are set out in the Governance At Telstra section of this Annual Report and in our 2015 Corporate Governance Statement 
which can be found at www.telstra.com/governance.

Debt Listings

We also have debt securities listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Singapore Stock Exchange and the Swiss Stock Exchange.

Distribution of securities and security holdings

The following table shows the number of listed shares on issue at 20 July 2015:

Title of class

Listed Shares

Identity of person of group
Listed shareholders

Amount owned

12,225,655,836

%

100

Distribution of shares

The following table summarises the distribution of our listed shares as at 20 July 2015:

Size of Holding

1-1,000
1,001-5,000
5,001-10,000
10,001-100,000
100,001 and over
Total

Number of Shareholders
650,394
507,488
123,513
103,016
3,675
1,388,086

%

Number of Shares

%

46.86
36.56
8.90
7.42
0.26
100.00

362,155,727
1,221,827,337
881,485,973
2,462,993,913
7,297,192,886
12,225,655,836

2.96
9.99
7.21
20.15
59.69
100.00

The number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of shares was 9,802 holding 360,360 shares (based on the closing 
market price on 20 July 2015).

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

177

SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION

Substantial shareholders

As at 20 July 2015, we are not aware of any substantial shareholders.

Twenty largest shareholders as at 20 July 2015

The following table sets out the Top 20 holders of our shares (when multiple holdings are grouped together):

Shareholders

Number of shares

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LTD
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD
RBC INVESTOR SERVICES AUSTRALIA NOMINEES PTY LTD
AMP LIFE LIMITED
AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED
UBS WEALTH MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA NOMINEES PTY LTD
ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED
UBS NOMINEES PTY LTD
NEWECONOMY COM AU NOMINEES
QUESTOR FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
NAVIGATOR AUSTRALIA LTD
TELSTRA GROWTHSHARE PTY LTD
EQUITAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 
NULIS NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 
NETWORK INVESTMENT HOLDINGS PTY LTD
MILTON CORPORATION LIMITED
NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Total for Top 20

Voting Rights

1,880,929,148
1,479,490,033
1,436,519,881
615,221,927
311,750,368
96,111,401
88,332,388
52,445,000
46,158,887
43,004,800
38,395,736
36,418,851
32,048,135
28,669,646
24,403,374
23,218,179
21,485,155
17,309,017
14,672,253
12,852,678
6,299,436,857

% of Issued Capital
15.39
12.10
11.75
5.03
2.55
0.79
0.72
0.43
0.38
0.35
0.31
0.30
0.26
0.23
0.20
0.19
0.18
0.14
0.12
0.11
51.53

Shareholders (whether residents or non-residents of Australia) may vote at a meeting of shareholders in person, directly or by proxy, 
attorney or representative, depending on whether the shareholder is an individual or a company.

Subject to any rights or restrictions attaching to our shares, on a show of hands each shareholder present in person or by proxy, 
attorney or representative has one vote and, on a poll, has one vote for each fully paid share held. Presently, we have only one class 
of fully paid ordinary shares and these do not have any voting restrictions. If shares are not fully paid, on a poll the number of votes 
attaching to the shares is pro-rated accordingly.

 178
 178

Telstra Annual Report

Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities
Telstra Corporation Limited and controlled entities

REFERENCE  
TABLES

Five year summary – financial results

Total income (excluding finance income)

EBITDA(1)

EBIT(2)

Profit for the period from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operation

Profit for the period

Dividends declared per share (cents)

Total assets

Gross debt

Net debt

Total equity

Capital expenditure

Free cashflow from continuing and discontinued operations

Earnings per share (cents)

Dividend payout ratio (%)

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

2015  
$m

26,607

10,745

6,762

4,286

19

4,305

30.5

40,445

14,962

13,566

14,510

3,589

2,619

34.5

88

2014  
$m

26,296

11,135

7,185

4,549

(204)

4,345

29.5

39,360

16,048

10,521

13,960

3,661

7,483

34.4

86

2013(3)  
$m

24,776

10,168

6,090

3,640

151

3,791

 28.0

 38,527

 15,628

 13,149

 12,875

 3,689

 5,024

30.1

93

2012  
$m

25,503

10,234

5,822

n/a

n/a

3,424

28.0

39,525

17,222

 13,277

11,689

 3,591

5,197

27.5

102

2011  
$m

25,304

10,151

5,692

n/a

n/a

3,250

28.0

37,913

16,232

13,595

12,292

3,410

5,477

26.1

107

(1)    Operating profit before interest, depreciation and amortisation and income tax expense. EBITDA is used as a measure of financial performance by excluding certain 

variables that affect operating profits but which may not be directly relate to all financial aspects of the operations of the company. EBITDA is not a measure of operating 
income, operating performance or liquidity under A-IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA in a different manner to us.

(2)   EBITDA less depreciation and amortisation.
(3)   Restated for the retrospective adoption of AASB:119 “Employee Entitlements”.

Non financial results

Key performance indicator

Employee engagement – Score (%)

Health and safety(ii) – Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Gender equality(iii) – Women in executive management (%)

FY15

FY14

FY13

n/a

0.98

25.6

82

1.12

25.9

80(i)

1.36

25.4

Volunteering during Telstra time(ii) – Total (days)

7,225

5,122

4,248

Payroll giving – Participation rate (%)

Social and community investment(iv) – Value ($m)

Everyone Connected – Targeted community programs (people reached) (’000s)

Carbon emissions(vi) – Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) (’000s)

Carbon emissions intensity(vi) – tCO2e per terabyte of data

E-waste – Mobile phones (tonnes collected)

5.8

214

117(v)

1,571

0.42

15.6

5.3

217

143

1,592

0.58

15.3

3.6

231

146

1,634

0.83

14.0

(i)   Telstra Group. FY13 results adjusted to exclude CSL and Sensis Group (79% was previously reported).
(ii)   This data relates to Telstra Corporation Limited only and does not include subsidiaries or contractors.
(iii)   Includes full time, part time and casual staff in Telstra Corporation Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries, excluding contractors and agency staff. It does not include staff 
in any other controlled entities within the Telstra Group. Executive management comprises persons holding roles within Telstra designated as Band A, B or C, or equivalent.

(iv)   Our social and community investment covers four key focus areas: Everyone Connected (customer and community digital inclusion programs, comprising 87 per cent of 

total investment), employee volunteering and giving, sponsorship and disaster relief. Our contribution consists of revenue foregone, cash, in kind, time, management costs 
and leverage.

(v)    This figure is a combination of actual and estimated data. The number of people reached has decreased in FY15 due to a stronger focus on delivering face to face training. 

Our Bigger Picture 2015 Sustainability Report provides more detail on our approach and methodology.

(vi)  Australian operations for Telstra Corporation Limited. This includes relevant Australian subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnerships.

179

REFERENCE  
TABLES

Guidance versus reported results

This schedule details the adjustments made to the reported results for the current year to reflect the performance of the business  
on the basis which we provided guidance to the market. This guidance assumed wholesale product price stability, no impairments  
to investments, excluded any proceeds on the sale of businesses, mergers and acquisitions and purchase of spectrum.

Reference Tables_

Reported

Adjustments FY15

FY14

Guidance Basis

FY15

FY14

Growth

Sensis(i)

M&A(ii) 
Controlled 
Entities

M&A(ii)  
JVs/  
Associates

M&A(ii)  
Other 
Investments

Dimmi(iii)

CSL(iv)

Octave(v)

Sequel 
Media(vi)

Spectrum(vii)

CSL &  
Sensis(viii)

FY15

FY14

Growth

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Sales revenue

Total revenue

Total income (excl. finance income)

Labour

Goods and services purchased

Other expenses

Operating expenses

$m

$m

25,845

25,119

26,023

25,320

26,607

26,296

4,921

6,847

4,113

4,732

6,465

3,988

15,881

15,185

%

2.9

2.8

1.2

4.0

5.9

3.1

4.6

Share of net profit from joint ventures and associated entities

19

24

(20.8)

EBITDA

10,745

11,135

Depreciation and amortisation

EBIT

Net finance costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operation

Profit for the year from continuing and discontinued operations

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Telstra Entity

Non-controlling interests

Free cashflow

This table has been subject to review by our auditors.

957

(28.0)

3,983

6,762

689

6,073

1,787

4,286

19

4,305

3,950

7,185

6,228

1,679

4,549

(204)

4,345

4,231

4,275

74

70

(3.5)

0.8

(5.9)

(2.5)

6.4

(5.8)

n/m

(0.9)

(1.0)

5.7

$m

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$m

(255)

(255)

(261)

(117)

(129)

(62)

(308)

0

47

(54)

101

(4)

105

3

102

0

102

101

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

0

2

0

2

0

2

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$m

0

0

(27)

0

0

0

0

0

(27)

0

(27)

0

(27)

0

(27)

0

(27)

(27)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(15)

(15)

0

15

0

15

0

15

0

15

0

15

15

0

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

21

24

(13.5)

$m

0

0

$m

$m

25,590

25,119

25,768

25,320

(561)

26,319

25,735

4,804

6,718

4,036

4,732

6,465

3,988

15,558

15,185

0

0

0

0

0

(561)

10,782

10,574

0

(561)

0

(561)

0

(561)

0

3,929

6,853

685

6,168

1,790

4,378

19

(561)

4,397

3,950

6,624

957

5,667

1,679

3,988

(204)

3,784

0

0

4,322

4,275

75

70

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

%

1.9

1.8

2.3

1.5

3.9

1.2

2.5

2.0

(0.5)

3.5

(28.4)

8.8

6.6

9.8

n/m

16.2

1.1

7.1

2.0

2,619

7,483

(65.0)

(68)

1,031

48

72

(3)

1,302

(2,561)

5,019

4,922

Note:
On a guidance basis, income growth on the prior period was 2.3% and EBITDA growth on the prior period was 2.0%. On a guidance basis and excluding CSL operating results 
from the prior period, income growth was 6.6% and EBITDA growth was 4.5%. Free cashflow in the prior period included $205m M&A outlay related to DCA eHealth Solutions, 
Fred IT Group, NSC Group, O2 Networks and Ooyala. On a guidance basis and excluding the prior period M&A, FY15 free cashflow of $5,019m represents a decline on the prior 
period of 2.1%.

There are a number of factors that have impacted our results this year. In the table above, we have adjusted the results for:

(i) Sensis adjustments:
Adjustments related to Sensis discontinued operation. Free cashflow adjustment of $9m related to the receipt from completion adjustment on Sensis sale, and $59m for 
capital return and dividends received for the year to 30 June 2015.

(ii) Mergers & Acquisitions:
Adjustments relating to mergers and acquisition activities (including operating results). This includes Ooyala, VideoPlaza, Pacnet, Nativ Holdings, Medinexus, Telstra SNP 
Monitoring, Bridge Point Communications, iCareHealth, AFN Solutions, Emerging Holdings, Cloud 9 Software, Dr Foster Intelligence, Neto E-commerce Solutions, Cygnus 
Satellite, Globecast Australia, and Other investments to 30 June 2015.

(iii) Dimmi disposal adjustments:
Dimmi Pty Ltd was disposed on 31 May 2015.

180

(iv) CSL adjustments:
CSL tax indemnity paid ($10m) and provided for ($5m) as a result of regulatory events subsequent to the sale.

(v) Octave adjustments:
On 10 December 2013, Telstra Octave Holdings Limited acquired the remaining 33 per cent interest in Octave Investments Holdings Limited in exchange for selling the net 
assets of the five variable interest entities controlled by Sharp Point Group Limited. As our control did not change in Octave Investments Holdings Limited, the associated  
gain of $27m was held in our General Reserve in equity at June 2014. On 12 December 2014, we liquidated Octave Investments Holdings Limited and Telstra Octave Holdings 
Limited and as a result of us ceasing to own both the entities, the $27m gain held in equity was transferred to the Income Statement in accordance with accounting standards.

(vi) Sequel Media adjustments:
On 26 November 2014 our controlled entity Telstra Holdings Pty Ltd disposed of our entire 55 per cent shareholding in Sequel Media Inc. and its controlled entities (Sequel Media Group) 
for a total consideration of $18 million, resulting in a $2 million net loss on sale, largely representing the $2 million foreign currency translation loss reclassified on the disposal from 
reserves to the income statement. On completion of the sale we deconsolidated 100 per cent of the Sequel Media Inc. balance sheet, including $26 million of cash balances disposed.

(vii) Spectrum adjustments:
Adjustments relating to the impact of free cashflow associated with our spectrum purchases and renewals for the year ($1,302m, 2 x 20MHz in the 700 MHz band  
(40 MHz in total) and 2 x 40 MHz in the 2.5 GHz band (80 MHz in total)).

(viii) CSL and Sensis FY14 adjustments:
Adjustments relating to the impact of $561m CSL profit on sale and free cashflow associated with the sale of CSL ($2,107m) and Sensis ($454m) in FY14 excluded for 
guidance purpose.

181

_Telstra Annual Report 2015GLOSSARY

TECHNOLOGY TERMS

4G (or 4G-LTE)

Bundle

Fourth generation of wireless networks.  
It gives users faster download and  
upload speeds and better response  
times than previous generations. 4G lets 
customers do things like downloading 
files, sending large attachments, web 
browsing and online multi-tasking faster 
than previous generations. 4G-LTE also 
provides more network capacity and thus 
delivers benefits for network operators. 
The faster you can deliver data, the 
greater the capacity you make available 
for other users on the network.

4GX™ (LTE + LTE A)

The next step in our 4G evolution.  
4GX is based on 4G using our 20MHz 
(FDD) holding of 700MHz frequency  
band which, by itself, allows peak  
network speeds to 150Mbps and better 
4G in-building coverage. 4GX also 
encompasses our LTE-Advanced 
capability where the new 4G700MHz  
is aggregated with our existing 4G on 
1800MHz or new 4G on 2600MHz.  
4GX using LTE-Advanced is capable of 
even greater peak network speeds of  
up to 300Mbps and adds another lane  
of capacity to the Telstra mobile 
broadband super highway.

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.  
A broadband technology that provides 
access to the internet at fast speeds.  
Data is carried over the copper network 
phone lines. These data speeds can 
enable the delivery of voice, data and 
video services.

ADSL 2+

Extends the capability of basic ADSL  
by increasing the potential speeds that 
customers experience. Telstra’s ADSL 2+ 
service can deliver a maximum download 
speed of 20Mbps. (The actual customer 
download speed can vary depending on 
line conditions. Typical download speeds 
are 10Mbps.)

182

A product that has one or more  
base products.

Cable

See HFC cable.

Cloud

Can refer to the provision of services, 
software, storage and security over the 
internet, typically on a pay-for-use basis. 
In simple terms, it allows access to 
information and programs on multiple 
devices in multiple locations.

Cyber safety

The safe use of information and 
telecommunications technology  
(including mobile phones) and  
 the internet.

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

A broadband access solution that  
delivers fibre from a telco’s exchange 
facility directly to the outside of a  
building. Because fibre can deliver  
faster data transfer speeds than  
copper, FTTP solutions, which do not 
depend on copper, offer potential  
internet speeds faster than FTTN 
solutions (see definition of FTTN).

HFC

Hybrid Fibre Coax. A way of delivering 
video, voice and data using both coaxial 
cables (like the ones used for connecting 
your television to an antenna) and fibre 
optic cables. Optical fibre connects a 
telco’s facility (called a headend) to hubs 
in suburban streets, and then coaxial 
cables connect the hubs and customer 
premises. Telstra uses an HFC network  
to deliver Foxtel and Big Pond Cable 
Internet services.

eHealth

IP

eHealth is the sharing of health  
resources and provision of health  
care by electronic means.

Fixed wireless (NBN Co)

The NBN Co Fixed Wireless network  
uses advanced wireless technology  
such as LTE or 4G to deliver services  
to a fixed number of premises within  
each coverage area.

Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

A broadband access solution that  
delivers fibre from a telco’s exchange 
facility to a street cabinet (the “node”), 
with the final connections to a premises 
being the copper network phone lines.

Internet Protocol. Part of the family of 
protocols describing software that tracks 
Internet addresses, directs outgoing 
messages, and recognises incoming 
messages. Used in gateways to connect 
networks at a high level.

IPTV

Television, video signals or other 
multimedia services that are distributed 
to subscribers or viewers using Internet 
Protocol over a broadband connection. 
Examples include Telstra’s T-Box and 
Foxtel on T-Box services.

Live chat

Telstra LiveChat is an application  
which allows visitors to Telstra.com  
the opportunity to communicate ‘Live’  
with a Telstra consultant. Customers  
can have their questions answered  
and/or purchase any number of  
products in one single web chat.

Glossary_

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Migration plan

Spectrum

Capex

FINANCIAL TERMS

Capital expenditure. This is expenditure  
on assets such as property, equipment, 
intangible assets, etc.

DPS

Dividend per share.

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, income tax 
expense, depreciation and amortisation. 
An indicator of a company’s operational 
profitability.

EPS

Earnings per share. A company’s profit 
divided by the number of shares on issue.

Free cashflow

Represents the cash that a company is 
able to generate from its operations after 
spending money required to maintain or 
expand its asset base.

NPAT

Net profit after tax.

The migration plan outlines how Telstra 
will progressively migrate voice and 
broadband services from its copper and 
HFC networks to the NBN as its fixed line 
network is rolled out across Australia.  
The migration plan was originally 
approved by the ACCC on 27 February 
2012 and was varied by approval of the 
ACCC on 26 July 2015 to accommodate 
NBN Co’s shift to a multi-technology 
approach to its rollout.

Mobile data

Wireless internet access delivered  
over the mobile phone network to 
computers and other digital devices  
using portable modems.

Points of presence (network)

An access point (port) that enables 
Internet Service Provider (ISP) customers 
to enter the internet network from outside 
the Telstra network.

Post paid

Credit provided to a customer and  
billed in arrears.

All wireless communications signals  
travel through the air via radio frequency, 
known also as spectrum. The government 
grants telcos licences for dedicated use  
of portions (bands) of the spectrum.  
As people increase their use of wireless 
networks, more spectrum is required.

Unified Communications

An integrated hardware and software 
offering that combines enterprise 
communications on a single platform.  
It is any communications system that 
encompasses a broad range of 
technologies and applications that  
have been designed as a single 
communications platform. A unified 
communications system generally 
enables companies to use integrated  
data, video and voice from multiple 
locations in one supported product.

Wi-Fi

The most prevalent form of WLAN 
technology. Wireless local area  
networks (WLANs) are small-scale 
wireless networks with a typical  
radius of several hundred feet.

PSTN

Public switched telephone network. 
Generic term for public telephone networks. 
Often referred to as “fixed line”, it is  
the standard home telephone service, 
delivered over copper wires.

Wi-Fi hotspot

A device that other devices can connect  
to wirelessly in order to access the 
Internet. (Wi-Fi refers to a set of wireless 
standards commonly used by devices for 
short-distance wireless communication).

Roaming

A service which allows customers to use 
their mobile phone while in a service area 
of another carrier, for example overseas.

183

NOTES

184

NOTES

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

185

INDEX

A
Advocacy ......2, 6-7, 9-10, 13, 17-18, 48, 53
Apple Music ...............................................15
Asia .....................................................3, 7, 14
Auditor Independence ............... 47, 68, 101
Autohome Inc.  ............. 76, 95, 97, 139-141,  
..................................................150, 154, 167

B
Balance Sheet ...........................................73
Board of Directors ...............................35-37
Buy-back .........................4, 6, 26, 65, 74-76,  
............................. 86, 94, 116, 133, 139, 154

C
Carbon Emissions .............................5, 7, 33
Cash Flow Statement .........................25, 74
CEO remuneration...............................48, 50
Chairman and CEO’s Message ............... 6-8
Check-In ...............................................10, 11
Code Club ...................................................30
Committees of the Board ...................40-41
Community ............................................7, 30
Controlled Entities ......................... 148-154
Contact Details ....................................... 188
Corporate Governance........................40-43
Credit Rating ........................................... 127
CSL .................... 6, 20, 24-26, 95, 96, 97, 98,  
......................... 103, 112, 139, 179, 180-181
Customer Service .......................2, 5, 6, 7,10
Cyber safety ...............................................29

D
Directors’ Report ..................................44-68
Diversity .................................. 31-32, 41, 43
Dividends .............. 6, 44, 49, 53-54, 94, 179

E
Earnings Per Share ......20, 88, 93, 179, 183
eHealth ........................... 3, 14-15, 137, 138,  
................................. 155, 156, 157, 158, 182
Electromagnetic Energy (EME) ................34
Employee Engagement.................... 31, 179
Employee Share and  
Option Plans  ..........................133, 159-167
Environment ......... 17-18, 28, 31, 33-34, 46
Expenses ............................... 24-26, 99-100

F
Financial Calendar ................................. 188
Financial Statements and Notes ... 71-174
Five Year Summary ................................ 179
Fon ....................................................7, 12, 13
Foxtel ................4,15, 21, 24, 95, 97, 98, 182

G
Globecast Australia ......................... 15, 137
Glossary .......................................... 182-183
Goodwill and  
Other Intangible Assets ................. 111-112
Guidance ..... 4, 6, 7, 20, 21, 25, 78, 180-181

H
Health and Safety ...................... 31, 43, 179

I
Impaired Financial Assets ............ 140-141
Income Statements ............................71-72
Independent Auditor’s Report .............. 176
Indigenous .....................................30, 32, 34
Information Security ........................ 14, 137

J
Joint Venture (JV) .............14, 15, 16, 17, 20,  
............................................33, 155-158, 180

M
Material Business Risks.....................16-17
Mobile Black Spot Programme ............6, 12
Mobiles .............................3, 6, 13, 18, 21, 29
muru-D ...................................................5, 15

N
National Broadband Network (NBN) 
..............................3, 7, 13, 17, 18, 22, 24, 46,  
..................................51, 53-55, 98, 141, 161
Netflix .........................................................15
Net Promoter System (NPS) 
.................................................5, 6, 10, 53-55
Network .............................12-13, 16, 18, 29,  
.................................... 33, 82-83, 86, 95, 141
Network Applications  
and Services (NAS) .........3, 7, 14, 23-24, 95
Notes to the  
Cash Flow Statements .................. 134-139
Notes to the  
Financial Statements ...................... 77-174

O
Ooyala ..... 5, 15, 78, 118, 135-136, 150, 154
Operating and Financial  
Review (OFR) ..........................................2-26

P
Pacnet ..................... 5, 7, 14, 24-25, 29, 137
Presto .........................................................15
Privacy ............................................16, 29, 43

R
Remuneration ......................................48-67
Risk Management .........................16, 17, 40

S
Sales Revenue ........................ 86-87, 97-98
Senior Management ...........................38-39
Sensis .......................... 20-21, 24-26, 95-96
Shareholder Information ............... 177-178
Stan ............................................................15
Statement of Cash Flows ...................23, 74
Statement of Financial Position ..............73
Strategy ...................................... 2, 6-7, 9-19
Sustainability ..................................5, 27-34

T
telekomtelstra ....................................... 5,14
Telkom Indonesia ..................................7, 14
Telstra 24x7 App ........................................11
Telstra Air ...............................4, 6, 12-13, 22
Telstra Foundation ..................... 30-31, 148
Telstra Foundation Philippines ..................4
Telstra Health ..................5, 7, 14-15, 18, 21
Telstra Software Group ...........3, 14-15, 17,  
.................................................... 22, 150, 154

U
United Nations Global Compact ..... 34, 187

W
Wi-Fi ...........................4, 6-7, 12, 22, 25, 183

186

_Telstra Annual Report 2015

Online Shareholder Information

Keeping Informed

Sustainability Reporting

Telstra’s Investor Centre at  
telstra.com/investor has all the  
latest news and information  
available for shareholders.

Shareholders can also easily  
manage their shareholding online at  
www.linkmarketservices.com.au/telstra. 
Shareholders require their SRN/HIN  
and postcode for access and then can 
view and update information under the 
following menu options:

To keep up to date with the latest news 
about Telstra:

• follow us on twitter @Telstra_news

• follow us on Facebook

• subscribe to our media releases  
on our website at telstra.com.au/
aboutus/media/rss-feeds

• visit Telstra Exchange  

exchange.telstra.com.au

Holdings – transaction history,  
holding balance and value and  
latest closing share price.

Payment and Tax – dividend payment 
history, tax information, payment 
instructions and TFN details.  
Update bank details here.

Communication – become an 
e-Shareholder and update  
postal/email addresses and 
communication elections here.

Annual Report

Telstra’s 2015 Annual Report is available 
to all shareholders from our Investor 
Centre at telstra.com/annualreport.  
To receive a hardcopy of the Annual  
Report (free of charge), you can call our 
Share Registry on (+61) 1300 88 66 77  
and request a report be sent to you.  
You may also update your communication 
preferences online to change the way you 
receive future copies of the Annual Report.

Please refer to the Online Shareholder 
Information section for instructions on  
how to do this at www.linkmarketservices.
com.au/telstra.

Selected graphs and data presented  
in this Report are included in the  
Bigger Picture 2015 Sustainability  
Report, which is available online at  
telstra.com/sustainability/report.  
Our sustainability report provides  
more detailed information and  
analysis for our stakeholders on  
Telstra’s sustainability approach and 
performance. You can also subscribe  
to our sustainability newsletter at  
telstra.com/sustainability/subscribe.

We develop our sustainability  
reporting with reference to industry  
and sustainability standards, including 
the United Nations Global Compact 
Communication on Progress, and  
in accordance with the Global  
Reporting Initiative G4 Sustainability 
Reporting Guidelines. The full GRI  
Index can be found online at  
telstra.com/sustainability/report.

The spectrum device and ™ and ® are trade marks and 
registered trade marks of Telstra Corporation Limited,  
ABN 33 051 775 556.

®   Registered trademark of Telstra Corporation Limited.

™   Trademark of Telstra Corporation Limited.

**   Registered trade mark of Sensis Pty Limited.

*** Registered trade mark of Whispir Limited.

^   Registered trademark of Apple Inc.

^^   Registered trade mark of Roku Inc.

^^^ Registered trade mark of Stan Entertainment Pty Ltd.

@  Registered trade mark of Netflix Inc.

Foxtel marks are used under licence by Foxtel Management 
Pty Ltd.

All amounts are expressed in Australian dollars ($A) unless 
otherwise stated.

Designed by thatworks.

187

CONTACT DETAILS

Registered Office

Investor Relations

Level 41, 242 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Damien Coleman
Company Secretary
Email: companysecretary@team.telstra.com

Level 25, 242 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Australia: 1800 880 679
All Other: +61 (3) 8647 4954
Email: investor.relations@team.telstra.com

General Enquiries – Registered Office

Sustainability

Australia: 1300 368 387
All Other: +61 (8) 8308 1721

Level 37, 242 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Email: sustainability@team.telstra.com

Shareholder Enquiries

Australian Share Register
Australia: 1300 88 66 77
All Other: +61 1300 88 66 77
Fax: +61 (2) 9287 0303
Email: telstra@linkmarketservices.com.au
Website: www.linkmarketservices.com.au/telstra

Link Market Services Limited
PO Box A942
Sydney South NSW 1234 Australia

New Zealand Share Register
New Zealand: 0800 835 787
All Other: +64 9 375 5998
Fax: +64 (9) 375 5990
Email: enquiries@linkmarketservices.co.nz
Website: www.linkmarketservices.co.nz

Link Market Services Limited
PO Box 91976
Auckland 1142 New Zealand

Telstra Corporation Limited

ABN 33 051 775 556
Incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory
Telstra is listed on Stock Exchanges in  
Australia and in New Zealand (Wellington)

Websites

Telstra Investor Centre
telstra.com/investor

Telstra Sustainability
telstra.com/sustainability

INDICATIVE FINANCIAL CALENDAR1

Final dividend paid

Friday 25 September 2015

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Half Year Results announcement

Thursday 18 February 2016

Ex-dividend share trading commences

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Record date for interim dividend

Thursday 3 March 2016

DRP election date

Interim dividend paid

Friday 4 March 2016

Friday 1 April 2016

Annual Results announcement

Thursday 11 August 2016

Ex-dividend share trading commences2

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Record date for final dividend

Thursday 25 August 2016

DRP election date

Final dividend paid

Friday 26 August 2016

Friday 23 September 2016

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 11 October 2016

1    Timing of events may be subject to change. Any change will be notified to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
2    The ex-dividend share trading date for the final dividend reflects proposed amendments to the ASX Listing Rules  

associated with the implementation by the ASX of a T+2 settlement cycle in March 2016.

188

FF

  telstra.com/investor