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Appendix D: Historical Australian Government Data

This appendix reports historical data for the Australian Government fiscal aggregates across the general government, public non‑financial corporations and non‑financial public sectors.

Data sources

Data are sourced from Australian Government Final Budget Outcomes, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Australian Government Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accrual data from 1996‑97 onwards and cash data, net debt data, net financial worth data and net worth data from 1999‑2000 onwards are sourced from Australian Government Final Budget Outcomes. Back‑casting adjustments for accounting classification changes and other revisions have been made from 1998‑1999 onwards where applicable.
Cash data prior to 1999‑2000 are sourced from ABS data, which have been calculated using methodology consistent with that used for later years in ABS cat. no. 5512.0 Government Finance Statistics.
Net debt data prior to 1999‑2000 are from ABS cat. no. 5512.0 Government Finance Statistics 2003‑04 in 1998‑99, ABS cat. no. 5501.0 Government Financial Estimates 1999‑2000 and ABS cat. no. 5513.0 Public Sector Financial Assets and Liabilities 1998 in 1987‑88 to 1997‑98, and Treasury estimates (see Treasury's Economic Roundup, Spring 1996, pages 97‑103) prior to 1987‑88.

Comparability of data across years

The data set contains a number of structural breaks owing to accounting classification differences and changes to the structure of the budget, which cannot be eliminated through back‑casting because of data limitations. These breaks can affect the comparability of data across years, especially when the analysis is taken over a large number of years. Specific factors causing structural breaks include:

from 2005‑06 onwards, underlying Government Finance Statistics (GFS) data are provided by agencies in accordance with Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (AEIFRS). Prior to 2005‑06, underlying GFS data are based on data provided by agencies in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (AAS);
most recent accounting classification changes that require revisions to the historical series have been back‑cast (where applicable) to 1998‑1999, ensuring that data are consistent across the accrual period from 1998‑1999 onwards. However, because of data limitations, these changes have not been back‑cast to earlier years;
prior to 1999‑2000, Australian Government general government sector debt instruments are valued at historic cost, whereas from 1999‑2000 onwards they are valued at market prices (consistent with accrual GFS standards). This affects net debt and net interest payments;
cash data up to and including 1997‑98 are calculated under a cash accounting framework, while cash data from 1998‑99 onwards are derived from an accrual accounting framework.¹ Although the major methodological differences associated with the move to the accrual framework have been eliminated through back‑casting, comparisons across the break may still be affected by changes to some data sources and collection methodologies;
adjustments in the coverage of agencies included in the accounts of the different sectors. These include the reclassification of Central Banking Authorities from the general government to the public financial corporations sector in 1998‑99, and subsequent back‑casting to account for this change;
changes in arrangements for transfer payments, where tax concessions or rebates have been replaced by payments through the social security system. This has the effect of increasing both cash receipts and payments, as compared with earlier periods, but not changing cash balances. Changes in the opposite direction (tax expenditures replacing payments) reduce both cash payments and receipts; and
classification differences in the data relating to the period prior to 1976‑77 (which means that earlier data may not be entirely consistent with data for 1976‑77 onwards).

Revisions to previously published data

Under the accrual GFS framework and generally under AAS, flows are recorded in the period in which they occurred. As a result, prior period outcomes may be revised for classification changes relating to information that could reasonably have been expected to be known in the past, is material in at least one of the affected periods, and can be reliably assigned to the relevant period(s).

Revisions since the 2012‑13 Budget

The 2012‑13 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) includes revisions to the historical series to reflect the change in the calculation of the underlying cash balance to exclude net earnings of the Future Fund, as opposed to gross earnings. This approach better reflects the operations of the Future Fund, by ensuring that only net earnings of the Future Fund are recognised as being available for re‑investment by the Fund and creates greater symmetry between the treatment of Future Fund earnings (receipts) and costs (payments). This is consistent with the Future Fund Act 2006, which requires the Future Fund to meet all operating costs from its earnings and that all earnings are required to be reinvested to meet future superannuation payments.

As a result of this change in budget treatment, the historical series have been revised to account for Future Fund net earnings in the underlying cash balance.

Deflating real spending growth by the Consumer Price Index

The 2012‑13 MYEFO, including the historical series, calculates real spending growth using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the deflator. This is also the benchmark against which the Government's fiscal strategy is based. Prior to the 2008‑09 Budget the non‑farm GDP (NFGDP) deflator was used and has therefore been shown in this statement for comparative purposes.

The use of the CPI, rather than the non‑farm GDP deflator, provides a more accurate depiction of real government spending growth, especially in the current economic climate. The non‑farm GDP deflator incorporates fluctuations in global commodity prices which are not relevant for Government expenditures. Therefore, deflating government spending by the non‑farm GDP deflator distorts trends in real spending growth.

Table D1: Australian Government general government sector receipts, payments and underlying cash
balance^(a)
	Receipts(b)		Payments(c)				Net Future Fund earnings	Underlying cash balance(d)
	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent real growth (CPI)	Per cent real growth (NFGDP deflator)(f)	Per cent of GDP	$m	$m	Per cent of GDP
1970-71	8,290	20.6	7,389	na	na	18.3	-	901	2.2
1971-72	9,135	20.5	8,249	4.1	4.7	18.5	-	886	2.0
1972-73	9,735	19.6	9,388	7.7	7.8	18.9	-	348	0.7
1973-74	12,228	20.3	11,078	4.2	3.6	18.4	-	1,150	1.9
1974-75	15,643	22.0	15,463	19.9	14.5	21.7	-	181	0.3
1975-76	18,727	22.5	20,225	15.7	13.5	24.3	-	-1,499	-1.8
1976-77	21,890	22.8	23,157	0.6	1.9	24.1	-	-1,266	-1.3
1977-78	24,019	22.9	26,057	2.7	3.3	24.8	-	-2,037	-1.9
1978-79	26,129	22.0	28,272	0.3	2.8	23.8	-	-2,142	-1.8
1979-80	30,321	22.5	31,642	1.5	2.1	23.5	-	-1,322	-1.0
1980-81	35,993	23.6	36,176	4.6	3.6	23.7	-	-184	-0.1
1981-82	41,499	23.6	41,151	2.9	0.5	23.4	-	348	0.2
1982-83	45,463	24.0	48,810	6.3	6.2	25.8	-	-3,348	-1.8
1983-84	49,981	23.4	56,990	9.4	9.7	26.7	-	-7,008	-3.3
1984-85	58,817	25.0	64,853	9.1	8.4	27.5	-	-6,037	-2.6
1985-86	66,206	25.4	71,328	1.5	3.4	27.4	-	-5,122	-2.0
1986-87	74,724	26.2	77,158	-1.1	0.8	27.0	-	-2,434	-0.9
1987-88	83,491	25.7	82,039	-0.9	-0.3	25.3	-	1,452	0.4
1988-89	90,748	24.7	85,326	-3.1	-4.3	23.2	-	5,421	1.5
1989-90	98,625	24.4	92,684	0.6	1.6	22.9	-	5,942	1.5
1990-91	100,227	24.1	100,665	3.1	3.8	24.2	-	-438	-0.1
1991-92	95,840	22.6	108,472	5.7	6.0	25.6	-	-12,631	-3.0
1992-93	97,633	22.0	115,751	5.6	6.0	26.0	-	-18,118	-4.1
1993-94	103,824	22.2	122,009	3.5	4.3	26.1	-	-18,185	-3.9
1994-95	113,458	22.9	127,619	1.4	2.6	25.7	-	-14,160	-2.9
1995-96	124,429	23.5	135,538	1.9	3.3	25.6	-	-11,109	-2.1
1996-97	133,592	24.0	139,689	1.7	1.5	25.1	-	-6,099	-1.1
1997-98	140,736	23.9	140,587	0.6	-0.6	23.9	-	149	0.0
1998-99	152,063	24.5	148,175	4.1	4.7	23.8	-	3,889	0.6
1999-00	166,199	25.1	153,192	1.0	0.8	23.1	-	13,007	2.0
2000-01	182,996	25.9	177,123	9.1	10.7	25.1	-	5,872	0.8
2001-02	187,588	24.8	188,655	3.5	4.2	25.0	-	-1,067	-0.1
2002-03	204,613	25.5	197,243	1.4	1.6	24.6	-	7,370	0.9
2003-04	217,775	25.3	209,785	3.9	2.9	24.4	-	7,990	0.9
2004-05	235,984	25.6	222,407	3.5	1.9	24.2	-	13,577	1.5
2005-06	255,943	25.7	240,136	4.6	2.8	24.1	51	15,757	1.6
2006-07	272,637	25.2	253,321	2.5	0.6	23.4	2,127	17,190	1.6
2007-08	294,917	25.1	271,843	3.8	2.6	23.1	3,319	19,754	1.7
2008-09	292,600	23.4	316,046	12.7	10.3	25.2	3,566	-27,013	-2.2
2009-10	284,662	22.0	336,900	4.2	5.6	26.0	2,256	-54,494	-4.2
2010-11	302,024	21.6	346,102	-0.4	-3.1	24.7	3,385	-47,463	-3.4
2011-12	329,874	22.5	371,032	4.8	5.4	25.3	2,203	-43,360	-3.0
2012-13(e)	367,041	24.0	363,246	-4.4	-3.0	23.8	2,718	1,077	0.1
2013-14(e)	392,595	24.3	387,760	4.4	4.2	24.0	2,670	2,165	0.1
2014-15(p)	410,042	24.1	403,890	1.6	1.8	23.8	2,828	3,325	0.2
2015-16(p)	434,625	24.3	425,196	2.7	2.9	23.7	3,021	6,408	0.4

(a) Data have been revised in the 2012‑13 MYEFO to improve accuracy and comparability through time.

(b) Receipts are equal to receipts from operating activities and sales of non‑financial assets.

(c) Payments are equal to payments for operating activities, purchases of non‑financial assets and net acquisition of assets under finance leases.

(d) Underlying cash balance is equal to receipts less payments less net Future Fund earnings. For the purposes of consistent comparison with years prior to 2005‑06, net Future Fund earnings should be added back to the underlying cash balance.

(e) Estimates.

(f) Real spending growth using the Consumer Price Index as the deflator is the benchmark against which the Government's fiscal strategy has been based since it was introduced. Real spending growth using the non‑farm GDP deflator is included for comparative purposes only.

(p) Projections.

Table D2: Australian Government general government sector taxation receipts, non-taxation receipts and total receipts^(a)
	Taxation receipts		Non-taxation receipts		Total receipts(b)
	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP
1970-71	7,193	17.8	1,097	2.7	8,290	20.6
1971-72	7,895	17.8	1,240	2.8	9,135	20.5
1972-73	8,411	16.9	1,324	2.7	9,735	19.6
1973-74	10,832	18.0	1,396	2.3	12,228	20.3
1974-75	14,141	19.9	1,502	2.1	15,643	22.0
1975-76	16,920	20.3	1,807	2.2	18,727	22.5
1976-77	19,714	20.5	2,176	2.3	21,890	22.8
1977-78	21,428	20.4	2,591	2.5	24,019	22.9
1978-79	23,409	19.7	2,720	2.3	26,129	22.0
1979-80	27,473	20.4	2,848	2.1	30,321	22.5
1980-81	32,641	21.4	3,352	2.2	35,993	23.6
1981-82	37,880	21.6	3,619	2.1	41,499	23.6
1982-83	41,025	21.7	4,438	2.3	45,463	24.0
1983-84	44,849	21.0	5,132	2.4	49,981	23.4
1984-85	52,970	22.5	5,847	2.5	58,817	25.0
1985-86	58,841	22.6	7,365	2.8	66,206	25.4
1986-87	66,467	23.3	8,257	2.9	74,724	26.2
1987-88	75,076	23.1	8,415	2.6	83,491	25.7
1988-89	83,452	22.7	7,296	2.0	90,748	24.7
1989-90	90,773	22.4	7,852	1.9	98,625	24.4
1990-91	92,739	22.3	7,488	1.8	100,227	24.1
1991-92	87,364	20.6	8,476	2.0	95,840	22.6
1992-93	88,760	20.0	8,873	2.0	97,633	22.0
1993-94	93,362	20.0	10,462	2.2	103,824	22.2
1994-95	104,921	21.1	8,537	1.7	113,458	22.9
1995-96	115,700	21.8	8,729	1.6	124,429	23.5
1996-97	124,559	22.4	9,033	1.6	133,592	24.0
1997-98	130,984	22.2	9,752	1.7	140,736	23.9
1998-99	138,420	22.3	13,643	2.2	152,063	24.5
1999-00	151,313	22.9	14,887	2.2	166,199	25.1
2000-01	170,354	24.1	12,641	1.8	182,996	25.9
2001-02	175,108	23.2	12,481	1.7	187,588	24.8
2002-03	192,131	24.0	12,482	1.6	204,613	25.5
2003-04	206,091	24.0	11,683	1.4	217,775	25.3
2004-05	223,314	24.2	12,669	1.4	235,984	25.6
2005-06	241,215	24.2	14,728	1.5	255,943	25.7
2006-07	257,392	23.8	15,245	1.4	272,637	25.2
2007-08	278,376	23.7	16,540	1.4	294,917	25.1
2008-09	272,627	21.8	19,973	1.6	292,600	23.4
2009-10	260,973	20.2	23,689	1.8	284,662	22.0
2010-11	280,839	20.1	21,185	1.5	302,024	21.6
2011-12	309,943	21.1	19,931	1.4	329,874	22.5
2012-13(e)	339,209	22.2	27,832	1.8	367,041	24.0
2013-14(e)	371,393	23.0	21,201	1.3	392,595	24.3
2014-15(p)	389,236	22.9	20,806	1.2	410,042	24.1
2015-16(p)	411,538	23.0	23,086	1.3	434,625	24.3

(a) Data have been revised in the 2012‑13 MYEFO to improve accuracy and comparability through time.

(b) Receipts are equal to receipts from operating activities and sales of non‑financial assets.

(e) Estimates.

(p) Projections.

Table D3: Australian Government general government sector (cash) receipts
	Actual	Estimates		Projections
	2011-12 $m	2012-13 $m	2013-14 $m	2014-15 $m	2015-16 $m
Individuals' and other withholding taxes
Gross income tax withholding	142,770	151,300	163,900	174,800	185,600
Gross other individuals	31,141	35,000	37,300	41,000	44,700
less: Refunds	25,537	26,500	26,700	28,800	30,700
Total individuals' and other withholding taxation	148,373	159,800	174,500	187,000	199,600
Fringe benefits tax	3,731	3,970	4,450	4,920	5,130
Company tax	66,584	71,170	78,680	78,540	81,580
Superannuation funds	7,562	8,050	9,050	11,010	12,950
Resource rent taxes(a)	1,463	5,400	6,400	5,630	6,620
Income taxation receipts	227,714	248,390	273,080	287,100	305,880
Sales taxes
Goods and services tax	45,861	48,432	51,189	53,900	56,611
Wine equalisation tax	708	710	720	760	810
Luxury car tax	435	450	460	480	520
Total sales taxes	47,004	49,592	52,369	55,140	57,941
Excise duty
Petrol	6,036	6,000	5,950	5,850	5,950
Diesel	8,231	8,700	9,300	9,300	9,500
Beer	1,938	2,070	2,180	2,260	2,390
Tobacco	5,449	5,200	4,800	4,750	4,870
Other excisable products	3,891	4,500	4,750	5,000	5,240
Of which: Other excisable beverages(b)	909	930	990	1,000	1,060
Total excise duty receipts	25,545	26,470	26,980	27,160	27,950
Customs duty
Textiles, clothing and footwear	655	700	720	580	620
Passenger motor vehicles	805	920	960	1,010	1,070
Excise-like goods	4,307	4,850	5,850	5,970	6,180
Other imports	1,440	1,530	1,670	1,770	1,900
less: Refunds and drawbacks	212	200	200	200	200
Total customs duty receipts	6,996	7,800	9,000	9,130	9,570
Carbon pricing mechanism	-	4,020	6,640	7,340	6,750
Other indirect taxation
Agricultural levies	421	440	436	443	449
Other taxes	2,263	2,497	2,888	2,923	2,999
Total other indirect taxation receipts	2,684	2,937	3,324	3,366	3,447
Indirect taxation receipts	82,229	90,819	98,313	102,136	105,658
Taxation receipts	309,943	339,209	371,393	389,236	411,538
Sales of goods and services	7,778	8,818	8,758	8,503	8,854
Interest received	4,267	4,390	4,486	4,414	4,756
Dividends	1,789	3,268	2,004	2,164	2,288
Other non-taxation receipts	6,098	11,356	5,954	5,726	7,188
Non-taxation receipts(c)	19,931	27,832	21,201	20,806	23,086
Total receipts(c)	329,874	367,041	392,595	410,042	434,625
Memorandum:
Capital gains tax(d)	6,400	8,400	11,000	13,800	16,100
Medicare levy receipts	9,119	9,700	10,390	11,010	11,580

(a) Resource rent taxes include PRRT and gross receipts from the MRRT. Net receipts from the MRRT are expected to be $2.0 billion in 2012‑13, $2.4 billion in 2013‑14, $2.1 billion in 2014‑15 and $2.6 billion in 2015‑16, which represent the net impact on receipts across several different heads of revenue. These include the offsetting reductions in company tax (through deductibility) and interactions with other taxes.

(b) Other excisable beverages are those not exceeding 10 per cent by volume of alcohol (excluding beer, brandy and wine).

(d) Capital gains tax is part of other individuals, companies and superannuation funds tax. The 2011‑12 reported figure is an estimate.

Table D4: Australian Government general government sector net debt and net interest payments^(a)
	Net debt(b)		Net interest payments(c)
	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP
1970-71	344	0.9	-189	-0.5
1971-72	-496	-1.1	-245	-0.6
1972-73	-790	-1.6	-252	-0.5
1973-74	-1,851	-3.1	-286	-0.5
1974-75	-1,901	-2.7	-242	-0.3
1975-76	-341	-0.4	-330	-0.4
1976-77	898	0.9	-62	-0.1
1977-78	2,896	2.8	4	0.0
1978-79	4,983	4.2	254	0.2
1979-80	6,244	4.6	440	0.3
1980-81	6,356	4.2	620	0.4
1981-82	5,919	3.4	680	0.4
1982-83	9,151	4.8	896	0.5
1983-84	16,015	7.5	1,621	0.8
1984-85	21,896	9.3	2,813	1.2
1985-86	26,889	10.3	3,952	1.5
1986-87	29,136	10.2	4,762	1.7
1987-88	27,344	8.4	4,503	1.4
1988-89	21,981	6.0	4,475	1.2
1989-90	16,123	4.0	4,549	1.1
1990-91	16,915	4.1	3,636	0.9
1991-92	31,041	7.3	3,810	0.9
1992-93	55,218	12.4	3,986	0.9
1993-94	70,223	15.0	5,628	1.2
1994-95	83,492	16.8	7,292	1.5
1995-96	95,831	18.1	8,861	1.7
1996-97	96,281	17.3	9,489	1.7
1997-98	82,935	14.1	8,279	1.4
1998-99	72,065	11.6	8,649	1.4
1999-00	53,869	8.1	7,514	1.1
2000-01	42,719	6.0	6,195	0.9
2001-02	38,180	5.1	5,352	0.7
2002-03	29,047	3.6	3,758	0.5
2003-04	22,639	2.6	3,040	0.4
2004-05	10,741	1.2	2,502	0.3
2005-06	-4,531	-0.5	2,303	0.2
2006-07	-29,150	-2.7	228	0.0
2007-08	-44,820	-3.8	-1,015	-0.1
2008-09	-16,148	-1.3	-1,196	-0.1
2009-10	42,283	3.3	2,386	0.2
2010-11	84,551	6.0	4,608	0.3
2011-12	147,334	10.0	6,609	0.4
2012-13(e)	143,980	9.4	7,146	0.5
2013-14(e)	144,646	9.0	6,647	0.4
2014-15(p)	144,350	8.5	6,690	0.4
2015-16(p)	137,742	7.7	7,772	0.4

(a) Data have been revised in the 2012‑13 MYEFO to improve accuracy and comparability through time.

(b) Net debt is equal to the sum of deposits held, government securities, loans and other borrowing, minus the sum of cash and deposits, advances paid and investments, loans and placements.

(e) Estimates.

(p) Projections.

Table D5: Australian Government general government sector revenue, expenses, net capital investment and fiscal balance^(a)
	Revenue		Expenses		Net capital investment		Fiscal balance(b)
	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP	$m	Per cent of GDP
1996-97	141,688	25.4	145,821	26.2	90	0.0	-4,223	-0.8
1997-98	146,820	24.9	148,652	25.2	147	0.0	-1,979	-0.3
1998-99	152,106	24.5	146,772	23.6	1,433	0.2	3,901	0.6
1999-00	167,304	25.3	155,558	23.5	-69	0.0	11,815	1.8
2000-01	186,110	26.3	180,094	25.5	8	0.0	6,007	0.8
2001-02	190,488	25.2	193,041	25.6	382	0.1	-2,935	-0.4
2002-03	206,923	25.8	201,259	25.1	287	0.0	5,377	0.7
2003-04	222,168	25.8	215,361	25.1	660	0.1	6,148	0.7
2004-05	242,507	26.3	229,245	24.9	1,034	0.1	12,228	1.3
2005-06	261,238	26.3	242,173	24.3	2,498	0.3	16,568	1.7
2006-07	278,411	25.7	259,156	23.9	2,333	0.2	16,922	1.6
2007-08	303,729	25.8	280,107	23.8	2,593	0.2	21,029	1.8
2008-09	298,933	23.9	324,557	25.9	4,064	0.3	-29,688	-2.4
2009-10	292,767	22.6	340,035	26.3	6,433	0.5	-53,701	-4.2
2010-11	309,890	22.1	356,100	25.5	5,297	0.4	-51,506	-3.7
2011-12	338,109	23.0	377,739	25.7	4,850	0.3	-44,481	-3.0
2012-13(e)	373,739	24.4	375,049	24.5	-2,517	-0.2	1,207	0.1
2013-14(e)	403,161	25.0	397,854	24.7	1,032	0.1	4,275	0.3
2014-15(p)	421,871	24.8	413,704	24.3	1,244	0.1	6,923	0.4
2015-16(p)	446,438	24.9	435,811	24.3	865	0.0	9,762	0.5

(a) Data have been revised in the 2012‑13 MYEFO to improve accuracy and comparability through time.

(b) Fiscal balance is equal to revenue less expenses less net capital investment.

(e) Estimates.

(p) Projections.

¹ Prior to the 2008‑09 Budget, cash data calculated under the cash accounting framework was used up to and including 1998‑99. In the 2008‑09 Budget, cash data prior to 1998‑99 has been replaced by ABS data derived from the accrual framework.

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