1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/01/2003   
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Contents >> Communications and Information Technology >> The communication services industries

The communication services industries encompass telecommunication services, and postal and courier services. These industries comprise the Communication Services Division of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).

Table 24.1 shows key measures of industry structure and performance for the Communication Services Division as a whole, compiled from the ABS annual Economic Activity Survey. As can be seen from the table, by some measures the communication services sector overall has been one of the fastest growing in Australia. For example, sales grew from over $21b in 1995-96 to over $34b in 2000-01 (an increase of 59%). Other measures have fluctuated over the years, though most indicators for 2000-01 were positive:

  • The number of communication services businesses continued to grow, reaching 4,389 businesses at 30 June 2001. The number of businesses increased by 5% in the year to 30 June 2001, following a 7% increase in the year to 30 June 2000.
  • Employment reached a peak in 1995-96 (137,000 persons) and fluctuated over the next few years. In the year to 30 June 2001, employment increased by 0.4% to 120,000 persons.
  • Gross operating surplus increased by 5% between 1999-2000 and 2000-01, turning around the decrease of 1% between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
  • Operating profit before tax increased by 5% between 1999-2000 and 2000-01, following a fall of less than 1% between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
  • Net worth grew by 10% in 2000-01, replicating a 10% rise in 1999-2000.
  • Capital spending has fluctuated over the years, but increased by 80% between 1999-2000 and 2000-01, following an increase of 30% between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
  • Industry value added for the communication service industries increased by 6% between 1999-2000 and 2000-01, after a fall of 0.5% between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

24.1 COMMUNICATION SERVICES INDUSTRIES, Structure and performance
Units
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
Industry structure
Businesses at 30 June
no.
2,363
3,049
3,540
3,899
4,172
4,389
Employment at 30 June
’000
137
125
118
119
119
120
Income statement
Sales of goods and services
$m
21,631
23,691
24,696
29,432
32,696
34,407
less Cost of sales
$m
9 271
11,135
9,827
13,548
17,077
17,469
equals Trading profit
$m
12,360
12,556
14,869
15,884
15,619
16,938
plus Interest
$m
179
171
140
155
137
180
plus Other operating income
$m
624
77
19
252
886
894
less Labour costs
$m
6,273
6,605
6,122
5,548
5,578
6,071
less Depreciation
$m
2,791
3,026
2,961
3,354
3,787
3,640
less Other operating expenses
$m
142
442
426
399
373
1,037
equals Earnings before interest & tax
$m
3,957
2,731
5,520
6,989
6,904
7,264
less Interest expenses
$m
723
742
916
836
798
858
equals Operating profit before tax
$m
3,234
1,989
4,603
6,153
6,105
6,406
Total assets
$m
34,373
37,964
36,358
40,608
45,798
55,898
Total liabilities
$m
17,729
23,713
21,196
22,530
25,882
34,039
Net worth
$m
16,643
14,251
15,162
18,079
19,916
21,858
Capital expenditure
$m
6,217
5,365
5,304
6,173
8,004
14,373
Gross operating surplus
$m
6,615
8,351
9,585
11,558
11,447
11,994
Industry gross product(a)
$m
12,888
14,956
15,648
. .
. .
. .
Industry value added(a)
$m
. .
. .
16,205
17,107
17,025
18,065
(a) From 1997-98, under the new international standard, the 1993 edition of the 'System of National Accounts' (SNA93), the contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) by industries is measured by ‘industry value added’ (IVA). Estimates for IVA measure the value added by an industry to the intermediate inputs used by that industry. Previously the corresponding contribution to GDP was measured by ‘industry gross product’. Further information on the changes to international standards can be found in the 'Information Paper: Implementation of Revised International Standards in the Australian National Accounts' (5251.0).

Source: Business Operations and Industry Performance, Australia, 2000-01 (8140.0).



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