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Uniti Group

uwl · ASX
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FY2020 Annual Report · Uniti Group
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ABOUT THIS REPORT

The Annual Report 2020 is a summary of Uniti’s 
operations, activities and financial position for the 12 
month period to 30 June 2020.

Uniti Group Limited is the parent company of the Uniti 
group of companies. In this report, unless otherwise 
stated, references to “Uniti”, “the Group”, “the 
Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Uniti Group 
Limited and its controlled entities.

In this report, references to the financial year refer to 
the period 1 July to 30 June unless otherwise stated. 
All dollar figures are expressed in Australian dollars, 
unless otherwise stated.

Our Corporate Governance Statement, detailing our 
compliance with the ASX Corporate Governance 
Council’s “Corporate Governance Principles & 
Recommendations – 4th Edition” can be found online 
at our website via http://unitigrouplimited.com.

REPORT OBJECTIVES

This report meets our governance and compliance 
requirements and has been written to provide 
shareholders and interested parties with clear, easy 
to understand information on the Company and its 
performance in FY20.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This report can also be found online via  
www.unitigrouplimited.com

KEY DATES

Financial Year End  
30 June 2020

Annual General Meeting 
22 October 2020  
Please refer to our website for further detail:  
www.unitigrouplimited.com

2

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020CONTENTS

Operational Highlights 

Chairman’s Letter 

CEO‘s Message 

Operating & Financial Review 

Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report (Audited) 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Financial Report 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Shareholder Information 

Corporate Directory 

4

5

7

9

20

27

39

40

97

98

102

105

3

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020HIGHLIGHTS OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR

UNDERLYING EBITDA

UNDERLYING EBITDA

FY19

FY20

REVENUE

REVENUE

FY19

FY20

FY19

FY20

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

FY19

FY20

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

UNDERLYING EBITDA EXIT RUN-RATE

UNDERLYING EBITDA EXIT RUN-RATE

FY19

FY20

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

3 TRANSFORMATIONAL 
ACQUISITIONS 

3 PILLARS ESTABLISHED

EXPERIENCED, HIGH CALIBRE  
EXECUTIVE TEAM EMBEDDED

ENTERED ASX300

UPGRADED EARNINGS 
GUIDANCE 3 TIMES

OPERATING CASHFLOW

OPERATING CASHFLOW

PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF 
OPTICOMM LIMITED (ASX: OPC) 
WELL PROGRESSED

(1)   Represents annualised June exit run-rate EBITDA less any acquisition and restructure costs and share based payments.

4

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

To all our valued shareholders,

I am very pleased to report that in this last year we have 
been successful in executing on our strategy to build 
businesses that are profitable and scalable in each of our 
declared “three pillars” of strategic growth, each of which 
operates as a separate business unit (‘BU’) - Wholesale 
& Infrastructure, Specialty Services and Consumer & 
Business Enablement.

Our focus over the last 12 months has been to continue 
to build on the momentum of FY19, aggressively pursuing 
growth and generating positive returns for shareholders. 
We have achieved this through organic growth as well as 
through acquisitions, and the success our executive team 
has achieved in seamlessly integrating these acquisitions.

In the first half of FY20 we completed three significant 
acquisitions, which have transformed the financial 
performance of Uniti (as outlined in the table below). 
The acquisitions of LBNCo and OPENetworks have 
allowed Uniti to successfully establish its private fibre 
infrastructure business operating wholesale access 
services across a large, growing national footprint of 
connected premises. The acquisition of 1300 Australia 
has considerably bolstered the scale and earnings 
performance of the Specialty Services BU and further 
diversified Uniti’s revenue and cashflow sources.

In the second half of FY20, Uniti did not make any 
new acquisitions and focused on business integration 
and profitable organic growth. Pleasingly, through this 
focused attention from our executive team, and despite 
the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uniti has 
continued to perform above expectations across each 
BU, resulting in two upgrades to the original FY20 
underlying proforma earnings guidance announced in 
December 2019.

At the core of Uniti’s philosophy is a commitment  to 
deliver on our purpose of “giving customers the best 
connection possible” by delivering high quality, diversified 
telecommunications products and services in order to 
produce strong and growing returns for our shareholders. 
The Uniti Board is confident that we are well placed to 
build a stronger, larger, more profitable and diversified 
business, with a market capitalisation expected to 
be eligible for S&P ASX200 Index inclusion once the 
acquisition of OPC completes.

FY20 has been a terrific year for Uniti, with the transition 
from a loss-making, fledgling newly listed company with 
underlying EBITDA of $(0.9) million in FY19 to a group of 
substance and capability generating underlying EBITDA 
in FY20 of $26.5 million. We enter the new financial year 
with $189.2 million of cash, an EBITDA run rate of $41 
million1  (prior to the OPC acquisition) and a pipeline of 
potential acquisition targets that are on strategy.

Uniti’s recently announced acquisition of OptiComm 
Limited (‘OPC’), which at the date of this report remains 
subject to OPC’s shareholders voting in favour of the 
proposed scheme of arrangement, accelerates our 
strategy in private fibre infrastructure ownership and will 
deliver the next phase of growth for Uniti’s shareholders. 
Shareholders can expect to benefit from the significant 
value creation of this transformational transaction 
and from the combined scale and capabilities that the 
acquisition will deliver to Uniti. This transaction is not 
expected to complete until early October 2020, assuming 
the various outstanding customary conditions are satisfied.

These achievements have been the result of the 
excellent performance of our executive team and 
all our employees, led by Michael Simmons, and the 
collaboration, expertise, and oversight from the Board. 
On behalf of the Board, I thank all Uniti employees for 
their commitment, hard work and contribution to what has 
been an outstanding year for Uniti.

(1)  Represents annualised June 2020 exit run-rate EBITDA less any acquisition and restructure costs and share based payments.

5

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020CHAIRMAN’S LETTER continued

To our Board of Directors, thank you for your focused, 
collaborative and considered approach to what we have 
achieved in FY20 and I look forward with anticipation, 
and some excitement, to continuing to enhance the 
performance, prospects and value of the Uniti business 
in FY21.

I would like to thank you, our shareholders, for your 
outstanding support over the past year, enabling Uniti to 
execute on its strategy through acquisition. Your support 
for our equity capital raisings is much appreciated.  Your 
Board and executive leadership team are committed 

to continuing to accretively deliver shareholder returns 
through aggressively executing on our organic and 
inorganic growth plans.

Yours sincerely, 

Graeme Barclay  
Chairman

Profit & Loss

$’000

Revenue

EBITDA (Reported)

EBITDA (Underlying)1

Cash Flow

$’000

Operating Cash Flow

Capital expenditure

EBITDA (Underlying)1 less capital expenditure

FY20

58,216

16,055

26,530

FY19

$ change

14,336

43,880

(5,499)

(884)

21,554

27,414

FY20

21,644

FY19

254

(8,243)

(1,950)

18,286

(2,834)

$ change

21,390

(6,294)

21,120

(1)  Underlying EBITDA is Reported EBITDA less acquisition and restructure costs of $5.9 million and share based payments of $4.6 million. A full 

reconciliation of statutory to underlying results is included in the Operating and Financial Review section of this report.

6

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
CEO’s MESSAGE

To all our valued shareholders, 

It is with much pride I write to you with our Company’s and 
my second CEO Annual Message. 

> 

The first Annual Report for our Company in FY19, which 
was for a period of less than 6 months since listing on the 
ASX, highlighted we had achieved the listing, established a 
high calibre Board of Directors and Executive, transformed 
the Company to positive operating profits and cash flow and, 
most importantly, set the platform for sustainable growth 
in net profits and cash flow as well as shareholder wealth. 
Strategic acquisitions in line with our clearly stated “three 
pillars” growth strategy was central to these outcomes.

In my second Annual Message to you, I am very pleased to 
tell you that we have continued to grow earnings and cash 
flows both through organic growth and through further 
acquisitions within each pillar. 

Our Company’s strategy and goal is to invest in businesses 
which have high growth capability, high margins and free 
cash generation, in markets where further acquisitions can be 
made and integrated quickly within the respective business 
unit, deliver the identified earnings accretion at acquisition 
and continue earnings growth organically after acquisition.

Your Board and Executive have continued to execute this 
clearly defined strategy and have delivered well in excess of 
our stated ambitions for the year ended 30 June 2020!

In the first half of FY20, we acquired five businesses 
operating in the construction of fibre to the premise 
(‘FTTP’) networks primarily in greenfields housing 
which created the Wholesale & Infrastructure (‘W&I’) 
pillar within Uniti. The five businesses (LBNCo, Pivit, 
Club Links, Capital Fibre Networks, Openetworks) 
were quickly fully integrated within the W&I pillar and 
by Q4 FY20 were delivering the identified earnings 
accretion and achieving organic growth ahead of 
expectations post acquisition and integration.

>  Also in H1 FY20, we acquired 1300 Australia within 
the Specialty Services pillar and by March 2020 we 
had once again integrated within the pillar delivering 
a 40% increase in acquired earnings, exceeding the 
forecast earnings accretion to shareholders providing 
evidence the Uniti Group strategy was working.

>  At our December half year results we announced the 
transformation of Uniti was underway with underlying 
EBITDA for the half of $7.2 million (pcp negative $1.6 
million), reported EBITDA $2.3 million (pcp negative 
$5.6 million), a Pro Forma annual EBITDA of $32 
million and an exit underlying EBITDA run rate2 at 
December 2019 of $33 million, being the financial 
results of December annualised. For the first half, Free 
Cash Flow (after capex) was 71% of underlying EBITDA.

>  The second half of FY20 was important to your 

I thought the 2019 financial year would be one of the more 
memorable years when we look back in time on the history 
of Uniti. Fortunately, I was wrong. In the 2020 financial year, 
the Company executed on strategy but at an even faster 
pace than previously. There is a long list of achievements in 
2020, the most notable of which include the following:

> 

>  We finished calendar year 2019 as the best performed 
IPO of 2019 with a share price increase since listing of 
530% and a market capitalisation of $510 million.  

>  By the end of the financial year, we were admitted to the 
ASX300 Index - less than 18 months from listing at an 
initial offer price of $0.25, and approximately $30 million 
market capitalisation.

Board and Executive. We focused on integration 
of the acquired businesses in CY19, realisation of 
identified efficiencies of acquisitions, implementing 
organic revenue growth and the subsequent earnings 
accretion to shareholders. It happened! 

In H2 FY20, we did not make an acquisition and 
against a backdrop of COVID-19, we achieved a 25% 
organic growth in earnings for the second half. During 
the half, we announced to the market two profit 
upgrades. The exit run rate annualised underlying 
EBITDA1 was $41 million compared to the same 
measure at December 2019 of $33 million and Pro 
Forma underlying EBITDA in December (after the last 
acquisition) of $32 million. Annualised EBITDA for H2 
was approximately $38 million.

(1) Represents annualised exit run-rate EBITDA less any acquisition and restructure costs and share based payments

7

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020CEO’s MESSAGE continued

>  The Company has continued to invest in fibre 
infrastructure network builds, principally FTTP 
networks in greenfields housing which has been a 
large contributor to organic earnings growth. Despite 
extensive capital investment in telecommunications 
infrastructure, we have maintained high cash 
generation relative to profits. Free Cash Flow for 
H2 is approximately 74% of underlying EBITDA up 
on the prior half of 71% despite increased absolute 
expenditure. Operating cash flow for Q4 FY20 was 
$10.1 million which highlights continued strong cash 
management when compared to the $41 million exit 
run rate annualised underlying EBITDA at June. 

We have finished the 2020 Financial Year in a fantastic 
position poised to replicate in FY21 and beyond in the 
following way: 

>  our operating model is now proven - the pillar strategy 

works “integrate within, not across”

>  all acquisitions are delivering above expectations and 

acquisition multiples are effectively lower   

>  all businesses are fully integrated within the business 

unit and delivering growth

> 

the identified market segments for investment and 
operations are in growth 

> 

future acquisitions can be integrated with confidence

>  we are delivering cash earnings not just EBITDA - free 

cash as high as 70% of EBITDA

>  high cash generation and cash on hand at financial year 

end of $41M (excluding recent capital raises)

>  addressable markets for organic growth and potential 

acquisitive growth is evident and deliverable 

> 

the Board, Executives and Team are in place to 
continue replication 

>  we are financially strong to support organic growth and 

earnings accretive acquisitions aligned to strategy 

This fantastic position established towards the end of FY20, 
presented the opportunity for your Board and Executive to 
embark on what I think was aptly called Project 2020.

An agreement to acquire OptiComm Limited, via a Scheme 
of Arrangement, was signed before 30 June 2020. The 
Scheme is now well under way and we are confident of 
completion in early October 2020.

8

OptiComm will be the largest acquisition we have made, at 
a price of $532 million, and the largest earnings contributor 
with FY20 EBITDA of $39 million recently announced by 
OptiComm. 

We estimate synergies post acquisition of approximately 
$10M which will equate to an EBITDA acquisition multiple 
just over 10 times.  

The acquisition of OptiComm will be transformational in 
earnings contribution and increase in market capitalisation. 
Subject to market conditions, we are hopeful Uniti will 
transform to a billion dollar market capitalisation and see 
our entry into the ASX200. 

OptiComm will also be transformational in terms of the 
market growth opportunities we will be able to pursue 
which we expect will transition into greater absolute 
earnings growth in amount and rate into the future.  

Finally, I would like to thank my Chairman, our Directors, 
my fellow Executives and all our Employees for their 
enormous contribution toward creating a wonderful 
year and financial outcome for our shareholders. It was 
and continues to be trying business conditions with the 
impact of COVID-19 but notwithstanding our Company 
has continued to function at or above expectations and we 
have been able to ensure all our highly valued members of 
Uniti have remained safe. 

I also thank you our shareholders. During FY20 we 
undertook a number of capital raisings to enable strategic 
acquisitions and on each occasion the support was 
significant and all offers to acquire new shares in Uniti were 
oversubscribed and furthermore we welcomed many new 
shareholders to Uniti.

Yours sincerely, 

Michael Simmons  
Chief Executive Officer

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW

GROUP OPERATING 
PERFORMANCE

Overview of operations

Uniti Group Limited (ASX: UWL) (‘Uniti’) is a diversified 
provider of telecommunications services. Uniti operates 
three distinct Business Units (‘BU’), each aligned to a pillar  
of strategic growth and led by a separate Chief Executive 
and leadership team. The BU’s operate as independent 
businesses and each has it’s own business plan including 
legal, financial targets. Each BU is supported by a shared 
services function for commonly applied functions including 
governance, financial and risk management, corporate 
IT, communications and project management. Uniti’s 
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Executive 
Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer (and associated employees) are included within the 
Corporate Services team.

Uniti listed on the ASX in February 2019 with a stated 
strategy of becoming a leading provider of niche 
telecommunications services, via both organic growth and 
inorganic growth through acquisitions of businesses. Uniti 
has brought together an experienced board of directors 
and executive team to organically build the business and 
to support the identification, execution, integration and 
growth of the sizeable pool of acquisition opportunities 
across the ‘three pillars’ of strategic growth.

The product offerings, markets and brands are outlined in 
the table overleaf.

During the period ended 30 June 2020, Uniti reorganised 
its operating segments to align with the “three pillars” 
operating model and to reflect the diversification of the 
Group’s portfolio following the acquisitions completed 
during the year. Consequently, the one operating segment 
as reported in the financial year ended 30 June 2019, 
being the provision of telecommunications services to 
residential and business customer has been split into 
three new segments. The three segments are Wholesale & 
Infrastructure; Specialty Services; and Consumer & Business 
Enablement. Comparative balances have been restated to 
reflect the updated reporting structure.

Wholesale & Infrastructure

Uniti’s Wholesale & Infrastructure (‘W&I’) business 
unit is engaged in the design, installation, operation, 
and maintenance of FTTP open access wholesale 
telecommunications ‘last mile’ network infrastructure 
operating mainly in greenfields new housing 
developments in broadacre residential estates and 
multiple dwelling units throughout Australia.

W&I carries out the following activities:

>  The construction of FTTP telecommunications 

networks capable of delivering super-fast broadband, 
voice services, pay and free to air TV services and other 
media, security, monitoring and ancillary services which 
can be carried on FTTP networks. Revenues generated 
from this activity are one-off and project based.

>  The wholesale sale of broadband and voice services 

on the FTTP networks constructed and owned by W&I 
businesses (or to a lesser extent constructed by W&I, 
owned by a third party and operated by W&I) to retail 
service providers (‘RSP’) who on-sell those services to end 
users, being residents and businesses in dwellings within 
the broadacre estates and multi dwelling unit complexes. 
This revenue is recurring in nature commencing as 
services are connected to the network by RSPs.

>  The construction and supply of integrated 

communication network (‘ICN’) and services that are 
carried over the FTTP networks and deliver a number of 
applications and outcomes useful in managing security, 
access, monitoring and communicating in environments 
often termed as smart buildings or communities as well 
as delivery of various media services.

For further information on the financial performance of the 
division, please refer to Divisional Performance section.

Specialty Services

Specialty Services provides premium voice services over 
13, 1300, 1800 calling services. The services include a 
value-added software as a service data analytics and call 
tracking application, as well as the leasing of phonewords 
on these numbers. The go-to-market brand for phone 
words is 1300 Australia.

1300 Australia is Australia’s market leader in phone words, 
holding the largest inventory of phonewords nationally, 
with approximately 11,000 phonewords available for 
lease, of which more than 4,000 are currently leased to 
customers on an annuity basis.

9

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

The Specialty Services service portfolio and in particular 
Phonewords have infrastructure-like characteristics 
providing high margin and are highly cash generative. For 
further information on the financial performance of the 
division, please refer to Divisional Performance section.

Consumer & Business Enablement

Uniti’s Consumer & Business Enablement (‘CBE’) business 
unit provides telecommunications products and services 
including broadband and voice services on a mixture of 

owned wireless infrastructure and resold fibre access 
networks. CBE has a focus on the resale of various private 
fibre networks as well as  being a reseller of nbnTM for 
customer retention purposes only. CBE operates and 
maintains the Uniti wireless network infrastructure and 
provides wireless broadband services to retail end-
users on a vertically integrated basis across its wireless 
infrastructure.

For further information on the financial performance of the 
division, please refer to Divisional Performance section.

BUSINESS UNITS

Wholesale &
Infrastructure

Specialty Services

Consumer & Business 
Enablement

Fibre Networks
Infrastructure Ownership
Wholesale Services

Phonewords
Inbound Services
Data Analytics

Wireless & Fibre 
Broadband Services

TODAY’S 
MARKET

> Builders

> Developers

> Strata

> Wholesale Network

> Small to Medium Business

> Consumer

> Corporate

> Small Business

> Third Party Retailers

TODAY’S 
BRANDS

10

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

GROUP OPERATING PERFORMANCE continued

Underlying results overview

$’000

Revenue 
Operating expenses1

Underlying EBITDA2 
Depreciation and amortisation3

Underlying EBIT4
Net finance costs

Underlying  net profit before tax

FY20

FY19

$ change

% change

58,216
(31,686)

26,530
(4,267)

22,263
(595)

21,668

14,336
(15,220)

(884) 
(5,214)

(6,098) 
(872)

43,880
(16,466)

27,414 
947

28,361 
277

(6,970)

28,638

306%
108%

3,101%
(18%)

465%
(32%)

411%

(1)  Operating expenses refers to network and hardware expense of $13.8 million (2019: $6.6 million), employee benefits expense of $17.4 million 

(2019: $9.3 million) and other expenses of $10.9 million (2019: $3.9 million) less significant items of $10.5 million (2019: $4.6 million).

(2) EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

(3) Depreciation and amortisation refers to reported depreciation and amortisation expense less amortisation of acquired customer base intangible 

of $2.6 million (2019: $0.5 million).

(4)  EBIT refers to earnings before interest and tax.

Reconciliation of reported to underlying results

$’000

Underlying EBITDA 

Significant items
Acquisition and restructure costs1
Share based payments
IPO expenses

Reported EBITDA
Depreciation and amortisation
Finance costs
Impairment of right-of-use assets
Tax 2

Reported net profit after tax

FY20

FY19

$ change

% change

26,530 

 (884)

 27,414 

3,101%

(5,894)
 (4,581)
 -

16,055 
 (6,853)
 (595)
 -   
 7,314 

 (211)
 (3,311)
 (1,093)

 (5,499)
 (5,753)
 (872)
 (1,407)
 -   

 (5,683)
 (1,270)
 1,093 

21,554 
 (1,100)
 277 
 1,407 
 7,314 

 15,921 

 (13,531)

 29,452 

2,693%
38%
100% 

392%
19%
(32%)
100%
-%

218%

(1)  Relates to $5.2 million of costs incurred for the acquisition of LBNCo Pty Ltd and its related entities (LBNCo), OPENetworks Pty Ltd (OPEN), 

1300 Australia Pty Ltd (1300 Australia) and its related entities, and the proposed acquisition of OptiComm Limited and its related entities. Also 
includes restructure costs of $0.7 million in FY20. Acquisition costs incurred during FY19 are in relation to the acquisition of Call Dynamics Pty  
Ltd and Fone Dynamics Pty Ltd and its related entities.

(2) The tax benefit represents the recognition of income tax losses incurred by Uniti and certain acquired companies from prior periods and the 

movement in the deferred tax assets and liabilities on the acquired companies joining the tax consolidated group. The transition to significant 
profits before tax in the year has meant that the realisation of accumulated losses being recouped against current and future taxable income 
is more certain, requiring the recording of the deferred tax asset for these losses. During FY20, the Group recorded a taxable income, utilising 
$7.6m (tax affected: $2.3m) of the prior period and transferred in losses. The Group losses are utilised initially, with transferred in losses from 
acquisitions subsequently utilised against taxable income in accordance with their available fraction. As at 30 June 2020, the balance of the 
available losses is $8.1m (tax affected: $2.4m), which will be utilised in future periods in accordance with their available fraction. The residual 
tax income is a result of movements across deferred tax asset and liabilities.

11

OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

GROUP OPERATING PERFORMANCE continued

Revenue and underlying EBITDA overview

Discussion of the factors driving revenue and underlying EBITDA are contained in the commentary on divisional 
performance. Revenue, underlying EBITDA, EBIT and net profit after tax for the financial year to June 2019 have been 
adjusted to accommodate changes in the reporting structure in FY20. As a number of acquisitions were completed 
during the period, comparative information may not be presented. Similarly, results presented below may represent a 
contribution for part of FY20 depending on when businesses were acquired. For further information on the financial 
performance of the division please refer to Divisional Performance section.

$’000

Revenue

Wholesale & Infrastructure 
Specialty Services 
Consumer & Business Enablement 
Intercompany1 
Unallocated2

Underlying EBITDA

Wholesale & Infrastructure 
Specialty Services
Consumer & Business Enablement 
Unallocated2

FY20

FY19

$ change

% change

 58,216

 14,336

43,880

306%

 22,351
20,969
24,004
(9,432)
324

 26,530

 14,525
11,752
4,779 
(4,526)

 -    
 704  
 13,591  
- 
 41 

 (884)

-
191
689
(1,764)

 22,351
20,265
10,413
(9,432)
283

 27,415

 14,525
11,561
4,090
(2,761)

-% 
2,879% 
77% 
-% 
690%

3,101%

-% 
6,053% 
593% 
156%

(1)  Intercompany revenue is eliminated on consolidation and relates primarily to recurring charges from the W&I business unit to the CBE business 

unit for the provision of wholesale telecommunications services.

(2)  Unallocated revenue represents interest income earned in relation to cash and cash equivalents. Unallocated costs include corporate services 

costs and board costs. 

Discussion of the factors driving revenue and underlying EBITDA are contained in the commentary on divisional performance.

Statement of financial position 

$’000

Current assets 
Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities  
Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Net tangible assets

Current ratio

12

FY20

FY19

199,171 
254,948

454,119

24,356 
8,069

32,425

421,694

22,345 
28,973

51,318

13,891 
11,557

25,448

25,870

215,667

8.2

4,950

1.6

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020GROUP OPERATING PERFORMANCE continued

Our balance sheet is in a strong position with net assets of $421.7 million, net tangible assets of $215.7 million and zero 
debt on balance sheet as at 30 June 2020. Current assets increased by $176.8 million to $199.2 million across the year. 
A core driver of this increase is our cash position, which increased by $170.0 million, mainly driven by the proceeds from 
the issue of shares as part of the proposed OptiComm acquisition and a strong operating cash performance of $21.6 
million. Non-current assets increased by $226.0 million to $254.9 million, mainly driven by acquisition activity generating 
$161.3 million goodwill and a further $61.0 million in property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets. Current 
liabilities increased by $10.5 million to $24.4 million. The increase is again, mainly driven by assets and liabilities acquired 
through business combinations.

Non-current liabilities decreased by $3.5 million to $8.1 million. Uniti fully repaid the outstanding balance of the South 
Australia Financing Authority loan of $2.5 million to provide flexibility to implement a new debt facility in FY21 as part of 
the funding sources for the OptiComm acquisition.

Cash flows 

$’000

Operating cash flow  

Investing activities

Financing activities 

Net movement in cash 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

FY20

21,644

FY19

254

(176,460)

(12,461)

324,835

170,019

189,150

30,491

18,284

19,131

Cash flows have improved significantly compared to prior year. Net operating cash inflows has risen substantially from 
the contribution of the acquisitions completed during the year and the highly cash generative nature of the businesses 
acquired across the period supported by the organic growth achieved. Investing activities includes $168.3 million relating 
to businesses acquired, with the residual $8.2 million relating to capital expenditure (refer overleaf for details). Financing 
activities includes $328.3 million cash generated from share issues throughout the year, net of share issue costs. During 
the year Uniti fully repaid loans outstanding with the South Australian Financing Authority of $2.5 million. In addition, 
$1 million in payments on leases relating primarily to office leases and rent expenses for tower assets, used in the Uniti 
Wireless business, were made to further reduce loan liabilities.

Capital expenditure 

2020 - $’000

Growth 
Maintenance

Total capital expenditure 

2019 - $’000

Growth 
Maintenance

Total capital expenditure 

Wholesale & 
Infrastructure

Specialty  
Services

Consumer & Business 
Enablement

6,077 
677

6,754

76 
50

126

1,140 
223

1,363

Wholesale & 
Infrastructure

Specialty  
Services

Consumer & Business 
Enablement

- 
-

-

- 
-

-

1,833 
117

1,950

TOTAL

7,293 
950

8,243

TOTAL

1,833 
117

1,950

13

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
Key performance indicators 

Metrics

ARPU2

Sites 

Gross margin %

Active premises 

Connected premises 

Contracted lots

(1)  LBNCo Pty Ltd and its related entities 

and OPENetworks Pty Ltd were 

acquired on 1 October 2019 and 1 

November 2019, respectively.

(2)  Average revenue per user. 

FY20

$48.47

84%

519 

39,476 

98,143 

40,054

FY191

n/a

n/a

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a

OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

DIVISIONAL PERFORMANCE

Wholesale & Infrastructure

Earnings summary

$’000

Revenue

Recurring  
Developer

EBITDA2

EBITDA margin %

Capital expenditure

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure / EBITDA %

FY20

22,351

20,169 
2,182

14,525

65%

(6,755)

7,770

53%

FY191

n/a

n/a 
n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

$ change

% change

n/a

n/a 
n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 
n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

(1)  LBNCo Pty Ltd and its related entities and OPENetworks Pty Ltd were acquired on 1 October 2019 and 1 November 2019, respectively.

(2)  EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The reported net profit after tax for the business unit for FY20 is $13.2 

million (2019: n/a) and represents EBITDA less depreciation expense of $1.3 million (2019: n/a). Please refer to Note 3 for the reconciliation of reported 
EBITDA to reported net profit after tax for each segment.

W&I delivered strong results for FY20 with improved organic revenue and earnings growth driven by an increase in active premises 
since the acquisition date of 1 October 2019. Throughout FY20, less than 10% of revenue was non-recurring in nature, demonstrating 
the strong self-sustaining recurring revenue stream in the W&I business model. EBITDA margins have increased from 55% since 
acquisition to 65% as a result of integration efficiencies and synergies and achieved organic growth in the W&I business unit.

Specialty Services

Earnings summary
$’000

Revenue

EBITDA2

EBITDA margin %

Capital expenditure 

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure / EBITDA %

FY20

FY191

$ change

% change

20,969

11,752

56%

(126)

11,626

99%

704

191

27%

-

191

20,265

11,561

29pp

126

2,879%

6,053%

107%

-%

11,435

5,987%

100%

(1pp)

(1%)

(1)  Fone Dynamics Pty Ltd and Call Dynamics Pty Ltd were acquired on 1 June 2019 and 1300 Australia Pty Ltd was acquired on 16 December 2019.

(2)  EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The reported net profit after tax for the business unit for FY20 is $9.8 
million (2019: $0.2 million) and represents EBITDA less depreciation expense of $1.9 million (2019: $0.0 million) and finance costs of $0.0 million 
(2019: nil). Please refer to Note 3 for the reconciliation of reported EBITDA to reported net profit after tax for each segment.

The Specialty Services BU delivered solid results for FY20. Cost synergies and organic growth have been realised 
as part of the successful integration of Fone Dynamics, Call Dynamics, and 1300 Australia. The EBITDA margin has 
improved from 27% to 56%, driven by the addition of the higher margin 1300 Australia business, pricing changes, cross 
selling opportunities and cost benefits realised through integration. The Specialty Services business unit is highly cash 
generative, with 99% free cashflow conversion.

14

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020DIVISIONAL PERFORMANCE continued

Consumer & Business Enablement

Earnings summary

$’000

Revenue

EBITDA2

EBITDA margin %

Capital expenditure 

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure

Underlying EBITDA less capital expenditure / EBITDA %

(1)  Fuzenet Pty Ltd was acquired on 11 February 2019.

FY20

FY191

$ change

% change

24,004

13,591

4,779

20%

(1,363)

3,416

71%

689

5%

(1,950)

(1,261)

(183%)

10,413

4,090

15pp

(587)

4,677

254pp

77%

593%

300%

(30%)

371%

139%

(2)  EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The reported net profit after tax for the business unit for FY20 is $0.7 
million (2019: negative $7.1 million) and represents EBITDA less depreciation expense of $3.7 million (2019: $5.7 million) and finance costs of $0.4 
million (2019: $0.7 million). FY19 also includes an impairment of right-of-use asset for $1.4 million. Please refer to Note 3 for the reconciliation of 
reported EBITDA to reported net profit after tax for each segment.

CBE revenue has increased by $10.4 million on the prior period to $24.0 million, primarily driven by a full financial year 
contribution from the Fuzenet business acquired in February 2019. A renewed focus on ensuring exceptional customer 
service has resulted in strong customer retention and higher customer acquisition numbers particularly in the latter part 
of the year on resold fibre networks. Connected customers to the CBE managed wireless infrastructure have continued 
to decline in FY20 as CBE has repositioned business operations to the more highly demanded fibre networks which also 
produce better cash margins after capital expenditure. As a result, the CBE business unit delivered strong EBITDA growth 
of $4.1 million, from $0.7 million in FY19 to $4.8 million in FY20 and a marked reduction in capital expenditure and 
increase in cash generation.

15

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

GROUP OUTLOOK

Group strategy 

Uniti has a clear strategy built around its “three-pillar” 
focus and has significant growth ambitions, which 
it plans to achieve through a combination of strong 
organic growth and an accretive acquisition strategy.

Organic Growth

Organic revenue and profit growth are evident in the 
individual business unit financial results in FY20 and 
consequently, in the group financial results, since its 
listing.

This strong organic growth is attributable to a number of 
factors including:

> 

investing in identified market segments or pillars 
within the telecommunications industry where 
competition is not intense, the products and services 
are in demand and growth and returns are high. 
This has created three business units with a natural 
organic growth capability.

>  acquiring businesses within each strategic pillar 
which are an ideal fit aligning with the business 
activities undertaken within that business unit. 
This results in immediate benefits through cost 
efficiencies, speedy integration and improved organic 
growth contributed largely by increased scale, 
efficiency and market presence.

> 

> 

the acquisition of businesses within a business 
unit with similar or naturally associated products 
generating high cash margins resulting in self-
funding organic revenue growth better than pre 
acquisition.

the focus on three business units with the 
characteristics of high growth, margins and cash 
generation contributes to enhanced products, 
customer service, innovation and a more efficient go 
to market to contribute to organic growth.

Acquisition Growth

In addition to the successful execution of the organic 
growth plans for increasing market share in each market 
that Uniti participates in, is the continued acquisition of 
new businesses, ideally positioned to become part of 
one of the “three pillars” and the consequent effective 
integration of the acquisitions within the respective 
business unit.

Uniti’s intention to pursue an acquisition strategy to 
complement organic growth in each of its business 
units is deliberate, focusses squarely on rewarding its 
shareholders and is designed to achieve the following 
objectives:

>  build capability (people, process, platforms);

>  add sustainable, expandable earnings to the business;

>  add diversity to revenues and earnings; and

>  add scale, and consequently deliver operating 

efficiencies.

Each of Uniti’s acquisitions to date has satisfied the 
above objectives, and has also met the following criteria 
which are systematically applied to any contemplated 
acquisition:

>  aligns with Uniti’s stated strategy and fits within one 

of its business units for strategic growth;

>  provides products with high profit margins and is 
highly cash generative to deliver its shareholders 
incremental 

>  has the ability to quickly grow organically;

>  provides high cash generation to ensure certainty 

of cash payback and accretive returns to its 
shareholders; and

> 

is fairly priced.

16

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020GROUP OUTLOOK continued

Wholesale & Infrastructure

Specialty Services

W&I primarily owns the network that is constructed and 
installed on behalf of third parties. Ownership of the 
network generates recurring revenue streams as end 
user services are connected to the network by RSPs.

As a result of the acquisitions undertaken in 2019, the 
W&I business unit has achieved operating scale in the 
construction and operation of FTTP telecommunications 
networks in this market.

As of 30 June 2020, W&I has built to 519 developments 
across Australia with approximately 98,000 Connected 
Premises built and over 40,000 of these Connected 
Premises classified as Active Premises with active 
broadband and/or telephone being provided by an RSP 
(in respect of which W&I receives monthly recurring 
access and capacity revenue).

W&I has a contracted pipeline of new developments 
in different stages of construction with approximately 
40,000 premises contracted to have fibre infrastructure 
installed in the next two to three years.

W&I’s business strategy includes capitalising on these 
opportunities and expanding network construction 
and operation beyond the Greenfields residential 
development market into adjacent markets such as 
retirement living, lifestyle communities and commercial 
and industrial precincts. W&I is also well positioned to 
be the smart building/smart city enabler in this market 
following recent success in providing converged services 
over the FTTP networks being deployed. This market 
continues to evolve and open up new opportunities for 
private networks to be constructed and operated on a 
wholesale basis. 

Specialty Services strategy is to increase market share, 
mainly in the enterprise and corporate markets, through 
delivering a combination of an expanded suite of products 
and services, and competitive pricing. This strategy is 
complemented by a modern self-service platform and 
value-added features, ensuring better utilisation of existing 
infrastructure, and the introduction of carriage services 
across the phoneword customer base.

Consumer & Business Enablement

During FY20, CBE has been focused on reselling 
services on the private fibre networks with which it has 
an interconnect. These networks have the requisite 
criteria aligned to the organic growth strategy with less 
competition and better margins than nbnTM. CBE is a 
reseller of the nbnTM network but only as a default to 
minimize customer churn on relocation.

Uniti identified the opportunity for organic growth in 
enabling third parties to operate in the RSP market 
reselling the various FTTP networks constructed in 
Australia and interconnected by CBE.

CBE is ideally positioned, through its investment in 
the interconnect, digital customer acquisition and the 
enhancement of the customer experience with its 
own on-shore call centre operations, to provide these 
enablement services to smaller RSPs, thereby removing 
the barriers to entry for those players, and for non-telco 
operators wanting to offer their customers access to 
broadband as part of their suite of products.

17

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

GROUP OUTLOOK continued

Summary of key risks

The following information sets out the major risks that the Company is exposed to. It excludes specific financial risks that 
are identified in the commentary around the financial performance of the company. These risks may affect Uniti’s financial 
performance, financial position, cash flows, distributions, growth prospects and share price. 

The risks below are identified to assist investors in understanding the nature of the risks faced by Uniti and the industry in 
which it operates. Uniti manages and seeks to mitigate these risks through internal review and control processes at the Board 
and management level.

Competition 
risks

Supplier and 
technology  
risks

Regulatory  
risks

Uniti faces competition for customers from several alternative suppliers of broadband internet connectivity 
services, including other resellers of nbnTM and mobile operators currently delivering 4G cellular services 
and soon to deliver 5G cellular services in these markets. Further, the fixed wireless market opportunity 
exists primarily because it offers a competitive service to that provided to certain Fibre to the Node (FTTN) 
customers on nbnTM. If there was a change to nbnTM’s technology solutions or pricing strategies that made 
the nbnTM more competitive, this could have a materially adverse impact on Uniti’s ability to attract FTTP 
network construction and the consequent acquisition of and/or retention of sufficient customers and to 
generate sufficient revenues and profitability to provide a return to investors.

Uniti relies on the use of third-party hardware and software technologies to deliver its products and services. 
These technologies are required to continually perform to expected standards, without disruption or 
cessation. Uniti’s success will depend on its ability to access technology and respond quickly to changes 
in a cost-effective manner. The extent to which recent changes in the security stance from the Australian 
Government in relation to equipment and components sourced from some countries may impact on Uniti’s 
existing plans or requirements to refresh its network, is still uncertain. 

Uniti also relies on key business relationships to deliver its services such as IP transit, backhaul, high sites or 
equipment. A disruption in the supply of, or prices associated with, equipment or services utilised by Uniti 
may have a negative impact on the business. 

Certain equipment used by Uniti sourced from overseas, the cost of which is dependent on foreign 
exchange rates. Uniti’s ability to pass on or recover the impact of adverse currency movements is uncertain.

Uniti operates in a highly regulated environment, with strong penalties for non-compliance, including 
undertakings or the imposition of substantial civil and criminal penalties. Possible further changes to 
existing regulation in addition to those recently enacted, including the  introduction of the Regional 
Broadband Services levy from 1 January 2021, and the Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) regime, 
as well as the proposed amendments to the Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) policy 
may impose substantial risks to both Uniti’s business and increased compliance costs. Uniti is not able 
to predict the nature or impact of future policies and any such changes are beyond Uniti’s control, 
which could impose a range of risks upon Uniti in the future. Uniti utilises class license spectrum and is 
subject to and must comply with laws, regulations and government policies. If changes occur to existing 
policies and legislation, then Uniti could be adversely affected.

18

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020GROUP OUTLOOK continued

Network and  
operational 
disruption

Operational  
and growth  
risks

Design, 
construction and 
development 
risks

General 
economic 
conditions

Uniti depends on the performance, reliability and availability of its technology platform, including its online 
led customer service platform, call centre and communications systems. There is a risk that these platforms 
and systems may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including damage, equipment faults, power 
failure, computer viruses, malicious interventions such as hacking, natural disasters. Events of that nature 
may adversely impact the availability of Uniti’s technology platform or website.

Uniti is exposed to risks associated with the rollout of its network, outages and loss of customer services. 
There is a risk that the implementation of the Uniti’s growth strategies will be subject to delays or 
cost overruns, and there is no guarantee that these strategies will generate growth. Furthermore, the 
implementation of these growth strategies may lead to changes to the Uniti’s business or the customer 
experience which may result in unintended adverse consequences if such changes affect customers’ 
willingness to buy the Company’s products.

Any delays or unexpected costs associated with the design, construction, and development of any of Uniti’s 
W&I fibre optic telecommunications infrastructure or any changes in funding arrangements with developers 
may harm Uniti’s growth prospects, future operating results and financial condition. 

Delays or unexpected costs can be dictated by external factors such as decisions by developers to vary, 
delay or cancel developments or industry price increases affecting components, labour or other aspects 
of the design, construction and development stages.  Whilst this risk is largely outside Uniti’s control, the 
risk is actively managed through visibility over the timing and completion of projected developments and 
keeping appraised of market conditions.

In light of recent global macroeconomic events, including the impact of COVID-19, Australia has 
experienced a significant economic recession which could impact the development and construction 
of new housing projects and/or vacancy rates in residential, commercial or retail premises, and the 
Uniti’s ability to attract and retain customers, to invest sufficiently to develop, adopt and integrate the 
latest technologies into existing infrastructure, and to secure and maintain third party suppliers for 
IT and network infrastructure over whom Uniti may have no direct operational or financial control. 
These economic disruptions may adversely impact the Uniti’s earnings and assets, as well as the 
value of Uniti shares.

19

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020DIRECTORS’ REPORT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The names and details of the directors of Uniti during FY20 and at the date of this report are as follows:

Graeme Barclay

John Lindsay

Kathy Gramp

Independent Non-Executive Chairman

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Committee Membership: Member 
of the Audit & Risk Committee 
and Member of Nomination & 
Remuneration Committee

Committee Membership: Member 
of the Audit & Risk Committee and 
Chair of Nomination & Remuneration 
Committee

Committee Membership: Chair of the 
Audit & Risk Committee and Member 
of Nomination & Remuneration 
Committee

Other listed Directorships  
(last 3 years): Codan Limited 
Godfreys Limited (resigned May 2018)

Kathryn Gramp is an experienced 
company director with more than 
20 years’ experience, across a 
diverse range of industries including 
commercial radio, digital media and 
technology and consumer centric 
organisations.

She spent 22 years at Austereo Ltd, 
including her appointment as Chief 
Financial Officer since 2003, and was a 
member of the Executive Committee. 
Kathy’s current roles include being 
a non-executive director of Codan 
Limited (ASX:CDA) and the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors.

Kathy is a Fellow of the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors and 
Chartered Accountants Australia 
and New Zealand and holds a BA in 
Accountancy from The University of 
South Australia.

Other listed Directorships  
(last 3 years): Codan Limited 

Other listed Directorships 
(last 3 years): Redflow Limited

John Lindsay is a telecommunications 
industry expert with a career in 
the telecommunications industry 
spanning over 25 years with past 
roles including CTO at iiNet Ltd, CTO 
and Regulatory and Corporate Affairs 
Manager at Internode Pty Ltd and 
a Director of the Internet Industry 
Association. John is currently a 
director of the Telecommunications 
Industry Ombudsman, TIO Ltd and 
of Redflow Ltd (ASX:RFX). He is also 
a director of a number of private 
companies including Ultraserve Pty 
Ltd and jtwo solutions Pty Ltd.

John is a graduate member of the 
Australian Institute of Company 
Directors.

BSA Limited (resigned December 2019)  

Graeme Barclay is an experienced 
commercial executive and qualified 
Chartered Accountant with more than 
35 years’ experience in professional 
services and in the broadcast and 
telecommunications sector.

Graeme has held a number of 
executive level positions both locally 
and internationally including as 
Executive Director in Macquarie 
Group’s infrastructure team, 
Chairman of Transit Wireless LLP 
(United States of America), and 
Group Chief Executive Officer of BAI 
Communications for 11 years to 2013.

Between 2014 and 2020, Graeme has 
held various positions including CEO 
and Chairman of Nextgen Networks, 
Chairman of Metronode Data Centers, 
CEO of Axicom Group Holdings and 
has been a non-executive director of 
ASX listed Codan Limited (ASX:CDA) 
since 2015.

Graeme is an economics graduate 
from St Andrews University, a member 
of the Australian Institute of Company 
Directors, a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in Scotland, 
a member of Chartered Accountants 
Australia and NZ, and a fellow of FINSIA.

20

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

Executive Director

Other listed Directorships  
(last 3 years): Vocus Group Limited 
(resigned 6 March 2018)

Group Managing Director & Chief 
Executive Officer

Other listed Directorships 
(last 3 years): None

Vaughan Bowen is a highly successful 
business builder, M&A practitioner & 
philanthropist. As founder of ASX100 
telecommunications company M2 
Group (which became part of Vocus 
Group, following a merger in 2016), 
Vaughan took M2 from start-up to a 
business valued at greater than $2B, 
with more than 3,000 team members, 
nearly 1 million customer services 
across Australia & New Zealand and 
owner of household names including 
Dodo, iPrimus and Commander.

During the M2 journey, Vaughan led 
the identification, vendor negotiation 
and acquisition of more than 30 
companies.

In 2012, Vaughan founded, seeded 
and served as Chairman of the Telco 
Together Foundation (‘TTF’), the 
Australian telco industry’s only united 
charitable entity, endorsed by the 
federal government’s Department of 
Communications. In only a few years, 
TTF has raised several million dollars 
for various disadvantaged communities 
and implemented national programs 
for the benefit of the not-for-profit 
sector as a whole, including carrier 
unified text message giving.

Michael Simmons is a seasoned 
media and telecommunications 
executive who brings more than 40 
years’ industry experience to Uniti. He 
contributes considerable experience 
in building ASX listed businesses within 
the telecommunications and media 
sectors, gained through various roles 
over the period. Prior to joining Uniti, 
Michael held chief executive roles at 
Vocus Group Limited, TPG Telecom 
(previously SPTelemedia Group) 
and TERRiA (a telecommunications 
consortium of infrastructure-based 
telecommunications carriers (including 
TPG) as well as other roles within those 
businesses prior to being appointed 
chief executive.

Michael has also had numerous board 
and advisory roles within the telco and 
media sectors, most notably a four- 
and-a-half-year advisory role with AAPT 
prior to its acquisition by TPG Telecom, 
and a 8 year term as a non-executive 
director of M2 Group Limited, which 
merged with Vocus Group Limited in 
2016. Shortly after joining the Vocus 
board, Michael stepped away as a 
Director to take on an executive role 
as Chief Executive of the Enterprise, 
Wholesale & Government business 
unit and subsequently interim CEO of 
Vocus Group.

The directors present their 
report, together with the financial 
statements, on the consolidated 
entity Uniti Group Limited hereinafter 
referred to as ‘the Group’ or 
‘consolidated entity’ consisting of 
Uniti Group Limited (referred to 
hereafter as the ‘Company’ or ‘parent 
entity’) and the entities it controlled 
at the end of, or during, the financial 
year ended 30 June 2020 (“year”).

21

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

Directors interests

The following table sets out each Director’s relevant 
interest in shares and options as at 30 June 2020.

ORDINARY SHARES

OPTIONS

Graeme Barclay

Michael Simmons

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

4,630,496

5,535,424

458,037

466,052

2,994,121

2,994,121

1,122,795

1,122,795

Vaughan Bowen

10,678,505

2,994,124

Corporate governance

Our Corporate Governance Statement, detailing our 
compliance with the ASX Corporate Governance 
Council’s “Corporate Governance Principles & 
Recommendations – 4th Edition” can be found online at 
our website (www.unitigrouplimited.com).

No director has:

>  a relevant interest in the shares of any related body 

corporate of Uniti Group Limited; or

>  a relevant interest in debentures of Uniti; or

> 

> 

rights or options over shares in, or debentures of, 
Uniti; or

rights under a contract that confer a right to call for 
or deliver shares in, or debentures of, Uniti.

Full detail of the unissued Ordinary Shares under option 
is included in the Remuneration Report, which forms 
part of this Directors’ Report.

Shares issued on the exercise  
of options

During the financial year, the Group issued 978,153 
Ordinary Shares as a result of options being exercised.

Ashe-lee Jegathesan

Chief Operations Officer & Company Secretary LLB 
(Hons), GAICD 
Appointed 13 March 2020

Ashe-lee Jegathesan is a highly experienced executive 
with more than 20 years’ experience, including in the 
technology and telecommunication industry. She brings 
with her effective leadership and management skills 
alongside corporate legal and governance experience to 
deliver strong commercial outcomes for the business. 
She has also had significant experience in leading 
and implementing strategic M&A activity (both local 
and cross-border) including the integration of those 
acquired businesses. 

As Chief Operating Officer for Uniti Group, she is 
responsible for day to day management of the business, 
functional oversight of Operations (including IT), Legal, 
Regulatory & Risk, HR, Corporate Communications 
and Investor Relations, and the integration of the 
business acquired by Uniti. Prior to this she held the 
role of General Counsel & Company Secretary of 
Vocus Group Limited. Ashe-lee has received several 
awards throughout recent years in recognition of her 
achievements, including the inaugural Women in Law 
ACLA In-House Award, and has been a finalist on a 
number of occasions in both the Australian Law Awards 
and Telstra’s businesswoman of the year Award.  
Ashe-lee is a graduate of the Institute of Company 
Directors (AICD). She also sits on the advisory board for 
Archangel, an early stage start-up investment syndicate 
based in Australia, and is a member of the Human 
Research Ethics Committee for Orima Research.

22

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Principal activities

During the financial year the principal  continuing 
activities of the Group consisted of the provision of 
telecommunications services, with ‘three pillars’ of 
strategic growth: Wholesale & Infrastructure; Specialty 
Services; and Consumer & Business Enablement. Uniti’s 
Wholesale & Infrastructure business unit is engaged in 
the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of 
fibre-based open access wholesale telecommunication 
‘last mile’ network infrastructure operating mainly in the 
greenfields broadacre residential estates and multiple 
dwelling units constructed in new housing markets. 
Specialty Services provide premium voice services over 
13, 1300, 1800 calling services. The services include a 
value-added software as a service data analytics and call 
tracking application,  as well as the leasing of phonewords 
on these numbers. The Consumer & Business Enablement 
business unit retails telecommunications products and 
services including broadband and voice services across 
fibre access networks. 

During the financial year the Group’s trading and activities 
were significantly improved by the acquisitions of 1300 
Australia Pty Ltd, LBNCo Pty Ltd and OPENetworks Pty 
Ltd which transformed the Group operations, delivering a 
profitable trading position and strong operating cash flows.

Dividends

There were no dividends declared or paid during the 
financial year.

Review of Operations

million compared to the prior corresponding period loss 
after tax of $7.0 million.

The Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and 
Amortisation (EBITDA) after adjusting for the significant 
items for the year was $26.5 million compared to 
negative $0.9 million for the prior corresponding 
period. Please refer to the reconciliation of reported to 
underlying results in the operating & financial review 
section on page 11.

The growth in the operating businesses and the 
transactions undertaken has resulted in the Group 
trading profitably, with strong cash flow for the financial 
year, with the Group well positioned for further growth 
in the 2021 financial year.

The Group has a clear strategy for organic growth 
combined with earnings accretive growth through 
acquisition centred around a three pillars segmentation 
of markets/products being retail services, fibre network 
construction and operation and the provision of 
specialty telecommunications products and services.

In line with this strategy, the Company completed the 
acquisitions of LBNCo, OPENetworks and 1300 Australia 
in FY20. The transactions were highly earnings accretive 
and were a significant contributor to the current 
earnings of the Group.

The Group has a strong balance sheet, ownership of 
infrastructure businesses, more diverse products and 
services and a pipeline of acquisition targets such 
that the Directors are highly confident the Group can 
capitalise on the work undertaken to date and continue 
to grow earnings in the future.

The statutory profit for the consolidated entity after 
providing for income tax amounted to $15.9 million (30 
June 2019: Loss of $13.5 million).

Significant changes in the  
state of affairs

The statutory profit includes significant items consisting 
of $5.2 million acquisition costs incurred as part of the 
acquisitions of 1300 Australia Pty Ltd, LBNCo Pty Ltd 
and OPENetworks Pty Ltd, $4.6 million share-based 
expenses relating to shares and options issued during 
the year, $0.7 million restructure costs incurred as part 
of group reorganisation activity and the recognition of a 
tax benefit of $7.3 million.

After adjusting for the significant items the profit after 
tax for the consolidated entity for the year was $21.7 

On 1 October 2019, the Company acquired 100% of the 
ordinary shares of LBNCo Pty Ltd (LBNCo) for the total 
consideration of $102.9 million. LBNCo is a provider of 
internet and associated telecommunications products and 
services principally on fibre networks. LBNCo specialises in 
telecommunication services to wholesale and corporate 
partners across Australia. The acquisition is strongly aligned 
to the Company’s “three pillars” strategic growth agenda, 
providing the Company with fibre businesses with high 
growth, high margin annuity earnings stream and strong 
cash generation despite being an infrastructure builder.

23

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

On 1 November 2019, the Company acquired 100% 
of the ordinary shares of OPENetworks Pty Ltd 
(OPENetworks) for the total consideration of $27.5 
million. OPENetworks is an established, fast-growing 
profitable builder and wholesale operator of private 
fibre networks, predominately comprised of fibre-to-
the-premises (‘FTTP’) high speed data services to multi-
dwelling units (‘MDU’). 

The acquisition is also with aligned the Company’s 
“three pillars” strategic growth agenda, providing the 
Company with a fibre business with high growth, 
high margin annuity earnings stream. OPENetworks 
is backed by an established fibre infrastructure 
footprint, with nearly 6,000 active wholesale superfast 
broadband ports.  The business is near identical in 
nature to LBNCo and was fully integrated before the 
end of the financial year.

On 16 December 2019, the Company acquired 100% 
of the ordinary shares of 1300 Australia Pty Ltd (1300 
Australia) for the total consideration of $78 million,with 
date of economic control being 1 December 2019. 
1300 Australia is a market leader in the leasing of 
phonewords. The acquisition  is highly complementary 
with the Company’s Specialty Services business unit 
and was fully integrated before the end of the financial 
year. It further diversifies Uniti Group revenue and 
earnings streams and delivers a significant increase in 
earnings and free cash flow.

On 15 June 2020, the Company announced its 
intention to acquire OptiComm Limited (ASX: OPC, 
OptiComm), a constructor, owner and operator of 
open access FTTP infrastructure, providing wholesale 
telecommunications services. The transaction 
is highly complementary and significant value 
creation is expected from the growth opportunities 
the combination of the business with the LBNCo 
and OPENetworks businesses previously acquired, 
provides. The three businesses are very similar and 
complementary, all operating in the construction, 
operation and maintenance of FTTP networks in 
greenfields markets. This will make Uniti a large scale 
national private fibre challenger.

Impact of COVID-19

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
the advice and responses from health and regulatory 
authorities, is continuously developing. The global 
economic outlook is facing uncertainty due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic which has had and may continue 
to have significant impact on capital markets and share 
prices.

Uniti may be impacted both by deterioration in 
macroeconomic conditions generally and specifically 
in relation to its operations. Many of the operational 
and general risks highlighted in the Group Outlook 
section are likely to be heightened due to the impacts 
of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, COVID-19 has 
affected, amongst other things, economic conditions, 
employment markets, equity markets, governmental 
action, regulatory policy, quarantining, self-isolations 
and travel restrictions.

In addition, the COVID-19 global pandemic may 
specifically impact the projected growth rate of Uniti’s 
W&I business, including from any downturn in the 
property market which may lead to a delay in the 
construction of new developments and in the signing 
of new developer agreements and/ or delay in the 
construction of dwellings under these new agreements 
and/or increases in vacancy factors, resulting in delays 
in the realisation of revenue from these contracts or 
connections. There is also a risk that the operations 
of Uniti may be interrupted by government enforced 
restrictions (such as lockdowns) or other COVID-19 
related health concerns.

Although there is a level of inherent uncertainty 
as outlined above so far, there has not been any 
noticeable adverse impact on the Group’s operations 
or profitability. Uniti has not claimed any amounts 
under the Australian Government JobKeeper Payment 
Scheme.

There were no other significant changes in the state of 
affairs of the consolidated entity during the financial year.

24

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Matters subsequent to the end of 
the financial year

On 15 June 2020, Uniti announced it had entered a 
scheme implementation deed with ASX listed OptiComm 
Limited (ASX: OPC, OptiComm) under which Uniti will 
acquire 100% of the OptiComm shares on issue by way of 
a scheme arrangement (Scheme). Since the announcement 
on 15 June 2020 and subsequent to 30 June 2020, the 
Federal Court has approved the despatch of the Scheme 
Booklet and convening of the OptiComm Scheme meeting. 
The Scheme Booklet includes an independent’s expert 
report which concludes that the Scheme is in the best 
interest of OptiComm shareholders, in the absence of a 
superior proposal. The directors of OptiComm recommend 
that shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, in the 
absence of a superior proposal, and subject to the 
independent expert continuing to conclude that the 
Scheme is in the best interests of OptiComm shareholders. 
Subject to OptiComm shareholders voting in favour of the 
Scheme and the Federal Court subsequently approving the 
Scheme, implementation of the Scheme is expected to be 
completed by early October, at which time Uniti will assume 
unconditional control of OptiComm. Included in the FY20 
Annual Report is the issuance of share capital of $148.0 
million to partially fund the acquisition (net of related share 
issue costs of $3.9 million), as well as due diligence and 
other acquisition costs of $2.4 million which have been 
expensed. Refer also to Note 35 of the financial report.

Meetings of directors

Uniti expects to fund the acquisition cost of $532m 
from $270M equity that has already been raised, the 
issue of approximately 84 million shares in Uniti as scrip 
consideration and from the implementation of a new debt 
facility of $150M.

Subsequent to 30 June 2020, Uniti acquired a number of 
customer contracts and network assets for a total of $0.7 
million from Ultra ISP Pty Ltd.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 
2020 that has significantly affected, or may significantly 
affect the consolidated entity’s operations, the results 
of those operations, or the consolidated entity’s state of 
affairs in future financial years.

Likely developments and expected 
results of operations

There are no other developments other than those 
listed above that are likely to materially impact the 
results of operations of the Group at this time.

Environmental regulation

The consolidated entity is not subject to any 
significant environmental regulation under Australian 
Commonwealth or State law.

The number of meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors (‘the Board’) and of each Board committee held during the 
year ended 30 June 2020, and the number of meetings attended by each director that held office during the year were:

FULL BOARD

NOMINATION AND 
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND RISK  
COMMITTEE

ATTENDED

HELD

ATTENDED

HELD

ATTENDED

HELD

30

29

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

30

4

4

4

2*

4*

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

3*

4*

4

4

4

4

4

Graeme Barclay

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

Held: represents the number of meetings held during the time the current director held office or was a member of the relevant committee.
* Attended these meetings (or part thereof) as invitee, not member.

25

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

Indemnities and insurance 

Non-audit services

The Uniti Constitution provides that to the extent permitted 
by law and except as may be prohibited by the Corporations 
Act, each director and secretary of Uniti (and its subsidiaries) 
is indemnified against any liability (other than for legal costs 
where the indemnity is limited to reasonable legal costs) 
incurred by that person in the performance of their role. 

The current and former directors and secretary of Uniti, 
as well as the CEO, CFO, and COO are also party to a 
customary deed of access and indemnity.

During FY20, Uniti paid a premium in respect of a contract 
insuring the directors and officers of Uniti against any 
liability that may arise from the carrying out of their 
duties and responsibilities to the extent permitted by the 
Corporations Act.  The contract of insurance prohibits 
disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of 
the deductible or premium.

Auditor indemnity 

The Company has not, during or since the financial year, 
indemnified or agreed to indemnify the auditor of the 
Company or any related entity against a liability incurred 
by the auditor. During the financial year, the Company has 
not paid a premium in respect of a contract to insure the 
auditor of the Company or any related entity.

Proceedings on behalf of the Company

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

Deed of cross guarantee

A deed of cross guarantee between Uniti and its subsidiary 
entities was enacted during the financial year and relief was 
obtained from preparing individual financial statements 
for the Group under ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned 
Companies) Instrument 2016/785. Under the deed, Uniti 
guarantees to support the liabilities and obligations of its 
subsidiaries listed above. As its entities are a party to the 
deed the income statement and balance sheet information 
of the combined class-ordered group is equivalent to the 
consolidated information presented in this financial report.

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor for 
non-audit services provided during the year by the auditor 
are outlined in Note 26 to the financial statements.

The directors are satisfied, on the advice of the Audit 
Committee, that the provision of non-audit services during 
the year, by the auditor (or by another person or firm 
on the auditor’s behalf), is compatible with the general 
standard of independence for auditors imposed by the 
Corporations Act 2001.

The directors are of the opinion that the services as 
disclosed in Note 26 to the financial statements do 
not compromise the external auditor’s independence 
requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for the 
following reasons:

>  all non-audit services have been reviewed and 

approved to ensure that they do not impact the 
integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

>  none of the services undermine the general principles 
relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 
110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued 
by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards 
Board, including reviewing or auditing the auditor’s 
own work, acting in a management or decision-making 
capacity for the Company, acting as advocate for the 
company or jointly sharing economic risks and rewards.

Auditor’s independence declaration 

The auditor’s independence declaration for the financial 
year ended 30 June 2020 can be found on page 39 of the 
financial report and forms part of the Directors Report.

Rounding of amounts

The Company is of a kind referred to in Corporations 
Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian Securities 
and Investments Commission, relating to ‘rounding-
off’. Amounts in this report have been rounded off in 
accordance with that Corporations Instrument to  
the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the 
nearest dollar.

26

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited)

INTRODUCTORY LETTER FROM JOHN LINDSAY, CHAIR OF  
THE NOMINATION & REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present our 
Remuneration Report for FY20.

FY20 has been a year focused on establishing the 
platform for Uniti to become a diversified provider 
of telecommunications services. We achieved this 
through an accretive acquisition growth strategy 
combined with an organic growth strategy, executing 
on both with a laser focus on growing our market 
share, revenue, profitability and cash generation.  

Over the past 18 months, we have recruited a group of 
experienced and passionate telecommunications industry 
executives, with a common goal to build a successful 
company and grow shareholder value.  Each of the 
executive team has a strong reputation in their respective 
fields, and as leaders in the telecommunications industry, 
involving both start-up organisations and multinational 
corporations. In order to attract and retain the talent 
that we have in our executive ranks, we implemented a 
remuneration plan that would represent a combination 
of cash and equity commensurate with their experience, 
skills and qualifications and with the opportunity and 
incentive to grow the business.

As we now move into the next phase of our growth, 
we will consider a revision of the senior executive 
remuneration plan to apply for financial years beyond 
FY21, after seeking external advice and reviewing 
practices adopted by other parties commensurate in 
size to Uniti. We plan to retain our philosophy of fixed 
remuneration being positioned below the median of 
our industry peers but the maximum eligible variable 
remuneration on achievement of KPI’s being above the 
median and skewed toward equity based payments. 

We are very proud of the achievements of Uniti this 
past year and the manner in which your Board and 
leadership team has positioned Uniti to continue to 
replicate the accretive growth we have seen since 
listing. On behalf of shareholders, I thank our team 
for their hard work, commitment and unwavering 
focus on achieving our goals. We also thank you, 
our shareholders, for your support of the Company 
throughout the year.

Yours sincerely,

John Lindsay 
Chairman, Nomination and Remuneration Committee

27

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

Remuneration report (audited)

Remuneration Framework and Principles

The remuneration report details the key management 
personnel (KMP) remuneration arrangements for the 
consolidated entity, in accordance with the requirements 
of the Corporations Act 2001 and its Regulations.

The Remuneration Report is designed to provide 
shareholders with an understanding of the principles 
guiding Uniti’s remuneration framework for directors 
and executives, the basis of which is its alignment with 
shareholders’ interests, as well as ensuring that reward is 
linked to performance appropriately. Individual outcomes 
for Uniti’s KMP are also outlined in this report. 

KMP are those persons having authority and responsibility 
for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the 
Group, directly or indirectly, including all directors.

In the FY20 year, the following people were assessed to 
be KMP:

Directors

Graeme Barclay 

Non-Executive Chairman

Kathy Gramp 

John Lindsay  

Non-Executive Director  
(Chair, Audit & Risk Committee)

Non-Executive Director  
(Chair, Nomination & 
Remuneration  
Committee)

Vaughan Bowen 

Executive Director

Michael Simmons 

Managing Director & Chief 
Executive Officer

Executives

Darryl Inns 

Chief Financial Officer

Ashe-lee Jegathesan  Chief Operating Officer & 

Company Secretary 
(joined October 2019)

Changes since the end of the reporting period: Nil

Uniti’s remuneration framework is intended to support 
Uniti’s ability to attract, motivate and retain high calibre 
executives, in a manner which is consistent with Uniti’s 
organisational strategy and key value drivers, that 
encourages an ownership mindset among KMP and 
aligns remuneration outcomes with the achievement 
of strategic objectives and the creation of value for 
shareholders.  

Governance

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is 
responsible for determining and reviewing remuneration 
arrangements for KMP. 

An agreed set of protocols was put in place to ensure 
that the remuneration recommendations would be free 
from undue influence from key executive personnel. 
These protocols include both executive directors and 
executives not being members of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee and ensuring that although 
the Executive Directors and Chief Operating Officer & 
Company Secretary are invitees, the Committee meets in 
camera regularly.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration

Fees and payments to non-executive directors reflect 
the demands and responsibilities of their role. Non-
executive directors’ fees and payments are reviewed 
annually by the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee. The Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee may, from time to time, receive advice from 
independent remuneration consultants to ensure non-
executive directors’ fees and payments are appropriate 
and in line with the market. The Chairman’s fees are 
determined independently to the fees of other non-
executive directors based on comparative roles in the 
market. The Chairman is not present at any discussions 
relating to the determination of his own remuneration.

ASX listing rules require the total aggregate non-
executive directors’ remuneration be determined 
periodically by a general meeting of shareholders.  
The most recent determination was at the Annual 
General Meeting held on 2 November 2018, where the 
shareholders approved a maximum annual aggregate 

28

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020is positioned below the market median, compared to 
other companies of comparable market capitalisation, 
revenues, and financial metrics, relevant to the 
executive’s role, knowledge, skills and experience, and 
individual performance. Executives may receive their 
fixed remuneration in the form of cash or other fringe 
benefits where it does not create any additional costs to 
the consolidated entity and provides additional value to 
the executive.

Variable remuneration, consisting of a mix of cash 
and share based payments, are awarded to executives 
based on specific annual targets being achieved, under 
the FY20 Senior Executive Incentive Plan (‘FY20 SEIP’).  
These payments are heavily weighted towards share 
based payments, to create long term alignment with 
shareholders.  

In FY19, an Employee Option Plan was established, under 
which options were granted to directors and executives, 
at the time of Uniti’s listing on the ASX (which were 
conditionally approved by shareholders at the 2018 
AGM) and subsequently as set out in this report. A copy 
of the Plan Rules has been previously disclosed, the key 
terms of which are set out below. Since then, Executives 
recruited externally to join Uniti also received one-off 
option grants (which vest over a three year period from 
the date of grant) as part of their recruitment.

remuneration of $350,000. This determination was 
prior to Uniti becoming an ASX listed company in 
February 2019. Given Uniti’s admission to the S&P 
ASX300 in March 2020, and the potential to become 
an S&P ASX200 company after the completion of 
the OptiComm acquisition (which remains subject to 
conditions), the Board intends to seek an increase to this 
aggregate limit at the next AGM.

Executive remuneration

Executive remuneration is designed to support the 
Group’s organisational strategy and key value drivers, 
align remuneration outcomes with shareholders’ 
interests, encourage an ownership mindset among 
executives, and support the attraction, motivation and 
retention of talented executives. Uniti aims to reward 
executives based on their position and responsibility, with 
a level and mix of remuneration which has both fixed and 
variable components. 

The executive remuneration and reward framework has 
the following key components:

>  Fixed remuneration consisting of base pay and non-
monetary benefits (and other remuneration such as 
superannuation and long service leave);

>  Variable remuneration, directly linked to the 

performance of the consolidated entity for the year, 
consisting of a mix of cash and equity payments.  
All incentive payments are at the discretion of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

The combination of these components comprises the 
executive’s total remuneration. 

The executive’s total remuneration package is highly 
leveraged to the long term (as opposed to the short 
term) and equity (as opposed to cash) to generate strong 
alignment between the Executive team and shareholders, 
encourage long-term sustainable decision making 
and support our objective of, and ability to, remain 
competitive for talent at the senior leadership level.  

Fixed remuneration, consisting of base salary, 
superannuation and non-monetary benefits, is reviewed 
by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
based on performance and comparable market 
levels of remuneration. The base salary component 

29

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

Employee Option Plan Key Terms

Participants

Current or former (within 12 months prior to the grant being made) employees, directors 
(both executive and non-executive) and company secretaries of the Company or its 
subsidiaries (other than persons who have been given notice of dismissal for misconduct 
or have resigned to avoid such dismissal), as well as contractors or consultants who 
provide services to the Company or its subsidiaries. 

Fully or partially paid

Options to acquire fully paid ordinary shares.

Issue price

Voting rights and  
rights to dividends  
or distribution

Share-based payments are issued at the 10-day volume weighted average price of the 
Company Shares at that time.

Options granted carry no dividend or voting rights, nor do they carry any rights to 
participate in any issue of shares of the Company or any other entity.  Shares issued on 
the exercise of Options will rank equally with Shares (including the new Shares) in relation 
to voting rights, entitlements to participate in distributions and dividends, and future 
rights issues, where the record date for determining entitlements falls on or after the date 
of allotment. 

Minimum holding  
period

The Options and Shares acquired from exercising them must be held for a minimum of 3 
years from the date the Options are issued unless otherwise determined by the Board.  

Vesting conditions as 
determined by the Board  
in relation to each Option

Other Permitted Vesting

Exercise price

Expiry dates

Continued service over the vesting period.

The Board may in its discretion determine that the Options may vest if a change of 
control of the Company occurs, or a takeover or scheme of arrangement, or a merger 
or consolidation of the Company into another company occurs, or any other event as 
determined by the Board in its discretion.

The exercise price must not be less than the market value of the Share in the 
Company at the date of grant of the Option. 

An Option will lapse upon the earliest to occur of: 
> 

the moment immediately after the latest time at which that Option may become 
vested (if not an Unvested Option) or the latest time at which that Option may be 
exercised (if a Vested Option); 
failure to meet vesting conditions; 
the participant electing to forfeit their rights, title and interest in the Option; 

> 
> 
>  where, in the opinion of the Board, a participant deals with an Option in 

Alterations to capital and 
reconstructions

contravention of any dealing restriction under the EOP. 

If the Company makes any new issue of securities or alterations to its capital by way 
of a rights issue, bonus issue or other distribution of capital, reduction of capital or 
reconstruction of capital, the Board may make adjustments to the rights attaching to 
those Options (including, without limitation, to the number of Shares which may be 
acquired on exercise of the Options and the Exercise Price of an Option) on any basis 
it deems fit.

30

FY20 remuneration approach 

Total annual remuneration for Executive KMP during FY20 consisted of a below market median fixed remuneration 
component (comprising base salary and superannuation), a variable remuneration component (the FY20 SEIP), comprising 
a mix of cash and share based payments (predominately weighted towards the latter), which was subject to achievement of 
certain performance conditions.

The FY20 SEIP consists of the following:

Nature of Plan

Weighting

Cash

Share-based payment  
(no restrictions)

Share-based payment 
(subject to vesting 
conditions)

25%  

25% 

50% 

Participants may convert their cash entitlement to shares at a 5% discount to the 
value of each share-based payment share with these additional shares subject to 
a 12-month holding lock

Approved payment to be divided by the 10-day VWAP after the date the FY20 
Annual Results are announced to market

Approved payment to be divided by the 10-day VWAP after the date the FY20 
Annual Results are announced to market and subject to a time based vesting 
condition as follows:

>  1/3 to vest 12 months following allocation

>  1/3 to vest 24 months following allocation

>  1/3 to vest 36 months following allocation

Stretch targets 

Participants

Where actual performance exceeds the measures, an accelerator will apply subject to an 
overall cap of two times the SEIP amount payable in total.

Senior executives by invitation. Non-executive Directors where contribution is considered 
to merit inclusion, subject to shareholder approval.

Note: Share based payments will be delivered through the grant of share rights.

The performance measures for the FY20 SEIP are: 

Achievement

Achievement of the underlying Group budgeted EBITDA 

Achievement of 20% growth in EPS (year on year)

Weighting

50% 

50% 

Achieved  
(as a % of target)

322%

750%1

(1)  Actual EPS growth achieved was 150%, which represents 750% achievement against the target of 20%.

31

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

These performance measures, based on financial 
performance, were specifically designed for FY20, and 
were based on Uniti’s strategic plans for its first full financial 
year of operations as a listed entity and the growth Uniti 
planned to achieve. 

The financial targets that were set for Uniti for FY20 were 
exceeded many times over and actual performance for the 
FY20 year was significantly higher than the financial and 
growth targets set by the Board. 

Michael Simmons’ performance for FY20 as Managing 
Director & CEO has been assessed based on consideration 
of his important and significant role in the execution of 
strategic objectives of the Group during FY20, including 
his leadership, direction and prioritisation of activities.  In 
addition to the achievement of financial results which 
exceeded the original budgeted expectations, Michael 
successfully established a fully defined and adaptable 
strategy that clearly articulated the pathway for Uniti into 
the future. Achievement highlights (which are core to 
performance) include: 

>  Strategic cost position: significant improvements in cost 
structures aligned to the longer-term strategy (cost of 
goods sold and operating costs). 

>  Strategy and people: investment in capability in key 

strategic pillars for the business – being Wholesale & 
Infrastructure, Consumer & Business Enablement and 
Specialty Services, and in key shared services roles 
including both the CFO and COO functions.  Below the 
executive level, a step change in capability across the 
organisation, especially in the shared services areas, was 
implemented.  

>  Culture: the continued embedding of the renewed 

culture program which enhanced communication and 
feedback within the organisation and recognises and 
rewards exceptional talent.

Michael Simmons demonstrated strong leadership as 
evidenced by the significant growth Uniti has experienced in 
this first full financial year as a listed company, through the 
execution and integration of new acquisitions, which is now 
largely complete and resetting key business foundations 
required to deliver on the longer-term strategy.

All other executives were assessed on the same financial 
measures as the CEO relevant to their responsibilities, with 
specific focus on their respective areas of accountability. 
This ensured consistency and alignment across key areas of 
focus within the Company.

In FY20, the Chairman and the Executive Director each 
participated in the FY20 SEIP. Whilst the Board recognises 
that it is not common practice for a non-Executive 
Chairman to participate in a plan of this nature, in light of 
the significant additional time and commitment, leveraging 
his specific acquisition experience and involvement in the 
number of accretive acquisitions and associated equity 
raisings that Uniti prosecuted during FY20, the Board 
believes this participation to be fully merited. It should also 
be noted that it was particularly important to appoint a 
high calibre Chairman with the requisite and specific skills 
to guide Uniti’s strategic agenda and its execution by the 
executive team over the past 18 months. The Chairman, 
the Executive Director and the MD & CEO, subject to 
shareholder approval at the next Annual General Meeting, 
have elected to receive all of their entitlements under the 
FY20 SEIP in the form of share-based payments only.

Voting and comments made at the Company’s 2019 
Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’)

At the last AGM, 99.82% of the shareholders who voted, in 
person or by proxy, voted to adopt the remuneration report 
for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Relationship between remuneration and performance 
generally

Executive remuneration is directly linked to Uniti’s financial 
performance and aligned with shareholder wealth over the 
long term. A summary of the key metrics relating to Uniti’s 
earnings and shareholder wealth or Total Shareholder 
Returns (TSR) are set out below.

Use of remuneration advisors

Under the provisions of the Committee’s Charter, the 
Committee may engage the assistance and advice from 
external remuneration advisors. To ensure that any 
recommendations made by remuneration consultants 
are provided without undue influence being exerted by 
Executives, external remuneration consultants deliver their 
advice directly to members of the Committee.  

Statutory remuneration disclosures

The following tables set out the statutory disclosures 
required under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), 
Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) and in accordance with 
the relevant Accounting Standards.

32

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Details of remuneration

Details of the remuneration of the Directors and other KMP (including comparative data for FY19) who held these 
positions during FY20 are set out in the following tables. The amounts shown are equal to the amount expensed in the 
Company’s financial statements. Share-based payments to directors, a proportion of which are subject to shareholder 
approval at the 2020 AGM, have been recorded in the table below for transparency and completeness.

SHORT-TERM  
BENEFITS

POST- 
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

SHARE- 
BASED 
PAYMENTS

LONG TERM 
BENEFITS

NON-
MONETARY 
BENEFITS

2020

Cash Salary 
& Fees 

Cash 
Bonus 

Share-based 
payments 

Super-
Annuation 

$

$

$

$

Equity  
Settled  
Options 
$

Long Service 
Leave 

Equity Settled 
Shares 

Total 

Performance 
Based 

$

$

$

%

Non-Executive Directors: 
Graeme Barclay Chairman 
Kathy Gramp 
John Lindsay

Executive Directors: 
Vaughan Bowen 
Michael Simmons

Other Key Management Personnel: 
Darryl Inns 
Ashe-lee Jegathesan1

100,000
70,000
70,000

182,108
286,757

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

9,500
6,650
6,650

422,085
160,660
160,660

–
–
–

150,000 
200,000

17,352
20,885

1,925,970 
422,085

3,052 
4,579

–
–
–

–
–

531,585
237,310
237,310

2,278,482
934,306

230,082 
168,383

50,000 
50,000

50,000 
50,000

20,928
15,044

298,520
430,736

3,835
2,721

761
737

654,126
717,621

Total

1,107,330 100,000 450,000

97,009 3,820,716

14,187

1,498 5,590,740

79%
68%
68%

91%
67%

61%
74%

78%

(1) Represents remuneration from 14 October 2019 to 30 June 2020. 

2019

Cash Salary 
& Fees 
$

Cash 
Bonus 

Non- 
Monetary 

Super-
Annuation 

$

$

$

Equity  
Settled  
Options 
$

Long Service 
Leave 

Equity Settled 
Shares 

Total 

Performance 
Based 

$

$

$

%

SHORT-TERM  
BENEFITS

POST- 
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

SHARE- 
BASED 
PAYMENTS

LONG TERM 
BENEFITS

NON-
MONETARY 
BENEFITS

Non-Executive Directors: 
Graeme Barclay Chairman1 
Kathy Gramp 
John Lindsay 
Jules Maussen2

Executive Directors: 
Vaughan Bowen3 
Michael Simmons4 
Sasha Baranikov5 
Che Metcalfe5

Other Key Management Personnel: 
Darryl Inns6

Total

57,639 
65,833 
65,833 
60,000

62,035 
209,916 
204,345 
195,219

57,019

977,839

– 
– 
– 
–

– 
– 
– 
–

–

–

– 
– 
– 
–

– 
– 
– 
–

–

–

5,476 
6,254 
6,254 
–

229,515 
72,005 
72,005 
–

– 
– 
– 
–

614,557 
76,820 
76,820 
–

907,187 
220,912 
220,912 
60,000

5,472 
14,595 
11,823 
12,157

629,999  
229,515 
– 
–

4,967 
3,253 
1,711 
1,711

– 
921,835 
169,003 
169,003

702,473 
1,379,114 
386,882 
378,090

4,738

40,989

4,425

–

107,171

66,769 1,274,028

16,067

2,028,038

4,362,741

93% 
67% 
67% 
–

90% 
83% 
44% 
45%

38%

76%

(1)  Represents remuneration from 20 September 2018 to 30 June 2019.
(2)  Represents remuneration from 1 July 2017 to 1 August 2018.
(3)  Represents remuneration from 13 March 2019 to 30 June 2019.
(4)  Represents remuneration from 15 October 2018 to 30 June 2019.
(5)  Represents remuneration from 1 July 2018 to 14 February 2019 including any termination and leave payments.
(6)  Represents remuneration from 15 April 2019 to 30 June 2019.

33

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

The cash bonus and the associated short term share based payments are dependent on meeting defined performance measures. 
The amounts is determined having regard to the satisfaction of performance measures and weightings as described above in 
the section ‘consolidated entity performance and link to remuneration’. The maximum eligible bonus value was established 
at the start of the financial year and amounts payable were determined in August after the end of the financial year by the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Service agreements

Remuneration and other terms of employment for Executive KMP are formalised in service agreements. Details of 
these agreements are as follows:

ROLE

DURATION OF 
AGREEMENT

TERMINATION 
NOTICE BY  
UNITI

TERMINATION 
NOTICE BY THE 
RELEVANT KMP

POTENTIAL TERMINATION BENEFITS

MD & CEO

No Fixed  
Term

3 months

3 months

CFO

COO

No Fixed  
Term

No Fixed  
Term

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

Executive 
Director

No Fixed  
Term

3 months

3 months

Non-solicitation and non-compete clauses.
A termination payment of 3 months’ Fixed Remuneration 
(if terminated by the Company). 
Statutory leave entitlements.

Non-solicitation and non-compete clauses.
A termination payment of 3 months’ Fixed Remuneration 
(if terminated by the Company). 
Statutory leave entitlements.

Non-solicitation and non-compete clauses.
A termination payment of 3 months’ Fixed Remuneration 
(if terminated by the Company). 
Statutory leave entitlements.

Non-solicitation and non-compete clauses.
A termination payment of 3 months’ Fixed Remuneration 
(if terminated by the Company). 
Statutory leave entitlements.

Executive KMP have no entitlement to termination payments in the event of removal for misconduct. 

Share-based compensation

Issue of shares

Details of shares issued to directors and other key management personnel as part of compensation during the year 
ended 30 June 2020 are set out below:

NAME

DATE

SHARES

ISSUE PRICE

Darryl Inns
Ashe-lee Jegathesan

21 April 2020
21 April 2020

624
604

$1.22
$1.22

$

761
737

34

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Options

The terms and conditions of each grant of options over ordinary shares as remuneration of directors and other key 
management personnel in this financial year or future reporting years are as follows:

NUMBER OF  
OPTIONS  
GRANTED

GRANT 
 DATE

VESTING DATE  
AND EXERCISABLE  
DATE

EXPIRY  
DATE

EXERCISE 
PRICE

TOTAL FAIR  
VALUE AT  
GRANT DATE

NAME

Graeme Barclay

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

Darryl Inns

Ashe-lee 
Jegathesan

1,229,114
614,557
614,557

267,947
133,973
133,973

307,279
307,278
307,277

66,987
66,987
66,987

307,279
307,278
307,277

66,987
66,987
66,987

819,410
819,410
819,408

178,632
178,632
178,632

1,229,114
614,557
614,557

267,947
133,973
133,973

330,000
330,000
590,000

71,940
71,940
128,620

330,000

330,000

590,000

21 December 2018

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

5 November 2019 30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

31 December 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

31 December 2022 
30 June 2023 
30 June 2024

31 December 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

31 December 2022 
30 June 2023 
30 June 2024

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

30 June 2019
30 June 2020
30 June 2021

31 March 2020
31 March 2021
31 March 2022

31 March 2020
31 March 2021
31 March 2022

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

30 June 2022
30 June 2023
30 June 2024

31 March 2023
31 March 2024
31 March 2025

31 March 2023
31 March 2024
31 March 2025

21 December 2018

5 November 2019 

21 December 2018

5 November 2019 

6 August 2019

5 November 2019 

21 December 2018

5 November 2019 

12 April 2019

5 November 2019 

10 September 2019 10 September 2020

10 September 2023

10 September 2021

10 September 2024

10 September 2022

10 September 2025

$0.25
$0.30
$0.38

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$0.25
$0.30
$0.38

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$0.25
$0.30
$0.38

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$0.25
$0.30
$0.38

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$0.25
$0.30
$0.38

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$0.56
$0.71
$0.86

$1.35
$1.35
$1.35

$1.35

$1.50

$1.65

$171,013
$88,627
$90,243

$201,534
$96,929
$93,577

$42,753
$44,313
$45,121

$50,384
$48,465
$46,789

$42,753
$44,313
$45,121

$50,384
$48,465
$46,789

$864,821
$849,995
$840,994

$143,789
$152,047
$166,361

$171,013
$88,627
$90,243

$201,534
$96,929
$93,577

$89,832
$91,365
$168,411

$59,610
$65,664
$126,326

$244,425

$258,700

$485,923

35

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

Options granted carry no dividend or voting rights, nor do they carry any rights to participate in any issues of shares of 
the Company or any other entity. All options were granted over unissued fully paid ordinary shares in the Company. 
Options vest based on the provision of service over the vesting period whereby the KMP becomes beneficially entitled 
to the option on vesting date. Options are exercisable by the holder from   the vesting date. There has not been any 
alteration to the terms or conditions of the grant since the grant date. There are no amounts paid or payable by the 
recipient in relation to the granting of such options other than on their potential exercise.

Values of options over ordinary shares granted, exercised and lapsed for directors and other key management personnel 
as part of compensation during the year ended 30 June 2020 are set out below.

At the 2019 AGM, shareholders approved the grant of “top-up” options to Directors and other KMP under the Company’s 
Employee Share Option Plan. This grant was intended to address the dilution of the number of options held by Directors 
and other KMP who were granted options at listing of the Company (or subsequently approved by shareholders), due to 
the extent of new issues of shares since the listing of the Company up to the announcement of the year end 30 June 
2019 financial results on 30 August 2019. The pro-rata increase in the number of existing unexercised Options held 
by Directors and other KMP had the same vesting and expiry periods and carry the same terms and conditions as the 
unexpired Options held prior to approval of the pro-rata Options. The exercise price that applied to the new Options 
was set at a price that was equal to the 10 days VWAP for the period immediately after the 2019 Financial Results were 
released on 30 August 2019, being $1.35 per option.

New executives who joined Uniti other than through acquisition received a one-off option grant at the time they 
commenced employment with Uniti. This arrangement was implemented in recognition of the need to attract and 
retain a high calibre executive team. The one-off option grant generates a strong alignment with shareholders. The 
options also provides a strong retention hook for key talent during the start-up phase by requiring that Executive KMP 
remain employed until the end of the vesting period to realise the incentive. The exercise price for these options is 
based on the VWAP for the period immediately prior to the commencement of the respective employment.

NAME

VALUE OF OPTIONS 
GRANTED DURING 
THE YEAR 
$

VALUE OF OPTIONS 
EXERCISED DURING 
THE YEAR 
$

VALUE OF OPTIONS 
LAPSED DURING 
THE YEAR 
$

OPTIONS GRANTED 
DURING THE YEAR AS A 
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL 
REUMERATION 
%

Graeme Barclay
Kathy Gramp
John Lindsay
Vaughan Bowen
Michael Simmons
Darryl Inns
Ashe-lee Jegathesan

               392,040 
                  145,638 
                  145,638 
                  462,197 
                  392,041 
                  251,601 
                  989,048 

                          -   
                          -   
                          -   
                          -   
                          -   
                   89,832 
                          -   

 -   
                          -   
                          -   
                          -   
                          -
-
-

74%
61%
61%
20%
42%
38%
137%

36

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Consolidated entity performance and link to remuneration

In considering the Group’s performance and benefits for shareholder wealth, the remuneration committee have regard 
to the following indices in respect of the current financial year. The previous four financial years have not been included 
as the comparison is not relevant for the financial year ended 30 June 2020. Uniti was listed in February 2019.

Earnings for FY20 and the previous financial year

$’000

EBITDA
EBIT
Profit after tax

Shareholder wealth

MEASURE

Earnings per share (Basic, in cents)
Earnings per share (Diluted, in cents)

Dividends paid 
Operating revenue growth
Share price at 30 June 
Market capitalisation at 30 June

FY20

FY19

Statutory

Underlying

Statutory

Underlying

16,055
9,202
15,921

26,530
22,263
21,668

(5,499)
         (12,659)
         (13,531)

(884)
(6,098)
(6,970)

FY20

FY19

                        5.81 
                        5.50 

                   (11.60)
                  (11.60)

-
306%
1.42 
615,503,650

-
n/a
1.70 
250,869,512

Additional disclosures relating to KMP

Shareholding

The number of shares in the Company held during the financial year by each current director and KMP of the 
consolidated entity, including their personally related parties, is set out below:

BALANCE AT THE 
START OF THE 
YEAR

PURCHASED 
UNDER OPTION 
PLAN

RECEIVED 
AS PART OF 
REMUNERATION

PURCHASED ON 
MARKET

DISPOSALS/ 
OTHER

BALANCE AT 
 THE END OF  
THE YEAR

Ordinary shares

Graeme Barclay

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

Darryl Inns 

2,858,228 

307,279 

315,279 

4,495,337 

3,687,342 

–

–

–

–

–

211,500 

              330,000 

Ashe-lee Jegathesan

43,051 

–

–

–

–

–

–

624

604

1,772,268

150,758

150,773

6,183,168

1,848,082

105,836

–

Total

11,918,016

330,000

1,228

10,210,885

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,630,496

458,037

466,052

10,678,505

5,535,424

647,960

43,655

22,460,129

37

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020REMUNERATION REPORT (Audited) continued

Option holding

The number of options over ordinary shares in the Company held during the financial year by each current director and other 
KMP of the consolidated entity, including their personally related parties, is set out below:

GRANTED

EXERCISED

EXPIRED/ 
FORFEITED/OTHER

BALANCE AT THE 
 END OF THE YEAR

BALANCE AT THE 
START OF THE 
YEAR

               2,458,228 

                  921,834 

                  921,834 

               2,458,228 

               2,458,228 

               1,250,000 
                            –  

NAME

Options over ordinary shares 

Graeme Barclay

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

Darryl Inns 
Ashe-lee Jegathesan

Total

Loans

535,893

200,961

200,961

535,896

535,893

272,500
1,250,000

–

–

–

–

–

(330,000)
–

10,468,352

3,532,104

(330,000)

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

2,994,121

1,122,795

1,122,795

2,994,124

2,994,121

1,192,500
1,250,000

13,670,456

Uniti has not made, guaranteed or secured, directly or indirectly, any loans in respect of KMP or their close family 
members or controlled entities.

Other transactions

There were no transactions of the kind contemplated in item 22 of Regulation 2M.3.03 of the Corporations 
Regulations during FY20.

– End of Remuneration Report –

This Directors’ Report is made in accordance with a resolution of directors, pursuant to section 298(2)(a) of the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

On behalf of the directors

Graeme Barclay  
Chairman

24 August 2020  
Sydney

38

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
ABN 74 490 121 060 

477 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 
GPO Box 78 
Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia 

Tel:  +61 (0) 3 9671 7000 
Fax:  +61 (0) 9671 7001 
www.deloitte.com.au 

The Board of Directors 
Uniti Group Limited 
Level 1, 44 Currie Street  
Adelaide, SA, 5000 

24 August 2020 

Dear Board Members 

Uniti Group Limited 

In accordance with section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, I am pleased to provide the following 
declaration of independence to the directors of Uniti Group Limited. 

As  lead  audit  partner  for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  of  Uniti  Group  Limited  for  the  year 
ended  30  June  2020,  I  declare  that  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  belief,  there  have  been  no 
contraventions of: 

(i) 

the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit;  
and 

(ii) 

any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.   

Yours sincerely 

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Chris Biermann 
Partner  
Chartered Accountants 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

Member of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and the Deloitte Network. 

39 

39

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

FINANCIAL REPORT
for the year ended 30 June 2020

GENERAL INFORMATION

The financial statements cover Uniti Group Limited as a consolidated entity consisting of Uniti Group Limited and the 
entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the year. The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, 
which is Uniti Group Limited’s functional and presentation currency.

Uniti Group Limited is a listed public company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its 
registered office and principal place of business are:

Registered office  
Level 1, 44 Currie Street 
Adelaide SA 5000 

Principal place of business 
Level 1, 44 Currie Street 
Adelaide SA 5000

A description of the nature of the consolidated entity’s operations and its principal activities are included in the 
directors’ report, which is not part of the financial statements.

The financial statements were authorised for issue, in accordance with a resolution of directors, on 24 August 2020. 
The directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial statements.

40

 
 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

FINANCIAL REPORT
for the year ended 30 June 2020

CONTENTS

Statement of Profit or Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Uniti Group Limited 

42

43

44

45

46

97

98

41

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 30 June 2020

Revenue

Expenses

Network and hardware expense

Employee benefits expense

Depreciation and amortisation expense

Impairment of right-of-use asset

Other expenses

Finance costs

Profit / (Loss) before income tax expense

Income tax income

Profit / (Loss)  after income tax expense for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

Basic earnings / (loss) per share attributable to owners of Uniti Group

Diluted earnings / (loss) per share attributable to owners of Uniti Group

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

58,216

14,336

(13,837)

(17,398)

(6,853)

–   

(10,926)

(595)

8,607

7,314

(6,619)

(9,297)

(5,753)

(1,407)

(3,919)

(872)

(13,531)

–

15,921

(13,531)

–

–

15,921

(13,531)

CENTS

5.81

5.50

CENTS

(11.6)

(11.6)

NOTE

4

5

5

5

5

5

6

39

39

The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

42

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 30 June 2020

CONSOLIDATED

NOTE

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Deposits and prepayments

Contract assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Right-of-use assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Deferred tax assets 

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Employee benefits

Contingent consideration

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Provision for income tax

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Employee benefits

Contingent consideration

Borrowings

Lease liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total equity

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

6

15

16

17

18

19

19

6

15

16

17

18

19

19

20

21

22

The above statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

189,150

5,981

959

2,073

1,008

19,131

1,507

275

608

824

199,171

22,345

3,044

45,709

206,027

168

254,948

454,119

13,141

2,269

1,076

4,439

–

1,357

184

1,890

4,464

3,589

20,920

–

28,973

51,318

4,668

472

255

6,546

750

1,076

124

–

24,356

13,891

1,411

–

93

2,712

–

3,853

8,069

32,425

421,694

421,812

6,065

(6,183)

421,694

1,500

26

33

2,484

1,725

5,789

11,557

25,448

25,870

46,691

1,283

(22,104)

25,870

43

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 30 June 2020

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 1 July 2018
Loss after income tax expense for the year
Issue of share capital:
Contributions of equity (Note 20)
Transaction costs 

Issue of shares to vendors on acquisition:
Issue of shares to Fuzenet vendors
Issues of shares to Call Dynamics vendors
Issues of shares to Pivit vendors
Transactions costs

Other:
Issue of shares to advisor
Issue of shares on conversion of convertible notes
Transaction costs associated with conversion of convertible notes
Share-based payments (Note 40)

Balance at 30 June 2019

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 1 July 2019

Profit after income tax expense for the year
Issue of share capital:
Contributions of equity (Note 20)
Transaction costs

Issue of shares to vendors on acquisition:
Issue of shares to Fone Dynamics vendors
Issue of shares to LBNCo vendors
Issue of shares to OPENetworks vendors 
Issue of shares to 1300 Australia vendors
Issue of shares to Pivit vendors 
Transaction costs

Other:
Reserve reclassification
Conversion of share-based payment options
Issue of shares to employees
Transaction costs associated with issue of shares to employees
Share-based payments (Note 40)

Balance at 30 June 2020

ISSUED
CAPITAL
$’000

11,907
–

28,181
(1,483)
26,698

1,650
740
30
(7)
2,413

675
3,123
(153)
2,028

5,673

46,691

ISSUED
CAPITAL
$’000

46,691
–

336,951
(9,115)
327,836

6,652
11,262
9,389
20,000
80
(189)
47,194

(317)
345
115
(52)
–

91

421,812

RESERVES
$’000

ACCUMULATED
LOSSES
$’000

TOTAL
EQUITY
$’000

3,334
(13,531)

28,181
(1,483)
26,698

1,650
740
30
(7)
2,413

675
3,123
(153)
3,311

6,956

(8,573)
(13,531)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
1,283

1,283

1,283

(22,104)

25,870

RESERVES
$’000

ACCUMULATED
LOSSES
$’000

TOTAL
EQUITY
$’000

1,283

(22,104)

25,870
–                15,921             15,921 

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

317
–
–
–
4,465

4,782

6,065

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

336,951
(9,115)
327,836

6,652
11,262
9,389
20,000
80
(189)
47,194

–
345
115
(52)
4,465

4,873

(6,183)

421,694

The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

44

 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 30 June 2020

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST)

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST)

Interest received

Other revenue

Interest and other finance costs paid

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows used in investing activities

Payment for purchase of business, net of cash acquired

Payments to suppliers for the business acquisitions

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangible assets

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

Proceeds from borrowings

Proceeds from issue of convertible notes

Share issue transaction costs

Repayment of borrowings

Repayment of lease liability

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

7

The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED

NOTE

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

36

32

        63,360 

       (41,725)

            324 

           (561)

            246 

–

21,644

     (165,527)

        (2,728)

        (7,541)

           (702)

38

15,033

(15,926)

41

1,500

(394)

–

254

(9,607)

(904)

(1,816)

(134)

–

(176,460)

(12,461)

20

      337,280 

        –

        –

        (8,981)

        (2,460)

        (1,004)

324,835

170,019

19,131

189,150

28,181

3,000

2,938

(1,589)

(2,039)

–

30,491

18,284

847

19,131

45

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UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 30 June 2020

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. These 
policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

New or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted
The consolidated entity has adopted all the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board (‘AASB’) that are mandatory for the current reporting period.

AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and AASB 16 Leases have been early adopted by the Group with 
effect from 1 July 2016. The consolidated entity has adopted AASB 9 from 1 July 2018. The following Accounting 
Standards and Interpretations are most relevant to the consolidated entity:

Basis of preparation
These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards 
and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (‘AASB’) and the Corporations Act 2001, as 
appropriate for for-profit oriented entities. These financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’). Accounting policies adopted in the 
preparation of these financial statements are presented below and have been consistently applied unless stated otherwise.

Historical cost convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for, where applicable, the 
revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the consolidated entity’s accounting policies. 
The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are 
significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in Note 2.

Parent entity information
In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, these financial statements present the results of the consolidated 
entity only. Supplementary information about the parent entity is disclosed in Note 31.

Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Uniti Group Limited 
(‘company’ or ‘parent entity’) as at 30 June 2020 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. Uniti 
Group Limited and its subsidiaries together are referred to in these financial statements as the ‘consolidated entity’.

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

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

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

46

w

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UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Non-controlling interest in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the statement of profit or 
loss and other comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of changes in equity of the 
consolidated entity. Losses incurred by the consolidated entity are attributed to the non-controlling interest in full, 
even if that results in a deficit balance.

Where the consolidated entity loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets including goodwill, liabilities 
and non- controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any cumulative translation differences recognised in 
equity. The consolidated entity recognises the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any 
investment retained together with any gain or loss in profit or loss.

Operating segments
Operating segments are presented using the ‘management approach’, where the information presented is on the 
same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers (‘CODM’).

Revenue recognition
The consolidated entity recognises revenue as follows:

Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when or as the Group satisfies a performance obligation in the 
contract when the Group transfers a promised good or service (ie an asset) to a customer.

Revenue from these sales is recognised based on the price specified in the contract. No element of financing is deemed 
present as the sales are made with a credit term between 30-90 days, which is consistent with market practice.

Revenue is recognised in accordance with the following five-step process:
1. Identifying the contract with the customer.
2. Identifying the performance obligations in the contract.
3. Determining the transaction price.
4. Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
5. Recognising revenue as and when the performance obligations are satisfied.

The following is a description of principal activities from which the Group generates its revenue.

Broadband and fibre access networks 
For the Wireless revenue stream, there are two performance obligations, the delivery of hardware to facilitate    
connection and the delivery of internet services. Payments are received as part of the delivery and installation process  
and then services are settled monthly. Amounts received in relation to installations is combined with expected monthly 
payments for the total transaction price. Installation is not considered to be a performance obligation as the customer 
does not obtain any benefit at the point of installation. The installation and broadband service are therefore identified 
as a single performance obligation and the associated revenue is recognised over time. Revenue from the provision 
of wireless broadband services is recognised monthly over the expected life of the contract, including any expected 
extensions of the service. The typical length of a contract for wireless broadband services is 20 months.

The provision of fibre communications services does require installation of network infrastructure and the 
performance obligation is the delivery of the services. Revenue from the provision of fibre communications services 
is recognised each month the service is made available to the customer. Revenue from installation services is treated 
as a Connection or Activation Revenue (refer below).

For bundled packages, the Group accounts for individual products and services separately if they are distinct - i.e. if 
a product or service is separately identifiable from other items in the bundled package and if a customer can benefit 
from it. Packages may include internet and home phone bundles. The consideration is allocated between separate 
products and services in a bundle based on their stand- alone selling prices for items that can be sold separately. The 
stand-alone selling prices for items that can be sold separately are determined based on the list prices at which the 
Group sells the devices and services. For items that are not sold separately, the Group estimates stand-alone selling 
prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.

47

 
 
NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Telecommunication services 
Revenue from the provision of telecommunication services relating to the provision of SMS and voice services and 
1300 number leasing is recognised over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit of 
the service. The services offered to customers each represent distinct performance obligations. The transaction price 
is fixed monthly amounts for 1300 numbers and variable based on usage for SMS services.

Recurring network revenues
Revenue from the provision of network operations services includes recurring network operations revenue received    
from retail service providers for network access in the form of a monthly wholesale charge. Network operations 
revenue is recognised over time as the services are rendered.

Developer revenue 
Services to developers as contracted customers are considered a distinct performance obligation enabling the 
developer to discharge its regulatory requirements in seeking approval to assign titles on properties with an established 
broadband network connection.

The associated revenue may be recognised over time, over the project life as costs are incurred, on the basis that the 
benefit of the construction is received and consumed as the construction is performed.

Developer revenue is recognised across the project life, which is typically 9 months, on a monthly basis. 

This differs to developer billing, which is recognised with billing milestones largely based on practical completion.

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

Disposal of assets
Revenue from the disposal of other assets is recognised when the group has transferred the risks and rewards of 
ownership to the buyer.

All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST).

Research and Development/Grants
Research and Development incentives and other grant incentives are recognised when grant criteria are met.

Other items of income
Other items of income are recognised when they are received or when the right to receive payment is established.

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

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

>  When the deferred income tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability 

in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the 
accounting nor taxable profits; or

48

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020>  When the taxable temporary difference is associated with interests in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, and 
the timing of the reversal can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

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

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

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

Uniti Group Limited (the ‘head entity’) and its wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries have formed an income tax 
consolidated group under the tax consolidation regime. The head entity and each subsidiary in the tax consolidated 
group continue to account for their own current and deferred tax amounts. The tax consolidated group has applied 
the ‘separate taxpayer within group’ approach in determining the appropriate amount of taxes to allocate to 
members of the tax consolidated group.

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, the head entity also recognises the current tax liabilities 
(or assets) and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and unused tax credits assumed from each 
subsidiary in the tax consolidated group.

Assets or liabilities arising under tax funding agreements with the tax consolidated entities are recognised as amounts 
receivable from or payable to other entities in the tax consolidated group. The tax funding arrangement ensures that 
the intercompany charge equals the current tax liability or benefit of each tax consolidated group member, resulting 
in neither a contribution by the head entity to the subsidiaries nor a distribution by the subsidiaries to the head entity.

Current and non-current classification

Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.

An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the 
consolidated entity’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be 
realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from 
being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are 
classified as non-current.

A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in the consolidated entity’s normal operating 
cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; 
or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting 
period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are always classified as non-current.

49

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

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

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, less any allowance for expected credit losses. Trade receivables are generally due for 
settlement within 30 days.

The consolidated entity has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a 
lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based 
on days overdue. Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit losses.

Contract assets
Contract assets are recognised when the consolidated entity has transferred goods or services to the customer but 
where the consolidated entity is yet to establish an unconditional right to consideration. Contract assets are treated 
as financial assets for impairment purposes.

Inventories
Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting rebates and discounts received or receivable.

Stock on hand is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises of purchase and delivery costs 
net of rebates and discounts received or receivable.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of 
completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

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

Depreciation is calculated on both a straight-line basis and a diminishing value basis to write off the net cost of each 
item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:

Leasehold improvements 

5 years 

Diminishing Value basis

Plant and equipment 

3-8 years 

Straight Line basis

Software 

5 years 

Straight Line basis

Network Infrastructure 

4-40 years 

Straight Line basis

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

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

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit 
to  the consolidated entity. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to 
profit or loss. Any revaluation surplus reserve relating to the item disposed of is transferred directly to retained profits.

50

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Leases and right-of-use assets
At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, 
a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for 
consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the Group 
assesses whether:

>  the contract involves the use of an identified asset - this may be specified explicitly or implicitly and should be 
physically distinct or represent substantially all the capacity of a physically distinct asset. If the supplier has a 
substantive substitution right, then the asset is not identified;

>  the Group has the right to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset throughout the 

period of use; and

>  the Group has the right to direct the use of the asset. The Group has this right when it has the decision-making 

rights that are most relevant to changing how and for what purpose the asset is used.

At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the 
consideration in the contract to each lease component based on relative stand-alone prices.

Measurement
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use 
asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease 
payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs 
to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less 
any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the 
useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The estimated useful lives of right-of-use assets are 
summarised below.

In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain 
remeasurements of the lease liability.

CLASS OF RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET 

USEFUL LIFE 

DEPRECIATION METHOD

Buildings 

2 to 10 years 

Straight line basis

Network Infrastructure 

2 years to 20 years 

Straight line basis

Plant and Equipment 

Motor Vehicles 

4 to 5 years 

8 years 

Diminishing value basis

Diminishing value basis

The lease liability is initially measured at present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement 
date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s 
incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:

>  fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments

>  variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the 

commencement date;

>  amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and

>  lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, 
and penalties for early termination of the lease unless the Group is reasonably certain not to terminate early.

51

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there 
is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Group’s 
estimate of the amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee or if the Group changes its 
assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option.

When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-
of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

Short-term leases and low-value assets
The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease 
term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets (less than $10,000), including IT equipment. The Group 
recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Extension options
Where practicable, the Group seeks to include extension options in new leases to provide operational flexibility. 
The Group assesses at lease commencement whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the options if there is a 
significant event or significant change in circumstances within its control.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination, other than goodwill, are initially measured at their fair 
value at the date of the acquisition. Intangible assets acquired separately are initially recognised at cost. Indefinite life 
intangible assets are not amortised and are subsequently measured at cost less any impairment. Finite life intangible 
assets are subsequently measured at cost less amortisation and any impairment. The gains or losses recognised in 
profit or loss arising from the derecognition of intangible assets are measured as the difference between net disposal 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the intangible asset. The method and useful lives of finite life intangible 
assets are reviewed annually. Changes in the expected pattern of consumption or useful life are accounted for 
prospectively by changing the amortisation method or period.

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

Trademarks
Trademarks owned by group entities are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Customer contracts
Customer contracts acquired in a business combination are amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of their 
expected benefit, being their finite life of 3 years to 6.5 years.

Software
Significant costs associated with software are deferred and amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of their 
expected benefit, being their finite life of 3 years.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group recognises loss allowances for expected credit loss (ECL) on financial assets measured at amortised cost. 
The Group measures loss allowances at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs. The Group has adopted the simplified 
approach under AASB 9 for calculating the allowance. The collective loss allowance is determined based on the 
historical default percentage in each portfolio and adjusted for other current observable and forward-looking 
information to estimate lifetime ECL for similar financial assets.

52

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and 
when estimating ECLs, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available 
without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the 
Group’s historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information.

The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 90 days past due.

The Group considers a financial asset to be in default when:

>  the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Group in full, without recourse by the Group to actions; or

>  the financial asset is more than 90 days past due.

Lifetime ECLs are the ECLs that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument.

12-month ECLs are the portion of ECLs that result from default events that are possible within the 12 months after the 
reporting date (or a shorter period if the expected life of the instrument is less than 12 months). The maximum period 
considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Group is exposed to credit risk.

Measurement of ECLs
ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash 
shortfalls (i.e. the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash 
flows that the Group expects to receive). The impact of COVID-19 on the allowance for calculation for expected 
credit losses calculation was assessed as at 30 June 2020. Please refer to Note 8.

Credit-impaired financial assets
At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost are credit-impaired. A 
financial asset is ‘credit-impaired’ when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future 
cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes the following observable data:

>  significant financial difficulty of the borrower or issuer

>  a breach of contract such as a default or being more than 90 days past due

>  the restructuring of a loan or advance by the Group on terms that the Group would not consider otherwise

>  it is probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation or

>  the disappearance of an active market for a security because of financial difficulties.

Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position
Loss allowances for financial assets measured at amortised cost are deducted from the gross carrying amount of the assets. 

Write-off
The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off when the Group has no reasonable expectations of 
recovering financial asset in its entirety or a portion thereof. The Group expects no significant recovery from the 
amount written off. However, financial assets that are written off could still be subject to enforcement activities in 
order to comply with the Group’s procedures for recovery of amounts due.

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

For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows 
from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or Cash Generating Unit (CGU).

53

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value 
in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate 
that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. They are allocated to reduce the carrying amount of assets in the 
CGU on a pro rata basis. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment 
loss had been recognised.

Impairment of right-of-use assets
The carrying values of right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment annually. If an indication of impairment exists, 
and where the carrying value of the right-of-use asset exceeds the estimate recoverable amount, the right-of-use 
assets are written down to their recoverable amount. The assessment includes a review of performing and non-
performing towers. Where a tower is identified as non-performing, the right-of-use asset associated with that non-
performing tower is reduced to its recoverable amount through an impairment charge.

Trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the consolidated entity prior to the end of the 
financial year and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature they are measured at amortised cost and are not 
discounted.

The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities represent the consolidated entity’s obligation to transfer services to a customer and are 
recognised when a customer pays consideration, or when the consolidated entity recognises a receivable to reflect 
its unconditional right to consideration (whichever is earlier) before the consolidated entity has transferred the 
services to the customer.

Borrowings
Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received, net of transaction costs. 
They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Finance costs
Finance costs attributable to qualifying assets are capitalised as part of the asset. All other finance costs are expensed 
in the period in which they are incurred.

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

Employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long service leave expected to 
be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the 
liabilities are settled.

54

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Other long-term employee benefits
The liability for annual leave and long service leave not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting 
date are measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by 
employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future 
wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are 
discounted using market yields at the reporting date on corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that 
match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based compensation benefits are provided to employees.

Equity-settled transactions are awards of shares, or options over shares, that are provided to employees in exchange 
for the rendering of services. Cash-settled transactions are awards of cash for the exchange of services, where the 
amount of cash is determined by reference to the share price.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value on grant date. Fair value is independently determined 
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the 
impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected 
dividend yield and the risk free interest rate for the term of the option, together with non-vesting conditions that do 
not determine whether the consolidated entity receives the services that entitle the employees to receive payment. 
No account is taken of any other vesting conditions.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity over the 
vesting period. The cumulative charge to profit or loss is calculated based on the grant date fair value of the award, 
the best estimate of the number of awards that are likely to vest and the expired portion of the vesting period. The 
amount recognised in profit or loss for the period is the cumulative amount calculated at each reporting date less 
amounts already recognised in previous periods.

Market conditions are taken into consideration in determining fair value. Therefore, any awards subject to market 
conditions are considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition has been met, provided all 
other vesting conditions are satisfied.

If equity-settled awards are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the modification has not been made.

An additional expense is recognised, over the remaining vesting period, for any modification that increases the total 
fair value of the share-based compensation benefit as at the date of modification.

If the non-vesting condition is within the control of the consolidated entity or employee, the failure to satisfy the 
condition is treated as a cancellation. If the condition is not within the control of the consolidated entity or employee 
and is not satisfied during the vesting period, any remaining expense for the award is recognised over the remaining 
vesting period, unless the award is forfeited.

If equity-settled awards are cancelled, it is treated as if it has vested on the date of cancellation, and any remaining 
expense is recognised immediately. If a new replacement award is substituted for the cancelled award, the cancelled 
and new award is treated as if they were a modification.

Fair value measurements
When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, 
the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place 
either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.

Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, 
assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on 
its highest and best use. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data 
are available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use 
of unobservable inputs.

55

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified into three levels, using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the 
significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. Classifications are reviewed at each reporting date and 
transfers between levels are determined based on a reassessment of the lowest level of input that is significant to the 
fair value measurement.

For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, external valuers may be used when internal expertise is 
either not available or when the valuation is deemed to be significant. External valuers are selected based on market 
knowledge and reputation. Where there is a significant change in fair value of an asset or liability from one period to 
another, an analysis is undertaken, which includes a verification of the major inputs applied in the latest valuation and 
a comparison, where applicable, with external sources of data.

Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

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

Capital risk management
The consolidated entity’s objectives when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, 
so that it can provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimum 
capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. Capital is regarded as total equity, as recognised in the statement of 
financial position, plus net debt. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.

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

The consolidated entity will look to raise capital when an opportunity to invest in a business or company is seen as 
value adding relative to the current company’s share price at the time of the investment.

Dividends
Dividends are recognised when declared during the financial year and no longer at the discretion of the company.

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

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

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

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

56

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020Contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer is recognised at the acquisition-date fair value. Subsequent changes 
in the fair value of the contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability is recognised in profit or loss. Contingent 
consideration classified as equity is not remeasured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

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

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

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Uniti Group Limited, excluding 
any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 
during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share

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

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

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

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

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

Rounding of amounts
The company is of a kind referred to in Corporations Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission, relating to ‘rounding-off’. Amounts in this report have been rounded off in accordance with that 
Corporations Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.

57

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS,  
ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements 
and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its 
judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations 
of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting 
judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to 
the respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.

Goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets
The consolidated entity tests annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate impairment, 
whether goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets have suffered any impairment, in accordance with the 
accounting policy stated in Note 1. The recoverable amounts of cash-generating units have been determined based 
on value-in-use calculations. These calculations require the use of assumptions, including estimated discount rates 
based on the current cost of capital and growth rates of the estimated future cash flows.

Business combinations
As discussed in Note 1, business combinations are initially accounted for on a provisional basis. The fair value of 
assets acquired, liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed are initially estimated by the consolidated entity taking 
into consideration all available information at the reporting date. Fair value adjustments on the finalisation of the 
business combination accounting is retrospective, where applicable, to the period the combination occurred and      
may have an impact on the assets and liabilities, depreciation and amortisation reported.

Impact of COVID-19
As noted in the Review of Operations in the Directors’ Report, the Board and management have considered the 
impact of COVID-19 on the consolidated entity’s operations and financial performance, and have noted that there 
were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the consolidated entity during the financial year.  In particular, 
Uniti’s business has been resilient to date. Uniti has not claimed any amounts under the Australian Government 
JobKeeper Payment Scheme.

In preparing the consolidated financial report, management has considered the impact of COVID-19 on the 
various balances in the financial report, including the carrying values of trade receivables, as well as balances and 
accounting estimates for which cash flow forecasts are required to be prepared, such as impairment assessments 
of goodwill and brand names.  Management determined that there was no significant impact of COVID-19 on the 
abovementioned balances and accounting estimates.

58

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 3. OPERATING SEGMENTS

Identification of reportable operating segments
Segment information is based on the information that management uses to make decisions about operating   
matters and allows users to review operations through the eyes of management. Operating segments represent the 
information reported to the chief operating decision makers (CODM), being the Board of Directors, for  the purposes 
of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance. Any new acquisitions will be made to complement 
the business units.

Major customers
There were no major customers in 2020 or 2019 that contributed more than 5% of revenue.

Operating segments
The directors have chosen to organise the Group around the three main business units in which the Group operates. 
Specifically, the Group’s reportable segments under AASB 8 are as follows:

>  Consumer & Business Enablement.

>  Wholesale & Infrastructure.

>  Specialty Services.

The reportable segments represent the group’s cash-generating units for impairment testing purposes, with 
corporate income (interest) and costs being allocated to the three cash-generating units. The chief decision maker 
for the reporting segments are the CEOs of each of the ‘three pillars’. 

59

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020ww

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 30 June 2020

NOTE 3. OPERATING SEGMENTS continued

Segment revenues and results

CONSOLIDATED – 2020

Revenue

EBITDA (Reported)

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
$’000

SPECIALTY 
SERVICES 
$’000

CONSUMER &
BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT 
$’000

UNALLOCATED1 
$’000

INTER-
COMPANY2 
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

22,351 

20,969

24,004

324   

(9,432) 58,216 

14,525 

11,752 

4,779 

(15,001)

Depreciation and amortisation

(1,283)

(1,916)

(3,654)

Net finance costs 

-

(29)

Profit / (Loss) before income tax expense

13,242 

9,807 

Income tax expense

-

-   

Profit / (Loss) after income tax expense

13,242 

9,807 

(403)

722 

-   

722 

-   

(163)   

(15,164)

7,314 

(7,850)

-

-

-

-

-

-

16,055 

(6,853)

(595)

8,607 

7,314 

15,921 

(1)  Unallocated revenue represents interest income earned in relation to cash and cash equivalents. Unallocated costs include corporate services 

costs, board costs, share-based payment expenses and acquisition costs. 

(2)  Intercompany revenue is eliminated on consolidation and relates primarily to recurring charges from the W&I business unit to the CBE business 

unit for the provision of wholesale telecommunications services. 

CONSOLIDATED – 2019

Revenue

EBITDA (Reported)

Depreciation and amortisation

Net finance costs 

Impairment of right-of-use asset

Profit / (Loss) before income tax expense

Profit / (Loss) after income tax expense

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
$’000

SPECIALTY  
SERVICES 
$’000

CONSUMER &
BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT 
$’000

UNALLOCATED1 
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

704 

191 

(8)

-   

-

183 

183 

13,591 

689

(5,745)

(658)

(1,407)

(7,121)

(7,121)

41   

14,336 

(6,379)

(5,499)

-   

(5,753)

(214)   

(872)

-

(1,407)

(6,593)

(13,531)

(6,593)

(13,531)

(1)  Unallocated revenue represents interest income earned in relation to cash and cash equivalents. Unallocated costs include corporate services 

costs, board costs, share-based payment expenses and acquisition costs.

Geographical segments
The consolidated entity operated in only one geographical segment during 2020 and 2019, being Australia.

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ww

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTE 4. REVENUE

Revenue from contracts with customers

Sale of goods

Rendering of services – Broadband and fibre access networks

Rendering of services – Telecommunications services 

Rendering of services – Recurring network revenues 

Developer revenues 

Other revenue

Interest revenue

Other revenue

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

37

23,462

20,576

10,989

2,182

57,246

324

646

970

191

13,400

704

–

–

14,295

41

–

41

58,216

14,336

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised over time, excluding sale of goods.

61

NOTE 4. REVENUE continued

Disaggregation of revenue
The disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows:

CONSOLIDATED – 2020

Major product lines

Broadband and fibre access networks

Telecommunications services

Recurring network revenues

Developer revenues

Sale of goods

Geographical regions

Australia

Timing of revenue recognition

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
$’000

SPECIALTY  
SERVICES
$’000

CONSUMER &
BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT 
$’000

INTER- 
 COMPANY1
$’000

–

–

–

20,576

20,086

2,182

–

–

–

–

23,797

–

–

–

37

(335)

–

(9,097)

–

–

TOTAL
$’000

23,462

20,576

10,989

2,182

37

22,268

20,576

23,834

(9,432)

57,246

22,268

22,268

–

22,268

22,268

20,576

20,576

–

20,576

20,576

23,834

23,834

37

23,797

23,834

(9,432)

(9,432) 

–

(9,432)

(9,432)

57,246

57,246

37

57,209

57,246

(1)  Intercompany revenue is eliminated on consolidation and relates primarily to recurring charges from the W&I business unit to the CBE business 

unit for the provision of wholesale telecommunications services.

CONSOLIDATED – 2019

Major product lines

Broadband and fibre access networks

Telecommunications services

Sale of goods

Geographical regions

Australia

Timing of revenue recognition

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE
$’000

SPECIALTY  
SERVICES 
$’000

CONSUMER &
BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT 
$’000

INTER-
COMPANY 
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

704

–

704

704

704

–

704

704

13,400

–

191

13,591

13,591

13,591

191

13,400

13,591

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

TOTAL
$’000

13,400

704

191

14,295

14,295

14,295

191

14,104

14,295

62

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
NOTE 5. EXPENSES

Profit before income tax includes the following specific expenses:

Network and hardware expense

Network and hardware expense

Employee benefits expense

Share-based payments expense

Depreciation and plant and equipment write off expenses

Leasehold improvements

Plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Total depreciation

Amortisation

Customer contracts

Software

Other intangibles 

Total amortisation

Total depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of right-of-use asset

Impairment of Network Assets

Other expenses

Restructure costs

Acquisition costs

Other

Total other expenses

Finance costs

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

13,837

6,619

4,581

3,311

28

3,127

813

3,968

2,586

220

79

2,885

6,853

–

4,274

840

5,114

539

100

–

639

5,753

–

1,407

707

5,187

5,032

10,926

–

211

3,708

3,919

Interest and finance charges paid/payable

595

872

63

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020w 

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 30 June 2020

NOTE 6. TAX BALANCES

Income tax expense

Current tax

Deferred tax – origination and reversal of temporary differences

Aggregate income tax benefit

Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense and tax at the statutory rate

Profit before income tax expense

Tax at the statutory tax rate of 30% (2019: 27.5%)

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

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities brought to account

Tax losses utilised

Tax loss not recognised

Customer contract amortisation

Share-based payments

Other items

Income tax benefit

Deferred tax assets not brought to account

Unrecognised deferred tax relating to tax losses

Unrecognised deferred tax relating to temporary differences

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

1,890

(9,204)

(7,314)

–

–

–

8,607

2,582

(13,531)

(3,721)

(9,204)

(2,281)

–

–

1,629

(40)

(7,314)

–

–

2,457

139

910

215

–

–

–

–

3,345

653

3,998

The tax benefit represents the recognition of income tax losses incurred by Uniti and certain acquired companies 
from prior periods and the movement in the deferred tax assets and liabilities on the acquired companies joining 
the tax consolidated group. The transition to significant profits before tax in the year has meant that the realisation 
of accumulated losses being recouped against current and future taxable income is more certain, requiring the 
recording of the deferred tax asset for these losses. During FY20, the Group recorded a taxable income, utilising  
$7.6 million (tax affected: $2.3 million) of the prior period and transferred in losses. The Group losses are utilised 
initially, with transferred in losses from acquisitions subsequently utilised against taxable income in accordance  
with their available fraction. As at 30 June 2020, the balance of the available losses is $8.1 million (tax affected:  
$2.4 million), which will be utilised in future periods in accordance with their available fraction. The residual tax 
income is a result of movements across deferred tax asset and liabilities.

64

w

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTE 6. TAX BALANCES continued

Movements in deferred tax balances

NET 
OPENING 
BALANCE
$’000

RECOGNISE 
 IN PROFIT 
OR LOSS
$’000

RECOGNISED 
DIRECTLY TO 
EQUITY
 $’000

ACQUISITIONS 
$’000

NET CLOSING 
BALANCE $’000

DEFERRED  
TAX ASSETS 
$’000

DEFERRED 
TAX 
LIABILITIES 
$’000

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE

CONSOLIDATED – 2020

Trade and other receivables

Intangible assets

Provisions and accruals

Deferred Income

Lease liability

Blackhole expenditure

–

–

–

–

–

–        

728

72

475

1,187

650

3,675

Tax losses carried forward

–          2,417

–

9,204

–

–

–

–

–

–   

–

–

–

728

728

–

(9,036)               

(8,964)

–

(8,964)

–

–

–

–

–

475

1,187

650

3,675       

2,417

475

1,187

 650 

3,675

 2,417 

–

–

–

–

–

(9,036)               

168

9,132

(8,964)

NOTE 7. CURRENT ASSETS – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash on hand

Cash at bank

Cash on deposit 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

–

7,499

181,651

189,150

2019 
$’000

1

894

18,236

19,131

Cash and cash equivalents include $148 million net proceeds from the institutional entitlement offer, which will be used 
to partially fund the Company’s proposed acquisition of OptiComm Limited, subject to satisfaction of the final Scheme 
of Arrangement conditions. Cash on deposit includes $1.7 million cash secured bank guarantees. These guarantees are 
required until November 2020.

Reconciliation to cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year
The above figures are reconciled to cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year as shown in the 
statement of cash flows as follows:

Balances as above

Balance as per statement of cash flows

189,150

189,150

19,131

19,131

65

 
 
 
NOTE 8. CURRENT ASSETS – TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables

Less: Allowance for expected credit losses

Other receivables

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

7,563

(2,428)

5,135

846

5,981

2019 
$’000

2,082

(575)

1,507

–
1,507

The ageing of the receivables and allowance for expected credit losses provided for above are as follows:

CONSOLIDATED

0 to 1 months overdue

1 to 2 months overdue

2 to 3 months overdue

Over 3 months overdue

EXPECTED
CREDIT
LOSS RATE
%(1)

1%

25%

50%

100%

CARRYING  
AMOUNT 2020
$’000

ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED  
CREDIT LOSSES 2020
$’000

4,139

591

514

2,319

7,563

(97)

(117)

(182)

(2,032)

(2,428)

(1)  Specific debtors balances have been excluded from the general provision where there is a degree of certainty around the recoverability of 

these debts or Uniti is not exposed to any credit risk.

Opening balance

Additional provisions recognised

Additions as part of Business Combinations

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

575

260

1,593

2,428

2019 
$’000

–

120

455

575

Allowance for expected credit losses
The allowance for expected credit losses are determined using a provision matrix and excludes debtors based on 
specific assessment. The consolidated entity has recognised a loss of $260,000 (2019: $120,000) in Other expenses 
in respect of the expected credit losses for the year ended 30 June 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 on the allowance for expected credit losses calculation:

Management acknowledge that there is a level of uncertainty in the economy at present. However, the 
telecommunications industry is insulated to a degree due to the essential nature of the services the Group provides. 
In addition, demand for internet services and bandwidth has increased, further emphasising the importance 
of telecommunications services. Furthermore, the construction industry has continued to operate during the 
COVID-19 restriction period and we have not noted a decline in revenues due to any pandemic related factors. 
Management has employed a level of conservatism when assessing current and forecast credit conditions and 
considered this when determining the default rate on debtors’ balances.

66

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 9. CURRENT ASSETS – INVENTORIES

Customer premise and network equipment

Provision for stock obsolescence

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

969

(10)

959

NOTE 10. CURRENT ASSETS – DEPOSITS AND PREPAYMENTS

Deposits

Security deposits

Prepayments

NOTE 11. CURRENT ASSETS – CONTRACT ASSETS

Contract assets

NOTE 12. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Office leases – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Plant and equipment – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Network Infrastructure – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Motor Vehicles – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

75

57

1,941

2,073

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

1,008

1,008

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

 1,974 

 (1,071)

 903 

 83 

 (59)

 24 

 5,261 

 (3,180)

 2,081 

 117 

 (81)

 36 

2019 
$’000

285

(10)

275

2019 
$’000

26

3

579

608

2019 
$’000

824

824

2019 
$’000

1,233

(664)

569

130

(61)

69

6,886

(3,112)

3,774

94

(42)

52

 3,044 

4,464

67

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 12. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS continued

Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 1 July 2018

Additions

Impairment of right-of-use asset (1)

Revaluation of right-of-use asset (2)

Reclassification of asset type (3)

Disposals

Depreciation expense

Balance at 30 June 2019

Additions

Additions through business combinations 
(Note 32)

Disposals

Remeasurement (4)

Depreciation expense

Balance at 30 June 2020

OFFICE
LEASES
$’000

1,605

54

–

(861)

–

(88)

(141)

569

–

526

–

195

(387)

903

PLANT AND
EQUIPMENT
$’000

NETWORK 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
$’000

88

–

–

–

–

–

(19)

69

–

–

–

(28)

(17)

24

5,709

804

(1,407)

(683)

–

–

(649)

3,774

–

–

–

(1,314)

(379)

2,081

MOTOR
VEHICLES
$’000

490

–

–

–

(407)

–

(31)

52

–

–

–

23

(39)

36

TOTAL
$’000

7,892

858

(1,407)

(1,544)

(407)

(88)

(840)

4,464

–

526

–

(1,124)

(822)

3,044

(1)  In prior year, as a result of the annual review for impairment, non-performing towers were identified and an impairment charge of $1.4 million was booked.
(2)  In prior year, the remaining expected lease term was adjusted resulting in revaluation of the associated right-of-use-asset value.
(3)  In prior year, vehicles owned by the Group were reclassified as Plant and Equipment as they are owned and controlled by the Group.
(4)  During the year, remeasurement in the lease liability has resulted in the change in the carrying value of the right-of-use assets.

NOTE 13. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Leasehold improvements – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Plant and equipment – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Network infrastructure – at cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

68

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

 219 

 (99)

 120 

 1,484

 (588) 

 896 

 50,543

 (5,850) 

 44,693 

 45,709

2019 
$’000

219

(72)

147

1,227

(756)

471

7,503

(4,532)

2,971

3,589

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 13. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT continued

Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 1 July 2018

Additions

Reclassification of asset type

Additions through business combinations (Note 32) 

Disposals

Depreciation expense

Balance at 30 June 2019

Additions

Additions through business combinations (Note 32)

Measurement period adjustments (Note 32)

Disposals

Reclassification of asset type 

Remeasurements (1)

Depreciation expense

Balance at 30 June 2020

LEASEHOLD
IMPROVEMENTS
$’000

PLANT AND
EQUIPMENT
$’000

NETWORK
INFRASTRUCTURE
$’000

169

4

–

–

–

(26)

147

–

–

–

–

–

–

(27)

120

342

5

407

218

(339)

(162)

471

 166 

 463 

 (242)

 (31)

 -   

 272 

 (203)

896

4,571

2,132

–

354

–

(4,086)

2,971

 8,864 

35,856

 -   

 -   

 (187)

 (1,112)

 (1,699)

44,693

TOTAL
$’000

5,082

2,141

407

572

(339)

(4,274)

3,589

9,030

 36,319 

 (242)

 (31)

 (187)

 (840)

 (1,929)

45,709

(1) During the year, the base asset value for customer premise equipment (CPE) was adjusted based on the active customer list as at 30 June 2020.

NOTE 14. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – INTANGIBLES

Goodwill

Less: Impairment

Customer contracts – at cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Software – at cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Other intangible assets

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Brand

Trademarks

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

 176,011 

–   

 176,011 

26,051

 (2,934)

23,117

 1,681 

 (428)

 1,253 

1,178 

 (79)

 1,099 

 4,524 

 23 

 4,547 

2019 
$’000

13,451

–

13,451

7,070

(539)

6,531

1,305

(625)

680

235

–

235

–

23

23

 206,027

20,920

69

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 14. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – INTANGIBLES continued

Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set 
out below:

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 1 July 2018

Additions

Additions through business 
combinations (Note 32) 

Amortisation expense

Balance at 30 June 2019

Additions

Additions through business 
combinations (Note 32) 

Measurement period 
adjustments (Note 32)

Reclassification of asset type

Remeasurement

Amortisation expense

GOODWILL
$’000

CUSTOMER 
CONTRACTS
$’000

BRANDS
$’000

SOFTWARE
$’000

OTHER 
INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
$’000

TRADEMARKS
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

–

–

–

–

13,451

7,070

–

13,451

–

(539)

6,531

174

–

–

–

–

–

–   

216

62

502

(100)

680

 452 

–

23

212

–

235

 76 

–

23

–

–

23

–

216

108

21,235

(639)

20,920

702

 161,327 

 20,367 

 1,695 

 330 

 1,231 

–

 184,950 

 1,233 

 (1,560)

 2,829 

–  

–  

 –   

–

–

 (2,395)

–

–

–

 – 

 23 

 – 

 (232)

–

 (23)

 (341)

 (79)

–

–

–

–

 2,502 

–   

 (341)

 (2,706)

Balance at 30 June 2020

 176,011 

 23,117 

 4,524 

 1,253

 1,099 

23 

 206,027

Impairment testing
Goodwill acquired through business combinations and brands have been allocated for impairment testing purposes 
to the following cash-generating units: 

>  Consumer & Business Enablement.

>  Wholesale & Infrastructure.

>  Specialty Services.

The recoverable amount of the CGU has been determined by a value-in-use calculation using a discounted cash 
flow model, based on a 5 year projected cash flow and terminal value. The cash flow projections are based on 
financial estimates approved by the Board for the 2021 financial year and Management’s view on the further four 
years. As part of the annual impairment test for goodwill, management assesses the reasonableness of growth 
rate assumptions by reviewing historical cash flow projections as well as future growth objectives. Corporate 
charges were allocated to each business unit based on the percentage of the business unit’s underlying EBITDA in 
comparison to the Group.

Key assumptions are those to which the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating units is most sensitive.

70

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
NOTE 14. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – INTANGIBLES continued

The following key assumptions were used in the discounted cash flow model:

KEY ASSUMPTIONS

Discount rate (post tax)

Terminal value growth rate

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE

SPECIALTY SERVICES 

CONSUMER & BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT

7.8%

3%

8.5%

3%

8.7%

3%

Other key assumptions used in the calculation are:

>  Five-year cashflow forecasts, of which the initial year is the board approved budget.

>  Capital expenditure five-year forecast.

>  The discount rate used in 2019 was 10.8% (post tax) across the single CGU.

The discount rate has been determined using the estimated weighted average cost of capital which incorporates 
both the cost of debt and the cost of capital, using a benchmark gearing level. The resulting discounted cash flow 
exceeded the carrying value of goodwill on the company’s balance sheet.

Carrying amounts and recoverable amounts by business units for FY20 are disclosed in the table below:

KEY ASSUMPTIONS

Carrying amount – goodwill 

Carrying amount – intangible assets

WHOLESALE & 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
$‘000

SPECIALTY SERVICES  
$‘000

CONSUMER & BUSINESS 
ENABLEMENT 
$‘000

97,852

2,088

70,833

23,381

7,326

3,272

Impact of COVID-19 on impairment testing
Management has considered any potential impacts from COVID-19 when assessing the recoverable amount of the 
CGU. The Group may be impacted both by deterioration in macroeconomic conditions generally and specifically in 
relation to its operations. To date, COVID-19 has affected, amongst other things, economic conditions, employment 
markets, equity markets, governmental action, regulatory policy, quarantining, self-isolations and travel restrictions.

In addition, the COVID-19 global pandemic may specifically impact the projected growth rate of Uniti’s W&I business,  
including any downturn in the property market which may lead to a delay in the construction of new developments and 
in the signing of new developer agreements and/or delay in the construction of dwellings under these new agreements, 
resulting in delays in the realisation of revenue from these contracts. There is also a risk that the operations may be 
interrupted by government enforced restrictions (such as lockdowns) or other COVID-19 related health concerns.

Although there is a level of inherent uncertainty as outlined above, there has not been any noticeable adverse impact 
on the group’s operations or profitability as further discussed below. We note that telecommunications remains an essential 
service and the current environment has led to increased demand for telecommunications products and services.

Sensitivity
As disclosed in Note 2, the directors have made judgements and estimates in respect of impairment testing of goodwill. 
Should these judgements and estimates not occur the resulting goodwill carrying amount may decrease. Management 
has considered the possible change in EBITDA and discount rates applied and any change would need to be significant 
for the recoverable amount not to exceed the carrying amount. 

71

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
NOTE 15. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 
– TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current liability

Trade payables

Other payables

Accrued expenses

Non-current liability

Unearned Grant Income – South Australia Financing Authority Grant

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

5,601

2,164

5,376

13,141

1,411

1,411

3,630

204

834

4,668

1,500

1,500

Unearned Income of $1.4 million (2019: $1.5 million) was received in the prior year from the South Australia Financing 
Authority but not yet recognised. This income will be brought to account as revenue progressively as grant income 
criteria are met.

Refer to Note 23 for further information on financial instruments.

NOTE 16. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT – CONTRACT LIABILITIES

Current liability

Customer contract liabilities

Non-current liability

Customer contract liabilities

Reconciliation

Reconciliation of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and 
previous financial year are set out below:

Opening balance

Additions as part of Business Combination

Revenue recognised from opening balance

Revenue recognised from acquired balance

Revenue deferred during the year

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

2,269

472

–

2,269

26

498

498

1,178

(472)

(1,178)

2,243

2,269

569

348

(550)

–

131

498

72

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 16. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT – CONTRACT LIABILITIES continued

Unsatisfied performance obligations
The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the    
end of the reporting period was $2.3 million as at 30 June 2020 ($0.5 million as at 30 June 2019) and is expected to    
be recognised as revenue in future periods as follows:

Within 12 months

1 – 2 years

2 – 5 years

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2,269

–

–

2,269

2019 
$’000

472

26

–

498

NOTE 17. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Employee benefits – current

Employee benefits – non-current

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

1,076

93

1,169

2019 
$’000

255

33

288

Amounts not expected to be settled within the next 12 months

The current provision for employee benefits includes 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 entire amount is presented as current, since the consolidated entity does not have an 
unconditional right to defer settlement. However, based on past experience, the consolidated entity does not expect 
all employees to take the full amount of accrued leave or require payment within the next 12 months.

The following amounts reflect leave that is not expected to be taken within the next 12 months:

Employee benefits obligation expected to be settled after 12 months 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

295

2019 
$’000

64

73

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 18. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – CONTINGENT 
CONSIDERATION

Current liability

Contingent consideration for Fone Dynamics acquisition

Contingent consideration for LBNCo acquisition

Non-current liability

Contingent consideration for Call Dynamics acquisition

Contingent consideration for Fone Dynamics acquisition

Contingent consideration for LBNCo acquisition

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

1,747

2,692

4,439

–

–

2,712

2,712

6,546

–

6,546

630

1,854

–

2,484

The total contingent consideration for LBNCo and Fone was measured at fair value as at 30 June 2020.

Refer to Note 23 for further information on contingent consideration.

NOTE 19. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – BORROWINGS

Current liability

South Australia Financing Authority loan

Other loans

Lease liabilities

Non-current liability

South Australia Financing Authority loan

Lease liabilities

Refer to Note 23 for further information on financial instruments.

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

–

–

1,357

1,357

–

3,853

3,853

735

15

1,076

1,826

1,725

5,789

7,514

74

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 19. CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – BORROWINGS continued

Description of Lease Arrangements
The Group leases land and buildings for its office spaces as well as network infrastructure, plant and equipment and 
motor vehicles. The typical lease period of these leases is summarised below. Where leases include an option to 
renew the lease after the end of the contract term, the Group assesses at the lease commencement whether it is 
reasonably certain to exercise the extension options. It reassesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the 
options if there is a significant event or significant change in circumstances within its control. Some leases provide 
for additional rental payments that are based on changes in consumer price indices.

LEASE CATEGORY 

TERM OF LEASE 

RENEWAL OPTION AVAILABLE

Buildings 

2 – 5 years 

Network Infrastructure 

2 – 10 years 

Plant and Equipment 

4 – 5 years 

Motor Vehicles 

8 years 

2 – 5 years

2 – 10 years

None

None

Assets pledged as security
The lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset, recognised in the statement of financial 
position, revert to the lessor in the event of default.

NOTE 20. EQUITY – ISSUED CAPITAL

Ordinary shares – fully paid

433,453,275

147,034,060

421,812

46,691

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
SHARES

2019 
SHARES

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

75

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 20. EQUITY – ISSUED CAPITAL continued

CONSOLIDATED

DATE

SHARES

ISSUE PRICE

$’000

30 June 2018

2,953,017

DETAILS

Balance
Issue of share capital:
Issue of shares (IPO)
Issue of shares (Placement)
Share issue transaction costs

Issue of shares to vendors on acquisition: 
Issue of shares to Fuzenet vendor
Issue of shares to Call Dynamics vendor
Issue of shares to Pivit vendor
Share issue transaction costs

Other:
Issue of shares
Share Split (15.1059917 for 1)
Issue of shares to convertible note holders
Issue of shares to key management personnel
Share issue transaction costs

Balance
Issue of share capital:
Issue of shares (Placement)
Issue of shares (Retail entitlement offer)
Issue of shares (Retail entitlement offer)
Issue of shares (Placement)
Issue of shares (Retail entitlement offer)
Issue of shares (Retail entitlement offer)
Issue of shares (Placement)
Share issue transaction costs

Issue of shares to vendors on acquisition:
Issue of shares to Pivit vendor
Issue of shares to Fone Dynamics vendor
Issue of shares to LBNCo vendor
Issue of shares to OPENetworks vendor
Issue of shares to 1300 Australia vendor
Issue of shares to Pivit vendor
Share issue transaction costs

13 February 2019
5 June 2019
Various

13 February 2019
31 May 2019
7 June 2019
Various

7 September 2018
7 December 2018
13 February 2019
13 February 2019
Various

30 June 2019

26 August 2019
26 August 2019
20 September 2019
11 December 2019
11 December 2019
27 December 2019
24 June 2020
Various

4 July 2019
12 August 2019
30 September 2019
31 October 2019
16 December 2019
8 May 2020
Various

52,724,212
15,000,000
n/a
67,724,212

6,600,000
978,100
32,401
n/a
7,610,501

75,000
42,713,183
17,845,993
8,112,154
n/a
68,746,330
147,034,060

 15,548,988 
 19,131,363 
 48,803,240 
 26,505,383 
 17,105,166 
 8,795,543 
108,480,884
n/a
244,370,567

56,196
12,556,059
9,384,755
6,492,425
12,345,682
140,550
n/a
40,975,667

94,828
648,153
330,000
n/a
n/a
1,072,981

11,907

13,181
15,000
(1,483)
26,698

1,650
740
30
(7)
2,413

675
n/a
3,123
2,028
(153)
5,673
46,691

 18,659 
 22,958 
 58,564 
 42,939 
 27,710 
 14,249 
151,873
(9,116)
327,836

80
6,652
11,262
9,389
20,000
–
(189)
47,194

115
161
184
(317)
(52)
91

$0.25
$1.00
n/a
n/a

$0.25
$0.76
$0.93
n/a
n/a

$9.00
n/a
$0.175
$0.25
n/a
n/a
n/a

$1.20
$1.20
$1.20
$1.62
$1.62
$1.62
$1.40
n/a
n/a

$1.42
$0.53
$1.20
$1.45
$1.62
–
n/a
n/a

$1.22
$0.25
$0.56
n/a
n/a
n/a

Other: 
Issue of shares under employee shares
Conversion of share-based payment option on exercise
Conversion of share-based payment option on exercise
Reserves reclassification
Share issue transaction costs

20 April 2020
19 June 2020
25 June 2020

Various

Balance

30 June 2020

433,453,275

n/a

421,812

76

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 20. EQUITY – ISSUED CAPITAL continued

Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on the winding up of the company in 
proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The fully paid ordinary shares have no par value 
and the company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

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

Reconciliation to proceeds from issue of shares

Issue of Shares

Issue of shares to vendor on business acquisition

Repayment of contingent consideration

Share-based payments and reserve reclassification

NOTE 21. EQUITY – RESERVES

Share Option reserve

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

384,477

(40,747)

(6,652)

202

337,280

2019 
$’000

36,427

(2,390)

–

(5,856)

28,181

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

6,065

6,065

2019 
$’000

1,283

1,283

Share Option reserve
The reserve is used to recognise the fair value of share-based payments, in particular options issued to Directors and 
Senior Management.

Movements in reserves 
Movements in each class of reserve during the current and previous financial year are set out below: 

CONSOLIDATED

Balance at 30 June 2018

Options Issued

Balance at 30 June 2019

Options Issued

Reserve reclassification

Balance at 30 June 2020

TOTAL 
$’000

–

1,283

1,283

4,465

317

6,065

77

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTE 22. EQUITY – ACCUMULATED LOSSES

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the financial year

Profit / (Loss) after income tax expense for the year

Accumulated losses at the end of the financial year

NOTE 23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

(22,104)

(8,573)

15,921

(13,531)

(6,183)

(22,104)

Financial risk management objectives
The consolidated entity’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency risk, 
price risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The consolidated entity’s overall risk management program 
focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial 
performance of the consolidated entity.

Market risk

Foreign currency risk

The consolidated entity undertakes limited transactions denominated in foreign currency and is exposed to limited 
foreign currency risk through foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised financial assets and financial 
liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency.

Price risk

The consolidated entity is not exposed to any significant price risk. Most customers in each entity sign up to a contract 
term with an agreed price.

Interest rate risk

The consolidated entity has limited Interest rate risk, with a fixed rate on the South Australia Financing Authority loan for FY19.

The consolidated entity had no loans outstanding as at 30 June 2020 (2019: $2.5 million).

Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to 
the consolidated entity. The consolidated entity has a code of credit, including obtaining agency credit information 
when applicable, confirming references and setting appropriate credit limits The maximum exposure to credit risk at 
the reporting date to recognised financial assets is the carrying amount, net of any provisions for impairment of those 
assets, as disclosed in the statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements. The consolidated 
entity does not hold any collateral.

The consolidated entity has adopted a lifetime expected loss allowance in estimating expected credit losses to trade 
receivables using a provisions matrix using fixed rates of credit loss provisioning. These provisions are considered 
representative across all customers of the consolidated entity based on recent sales experience, historical collection 
rates and forward-looking information that is available.

The impact of COVID-19 on the allowance for calculation for expected credit losses calculation was assessed as at  
30 June 2020. Please refer to Note 8.

78

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

The consolidated entity does not have a credit risk exposure as there is no single customer that represents a material 
component of the outstanding debtor balance. There are no guarantees against receivables but management closely 
monitors the receivable balance on a monthly basis and is in regular contact with this customers to mitigate risk.

Generally, trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators of this 
include the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan and, no active enforcement activity.

Cash and cash equivalents

Credit risk related to balances with banks and other financial institutions is managed by the Board.

The Group held cash and cash equivalents of $189.2 million as at 30 June 2020 and $19.1 million as at 30 June 2019. 
The cash and cash equivalents are held with bank and financial institution counterparties, which are rated A to AA-, 
based on Standard & Poor’s ratings.

Impairment on cash and cash equivalents has been measured on a 12-month expected loss basis and reflects the 
short maturities of the exposures. The Group considers that its cash and cash equivalents have low credit risk based 
on the external credit ratings of the counterparties. The Group uses a similar approach for assessment of ECLs for 
cash and cash equivalents to those used for debt securities. 

Liquidity risk
Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the consolidated entity to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and 
cash equivalents) and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay debts as and when they become due and payable.

The consolidated entity manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing 
facilities by continuously monitoring actual and forecast cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial 
assets and liabilities.

Financing arrangements

Unused borrowing facilities at the reporting date:

Bank loans

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

–

–

2019 
$’000

209

209

Remaining contractual maturities

The following tables detail the consolidated entity’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial instrument liabilities.

The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest 
date on which the financial liabilities are required to be paid. The tables include both interest and principal cash flows 
disclosed as remaining contractual maturities and therefore these totals may differ from their carrying amount in the 
statement of financial position.

79

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

CONSOLIDATED – 2020

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Trade payables

Other payables

Contingent consideration

Interest-bearing – fixed rate

Right of use liability

Total non-derivatives

CONSOLIDATED – 2019

Non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Trade payables

Other payables

Contingent consideration

Interest-bearing – fixed rate

Right of use liability

Lease liability

SAFA loan

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
INTEREST RATE
%

1 YEAR OR 
LESS
$’000

BETWEEN 1 
AND 2 YEARS
$’000

BETWEEN  
2  AND  
5 YEARS  
$’000

OVER 
 5 YEARS
$’000

REMAINING 
CONTRACTUAL 
MATURITIES
$’000

–

–

–

5,601

 7,540 

–

–

 4,439 

 2,712 

–

–

–

–

–

–

8.21%

 1,058 

18,638

 921 

 3,633 

 1,887 

 1,887 

 2,934 

 2,934 

5,601

 7,540 

 7,151 

 6,800 

27,092

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
INTEREST RATE
%

1 YEAR OR 
LESS
$’000

BETWEEN 1 
AND 2 YEARS
$’000

BETWEEN  
2  AND  
5 YEARS  
$’000

OVER 
 5 YEARS
$’000

REMAINING 
CONTRACTUAL 
MATURITIES
$’000

–

–

–

3,630

1,038

6,546

–

–

2,484

–

–

–

–

–

–

8.21%

8.65%

2.57%

1,328

1,388

2,690

4,580

66

792

71

792

30

990

–

–

3,630

1,038

9,030

9,986

167

2,574

Total non-derivatives

13,400

4,735

3,710

4,580

26,425

The cash flows in the maturity analysis above are not expected to occur significantly earlier than contractually 
disclosed above.

The interest expense on lease liabilities incurred in FY20 was $432,000 (2019: $660,000).

Fair value of financial instruments
Unless otherwise stated, the carrying amounts of financial instruments reflect their fair value.

80

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
  
 
NOTE 24. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Fair value
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities of the group approximate their carrying value.

Fair value hierarchy
The following tables detail the consolidated entity’s assets and liabilities, measured or disclosed at fair value, using a 
three-level hierarchy, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire fair value measurement, being:

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

Measurements based on quoted 
prices (unadjusted) in active 
markets for identical assets or 
liabilities that the entity can access 
at the measurement date.

Measurements based on inputs 
other than quoted prices included 
in Level 1 that are observable for 
the asset or liability, either directly 
or indirectly.

Measurements based on 
unobservable inputs for the asset 
or liability.

CONSOLIDATED – 2020

Liabilities
Contingent consideration

LEVEL 1
$’000

LEVEL 2
$’000

–

–

–

–

LEVEL 3
$’000

7,151

7,151

TOTAL
$’000

7,151

7,151

There were no transfers between levels during the financial year. The fair value of assets and liabilities classified as level 
three is determined by the use of models incorporating unobservable inputs and assumptions. Included within the $7.1 
million balance above is $5.4 million contingent consideration for the LBNCo acquisition. This has been calculated based 
on amounts expected to be settled using estimated constructed and activated port numbers, developer revenue and 
new development fee amounts. 

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables and trade and other payables are assumed to approximate their 
fair values due to their short-term nature.

The fair value of financial liabilities is estimated by discounting the remaining contractual maturities at the current 
market interest rate that is available for similar financial liabilities.

NOTE 25. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURES

Compensation
The aggregate compensation made to directors and other members of key management personnel of the 
consolidated entity is set out below:

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Long-term benefits

Equity settled options

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$

2019 
$

 1,657,330 

977,839

 97,009 

14,187

66,769

16,067

3,822,214

3,302,066

5,590,740

4,362,741

81

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
ww

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 30 June 2020

NOTE 26. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 
the auditor of the company, its network firms and unrelated firms:

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$

2019 
$

Audit services – Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (2019: HLB Mann Judd Audit (SA) Pty Ltd)

Audit or review of the financial statements

170,000

64,798

Other services – Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (2019: HLB Mann Judd Audit (SA) Pty Ltd)

Preparation of Independent limited Assurance Report for Listing

Review of forecast for IPO

File access fees

–

–

8,950

96,411

55,000

–

178,950

216,209

NOTE 27. CONTINGENT ASSETS   
There are no Contingent assets as at 30 June 2020.   

NOTE 28. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The consolidated entity has given bank guarantees as at 30 June 2020 of $1,651,000 on a term deposit and to 
various landlords (2019: $24,600 to various landlords).

NOTE 29. COMMITMENTS

Capital commitments

Committed at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities, payable:

Property, plant and equipment

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

126

–

–

25

Uniti has entered into a scheme implementation deed with ASX listed OptiComm Limited (ASX: OPC, OptiComm) 
under which Uniti will acquire 100% of the OptiComm shares on issue by way of a scheme arrangement (Scheme).  
Subject to OptiComm shareholders voting in favour of the Scheme and the Federal Court subsequently approving 
the Scheme at the second court hearing to be held on 18 September 2020, the transaction is scheduled to be 
implemented on 30 September 2020, at which time Uniti will assume unconditional control of OptiComm. Uniti’s 
acquisition consideration of $532 million will be settled via $407 million cash consideration and the issue of 84 
million Uniti shares. Uniti has already raised $270 million from an equity rights issue and has executed a binding term 
sheet for a new $150 million debt facility to fund the balance of the cash consideration payable.    

82

 
ww

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTE 30. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Parent entity

Uniti Group Limited is the parent entity.

Subsidiaries
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in Note 33.

Key management personnel
Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in Note 25 and the remuneration report included in 
the directors’ report.

Transactions with related parties
The following transactions occurred with related parties:

Payment for network tower right-of-use assets from Axicom Pty Limited  
(director-related entity of Graeme Barclay)

Payment for network tower right-of-use assets from BSA Limited  
(director-related entity of Graeme Barclay)

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$

2019 
$

497,389

599,420

5,455

37,337

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

Current payables:

Trade payables to Axicom Pty Limited (director-related entity of Graeme Barclay)

110,674

        178,267

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$

2019 
$

Loans to/from related parties
There were no loans to or from related parties at the current and previous reporting date.

Terms and conditions
All transactions were made on normal commercial terms and conditions and at market rates.

83

 
 
 
 
NOTE 31. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION

Set out below is the supplementary information about the parent entity. 

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Loss after income tax

Total comprehensive income

Statement of financial position

Total current assets

Total assets

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Issued capital

Share-based payments option reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

PARENT

2020 
$’000

(6,351)

(6,351)

2019 
$’000

(14,515)

(14,515)

PARENT

2020 
$’000

            169,892 

411,595

                8,004 

              13,155 

            422,130 

                5,749 

2019 
$’000

18,350

46,478

3,331

21,592

46,691

1,283

           (29,439)

(23,088)

           398,440 

24,886

Contingent liabilities
The parent entity has given bank guarantees as at 30 June 2020 of $1,651,000 on a term deposit and to various 
landlords (2019: $24,600 to various landlords).

Capital commitments 
Uniti has entered into a scheme implementation deed with ASX listed OptiComm Limited (ASX: OPC, OptiComm) 
under which Uniti will acquire 100% of the OptiComm shares on issue by way of a scheme arrangement (Scheme).  
Subject to OptiComm shareholders voting in favour of the Scheme and the Federal Court subsequently approving 
the Scheme at the second court hearing to be held on 18 September 2020, the transaction is scheduled to be 
implemented on 30 September 2020, at which time Uniti will assume unconditional control of OptiComm. Uniti’s 
acquisition consideration of $532 million will be settled via $407 million cash consideration and the issue of 84 
million Uniti shares. Uniti has already raised $270 million from an equity rights issue and has executed a binding term 
sheet for a new $150 million debt facility to fund the balance of the cash consideration payable.

The parent entity had no capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as at 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019.

84

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On 1 October 2019, Uniti Group Limited acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of LBNCo Pty Ltd (LBNCo). The 
acquired business contributed revenues of $18.1 million and profit after tax of $9.9 million to the consolidated entity 
for the period from 1 October 2019 to 30 June 2020. Disclosure of the full year contributions for revenue and profit 
after tax for LBNCo is impracticable due to the changes that have occurred during the year readying the business for 
sale. Disclosure of the actual results for the full year would be misleading to users. The values identified and reported 
in relation to the acquisition of LBNCo were provisional as at 31 December 2019. The final values are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Prepayments

Inventories

Right-of-use assets 

Plant and equipment

Software

Brand valuation 

Trade payables

Other payables

Contract liabilities

Employee benefits provision

Lease liability

Contingent consideration

Net deferred tax liability 

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Representing:

Cash paid or payable to vendor

Shares issued in lieu of cash paid

Cash used to acquire business, net of cash acquired:

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net cash used

FINAL 
$’000

2,556

3,321

502

588

402

28,033

190

664

(2,398)

(950)

(1,573)

(1,566)

(508)

(5,404)

(768)

23,089

79,811

102,900

91,542

11,358

102,900

91,542

(2,556)

88,986

85

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

Reconciliation: 

Goodwill at 31 December 2019 

Measurement period adjustments: 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade receivables

Prepayments

Brand valuation

Other payables

Contract liabilities

Net deferred tax liability

Net assets acquired

Goodwill at 30 June 2020 

FINAL 
$’000

79,811

5

(169)

(4)

175

(378)

696

(37)

288

79,523

86

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

On 1 November 2019, Uniti Group Limited acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of OPENetworks Pty Ltd (OPENetworks). 
The acquired business contributed revenues of $3.7 million and profit after tax of $2.2 million to the consolidated entity 
for the period from 1 November 2019 to 30 June 2020. Disclosure of the full year contributions for revenue and profit 
after tax for OPENetworks is impracticable due to the changes that have occurred during the year readying the business 
for sale. Disclosure of the actual results for the full year would be misleading to users. The values identified and reported 
in relation to the acquisition of OPENetworks were provisional as at 31 December 2019. The final values are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Inventories 

Right-of-use assets 

Plant and equipment

Software

Customer contracts

Brand valuation 

Trade payables

Other payables

Net deferred tax liability 

Employee benefits provision

Lease liability 

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Representing:

Cash paid or payable to vendor

Shares issued/to be issued in lieu of cash paid

Cash used to acquire business, net of cash acquired:

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net cash used

FINAL 
$’000

245

365

473

124

8,122

140

1,573

132

(17)

(21)

(413)

(325)

(120)

10,278

17,727

28,005

18,616

9,389

28,005

18,616

(245)

18,371

87

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

Reconciliation: 

Goodwill at 31 December 2019 

Measurement period adjustments: 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade receivables

Customer contracts

Brand valuation

Trade payables

Other payables

Contract liabilities

Employee benefits provision

Net deferred tax liability

Net assets acquired

Goodwill at 30 June 2020 

FINAL 
$’000

17,727

(1)

(25)

(412)

134

(2)

(48)

(301)

(30)

83

(602)

18,329

88

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

On 16 December 2019, Uniti Group Limited acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of 1300 Australia Pty Ltd (1300 Australia). 
The acquired business contributed revenues of $11.0 million and profit after tax of $6.8 million to the consolidated entity 
for the period from 1 December 2019 to 30 June 2020. Disclosure of the full year contributions for revenue and profit 
after tax for 1300 Australia is impracticable due to the changes that have occurred during the year readying the business 
for sale. Disclosure of the actual results for the full year would be misleading to users. The values identified and reported 
in relation to the acquisition of 1300 Australia were provisional as at 31 December 2019. The final values are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Prepayments

Intangible assets 

Other assets 

Plant and equipment

Customer contracts

Brand valuation

Trade payables

Other payables

Deferred tax liability

Employee benefits provision

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Representing:

Cash paid or payable to vendor

Shares issued in lieu of cash paid

Cash used to acquire business, net of cash acquired:

Acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net cash used

FINAL 
$’000

2,500

873

568

88

55

164

17,977

887

(896)

(1,823)

(5,158)

(307)

14,928

64,616

79,544

59,544

20,000

79,544

59,544

(2,500)

57,044

89

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 32. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS continued

Reconciliation: 

Goodwill at 31 December 2019 

Measurement period adjustments: 

Trade receivables

Intangible assets 

Customer contracts

Brand valuation

Trade payables

Other payables

Deferred tax liability

Employee benefits provision

Net assets acquired

Goodwill at 30 June 2020 

Payment for purchase of business, net of cash acquired

Acquisition of 1300 Australia

Acquisition of LBNCo

Acquisition of OPENetworks

Other – asset purchase and contingent consideration payment

FINAL 
$’000

64,616

(272)

1,140

1,229

(297)

(7)

10

(622)

(40)

1,141

63,475

2020 
$’000

57,044

88,986

18,371

164,401

1,126

165,527

90

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 33. INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following wholly-owned 
subsidiaries in accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 1: 

NAME

1300 Holdings Pty Ltd

1300 Australia Pty Ltd

Alpha Phone Words Pty Ltd 

LBNCo Holdings Pty Ltd

LBNCo InterCo Pty Ltd

LBNCo BidCo Pty Ltd

LBN Co Pty Ltd

Service Elements Pty Ltd

Link Us Pty Ltd

Capital Fibre Networks Pty Ltd

OPENetworks Pty Ltd 

Fuzenet Pty Ltd

Fibreworks Pty Ltd

Fone Dynamics Pty Ltd

Call Dynamics Pty Ltd

Uniti Air Pty Ltd

Uniti Health Pty Ltd

Uniti Play Pty Ltd

FDX Holdings Pty Ltd

ACN 619 678 787 Pty Ltd

 FDX Infotech Pty Ltd

Fuzeconnect Pty Ltd

LK Internet Pty Ltd

Uniti Wireless Limited

Uniti Broadband Limited

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS/ 
COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION

2020

2019

OWNERSHIP INTEREST

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

91

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 34. DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE

A deed of cross guarantee between Uniti Group Limited and its entities listed above was enacted during the financial year 
and relief was obtained from preparing individual financial statements for the Group under ASIC Corporations (Wholly-
owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785. Under the deed, Uniti Group Limited guarantees to support the liabilities 
and obligations of its subsidiaries listed above. As its entities are a party to the deed the income statement and balance 
sheet information of the combined class-ordered group is equivalent to the consolidated information presented in this 
financial report.

NOTE 35. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 15 June 2020, Uniti announced it had entered a scheme implementation deed with ASX listed OptiComm 
Limited (ASX: OPC, OptiComm) under which Uniti will acquire 100% of the OptiComm shares on issue by way of a 
scheme arrangement (Scheme).  Since the announcement on 15 June 2020 and subsequent to 30 June 2020, the 
Federal Court has approved the despatch of the Scheme Booklet and convening of the OptiComm Scheme meeting. 
The Scheme Booklet includes an independent’s expert report which concludes that the Scheme is in the best interest 
of OptiComm shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal. The directors of OptiComm recommend that 
shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, in the absence of a superior proposal, and subject to the independent expert 
continuing to conclude that the Scheme is in the best interests of OptiComm shareholders. Subject to OptiComm 
shareholders voting in favour of the Scheme and the Federal Court subsequently approving the Scheme at the second 
court hearing to be held on 18 September 2020, the transaction is scheduled to be implemented on 30 September 2020, 
at which time Uniti will assume unconditional control of OptiComm. Included in the FY20 Annual Report is the issuance 
of share capital of $148.0 million to partially fund the acquisition (net of related share issue costs of $3.9 million), as well 
as due diligence and other acquisition costs of $2.4 million which have been expensed.

Subsequent to 30 June 2020, the Group has acquired customer contracts and network assets for a total of  
$0.7 million from Ultra ISP Pty Ltd.

Impact of COVID-19:

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the advice and responses from health and regulatory authorities, 
is continuously developing. The global economic outlook is facing uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
which has had and may continue to have significant impact on capital markets and share prices.

In addition, the COVID-19 global pandemic may specifically impact the projected growth rate of Uniti’s W&I business,  
including any downturn   in the property market which may lead to a delay in the construction of new developments 
and in the signing of new developer agreements and/or delay in the construction of dwellings under these new 
agreements, and/or increased vacancy rates, resulting in delays in the realisation of revenue from these contracts. 
There is also a risk that the operations of Uniti may be interrupted by government enforced restrictions (such as 
lockdowns) or other COVID-19 related health concerns. Uniti has not claimed any amounts under the Australian 
Government JobKeeper Scheme during the financial year or subsequent  to 30 June 2020.

Although there is a level of inherent uncertainty as outlined above, there has not been any noticeable adverse 
impact on the Group’s operations or profitability. Telecommunications remains an essential service and the current 
environment has led to increased demand for telecommunications products and services.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2020 that has significantly affected, or may significantly 
affect the consolidated entity’s operations, the results of those operations, or the consolidated entity’s state of affairs 
in future financial years.

92

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 36. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH 
FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit/(Loss) after income tax expense for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of right-of-use assets

Profit on disposal of plant and equipment

Write-off of assets

Transaction costs for business acquisitions

Grant receipt

Share-based payments

Non-cash share expense

Income tax expense

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables

Decrease in inventories

(Increase) in deposits and prepayments

(Increase) in contract assets

(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease) in employee benefits

(Decrease)/Increase in other provisions

Increase/(Decrease) in customer contract liability

Net cash from operating activities

NOTE 37. NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Equity-settled contingent consideration

Shares issued under employee share plan

Options issued under employee option plan

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ ‘000

6,276

115

 4,465 

 10,856 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ ‘000

2019 

$ ‘000

15,921

(13,531)

6,853

–

(3)

57

5,168

–

4,465

115

(7,314)

(487)

216

(344)

(184)

(1,960)

(1,417)

(35)

593

21,644

5,753

1,407

–

–

–

1,500

3,311

675

–

733

1

(250)

–

830

(229)

124

(70)

254

2019 

$ ‘000

2,390

2,028

1,283

5,701

93

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020NOTE 38. CHANGES IN LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

CONSOLIDATED 

Balance at 1 July 2018

Net cash from/(used in) financing and operating activities

Acquisition of right-of-use assets

Remeasurement of lease liability (Note 12)

Balance at 30 June 2019

OTHER
LOANS
$’000

151

(136)

–

–

15

SAFA
LOAN
$’000

–

2,460

–

–

2,460

Net cash from/(used in) financing and operating activities

 (15)

 (2,460)

Acquisition of right-of-use assets

Remeasurement of lease liability (Note 12)

Balance at 30 June 2020

–
–

–

–

NOTE 39. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit/(Loss) after income tax

Profit/(Loss) after income tax attributable to the owners of Uniti Group Limited

BANK
LOANS
$’000

LEASE
LIABILITY
$’000

209

(209)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

TOTAL
$’000

9,275

961

563

8,915

(1,154)

563

(1,459)

(1,459)

6,865

9,340

 (989)

 (3,464)

 628 

 628 

 (1,294)

 (1,294)

 5,210 

 5,210 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ ‘000

15,921

15,921

2019 

$ ‘000

(13,531)

(13,531)

NUMBER

NUMBER

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

274,015,626

116,503,906

Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share:

Options over ordinary shares

15,690,104

–

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

289,705,730

116,503,906

On the 28th November 2018, Uniti processed a share split providing 15.1056 shares for every 1 share previously held. 
The 30 June 2019 shares used represent the shares on issue at the time adjusted for the share split for comparison.

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

CENTS

CENTS

5.81

5.50

(11.6)

(11.6)

94

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
NOTE 40. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

A share option plan has been established by the consolidated entity and approved by shareholders at a general 
meeting, whereby the consolidated entity may, at the discretion of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, 
grant options over ordinary shares in the company to certain key management personnel of the consolidated 
entity. Options granted carry no dividend or voting rights, nor do they carry any rights to participate in any issues of 
shares of the Company or any other entity. All options were granted over unissued fully paid ordinary shares in the 
company. Options vest based on the provision of service over the vesting period whereby the employee becomes 
beneficially entitled to the option on vesting date. Options are exercisable by the holder from  the vesting date.

Set out below are summaries of options granted under the plan:

2020

GRANT DATE

EXPIRY DATE

21/12/2018

30/06/2022

21/12/2018
21/12/2018
13/02/2019
13/02/2019
13/02/2019
13/03/2019

13/03/2019
13/03/2019
13/03/2019
13/03/2019
13/03/2019
13/03/2019
15/04/2019
15/04/2019
15/04/2019
10/09/2019
10/09/2019
10/09/2019
18/10/2019
18/10/2019
18/10/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
5/11/2019
27/04/2020
27/04/2020

30/06/2023
30/06/2024
30/06/2022
30/06/2023
30/06/2024
31/12/2022

30/06/2023
30/06/2024
30/06/2022
30/06/2023
30/06/2024
30/06/2025
31/03/2022
31/03/2023
31/03/2024
10/09/2023
10/09/2024
10/09/2025
18/10/2023
18/10/2024
18/10/2025
30/06/2022
31/12/2022
31/03/2023
30/06/2023
31/03/2024
30/06/2024
31/03/2025
26/04/2024
26/04/2025

27/04/2020

26/04/2026

Balance as at 30 June

EXERCISE
PRICE

BALANCE AT THE 
START OF THE 
YEAR

GRANTED

EXERCISED

EXPIRED/ 
FORFEITED/
OTHER

BALANCE AT 
THE END OF 
THE YEAR

$0.25

$0.30
$0.38
$0.25
$0.31
$0.38
$0.25

$0.30
$0.38
$0.17
$0.25
$0.30
$0.38
$0.56
$0.71
$0.86
$1.35
$1.50
$1.65
$1.62
$1.77
$1.92
$1.35
$1.35
$1.35
$1.35
$1.35
$1.35
$1.35
$1.38
$1.53

$1.68

3,072,786

1,843,670
1,843,670
925,933
925,933
925,933
819,410

819,410
819,410
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
330,000
330,000
590,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
 660,000 
 660,000 
 930,000 
 200,000 
 200,000 
 250,000 
 669,868 
 178,632 
 71,940 
580,551
 71,940 
580,551 
 128,620 
 80,000 
 80,000 

–

–
–
(648,153)
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
(330,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
(200,000)
(200,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3,072,786

1,843,670
1,843,670
277,780
925,933
925,933
819,410

819,410
819,410
200,000
200,000
–
–
–
330,000
590,000
 660,000 
 660,000 
 930,000 
 200,000 
 200,000 
 250,000 
 669,868 
 178,632 
 71,940 
 580,551 
 71,940 
580,551
 128,620 
 80,000 
 80,000 

–           90,000

–

–             90,000

14,046,155

5,432,102

(978,153)

(400,000)

18,100,104

95

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 40. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS continued

Set out below are the options exercisable, that vested at the end of the financial year:

GRANT DATE

21/12/2018

13/02/2019

13/03/2019

13/03/2019

21/12/2018

13/02/2019

13/03/2019

13/03/2019

15/04/2019

5/11/2019

5/11/2019

5/11/2019

5/11/2019

EXPIRY DATE

30/06/2022

30/06/2022

30/06/2022

30/06/2023

30/06/2023

30/06/2023

31/12/2022

30/06/2023

31/03/2023

30/06/2022

30/06/2023

31/12/2022

31/03/2023

2020 
NUMBER

2019 
NUMBER

3,072,786

3,072,786

925,933

200,000

200,000

1,843,670

925,933

           819,410 

           819,410 

           330,000 

           669,868 

580,551

178,632

71,940

925,933

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,638,133

3,998,719

The weighted average option exercise price of all unexercised options on issue at the end of the financial year is 
$0.68 (2019: $0.34)

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at the end of the financial year was 4 years 
(2019: 4.5 years).

For the options granted during the current financial year, the valuation model inputs used to determine the fair value 
at the grant date, are as follows:

GRANT DATE

EXPIRY DATE

SHARE PRICE  
AT GRANT
DATE

EXERCISE
PRICE

EXPECTED 
VOLATILITY

DIVIDEND
YIELD

RISK-FREE 
INTEREST
RATE

FAIR VALUE AT 
GRANT
DATE

10/09/2019

18/10/2019

5/11/2019

5/11/2019

27/04/2020

10/09/2023

10/09/2024

10/09/2025

18/10/2023

18/10/2024

18/10/2025

30/06/2022

30/06/2023

30/06/2023

31/12/2022

30/06/2023

30/06/2024

31/03/2024

31/03/2025

26/04/2024

26/04/2025

26/04/2026

$1.32

$1.32

$1.32

$1.52

$1.52

$1.52

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

$1.38

$1.38

$1.38

$1.35

$1.50

$1.65

$1.62

$1.77

$1.92

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.35

$1.38

$1.53

$1.68

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

77%

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%

0.82%

0.82%

0.82%

0.88%

0.88%

0.88%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.77%

0.23%

0.23%

0.23%

$0.74

$0.78

$0.82

$0.83

$0.89

$0.94

$0.75

$0.72

$0.70

$0.80

$0.85

$0.93

$0.91

$0.98

$0.77

$0.81

$0.85

96

for the year ended 30 June 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION
for the year ended 30 June 2020

In the directors’ opinion:

> 

> 

> 

> 

the attached financial statements and notes comply with the Corporations Act 2001, the Accounting Standards 
the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting requirements;

the attached financial statements and notes comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board as described in Note 1 to the financial statements;

the attached financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position 
as at 30 June 2020 and of its performance for the financial year ended on that date; and

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

The directors have been given the declarations required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of directors made pursuant to section 295(5)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001. 
On behalf of the directors

Graeme Barclay 
Chairman

24 August 2020 Sydney

97

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
for the year ended 30 June 2020

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
ABN 74 490 121 060 

477 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 
GPO Box 78 
Melbourne VIC 3001 
Australia 

Tel:   +61 3 9671 7000 
Fax:  +61 3 9671 7001 
www.deloitte.com.au 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of  
Uniti Group Limited  

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial report of Uniti Group Limited  (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) 
which comprises the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2020, the consolidated statement of profit or loss 
and  other  comprehensive  income,  the  consolidated  statement  of  changes  in  equity  and  the  consolidated 
statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the directors’ declaration. 

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

(i)  

giving  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  Group’s  financial  position  as  at  30  June  2020  and  of  its  financial 
performance for the year then ended; and   

(ii)  

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for Opinion 

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

We confirm that the independence declaration required by the Corporations Act 2001, which has been given to 
directors of the Company, would be in the same terms if given to directors as at the time of this auditor’s report. 

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

Key Audit Matters  

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

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

Member of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and the Deloitte Network. 

98 

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Key Audit Matter 

How the scope of our audit responded to the Key Audit 
Matter 

Assessment of the recoverability of goodwill  
Refer to note 14  

Our procedures included, but were not limited to: 

As at 30 June 2020, the Group had goodwill totalling $176 
million. The recoverability of goodwill is subject to judgement 
in determining assumptions and estimates involved in 
evaluating the recoverable amounts of the cash generating 
units (“CGUs’). The CGUs disclosed are: 

Consumer & Business Enablement; 

• 
•  Wholesale & Infrastructure; and 
• 

Specialty Services. 

As disclosed in note 14, management applied a ‘value in use’ 
approach for all CGUs. Under this approach, discounted cash 
flow models were prepared, which included significant 
judgements and estimates relating to:   

• 
• 
• 

Future cash flows for each CGU;  
Discount rates; and 
Terminal value growth rates. 

Changes to these assumptions can impact the recoverable 
amount determined for each CGU.  

• 

• 

• 

Assessing the design and implementation of key controls 
relating to the preparation of the value-in-use models; 
Assessing the determination of the Group’s CGUs based on 
our understanding of the nature of the Group’s businesses 
and how independent cash flows are derived; 
Agreeing forecast cash flows to the latest Board approved 
budget and assessing the accuracy of management’s 
forecasting;  

•  With the assistance of our valuation specialists we: 

o 
o 

o 

o 

o 

Assessed management’s value-in-use methodology;  
Challenged key assumptions, including forecast 
growth rates by comparing them to historical results 
and economic forecasts including the impact of 
COVID-19;  
Evaluated the discount rate used by assessing the 
cost of capital for each CGU by comparison to market 
data such as IBISWorld industry reports;  
Tested the mathematical accuracy of the valuation 
model; and  
Assessed management’s sensitivity analyses around 
key assumptions and estimates used in the valuation 
model.  

We also assessed the appropriateness of the disclosures included in 
the notes to the financial statements. 

Accounting for acquisitions in the current period  
Refer to note 32 

Our procedures included, but were not limited to:  

The Group acquired several businesses during the 30 June 
2020 financial year and finalised the accounting for certain 
acquisitions that were provisionally accounted at 30 June 
2019.  

Significant judgement is involved in relation to acquisition 
accounting including: 

• 

• 

Determining the fair value of acquired tangible 
assets such as network infrastructure; and 
Identifying and valuing intangible assets acquired 
in the business combination such as customer 
relationships and brand names. 

Changes in the above matters can impact the amount of 
goodwill recognised for each of the respective acquisitions.  

• 

• 

Reviewing the sale agreements to understand key terms 
and conditions;  
Assessing the procedures performed by management 
regarding the identification and valuation of acquired assets 
and liabilities, including intangible assets;  

•  With the assistance of our valuation specialists we: 

o 

o 

o 

Assessed the third party valuations utilised by 
management in their determination of fair value of 
assets acquired;  
Evaluated the methodology and assumptions used by 
the third party in the valuation performed; and 
Assessed the competence and objectivity of the third 
party.  

We also assessed the appropriateness of the disclosures included in 
the notes to the financial statements. 

Other Information 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  other  information.  The  other  information  comprises  the  Operational 
Highlights,  Chairman’s  Letter,  CEO’s  Message,  Operating  &  Financial  Review,  Directors’  Report,  Shareholder 
Information, Corporate Directory, ASX Announcement and Investor Presentation which we obtained prior to the 
date of this auditor’s report.  

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

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information identified 
above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report 
or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work 
we  have  performed  on  the  other  information  that  we  obtained  prior  to  the  date  of  this  auditor’s  report,  we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We 
have nothing to report in this regard.  

When  we  read  the  Other  Information,  if  we  conclude  that  there  is  a  material  misstatement  therein,  we  are 
required  to  communicate  the  matter  to  the  directors  and  use  our  professional  judgement  to  determine  the 
appropriate action.  

99 

99

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
for the year ended 30 June 2020

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report 

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

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

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report  

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

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement 
and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:   

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, 
design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient 
and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis  for  our  opinion.  The  risk  of  not  detecting  a  material  misstatement 
resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Group’s internal control.  

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates 
and related disclosures made by the directors. 

Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based 
on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that 
may  cast  significant  doubt  on  the  Group’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern.  If  we  conclude  that  a 
material  uncertainty  exists,  we  are  required  to  draw  attention  in  our  auditor’s  report  to  the  related 
disclosures  in  the  financial  report  or,  if  such  disclosures  are  inadequate,  to  modify  our  opinion.  Our 
conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future 
events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.  

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, 
and  whether  the  financial  report  represents  the  underlying  transactions  and  events  in  a  manner  that 
achieves fair presentation.  

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business 
activities within the Group to express an opinion on the financial report. We are responsible for the direction, 
supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.  

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit 
and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our 
audit.  

We  also  provide  the  directors  with  a  statement  that  we  have  complied  with  relevant  ethical  requirements 
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably 
be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards 
applied.  

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance 
in the audit of the financial report of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe 
these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or 
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report 
because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication. 

100 

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 27 to 38 of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 
30 June 2020.  

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Uniti Group Limited, for the year ended 30 June 2020, complies with 
section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  

Responsibilities  

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

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Chris Biermann 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants 
Melbourne, 24 August 2020 

101 

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
30 June 2020

ASX ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Additional information required by the ASX Listing Rules and not disclosed elsewhere in this report is set out below 
and was applicable as at 31 July 2020 (unless otherwise stated).

DISTRIBUTION OF EQUITABLE SECURITIES
Analysis of number of equitable security holders by size of holding:

1 to 1,000

1,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 100,000

100,001 and over 

NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES

ORDINARY SHARES

968

1,232

707

1,095

202

4,204

594,562

3,324,529

5,389,430

31,366,093

477,707,527

518,382,141

EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS

Twenty largest quoted equity security holders
The names of the twenty largest security holders of quoted and unquoted ASX escrow equity securities are listed below:

ORDINARY SHARES

NUMBER HELD

% OF TOTAL SHARES ISSUED

National Nominees Ltd 
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited
JP Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited
BNP Paribas Noms Pty Limited
Cornish Group Investments Pty Ltd
Capital J Investments Pty Ltd  
Chash Nominees Pty Ltd 
Taliesin Pty Ltd < The Taliesin A/C>
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited - A/C 2
Sargon CT Pty Ltd 
Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Limited
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 
CS Third Nominees Pty Limited 
Brispot Nominees Pty Limited 
Luab Pty Ltd
Barbright Australia Pty Ltd 
UBS Nominees Pty Limited
CS Fourth Nominees Pty Limited 
Bowen Family Super Co Pty Ltd < Bowen Family Super A/C>

Total

102

74,866,546
63,431,790
62,711,706
42,390,279
19,229,145
14,500,000
13,899,999
8,231,107
8,209,010
7,908,827
7,654,012
7,565,312
7,316,187
6,426,378
6,141,246
5,535,424
5,305,915   
4,933,165
4,918,144
4,791,706

375,965,898

14.442
12.236
12.098
8,177
3.709
2.797
2.681
1.588
1.584
1.526
1.477
1.459
1.411
1.240
1.185
1.068
1.024
0.952
0.949
0.924

72.527

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
30 June 2020

UNQUOTED EQUITY SECURITIES

ORDINARY SHARES

NUMBER HELD % OF UNQUOTED SECURITIES

Chash Nominees Pty Ltd 

Taliesin Pty Ltd 

Capital Telecommuications Pty Ltd

Basslay Pty Limited 

Mr Jules Willem Johan Maussen 

Bell Potter Nominees Ltd 

Mr Timothy Gramp & Mrs Kathryn Joy Gramp 

Adelaide Internet Pty Ltd 

Mr Jules Willem Johan Maussen

8,209,010

8,209,010

2,794,608

2,458,228

1,163,657

1,000,000

307,279

307,279

193,957

33.312

33.312

11.340

9.975

4.722

4.058

1.247

1.247

0.787

Total

24,643,028

100.000

No individual holder holds more than 20% of the unquoted options

Chash Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for the  and as trustee for the  holds more 
than 20% of the ASX Escrow shares.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES 

The following securities have escrow restrictions applicable: 

ORDINARY SECURITIES SUBJECT TO VOLUNTARY ESCROW

Release 31 October 2020

Total

UNQUOTED SECURITIES SUBJECT TO ASX ESCROW (SHARES WILL BE QUOTED UPON RELEASE) 

Release 13 February 2021

Total

1,668,786

1,668,786

24,643,028

24,643,028

103

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

SUBSTANTIAL HOLDERS

Substantial holders in the Group are set out below:

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (WHSP)

Tribeca Investment Partners Pty Ltd

VOTING RIGHTS

The voting rights attached to ordinary shares are set out below:

ORDINARY SHARES

NUMBER HELD

SHARES ISSUED

% OF TOTAL 

24,906,745

25,917,195

5.05%

5.005%

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

Options
Options have no voting rights.

There are no other classes of equity securities.

On Market Buy Back
There is no current on market buy back.

Use of Proceeds
In accordance with Listing Rule 4.10.19, the Company confirms that it has used cash and assets in a form readily 
convertible to cash in a way consistent with its business objectives during the period 13 February 2019 (date of 
listing) and 30 June 2020.

104

 
CORPORATE DIRECTORY

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

SHARE REGISTER

Boardroom Pty Limited Grosvenor Place 
Level 12, 225 George Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 
Phone: 1300 808 280

AUDITOR

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
477 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING

Uniti Group Limited shares are listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX code: UWL)

WEBSITE

www.unitigrouplimited.com

DIRECTORS

Graeme Barclay

Kathy Gramp

John Lindsay

Vaughan Bowen

Michael Simmons

COMPANY SECRETARY

Ashe-lee Jegathesan

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

22 October 2020  
Please refer to our website for further detail:  
www.unitigrouplimited.com

REGISTERED OFFICE

Level 1, 44 Currie Street 
Adelaide SA 5000 
Phone: 1300 847 201

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS

Level 1, 44 Currie Street 
Adelaide SA 5000 
Phone: 1300 847 201

105

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NOTES

106

UNITI GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020

107

unitigrouplimited.com