Information for completing university tenders and contracts

The Statutes Amendment (Universities) Bill 2016 was debated and passed by the Legislative Council on the 28 September 2017  to change our name from "The Flinders University of South Australia" to "Flinders University".

The University was established in1966.

Other registered business names - (these are part of the University and are not separate legal entities).

Flinders University is a body corporate established by the Flinders University Act 1966.

Under the Commonwealth Government's ABN website the University is listed as an "Other Incorporated Entity".  This is defined as "Other incorporated entity includes an entity that has the same characteristics as a company but is not incorporated as a corporation's law company".

Flinders University of South Australia Act is analogous to a company constitution.  As the University is not a company it does not have an Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

The University has no shareholders and pays no dividends.  Surpluses achieved are fully reinvested into the University.

The University's Australian Business Number (ABN) is 65 542 596 200.

Note:
The University is not a company, partnership, association or trust.  As it is not a company, it is not registered with ASIC.  It does not have Pty or Ltd after its name as it is not a company.  However the University has full corporate powers.

The University is a not-for-profit entity.  It is an income tax exempt charity (ITEC) and a deductible gift recipient (DGR).  This means that donations of $2 or more are tax deductible to the donor.

• Flinders University was registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission on 3 December 2012.
• The University is not a Public Benevolent Institute (PBI).
• Flinders University is registered for Australian GST.
• Flinders University is obliged to charge Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) where applicable at the rate of 10%.

Below are copies of the University's ABN registration and charity tax concessions registered certificates, however this does not prove that Flinders University has the tax status as of now. The official government statement is provided on the ABR site.

The current annual reports, including annual financial statements are available on the Flinders website.

Previous years annual reports are available on the Flinders website.

The University works on a calendar financial year (1/1 to 31/12).  The annual financial statements for the previous year are not approved until Council meets in May the following year and after which the statements are reviewed and signed off by the Auditor General.  The University is required to have annual financial statements completed by 30 June.

The annual financial statements are audited by the South Australian Auditor-General Department, 9th Floor, State Administration Centre, 200 Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia.

The University's internal audit is outsourced to KPMG.

The University is the parent entity. 

View the Flinders University Corporate Structure.

The 2016 financial statements Note 35 subsidiaries and Note 36 jointly controlled operations and assets, provides the nature of business for each entity.

The University has a comprehensive insurance program.  As part of the tender process, you may be asked about public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and the University’s cover is up to $20,000,000 for both policies, subject to terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions on the various policies.

If you require the certificates of currency for these policies, or others, in order to submit your tender, you may obtain them from your College’s Contract Officer or submit a Service One request.

The University’s insurance program is renewed yearly and the certificates of currency are updated accordingly on 31 October.

Further information about insurance

In South Australia the University is a self insured employer under ReturnToWork(SA) which means that we cover all our workers compensation costs. ReturnToWork(SA) does not issue a certificate but they carry out regular audits to ensure that the University is meeting the required performance standards to enable continued self insurance.

The University has in place excess of loss insurance cover.

For a copy of the certificate submit a request through Service Now.

University authorised signatories for contracts are listed in the Delegation of Authority to Enter into Contracts Policy.