I, Sandra Parker, as the entity’s accountable authority, present the ROC’s 2017-18 annual performance statement, as required under paragraph 39(1)(a) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). The statement is based on properly maintained records, accurately reflects the entity’s performance, and complies with subsection 39(2) of the PGPA Act.

Agency purpose

The ROC is responsible for improving the governance and financial accountability of registered employee and employer organisations through education, guidance, regulation, monitoring, inquiries, investigation and appropriate enforcement. 

Results

Performance criteria	Indicator	Target	Achieved	Further information on results
The ROC improves the governance and financial accountability of organisations by regulating compliance with the RO Act.	Financial reports required to be lodged are assessed for compliance within 40 working days.	95%	100%	Service standards
	Annual returns required to be lodged are assessed for compliance within 40 working days.	95%	100%	Service standards
	Lodgements of prescribed information for an election are dealt with within 40 working days.	95%	99%	Service standards
	Applications for registration by auditors are dealt with within 40 working days.	95%	99%	Service standards
	Information to educate employee and employer registered organisations and their members is made available.	Multiple items	15 major education activities	How we add value to organisations

Source FWO and ROC Entity 2017-18 Portfolio Budget Statements: Programme 2.1 (p. 143) and FWOROCE Corporate Plan (2017-2018) (p. 7).

Note: the FWO and ROC Entity 2017-18 Portfolio Budget Statements contain two errors on page 142. It refers to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2016 whereas it should refer to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. It refers also to ‘compliance within 40 days’ whereas it should refer to ‘compliance within 40 working days’.

Analysis of performance against ROC purpose

As at 30 June 2018, there are 107 federally registered organisations comprised of approximately 376 reporting units. In general, a reporting unit is a branch or national office of a registered organisation. Under the RO Act, each reporting unit is required to lodge audited financial reports with the ROC. Since 2 May 2017, it has been a legislative requirement that only auditors registered by the Commissioner audit the financial reports of reporting units.

Each registered organisation is also required to lodge an annual return of information (annual returns), and organisations and their branches are required to lodge prescribed information for elections (unless exempt). The accurate and timely assessment of these documents is an important aspect of monitoring compliance with the RO Act by organisations. Publication of these documents by the ROC enables accountability to organisations’ members and the wider community.

The ROC is pleased to report that 100% of financial reports and annual returns have been assessed by the ROC within 40 working days following lodgement. The ROC has also surpassed timeliness measures for dealing with elections and applications for registration by auditors, with 99% dealt with within 40 working days.

We helped to elevate compliance by improving the governance and financial accountability of organisations through education. In 2017-18 we engaged with registered organisations and their peak bodies in the development and delivery of a broad range of education activities and resources.