Explaining key terms and phrases

An accountable authority is the individual or body responsible for the financial management and performance of a GSF agency. The accountable authority is responsible to the minister for ensuring the agency’s compliance with the GSF Act.

For a department, this is the secretary of the department. For other public service agencies, it is the head of the agency. 
 

Data which reflects the actual spend to date. This is collected and published for each reporting period (monthly) in the current financial year.

Affiliated entities are NSW Government entities aligned with a department, including through Administrative Arrangement Orders and the Allocation of the Administration of Acts. See the Guide to the NSW Public Sector for further detail on NSW public sector governance.

The authority given by Parliament for the expenditure of monies from the Consolidated Fund for the annual services of government and the Legislature.

A tool to monitor agency financial performance, and to control how funds are used, including targeting specific types of expenditure. The three budget controls in place are Net Cost of Services, Labour Expense Cap and the Capital Expenditure Authorisation Limit.

Expenditure relating to the acquisition or enhancement of property, plant and equipment (including land and buildings, plant and equipment and infrastructure systems) and intangibles (including computer software and easements). In New South Wales, capital expenditure also includes leases and assets acquired using service concession arrangements under the financial liability model.

A ceiling on the total capital expenditure that can be incurred in any year.

The fund is established under s39 of the Constitution Act 1902 which includes all public monies collected, received or held by any person for or on behalf of the State.

Minister which receives the appropriation as detailed in the Appropriation Bill and authorises the Department to spend those funds.

A department listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (NSW).

A sub-committee of Cabinet responsible for determining the NSW Government’s policy in respect of budget management, fiscal strategy and all policy proposals with financial implications.

The three years following the ‘Budget Year’. It includes expenditure estimates and revenue forecasts.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) classification of agencies that provide public services (such as health, education and police), or perform a regulatory function. General government agencies are funded mainly by taxation (directly or indirectly).

A government officer includes heads and employees of GSF agencies, statutory officers related to public service agencies, seconded workers, and others prescribed by regulations. 

A ceiling on the total of employee related and contractor expenses that can be incurred in any year. 

The net cost by which an agency can operate in within any year when accounting for expenses and revenues. 

The NSW Government’s core budget and financial management information technology platform, which details individual agency budgets and capital programs and is used to produce the budget aggregates.

A forecast of the expected financial position at the close of the financial year. These are collected at key periods during the year for publication. 

A specific budget allocation that cannot be reallocated or repurposed for other priorities, ensuring that the funds are used exclusively for their intended purpose. 

An ABS classification of agencies that have one, or more, of the following functions:

• that of a central bank
• the acceptance of demand time or savings deposits
• the authority to incur liabilities and acquire financial assets in the market on their own account.
   

An ABS classification of government-controlled agencies where user charges represent a significant proportion of revenue and the agencies operate within a broadly commercial orientation.

Expenditure on goods and services, which do not result in the creation of an asset. This includes salaries and wages, operating expenses and interest.

Government entities (mostly PNFCs) which have been established with a governance structure mirroring as far as possible that of a publicly listed company. NSW state owned corporations are scheduled under the State Owned Corporations Act 1989 (Schedule 5).