ANNUAL REPORT 2023
A C H I E V I N G E Q U I T Y
PAGE i
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
C E R V I C A L
C A N C E R
is almost entirely a disease of inequity; without systematically addressing inequities, Australia will not achieve elimination. Cervical cancer occurs most commonly in people who do not have access to culturally appropriate and inclusive information, vaccination services and/or screening services. This may be compounded by limited access to culturally safe, inlusive, and high-quality treatment services.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 1
The Hon Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
A U S T R A L I A ' S V I S I O N An Australia where preventable cervical cancer is a disease of the past, in which Australia’s diverse communities have equitable access to information and to culturally safe and inclusive vaccination, screening and treatment services. Priority populations Include: + Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people + People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (including immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers) + People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or asexual or who are intersex + People with disability, and + People living in remote and rural areas
S E L F - CO L L E CT I O N W I L L P L AY A M A J O R ROLE IN REACHING THESE GROUPS.
PAGE 2
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
A U S T R A L I A ’ S N A T I O N A L E L I M I N A T I O N S T R A T E G Y – O N T A R G E T F O R 2 0 3 5 In May 2018, the WHO Director-General announced a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. Subsequently, a global elimination strategy was formed and endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2020. Australia has answered the call to action by developing its own National Elimination Strategy. Australia is a world leader in cervical cancer prevention and already has existing organised cervical screening and HPV vaccination programs. As a result of these highly successful programs, modelling suggests that Australia could be the first country to achieve elimination, by 2035.
Although Australia has made strong progress towards this goal, inequities do still exist, particularly in screening. We must address inequities in access to culturally safe and inclusive vaccination, screening and treatment services to ensure that we reach the elimination target in Australia, leaving no one behind. HPV self-collection is key to achieving these targets. In 2022, self-collection was made universally available to all routine screening participants in Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP). A significant factor in this change was evidence on the accuracy of the method and the acceptability, particularly amongst under- or never-screened people.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
G L O B A L E L I M I N A T I O N As we work toward a world free from the burden of cervical cancer, self-collection will be our most effective and powerful tool in scaling-up cervical screening programs, and in balancing the inequities that currently exist. It is the first time in our history that the world has come together in a commitment to the elimination of a cancer. The global aim is to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by reaching an incidence of less than four in every 100,000 women in every country within the next century.
The WHO strategy sets out three targets to be met by every country by 2030: + VACCINATION: 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15 years + SCREENING: 70% participation in twice-lifetime cervical screening at ages 35 and 45 years, with a high precision approach such as HPV testing + TREATMENT: 90% of those with pre-invasive lesions and invasive cancer have access to treatment
The ACPCC is providing services, education and expert advice to the Australian Government and the World Health Organisation to achieve these goals. Our work is highlighted in this report.
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
C O N T E N T S WHAT WE DO
6
PARTNERSHIPS
8
CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
10
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
12
STRATEGIC PLAN
14
OUR IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2022/23 16 ACROSS THE GLOBE
18
STRATEGIC PLAN OUTCOMES ONE SUPPORT VICTORIA’S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM BY A TARGET DATE AGREED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VICTORIAN CANCER PLAN 2020-24 24 TWO SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM BY 2035 THREE SUPPORT COUNTRIES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION TO SCALE UP TO MEET THE 2030 TARGETS IN SUPPORT OF THE WHO STRATEGY TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM WHO WPRO Elimination Strategy Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific New Zealand Global Alliance for Chronic Disease (GACD) Funded Projects SUCCESS ECHO Program ROSE FOUR LEAD AND PROMOTE THE INCREASED UPTAKE OF SELF-SAMPLING Universal Self-collection Launch Self-collection Saves Lives Supporting Healthcare Providers C4 and Self-collection FIVE SUPPORT THE NATIONAL BOWEL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM IN VICTORIA Participant Follow-up Function
30
32
36
39
SIX DELIVER AND DISSEMINATE THE RESEARCH OUTCOMES OF THE COMPASS TRIAL, C4 AND OTHER POLICY RELEVANT RESEARCH COMPASS SCoPE2 Te Ara Waiora Study – New Zealand He Tapu Te Whare Tangata Study – New Zealand The SHE-CAN study Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control - C4 SEVEN DIVERSIFY THE RANGE OF VCS PATHOLOGY LABORATORY TESTS BY LEVERAGING OUR EXISTING EXPERTISE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT Core Activities New Technologies PHMREP Accreditation Australian HPV Reference Laboratory Quality Assurance Prestigious Recognition of ACPCC Team EIGHT LEVERAGE THE VALUE OF THE CANSCREEN® AND CANVAX PLATFORMS FOR COST EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF LOW TO MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICS) AND FOR COMMERCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS OPPORTUNITIES At-a-glance CanSCREEN® in 2023 CanSCREEN® Transformation NINE RESHAPE THE BUSINESS MODEL TO ADAPT TO OUR NEW COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES Laboratory Information Management System Upgrade Website Refresh Additional Office Space in Carlton HealthLink for VCS Pathology Disaster Recovery Site
40
44
50
52
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
LEADERSHIP TEAM
55
OUR PEOPLE 56 Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality Workforce Compliance and Safety Training Performance, Learning and Development Workforce Statistics Vale Mrs Joyce Douyere Vale Dr Michael Drake AM OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
60
Outcomes for 2021/22 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
60
PRIVACY
61
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION
61
DIRECTORS REPORT
63
PAGE 5
RISK MANAGEMENT
68
2022/23 RISK ATTESTATION STATEMENT
69
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
69
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
70
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
71
ACRONYMNS
96
APPENDICES
96
1. Committee Engagement 2. Strategic Partnerships 3. 2022/23 Publications
ACPCC Board of Directors Members Guarantee Company Secretary Principal Activities Significant Changes to State of Affairs Operating Results Pecuniary Interest Declaration of Interest Meetings of the Board and its Committees
Artwork: Madison Connors | Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi | 2022
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ACPCC acknowledges the people and the Elders of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations who are the Traditional Owners of the land and seas of Australia in which we work and live. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
PAGE 6
WHAT WE DO
W H A T
W E
O U R V I S I O N To prevent cancer and infectious diseases through excellence in the provision of public health services supporting screening, populationbased testing and vaccination
V A L U E S Fairness Integrity Respect Excellence
D O
Australia is a world leader in achieving cervical cancer control in our population and with a new name, the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, we are extending our leadership for global elimination, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. ACPCC is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1965 to make a positive difference in the lives of Victorian women by reducing the impact of cervical cancer. With a proud 57-year history of contributing to Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program through laboratory services, registry programs, research and evidence-based policy recommendations, ACPCC is well positioned to leverage its expertise to support the WHO’s Strategy for all countries to end the suffering caused by cervical cancer. Our unique suite of services are designed to implement, support, monitor and manage population health programs including cancer screening and vaccination. Our multi-disciplinary team leverages deep expertise and an ability to cost effectively support and deliver large scale programs. ACPCC is a trusted advisor to governments locally and globally, participating in numerous committees that are supporting the shift from cytology to HPV screening and the delivery of HPV vaccination in Australia and around the world. We are evolving our services and projects as we move towards the target of cervical cancer elimination.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
VCS Foundation Ltd, trading as the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC), is a Company Limited by Guarantee that operates under and complies with the: • Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) • Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth) • Improving Cancer Outcomes Act 2014 (Vic).
Our Digital Health team are market leaders in innovative, integrated digital healthcare solutions and services that deliver improved health outcomes. Our core capabilities include population health management platforms and a broad range of IT service management expertise. With a 25-year track record in building, integrating, deploying and supporting advanced eHealth solutions, our products and services are used by governments and researchers around the world.
ACPCC acknowledges the support provided by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments which has been invaluable in enabling ACPCC to deliver outstanding service to participants in public health programs through its laboratory and registry services.
VCS Pathology is a specialist laboratory and medical education service committed to gynaecological health including HPV testing, histopathology, cytology and related molecular microbiology, clinical support and advice. We are the Australian HPV Reference Laboratory, who provide support for all aspects of laboratory activities for cervical screening. SARS-CoV-2 testing was introduced in 2020 to support the Victorian Government response during the pandemic.
Our Population Health team provide a combination of experience in delivering and managing population health services through registry services, epidemiology, research and evaluation, health information management, reporting and statistical analysis which allows us to find the best solutions to improve health outcomes for everyone. This unique skill mix is key to our success and international reputation for high-quality, policy-relevant research focused on preventing cancer and infectious disease. Our team of experts work collaboratively and invest in strategic relationships with clients, government, program partners and stakeholders. We are committed to being strong and effective advocates for population health programs and have extensive experience as advisors and experts in population screening and vaccination.
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
PARTNERSHIPS
P A R T N E R S H I P S
Government and Strategic Partners The ACPCC strongly values its working relationships with our partners, which include Government Departments both State and Commonwealth, Cancer Councils, medical colleges, universities, major teaching hospitals, sexual and reproductive health services, primary care and community organisations, and technology and device service providers. The ACPCC is a key contributor to state, national and international cervical cancer control policy and initiatives and is a trusted partner to UN bodies including the WHO and Unitaid. ACPCC staff continue to serve in-kind on expert advisory committees and participate in working groups and forums that support both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments in relation to cancer reporting and prevention, cancer screening and immunisation. See Appendices 1 and 2 (page 96) for access to a full list of our Partnerships and Committee involvement in 2022/23.
Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation Memorandum of Understanding with VACCHO to work together to improve cervical cancer outcomes amongst Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Along with key health sector partners, the ACPCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VACCHO that articulates the principles essential to improving cancer outcomes for Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. VACCHO’s and the ACPCC’s collaborative efforts are key to increasing rates of culturally safe and empowering cervical screening and improving cervical cancer outcomes amongst Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
L-R: The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas; Jill Gallagher, CEO VACCHO; Todd Harper, CEO Cancer Council Vic; Rita Butera, CEO BSV; Sanchia Aranda, Chair of the VCCC Alliance Board; Marion Saville, ED ACPCC.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
World Health Organisation Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical The ACPCC has partnered with WHO in the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO), the Eastern Cancer Control Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) and the Southeast Asian Regional Office (SEARO) to support and coordinate the development of cervical cancer prevention and control strategies in both regions. The Regional Eastern Mediterranean Strategy was launched at a hybrid press conference hosted by WHO leaders and joined by women who have survived cervical cancer, advocates fighting the disease and high-level speakers in January 2023. WHO South East Asia Regional Office contracted ACPCC to develop guidance for program managers to implement a HPV-led secondary prevention program, with support from the University of Melbourne. Whilst being contracted by the Southeast Asia Office, this guidance will be hosted within the WHO Learning Academy, in order for the manual to be globally available.
The ACPCC is a key partner of Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council funded Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control, known as C4. It was established in late 2017, to bring together cervical cancer control experts undertaking research and evaluation of HPV vaccination and screening programs. It is funded by the NHMRC. In November 2022 we were delighted to hear that C4 was successful in its application for a second round of funding from 2022 to 2027. The work of C4 will ensure the future of cervical cancer control is underpinned by world-class research with the potential to inform substantial reductions in the global impact of cervical cancer. The core group consists of researchers from the Daffodil Centre, the ACPCC, the University of Melbourne,the Kirby Institute and the Australian National University with combined expertise in epidemiology, public health, laboratory testing, clinical trial implementation, predictive modelling, and economic evaluation. Our associate investigators bring additional expertise and perspectives from a range of organisations. For details, please visit the C4 website at www.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
A/Prof Misha Coleman (ACPCC) and Prof Deb Bateson (The Daffodil Centre) at WHO Manila (WPRO).
PEAK BODIES Through partnerships and collaborations, the ACPCC encourages and supports improvements in health and health equity. We are proud to be a member of the Australian Global Health Alliance, BioMelbourne Network, The Public Health Association of Australia, Public Pathology Australia and the Union for International Cancer Control.
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
CHAIRMAN & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
C H A I R M A N & E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R R E P O R T
The ACPCC is strengthening its contributions to achieving the WHO cervical cancer elimination targets in Australia and in our region. We continue to operate our core function of reporting cervical cancer screening tests in Australia and have equipped and adapted our laboratory to process the ever-increasing proportion of self-collected samples received from across the country. The ACPCC proudly supports Australia as one of the first countries in the world to offer the self-collection option for all people eligible for cervical screening, as announced on the 1st July 2022. We are very pleased to see that the uptake of self-collection, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those living in remote communities and those who are underscreened or never-screened, has been significant. The ACPCC’s laboratory division, VCS Pathology, is now receiving almost half of its cervical screening tests as self-collected samples.
Accordingly, much of our work in 2022/2023 has been spreading the self-collection message. In partnership with the Department of Health (Vic), the Cancer Council Victoria, and Public Health Networks across the state we have delivered webinars and education sessions to upskill health practitioners on how to support and guide patients through the HPV self-collection option. These activities, along with supporting resources, are vital tools in improving understanding of the self-collection option for cervical screening. Equity in cervical screening continues to be a challenge, particularly in Indigenous communities. As an organisation, we have a highly valued and long-standing relationship with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. This relationship has enabled us to deliver more effective programs towards achieving our goal of eliminating cervical cancer, and, going forward, we believe that Indigenous voices are vital to ensuring that we offer a service that will encourage and support indigenous women to come forward for screening and, if necessary, be treated for cervical pre-cancer or cancer.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 11
In collaboration with the C4 Centre of Research Excellence, we are taking our learnings to our neighbouring countries, providing guidance and support as these regions, particularly low-and middle-income regions, introduce cervical screening and HPV vaccination programs. We gratefully recognise the Board of Directors who have been a source of sound advice and guidance as we continue the transformation to become recognised as Australia’s centre of multi-disciplinary expertise in cervical cancer prevention. We will continue to expand our contributions to achieving equity in cervical cancer outcomes within Australia and across the Indo-Pacific region.
Chairman Tim Humphries
Tim Humphries Chairman Marion Saville Executive Director
"The ACPCC’s laboratory division, VCS Pathology, is now receiving almost half of its cervical screening tests as self-collected samples."
Executive Director Professor Marion Saville AM
PAGE 12
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT 2022/23
F I N A N C I A L S N A P S H O T 2 0 2 2 / 2 3
Financial Position OPERATING RESULT
TOTAL REVENUE
TOTAL EXPENSES
($4,769,149)
$20,105,553
$24,874,969
DOWN FROM $10,345,325 IN 2021/22
DOWN FROM $43,673,410 IN 2021/22
DOWN FROM $33,328,085 IN 2021/22
Core Business Performance 2022/23 $
2021/22 $
2020/21 $
2019/20 $
2018/19 $
Total Revenue
$20,105,553
$43,673,410
31,392,822
26,605,713
28,797,979
Total Expenses
$24,874,969
$33,328,085
26,448,958
25,093,870
27,427,872
NET RESULT Surplus/(Deficit)
($4,769,149)
$10,345,325
5,107,489
1,511,843
1,370,107
Total Assets
$35,670,655
$40,014,710
31,061,811
28,800,410
31,145,539
Total Liabilities
$6,320,681
$5,895,320
7,287,746
10,133,834
14,070,684
NET ASSETS Total Equity
$29,349,974
$34,119,390
23,774,065
18,666,576
17,074,855
The support provided by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments has been invaluable in enabling ACPCC to deliver outstanding service to participants in population-based health programs through its laboratory and registry services.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 13
Summary of ACPCC Consolidated Financial Results The result for 2022/23 was a net deficit of ($4.7M) and reflects a challenging financial year for ACPCC. VCS Pathology test numbers were the major driver of the deficit. The laboratory was fully resourced to meet the testing demands of COVID-19. However, with the end of PCR testing early in the financial year, SARS-CoV-2 volumes were well under budget which largely underpins the deficit reported. The result reflects the high reliance of ACPCC on Medicare bulk billing in the absence of National Partnership Agreement funding, and our transition into a new financial operating environment outside of government grants.
Annual Income by Source 2022/23
Annual Income by Source $M 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
Government Grants Patient Fees Other Operating Income 2021/22 comparison
Capital Purpose Income Non Operating Income Other Operating Income Patient Fees Government Grants 0
Operating Expenditure 2022/23
5
10
Laboratory Consumables Depreciation
20
25
30
35
Annual Operating Expenditure $M 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
Salaries and Wages Operating and Administration
15
Depreciation Laboratory Consumables
0
5
10
15
25
Operating & Administration Salaries & Wages 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
PAGE 14
ACPCC STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2025
S T R A T E G I C P L A N The ACPCC Strategic Plan 2020-2025 was developed by the ACPCC Board of Directors in consultation with the Executive Team. Over the five years of the plan, we commit to assisting the Victorian Government, the Commonwealth and countries in the Indo-Pacific region to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue. We continue to support the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and Victorian Immunisation Program through the delivery of our funded services. We will build on laboratory service excellence by diversifying the range of VCS Pathology test capabilities and our unique position as the Australian HPV Reference Laboratory. We continue to support a range of implementation projects and research activities using our canSCREEN® platform-as-a-service. This Annual Report showcases the activities of the ACPCC against the Strategic Plan.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 15
1. Support Victoria’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by a target date agreed with the Department of Health, in accordance with the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24. Pages 24-29
2. Support Australia’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035. Pages 30-31
3. Support countries in the Indo-Pacific region to scale up to meet the 2030 targets in support of the WHO strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. Pages 32-35
4. Lead and promote the increased uptake of self-sampling. Pages 36-38
5. Support the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in Victoria. Page 39
6. Deliver and disseminate the research outcomes of the Compass trial, C4 and other policy relevant research. Pages 40-43
7. Diversify the range of VCS Pathology laboratory tests by leveraging our existing expertise and capital investment. Pages 44-49
8. Leverage the value of the canSCREEN® and canVAX platforms for cost effective support of Low to Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and for commercially advantageous opportunities. Pages 50-51
9. Reshape the business model to adapt to our new commercial environment and global opportunities. Pages 52-53
PAGE 16
OUR IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2022/2023
O U R I M P A C T A N D A C H I E V E M E N T S – 2 0 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 ACPCC has had considerable success in state, federal and international contexts this year. Refer to the snapshots below, and find out more about these highlights inside.
Victorian Health Minister, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas launched the latest improvement to our HPV diagnostic capability: the BD COR instrument
We were invited to share the secrets of elimination success with board members and donors at the Global Vaccine Alliance mid-term review in Spain
Our Preventing Cervical Cancer Conference (PCC2022) attracted 534 participants, to discuss how we can work together to eliminate cervical cancer
We launched the “Self-collection Saves Lives” campaign, to increase awareness of healthcare practitioners about HPV self-collection
VCS Pathology processed 58,657 self-collected cervical screening samples during this financial year (compared to 5,417 in the previous year). An increase of almost one-thousand percent!
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
We invited practitioners and patients to have their say about the draft National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer
PAGE 17
We spread the word about changes to the National Cervical Screening Progam, expanding the option of self-collection to all women and people with a cervix participating in cervical screening
We facilitated Victoria’s 2nd Annual Cancer Screening Framework Data Workshop for the Victorian Department of Health
We established and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Victorian Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
We re-designed the canSCREEN® application for global deployment and more than doubled the number of users in the past financial year
Since July 2022, VCS Pathology has had the capacity to run three tests (HPV, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea) on a single swab
PAGE 18
OUR IMPACT ACROSS THE GLOBE
O U R I M P A C T A C R O S S T H E
Ontario,Canada
G L O B E
United Kingdom
Brescia, Italy
USA
W I T H I N
A U S T R A L I A A N D O U R R E G I O N S
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 19
Yap, Micronesia Thailand Tamil Nadu, India
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Mizoram, India Western Highlands, Mt Hagen, New Island and Madang PNG
Kenya, Africa
Rarotonga, Cook Islands Fiji Tuvalu
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tonga, Polynesia Te Tai Tokerau, New Zealand
PAGE 20
GLOBAL PROJECTS
G L O B A L P R O J E C T S
CANADA
INDIA
Ontario
Mizoram and Tamil Nadu
Prof Saville provided Expert Advice to Cancer Care Ontario as a consultant for HPV Testing Implementation for the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
The SHE-CAN study (see pages 35 & 43)
ITALY Brescia
COOK ISLANDS VCS Pathology provides HPV testing, reflex cytology and histology support to the laboratory in the Cook Islands
ACPCC has undertaken studies of the stability of the Copan FLOQSwab on behalf of Copan
KENYA FIJI ACPCC is supplying technical advice and assistance to a private pathology laboratory in Fiji as part of our role as the Australian HPV Reference laboratory. (see page 48) Support to PICCSI project in Fiji through scientific advice, testing, research and biopsy interpretation
canSCREEN® (see page 51)
MALAYSIA Kuala Lumpur Program ROSE (see page 35) VCS Pathology provides guidance and support for the ROSE Laboratory. This support covers review of results prior to reporting, internal quality control (IQC), and external quality assurance (EQA) as well as assistance with laboratory documentation. The Digital Health team also supports the ROSE team with our canSCREEN® platform.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 21
NEW ZEALAND
TUVALU
Te Ara Waiora and He Tapu Te Whare Tangata studies, canSCREEN® and laboratory support. (see pages 34 & 41)
ACPCC are supplying support and technical advice to a project led by Family Planning NSW which is undertaking self-collection
Empowering study in the Tairawhiti region, laboratory support
UNITED KINGDOM PNG Mt Hagan ECCWP Project (see page 33) Western Highlands ECCWP Project (see page 33) canSCREEN® and laboratory support
ACPCC provided technical support to the YouScreen trial conducted by King’s College London, which is a research study that offered women and people with a cervix in north and east London the opportunity to take a self-sample for cervical screening
New Island and Madang canSCREEN® (see page 51)
USA ACPCC is undertaking analytical validation of a new commercial self-collection device
THAILAND ACPCC has been supplying technical and communications assistance to Project Leapfrog
VANUATU ECCWP (see page 33) canSCREEN® and laboratory support (see page 51)
TONGA ACPCC continues to support the Tonga Family Health Association in conventional Pap smear screening
YAP canSCREEN® (see page 51)
PAGE 22
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
WE INVITED PATIENTS, COMMUNITIES AND PRACTITIONERS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ABOUT THE DRAFT NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CERVICAL CANCER “Everyone who is presenting with advanced cervical disease is, by definition, a part of a priority population in that they are under-screened or unscreened” Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Westmead Hospital, NSW
“Thank you for this amazing opportunity to have a say and share my voice on behalf of First Nations People, young women, my family and community. I feel it is such an honour and this really does help me feel that my experience was for a greater purpose” Ashlee Williams, cervical cancer survivor and consumer representative on the Treatment Sub-Advisory Group for the National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia
“I liked being asked about language for my anatomy – I’ve never been asked that before and I never even thought it was ok to ask doctors to use different language” Community Screening participant feedback
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
STRATEGIC PLAN OUTCOMES
O N E SUPPORT VICTORIA’S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VICTORIAN CANCER PLAN 2020-2024 Data and reporting tools for cervical, breast and bowel screening programs, in partnership with Victorian screening partners Cancer Screening Surveillance and Reporting
Annual Victorian Cancer Screening Data Workshop
In June 2023, the ACPCC Data and Reporting Team finalised the development of the inaugural Annual Cancer Screening Statistical Report. The report is the first of its kind in Australia and presents key screening numbers and participation rates for Cervical, Bowel and Breast cancer screening in Victoria. The report will help all stakeholders better understand the utilisation of cancer screening services and evaluate the performance of the Victorian cancer screening programs. The report will present screening numbers and participation rates by various demographics in an online interactive tool that can help program managers understand where to focus efforts to support screening participation.
In March 2023, the ACPCC Data and Reporting team delivered the VCSF Annual Data Workshop in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health and VCSF partners. The ACPCC developed workshop materials and coordinated the day; provided an analysis and interpretation of key Victorian Cancer Screening trends; presented on priority data, research and evaluation projects; and facilitated discussions on future opportunities in cancer screening surveillance in Victoria.
The development of the inaugural Annual Statistical Report is in addition to the routine surveillance reporting the ACPCC provides to Victorian Cancer Screening Framework (VCSF) partners to understand emerging cancer screening trends to inform policy and practice. It is anticipated that the report will be launched in late 2023.
Overall, the workshop: • provided deeper understanding of Victorian cancer screening data • informed the development of future data governance, aiming to ensure Aboriginal Data Sovereignty • explored the impact of unexpected program interruptions • identified Victorian cancer screening data, research and surveillance priorities
The workshop outcomes will directly inform the activities and future strategic priorities of the VCSF.
L-R: Rita Butera, BSV; Lisa Hochberg, BSV; Kate Broun, CCV; Mel Surrao, BSV
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Upskill healthcare service providers with a focus on underserved groups New clinical resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria The ACPCC has partnered with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to adapt the design of cervical screening resources to support culturally safe and empowering cervical screening services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. The resources feature artwork by Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi artist Madison Connors. Resource distribution has been accompanied by dedicated clinical education webinars for healthcare professionals. This collaborative project forms a key component of our efforts to achieve equitable elimination of cervical cancer in Victoria, by working to increase
Aboriginal designed self-collection kits
access to culturally safe cervical screening experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2022-23 we distributed over 3000 self-collection kits and over 3000 towels for clinician-collected CSTs to more than 60 organisations providing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait clients, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, General Practices, hospitals, Community Health Centres and Women’s Prisons. “The service where I am working in an outreach position…had a small number of kits, and I have already given some of them to some of our clients who were so happy to receive them. They really helped to make a difference in making the CST collection process less daunting.” Sexual Health Nurse, CHC
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
O N E Education The ACPCC continues to demonstrate commitment to high quality clinical education for healthcare practitioners. Through all our education offerings we have reached over 2500 healthcare practitioners and students with up-to-date, evidence based clinical education in the 2022-23 financial year. Our education has included webinars, eLearning courses, lectures, workshops and education sessions for nurses and General Practice.
This year’s highlights New CPD accredited education sessions for General Practices: With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the ACPCC returned to the delivery of face-to-face education, providing tailored sessions for GP practices and other health services. The launch of our CPD accredited ‘Cervical Screening and Self-collection for General Practice’ interactive education sessions at the beginning of 2023, provided individualised/bespoke support for practices to incorporate self-collection into their routine practice.
“[I feel] confident offering self-collection more often and counselling women more effectively”. GP, attendee at Cervical Screening and Selfcollection for General Practice education session
Primary Health Network webinar partnerships: Our strong partnerships with Primary Health Networks have led to the delivery of several successful large-scale webinars, which have proved a strong model for future collaborative work. The ability to provide online education has proved popular with many healthcare professionals, and the ability to record these webinars has meant that we have continued to see many additional people accessing the education after the session.
“As I have many women who had been reluctant to participate in CST screening program due to a variety of cultural and emotional reasons, this education will assist me to give them a valuable alternative measure which gives them more authority over their own health”. GP, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
New and refreshed eLearning Modules: The ACPCC’s eLearning portfolio continued to grow with the launch of our ‘Breast, Bowel and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinical Education Course’ in September 2022. The course was developed in collaboration with our partner organisations, Cancer Council Victoria, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, BreastScreen Victoria, the Northwestern Melbourne PHN and the Victorian Government. An RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity, these modules were chosen as the healthcare practitioner educational component of the Maximising Cancer Screening Project, a large-scale program aimed to improve cancer screening awareness and participation across the state of Victoria. Our Cervical Screening, HPV and Self-collection Clinical Education Course underwent a major review and refresh to incorporate the latest self-collection policy information. This course continues to be a popular choice for healthcare practitioners.
“The activity has highlighted this option for patients [self-collection] and as a male doctor, this option is a great way to casually suggest self collected CST to patients who are reluctant to screen because their GP is not female.” GP
We acknowledge the generous support of the Victorian Government in the provision of our education services.
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
O N E Providing Access to Immunisation for Vulnerable Groups (PAIVnG) In the past year, the ACPCC have continued to support the Program for Refugee Immunisation Monitoring and Education (PRIME). The ACPCC has supported PRIME since 2017 through the provision and management of the PAIVnG information system and the delivery of operational support to agreed local government program partners. PAIVnG is a purpose-built software platform supporting delivery and monitoring of catch-up immunisations for refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups in Victoria. In the past year, over 1700 PRIME referrals were received with over 1600 refugee community members initiating catch-up vaccinations and over 1200 completing catch-up vaccinations.
The program has strengthened refugee immunisation pathways and has helped support equitable access to childhood education, social services and employment.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 29
PAGE 30
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
T W O SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM BY 2035
Preventing Cervical Cancer Conference 2022 The Preventing Cervical Cancer conference was established in 2009 by the ACPCC in collaboration with NCIRS, and from 2018, the Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control (C4). PCC2022 was the sixth conference in the series, held on 16 to 18th November at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. The Conference brought together the best and brightest researchers, policymakers and health sector leaders across Australia, New Zealand, the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to discuss how we can work together to achieve a cervical cancer free future for women and girls across our region. This hybrid in-person and virtual event allowed for many attendees from Low and Middle Income countries and those still effected by the COVID pandemic to participate virtually. Opened by Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, the conference was a tremendous success with 200 in person attendees and 334 virtual registrations. A follow-up survey was sent to delegates with 94% rating PCC2022 as very good or excellent. The survey showed that the most beneficial aspects of the conference were: content (53%), networking opportunities (12%) and knowledge gain (12%). For content, regional content (38%) was the most mentioned topic, followed by self-collection (23%). 80% of respondents would promote this conference to others. Plans are underway for a renamed, virtual event for 2023: Eliminating Cervical Cancer Conference (ECC2023).
"It was fabulous and made me feel inspired and privileged to be working in this field." "This is one of the best events I have attended in recent years. Congratulations to the conference organizing committee!" "It was very well organised and I appreciated being able to interact online via the event app. It was as if I was there in person." "This is one of the best conferences I have been to. Well done." "I attended the event virtually, the first time I had done this for a conference and the technical presentation and quality of the connection was excellent."
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Elimination Strategy
PREVENT
The development of Australia’s Elimination Strategy has taken place through a strong equity lens. Several strategic priorities were identified for the screening program, including regular promotion of screening; strategic promotion with underscreened groups; increasing access to services by expanding who, where and how services are offered; and the collection, use and release of data to enable and monitor equity of access to screening.
The PREVENT project is led by Dr Aime Powell at the University of Notre Dame, alongside collaborating organisations (including the ACPCC).
The draft strategy was released in December 2022 after a comprehensive review process, with feedback and contributions received from a range of stakeholders. As we close the 2022-23 financial year, the final version of the strategy is complete, awaiting approval for an anticipated release by the end of 2023.
The project is premised on the understanding that accessibility to cervical screening is not always equitable for all populations, acknowledging the continued inequitable burden of cervical cancer experienced by Aboriginal women. From 01 July 2022 until 31 December 2022, the Kimberley Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outreach Team offered eligible women the opportunity to: • collect their own cervical screening test (quick and easy), • receive a rapid (within 1 hour) test result, • access a specialist doctor during the same visit, if needed. The cervical screening model was delivered at some of the most remote Aboriginal communities in the north of Western Australian.
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CERVICAL CANCER IN AUSTRALIA A pathway to achieve equitable elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035 November 2023
Overall, 127 Aboriginal women were screened, and 92% confirmed that receiving a fast test result and being able to see a specialist on the same day encouraged their participation in screening. The ACPCC has supported the PREVENT project with provision of the GeneXpert point-of-care testing device, training, education, evaluation, study design and analysis. “It was so easy, I understood what the test was looking for and what would happen if I got a positive test result. Every woman should be able to have this in their community.” Point of Care Testing in Remote Communities participant
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
T H R E E SUPPORT COUNTRIES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION TO SCALE UP TO MEET THE 2030 TARGETS IN SUPPORT OF THE WHO STRATEGY TO ELIMINATE CERVICAL CANCER AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM Australia leads the world in its commitment to the elimination of this preventable disease. Our support of countries to eliminate cervical cancer in the Indo Pacific Region and beyond took many forms over this financial year. In addition to the professional support and collaboration between individuals, organisationally the key areas of work were through: • the design and implementation of screening and treatment models of care. • the roll-out of canSCREEN®. • regional policy and guideline development; and • Quality Assurance and Quality Control, support and advice to pathologists and laboratories.
Self-collected HPV samples, rapid point of care testing and same day treatment will be crucial tools in providing safe, accessible and cost-effective screening to the many women in the world living in remote communities.
WHO WPRO Elimination Strategy The WPRO have developed a Strategic Framework for the Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific Region 2023 to 2030, supported by the Daffodil Centre, ACPCC and the Kirby Institute. The framework was endorsed by member states at the 73rd Regional Committee meeting in October 2022 (see Resolution https://www.who.int/docs/ default-source/wpro---documents/regionalcommittee/session-73/wpr-rc73-r4-cervicalcancer.pdf)
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific
ECCWP team members in Mt Hagan, PNG
In collaboration with our C4 partners, we are working on a major implementation project ‘Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific’ (ECCWP) which is supported by the Minderoo Foundation and Cephied®. This project will set Vanuatu and Western Highlands Province (WHP) of PNG on the path to elimination. It involves the delivery of vaccination and screening to 120,000 women and girls, supported by establishment of core infrastructure including digital vaccination and screening registries, incountry training and modelling support towards building the case for sustainable investment by governments. In PNG and Vanuatu, it is the first time that a group has been able to fully integrate, within a primary care setting: • Self-collection of vaginal samples • Testing on a platform that could provide results at point-of-care • Ability to do visual assessment prior to treatment • Provide thermal ablation (treatment) Most importantly, the program is providing all of these services on the same day.
ECCWP Partners at PCC2022
The Vanuatu Ministry of Health has confirmed its commitment to the elimination of cervical cancer in Vanuatu
The screen-and-treat program has demonstrated excellent performance in terms of test and treatment of underlying high-grade disease, extremely high acceptability among providers and participants, and cost-effectiveness of the strategy compared to other forms of screening. Data capture and management is the critical backbone of the service. The ACPCC’s canSCREEN® platform has been adapted and implemented for this project. The ACPCC has also provided laboratory support for these programs. The ECCWP project will also lead to the piloting of new models of cancer care in Vanuatu and PNG as more early-stage cancers are identified through screening, enabling relatively less resource intensive treatment to be delivered in-country.
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
T H R E E New Zealand
SUCCESS ECHO
The ACPCC has provided training and technical support for two major New Zealand-based studies this year. The studies were led by the research center Te Tātai Hauora O Hine (The National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa, Victoria University of Wellington), in collaboration with Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Entity, the Iwi (tribal) group Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust, and Māori health provider Ngāti Porou Oranga. The studies aim to address Māori cervical cancer inequities and facilitate Māori wellness.
Every month, the ACPCC hosts tele-mentoring sessions for Australia and the Indo-Pacific using the ECHO model.
See page 41 for a summary.
Global Alliance for Chronic Disease (GACD) Funded Projects India Over 77,000 women died of cervical cancer in India in 2020, representing a quarter of the global burden of cervical cancer. HPV testing is not an affordable cervical screening option for most Indian women, and HPV vaccination is only in the early stages of roll-out. With funding from GACD, the ACPCC is working on a three-year project with an aim to provide self-collected HPV based cervical cancer screening to remote, and under-screened populations throughout rural and urban regions of India. Partners in the states of Mizoram and Tamil Nadu are supporting world cancer experts toward the facilitation of this outcome. The project is led by Professor Julia Brotherton, University of Melbourne, the ACPCC, alongside experts from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, RTI International, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. See the SHE-CAN study on page 43.
Our monthly sessions (known as the SUCCESS ECHO) facilitate international knowledge sharing between public health professionals and researchers, as they work toward the WHO 2030 goals to eliminate cervical cancer globally. Each month, one of the WHO elimination pillars of screening, treatment or vaccination becomes the focus of the session. 46 SUCCESS sessions have been held since the beginning of the project, with over 270 representatives registered. A wide range of participants continue to share their experience from researchers, clinicians and those working in NGOs and Health Ministries. SUCCESS ECHO aims to support relationship building, collaboration and shared experience for participants, as they forge their path toward the elimination of cervical cancer in their countries. Participating Indo-Pacific Countries include Australia, Mongolia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Taipei, India, New Zealand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, USA, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Maldives, Timor-Leste and Samoa.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Program ROSE Empowering women to screen through the use of self-collection Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Malaysian women, but only 25% of eligible women have Pap smears done regularly, due in part to discomfort and inconvenience. In addition, since results can take up to three months to be reported, patients are often lost to follow-up and not linked to care. Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical ScrEening), developed by the ACPCC and the University of Malaya, is a primary HPV cervical screening program that incorporates selfsampling and digital technology, ensuring that women who are screened are linked to care.
Program ROSE connects collaborative partnerships, policy change, and infrastructure readiness to implement a radically new cervical cancer screening program in Malaysian communities. Linking to Care More than 24,000 women have been screened through Program ROSE using self-sampling HPV testing, including underprivileged and underscreened women from over 12 states in Malaysia. All HPV-positive women received a referral letter for follow-up examination at 26 ROSE-friendly hospitals all over Malaysia, and 92.5% of those women were linked to care.
HPV testing provides access to improved diagnostic accuracy, allowing significantly less frequent testing over a Malaysian woman’s lifetime, while still enabling appropriate preventive screening against cervical cancer. ROSE encourages more women to willingly participate in screening, while the accuracy and reliability of self-swabs for HPV testing provides greater assurance. The mobile portal, developed by the ACPCC for the ROSE Foundation, facilitates communication and linkage of care for women who test positive. The ACPCC’s canSCREEN® registry enables healthcare professionals to track the progress of every woman screened.
Almost all participants (99%) said they would repeat the ROSE test again instead of the conventional Pap smear.
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
F O U R LEAD AND PROMOTE THE INCREASED UPTAKE OF SELF-SAMPLING It’s a game changer in the elimination of cervical cancer
Universal Self-collection Launch Professor Marion Saville undertook more than 14 media interviews during the announcement and associated launch of Universal Self Collection, with over 30 pieces published on a variety of media platforms across Australia to encourage women and healthcare professionals to consider the self-collection option.
“We have already found we have a very high uptake in the under-screened community and I anticipate there’ll be many people eligible for screening who will be relieved about not having to have the speculum exam.”
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Self-collection Saves Lives In partnership with Cancer Council Victoria, and with support from the Victorian Government, the ACPCC launched another iteration of the ‘Self-collection Saves Lives’ campaign in November 2022, to raise awareness of the selfcollection option for cervical screening amongst both healthcare practitioners and the public. The campaign featured mainstream and social media campaigns, as well as several ‘on the ground’ engagement activities. The ACPCC’s activities included a ‘self-collection’ exhibition stand at the GPCE conference 2022 in Melbourne, delivery of several large-scale clinical education webinars, and provision of dedicated practice education sessions in the Ballarat area.
SELF-COLLECTION
SAVES LIVES
L-R: Campaign social media tile; Media coverage; GPCE conference exhibition stand.
PAGE 37
PAGE 38
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
F O U R Supporting Healthcare Providers The ACPCC has been at the forefront of healthcare practitioner education following the change to self-collection policy in the National Cervical Screening Program. This change presented a significant learning need for practitioners working in primary healthcare. Our team has updated and expanded our clinical resources, increased our educational offerings, and worked with medical colleges to provide CPD approved activities meeting the new Medical Board of Australia CPD requirements.
Resources Much work this year has been undertaken to update our extensive suite of healthcare practitioner resources to incorporate the new selfcollection policy, as well as the development of new resources to support healthcare practitioners to incorporate self-collection into their routine practice. Our ‘Supporting your patient to make the choice’ resource has received excellent feedback from healthcare practitioners, and this has been embedded into all our educational offerings. Our new ‘Taking a Cervical Screening Test’ instructional video was published in January 2023, including the latest self-collection information for healthcare practitioners.
L-R: Supporting your patients to make the choice resource, Taking a CST instructional video
C4 and Self-collection The Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control (C4) is keenly focused on selfcollection as a key strategy towards the achievement of the WHO screening target (70% participation in twice-lifetime cervical screening with a high precision approach such as HPV testing). In current projects, the C4 team are examining implementation of universal self-collection in primary care in Victoria, as well as co-designing and piloting new models for HPV self-collection
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, with the support of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). C4 researchers are working on innovative solutions to support providers, women, and the scale-up of self-collection, and create an enabling environment for the consideration of models of care. Read more about C4 activities on page 43.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
F I V E SUPPORT THE NATIONAL BOWEL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM IN VICTORIA Participant Follow-up Function An important component of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) is the followup of participants with a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) result. 2022 marked ten years since the ACPCC commenced the delivery the Participation Follow up Function (PFUF) as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. ACPCC was contracted in 2012 by the Victorian Department of Health to operate PFUF. The PFUF service supports Victorian participants who have returned a positive test result to progress through the screening pathway in a timely manner. The team have supported participants to minimise undue delays in bowel cancer diagnoses and uncertainty to ultimately contribute to better cancer outcomes. In the past year, the team followed up 13,634 participants, successfully contacting 11,992 of these participants. Of those successfully contacted, 6,304 participants had either progressed to colonoscopy or had a colonoscopy booked. It is estimated that approximately 210 of these participants would have been diagnosed with a confirmed or suspected cancer. Since the ACPCC commenced the delivery of PFUF, the team have successfully followed up over 100,000 participants.
PFUF is celebrating it's 10 Year Anniversary of guiding participants with a positive FOBT test result though to colonoscopy
PAGE 39
PAGE 40
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
S I X DELIVER AND DISSEMINATE THE RESEARCH OUTCOMES OF THE COMPASS TRIAL, C4 AND OTHER POLICY RELEVANT RESEARCH COMPASS The Compass Trial Compass is Australia’s largest clinical trial with over 76,000 participants, jointly led by the ACPCC and the Daffodil Centre (a joint venture of Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney). This trial is important, as it is the first large-scale randomised controlled trial internationally that will assess primary HPV screening in a population that is vaccinated against HPV.
In April 2023, Professor Karen Canfell (Co Principal Investigator) presented at the International Papillomavirus Conference 2023 in Washington, DC. Professor Canfell presented findings indicating that Dual-stained cytology (DS) for p16/Ki67 is potentially a more effective triage than liquid-based cytology (LBC) after primary HPV screening. The outcomes and recommendations of the Compass Trial will help to inform the future direction of Australia’s NCSP.
The Compass trial is also assessing new nextgeneration technologies for triage testing, which are expected to improve the overall performance of HPV testing at a program level.
In Nature Medicine Journal (December 2022), the Compass Trial was described as one of “11 clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2023”.
Dual stained cytology has potential for future automation which should facilitate implementation at scale in high-income countries.
The Compass Register The ACPCC continues to operate the Compass Register, supporting the participants and healthcare providers through to the conclusion of the trial in 2026. Once participants have reached the endpoint of the trial, the Compass Register transfers participant data to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR), for their ongoing follow up in the National Cervical Screening Program. As of October 2022 more than 57,500 participants had reached the end of their involvement in the trial and had been successfully migrated to the NCSR. It is expected that 2026 will see the last participants complete their exit from the Compass Trial, back to the National Cancer Screening Register.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
SCoPE2 The Self-Collection or Practitioner-collection Evaluation 2 (SCoPE2) study is a collaboration between the ACPCC and the Oncology and Dysplasia Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital. SCoPE2 was designed to build on the SCOPE study by increasing the number of HPV assays that are validated for self-collection, to validate the Vibabrush in addition to the flocked swab, and also validate m-Swab media in addition to PreservCyt as the resuspension media. These additional assays, devices and media give greater flexibility to screening programs to meet the needs of their communities. SCoPE2 enrolled 400 participants between April and November 2022. All combinations of self-collection devices and commercial HPV assays demonstrated clinical sensitivity for high grade cervical disease of > 90% achieving the benchmark for clinical validation. These results have been presented in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Belgium, and the USA in 2023.
Te Ara Waiora Study – New Zealand Te Tātai Hauora o Hine, National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa, and Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Entity are undertaking a trial implementing HPV self-testing in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). The trial aims to test whether cervical screening coverage utilising the universal offer of HPV self- test programme approach is non-inferior to cervical screening coverage in the current cytology cervical screening programme. The study will play a critical part in informing the transition of New Zealand’s NCSP from cytology-based screening to HPV-based screening, scheduled for September 2023, including the option of self-test. The ACPCC’s canSCREEN® platform was customised for this study to facilitate appropriate follow up and measurement of outcomes.
He Tapu Te Whare Tangata Study – New Zealand The He tapu Whare Tangata study explored a new clinical pathway for colposcopy using HPV self-taken vaginal swabs, point-of-care testing, and direct referral to secondary services. The research center Te Tātai Hauora O Hine partnered with the Iwi (tribal) group Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust, and Māori health provider Ngāti Porou Oranga for this important project. The ACPCC has provided training and technical support throughout the process. This study aimed to address inequities in the clinical care pathway to colposcopy for wāhine Māori in rural Aotearoa, by combining HPV self-testing with point-of-care technology in a community-controlled cervical cancer prevention pathway. Data collection for this study is ongoing. It is expected that final results will be available in late 2023, with publication anticipated in 2024.
PAGE 41
PAGE 42
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
S I X
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
The SHE-CAN study Self-collected HPV Evaluation for the Prevention of Cervical CANcer (SHE-CAN) is supported by the Global Alliance for Chronic Disease and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Project partners in India include not-for-profit health care organisations (Christian Medical College Vellore, and Tribal Heath Initiative Sittilingi), in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine for the state of Tamil Nadu, and the Population Based Cancer Registry in Mizoram. Partners include researchers from the ACPCC, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Following the WHO call for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, and taking into consideration current low screening rates in India, policymakers are exploring how to effectively implement a cervical screening program that is accessible to all. The SHE-CAN study will include women from tribal areas, rural villages and urban slums throughout Mizoram and Tamil Nadu, all of whom have been identified as vulnerable populations. The knowledge gained from the study will support India’s successful transition to a more objective, sensitive, and scalable programme (HPV-based self-collection), as recommended in the 2020 WHO global strategy.
Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control – C4 The NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control (C4) is a collaboration of researchers from the ACPCC, the Daffodil Centre, the University of Melbourne and the Kirby Institute. The key task of C4 is to provide world-class research and evaluation of screening and vaccination programs for HPV. Read more about the C4 team and activities at cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
Research undertaken by C4 is driven by the World Health Organization’s Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. This strategy comprises three pillars: HPV vaccination; cervical screening; and treatment. C4 researchers are examining equity within the HPV vaccination program, with particular focus on under-served groups in the Australian population. They are looking at how community levelcommunications can help maintain vaccination levels, considering the potentially detrimental effects of public opinion of the COVID-19 vaccine. Improving equity in vaccine delivery will lead to equity in longer term health outcomes, and more rapid elimination for all groups in the Australian population. Other C4 vaccination-focused research is looking at the effectiveness of the one-dose HPV vaccine in Australia, South Africa and PNG. The C4 team work in a range of ways to support national and WHO guidelines development, and assess the real-word performance of the renewed NCSP in Australia. Self-collection is a major focus in this work (see page 38 for further details). Other key research within this pillar looks at new pathways for HPV-based screening and supporting the WHO screening guidelines in low-and-middleincome countries. Finally, there will also be a focus on informing access to cancer treatment and care for people with cervical cancer.
PAGE 43
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
S E V E N DIVERSIFY THE RANGE OF VCS PATHOLOGY LABORATORY TESTS BY LEVERAGING OUR EXISTING EXPERTISE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT Core Activities As Australia’s largest not-for-profit cervical screening laboratory, VCS Pathology continues to report almost half of Victoria’s cervical screening tests. We provide all Medicare-eligible women and people with a cervix undergoing eligible tests with a bulk-billed service.
HPV
LBC
300,000 250,000
167,057 40,004
96,866
50,000
122,318
100,000
47,782
150,000
40,724
200,000
176,027
VCS Pathology has reported 950,880 HPV and 288,029 LBC tests since the beginning of the renewed NCSP in December 2017.
HPV & LIQUID BASED CYTOLOGY TESTING NUMBERS
54,230
If HPV is detected in a clinician-collected Cervical Screening Test (CST), a reflex liquid-based cytology test is performed on the same specimen.
VCS Pathology has reported over 23 million cervical screening tests since commencing in 1965
248,719
Since the NCSP’s move from a two-year to a fiveyear cycle for cervical screening, annual testing volumes have not yet stablised, and fluctuation continues. In line with modelling of the first fiveyear cycle, volumes have increased in 2022/23, the first full financial year of the second five year cycle, with 167,057 HPV tests received in the financial year compared to 96,866 in 2021/22.
WHAT MAKES US EXPERTS?
66,081
Cervical Screening: HPV tests and Liquid-Based Cytology tests
39,208
When healthcare providers choose VCS Pathology they are, by extension, supporting our national and global work with under-screened populations, as we work towards the elimination of cervical cancer. Being a specialist laboratory we are experts in cervical screening and can provide advice to our referrers on all aspects of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) and associated test results.
139,893
PAGE 44
0
2017/2018
2018/2019 2019/2020
2020/2021
2021/2022 2022/2023
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Self-collection for HPV-based Cervical Screening Self-collection volumes have steadily increased since the change to universal availability for all screening participants in July 2022. In 2021/2022 VCS Pathology processed 5,417 samples compared to 58,657 in 2022/23. This remarkable increase demonstrates the need in the population for an alternative to a speculum examination. The processes and equipment were already in place at VCS Pathology to manage the increased volumes.
PAGE 45
VCS Pathology is ready for the increased uptake in self-collection, with almost 50% of the HPV tests performed now coming from a selfcollected sample.
Histology
8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0
Jun 2023
May 2023
Apr 2023
Mar 2023
Feb 2023
Jan 2023
Dec 2022
Nov 2022
Oct 2022
Sep 2022
Aug 2022
Jun 2022
May 2022
Apr 2022
Mar 2022
Feb 2022
HISTOLOGY VOLUMES 5,000 4,500
4,720
3,500 3,000
2,706
2,500 2,000
2,975
4,000
3,769
In February 2021, the NCSP changed the threshold for referral to colposcopy. After this date, screening participants who receive an “intermediate risk” result should have a further HPV follow up test in 12 months’ time, instead of referral to colposcopy. This change, along with the forecast cyclic drop in cervical screening numbers in the first five-year cycle, has resulted in a fall in the number of histology cases.
9,000
Jan 2022
Queensland Pathology is currently experiencing a shortage of pathologists, most notably in regional areas, resulting in unmanageable volumes in the Brisbane laboratories. The ACPCC has agreed to assist with reporting of gynaecologic pathology cases, in line with the expertise and experience of our pathologists. This arrangement was made in May 2023 and resulted in a small increase in volumes to date but is expected to increase in the 2023/24 financial year.
10,000
3,896
Our team returns almost all histology results within 2 working days (and often within 24 hours). At the close of the 2022/23 financial year, 99.26% of histology cases were reported within 48 hours.
SELF COLLECTION TEST VOLUMES
2,984
Referrers and patients alike gain significant benefits from the specialist gynaecological histopathology service offered by VCS Pathology. Each case receives comprehensive analysis, with LBC tests taken prior to biopsy often immediately available for review and correlation.
1,500 1,000 500 0
2017/2018
2018/2019
2019/2020
2020/2021
2021/2022
2022/2023
PAGE 46
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
S E V E N CHLAMYDIA TESTING VOLUMES
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests at VCS Pathology are most often conducted on cervical screening specimens. Since July 2022, VCS Pathology has had the capacity to run three tests (HPV, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea) on a single swab. Given that the change to testing intervals (from 2-year to 5-year) has resulted in a decline in cervical screening volumes, the volumes for chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing have also decreased. Despite the general trend downwards, 2022/23 saw a moderate increase in both tests. Gonorrhoea test volumes have increased by 10.3%, and chlamydia tests by 0.5% during this period.
12,000
New Technologies
GONORRHOEA TESTING VOLUMES
2018/2019
With our world leading expertise in HPV testing and self-collection, Victoria can now play a role in bringing countries in our region along on the cervical cancer elimination journey, particularly in the Asia Pacific region where cervical cancer is still a significant burden on healthcare systems, and on individuals. The ACPCC undertook the first reporting of clinical specimens using the BD COR in the Asia Pacific region.
2019/2020
2020/2021
3,500
2020/2021
2021/2022
3,267
4,000
2,500
3,653
4,500
3,305
This high-volume instrument can run 2,000 self-collected cervical screening tests each week, with less manual work for laboratory staff.
2022/2023
0
3,181
The self-collection option is expected to play a key role in the equitable elimination of cervical cancer in Australia. The BD COR instrument (funded by a Victorian Government grant) has significantly increased the ACPCC’s capacity to process self-collected cervical screening samples.
2021/2022
2,000
3,000
BD COR Instrument
5,656
4,000
5,621
6,000
6,344
7,335
8,000
4,055
The ACPCC’s laboratory capabilities and turnaround times continued to benefit from our investment in technology and innovation.
10,000
10,080
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0
2018/2019
2019/2020
With the support of the Victorian Government we now have a new screening capacity through the BD COR technology, which gives us unparalleled capabilities to provide timely results for self collected samples.
2022/2023
The launch of the BD COR Instrument in May 2023. L-R: Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, Prof Marion Saville, Anelo Cournut, A/Prof David Hawkes
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Public Health Medical Equipment Replacement Program
Accreditation
VCS Pathology was successful in the annual Victorian State Government Funding Round for Public Health Reference Laboratories – the Medical Equipment Replacement Program, securing two new key pieces of equipment.
VCS Pathology achieved continued accreditation following a NATA Technical Re-assessment and Level 2 Clinical Governance Assessment in September 2021. Accredited Pathology Laboratory Approval has been extended to February 2025.
The Leica ST5010-CV5030 Integrated Workstation will replace an existing configured workstation which is well outside of its effective life. The new technology available in the workstation will provide automated high-quality staining and glass cover-slipping for cytology, enabling the fast slide turnaround time and improving patient management.
VCS Pathology is accredited for the extension of the stability claim for self-collected specimens to be tested for HPV as part of the NCSP. This means that VCS Pathology now has accreditation to process self-collected swabs received up to 28 days after patient collection. This is important because some swabs, from remote areas of Australia, were not reaching us within 14 days, the length of our previous stability claim.
We also received funding for a new GrossPath histology workstation for the processing of tissue specimens for histopathology in the Cytology and Histology Laboratory. GrossPath is a compact workstation, designed to ensure a pollution-free, laboratory-grade working environment for the cutup and preparation of histology specimens. It has been designed to conserve energy and resources with an integrated exhaust-air connection. With volume flow control and an active-carbon air recirculation system, it provides outstanding air extraction results without the need for installing a separate air ventilation system.
VCS Pathology meets the NATA regulatory requirements for Australian Laboratories reporting under the NCSP.
VCS Pathology is committed to meeting all relevant industry standards including the various requirements of NATA, National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC), the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA) and ACPCC insurance agencies.
PAGE 47
PAGE 48
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
S E V E N Australian HPV Reference Laboratory The Australian HPV Reference Laboratory is widely regarded for its leadership, innovation and deep expertise in cervical cancer prevention. Central to its purpose, is the enhancement and evaluation of the performance of HPV tests, technology and laboratory procedures to help reduce HPV-related disease. This global work is conducted in collaboration with quality assurance programs, test manufacturers, other laboratories and researchers. Services provided by the Australian HPV Reference Laboratory include:
Up-to-date technical information, advice, guidance and training on HPV laboratory practices
Expertise in the development, evaluation and implementation of HPV assays for use in cervical screening and other paradigms for HPV detection
Support for quality assurance programs in the Asia Pacific Region
Expertise in the development of policy and programs for eliminating HPV-based cervical cancers
Specialist diagnostic and clinical advice for individual cases
Sample Biobank used to support the development of technologies and processes to reduce the incidence and impact of HPV-related disease
Contributing to the expansion & availability of self-collection.
Key activities in 2022/23 include:
Produced a blinded verification panel for the self-collection method used by the Roche cobas and cobas 4,800 HPV assays. This was supplied free of charge to 17 Australian laboratories. The Australian HPV Reference Laboratory reviewed the submitted results and returned a report examining the results including a statistical examination of concordance with the reference results. This contributed to the expansion of the availability of self-collection across Australia.
Undertook pre-release validation testing of HPV specimens for two leading External Quality Assurance manufacturers.
Validated a new method for assessing the presence of HPV in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues which has been used in a pilot study to determine HPV type-specific prevalence in cervical cancer.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Quality Assurance Since its establishment in 1964, the ACPCC has always regarded the provision of a quality service as the most important aspect of its operation. The Executive Director of the ACPCC and our staff remain fully committed to the organisation as a Centre of Excellence in cervical screening tests and registry services. Our quality system comprises the structure, objectives and policies of the ACPCC and the description of work practices and procedures that promote a high quality of operation in all aspects of our work. Thus, the quality system forms the basis on which the pathology laboratory and registries operate. All staff embrace an ethos of quality improvement and a customer focus. We have a broad perspective of our customer base, which include health practitioners who send us pathology samples for reporting, community members from whom the samples are taken, the participants recorded on our registries, and our funding providers.
PAGE 49
Prestigious Recognition of ACPCC Team Our Director of Cytology and Histology, Grace Tan is now a clinical scientist. She was awarded a prestigious Fellowship to the Australian Society of Cytology in April 2022. This award recognises significant exemplary service and experience. Clinical Scientists play a key role in regulatory compliance and quality management in a laboratory setting. They are responsible for instrument and method selection, validation and ongoing monitoring. They can offer advice on testing and result interpretation to clinical colleagues and play a key role in the training of laboratory staff including pathologists. Congratulations Grace!
The ACPCC is committed to meeting all relevant industry standards, including AS ISO 15189:2012 and the various requirements of NATA, NPAAC, the RCPA and our insurers. Quality system activities are coordinated by the Director of Cytology and Histology under the guidance of the Executive Director of the ACPCC. These activities are supported by the quality management software Q-Pulse, which is designed to support key elements of the Quality System.
Director of Cytology and Histology Grace Tan
PAGE 50
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
E I G H T LEVERAGE THE VALUE OF THE CANSCREEN ® AND CANVAX PLATFORMS FOR COST EFFECTIVE SUPPORT OF LOW TO MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICS) AND FOR COMMERCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS OPPORTUNITIES At-a-glance canSCREEN® supports a three-pronged approach to cervical cancer elimination.
1 Vaccination:
can assist in managing the provision of the HPV vaccine, if needed.
2 Screening:
supports in the provision of cervical screening to women aged 25-64 years.
3 Treatment:
provides a registry for the treatment of women with precancerous changes in the cervix. Treatment can prevent these changes from developing into cancer.
Technology for improved health outcomes
Data
canSCREEN® is a valuable example of how technology can be used to improve health outcomes in developing countries. The application uses digital infrastructure to track vaccination and screening activities, and to provide real-time feedback to program managers. This information helps to ensure that the programs reach the most vulnerable people in locations where it is deployed.
The canSCREEN® application provides valuable data on the effectiveness of HPV vaccination and cervical screening in developing countries. These data are designed be used to support ongoing quality improvement in cervical cancer prevention programs. Impact canSCREEN® has had a significant impact on cervical cancer prevention in countries where it has been deployed, particularly in relation to follow-up rates.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 51
canSCREEN® FOR POINT-OF-CARE TESTING
Patient presents for screening
Test is processed on site using instrument such as GeneXpert
Nurse or Clinician enters patient data into canSCREEN, then receives test result directly from GeneXpert or a similar machine
Patient given result within hours of the original cosultation along with any further advice
canSCREEN® FOR OFF-SITE TESTING
Patient presents for screening
Test sent to lab
CanSCREEN ® in 2023 This year, we continued to deliver canSCREEN® to new global locations adding services to the Pacific Island of Yap, Papua New Guinee’s provinces of New Island and the Southern Highlands and the organisation’s first African nation, Kenya. Malaysia’s Rose program (our first instance of the modern canSCREEN®) was uplifted to the new cloud solution, greatly improving speed, availability and reliability.
CanSCREEN ® Transformation The canSCREEN® team have significantly expanded the scope and services that are offered within the canSCREEN® application and transformed the user interface of the register. The program to standardise and improve canSCREEN continued, with six new version uplifts in the past 12 months. All customers have been trained on, and have implemented, the latest version as the release becomes available. Our aim has been to standardise our practices and application to be a global product, giving us the ability to update and deploy all features to all users, cheaply and effectively. This also enables greater efficiency in supporting our users.
Results automatically sent to canSCREEN,
Patient can be sent results and follow up info directly
2023 Success Stories: • Program ROSE (see page 35) • Te Ara Waiora Study – New Zealand (see page 41) • ECCWP (Vanuatu & PNG) (see page 33)
New enhancements to canSCREEN® included: • Improved security measures to protect the sensitive information it contains • Improvements to administration features to concentrate on the most important, common tasks performed • Enhanced dashboard and reporting elements • Tailored video training for large users
PAGE 52
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
N I N E RESHAPE THE BUSINESS MODEL TO ADAPT TO OUR NEW COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES Laboratory Information Management System Upgrade Work is underway to upgrade the existing ACPCC Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for VCS Pathology. The existing system was purpose-built but is now difficult to support and to make functional enhancement changes. This upgrade will be a significant undertaking and investment for our future.
The objectives for a new LIMS are to: • Improve laboratory efficiency by effectively managing the flow of samples and data • Provide centralised storage of data required for quality control compliance • Integrate laboratory instruments and other in-laboratory systems providing a completely digital environment • Satisfy high throughput demands for laboratory tests by an automated postanalytical phase • Fully automate billing functions, in line with Medicare eligibility requirements • Assist the laboratory with meeting strict regulatory requirements including tracking and reporting on relevant data. A contractor has been selected to undertake this work and the new system is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Website Refresh Our change of name led to a complete rebuild of our website in the second half of 2022. We took the opportunity to review the structure and design, with the aim to provide a better experience for healthcare professionals and patients using the site. A new collection of pages was added in the first half of 2023 to highlight our international work. Follow the link to visit our new site acpcc.org.au.
Additional Office Space in Carlton The ACPCC leased office space in East Melbourne, Level 6, 176 Wellington Parade for almost 10 years. The office was originally established to accommodate the Registry teams, and more recently, the Digital Health and Population Health teams for ongoing program delivery. The lease for East Melbourne expired in February 2023 and was not renewed. The staff were relocated temporarily to the main office in Faraday Street Carlton while the lease for a new office in Pelham Street Carlton was negotiated and the associated refurbishment undertaken. The Pelham Street office is in a strategic location for the ACPCC, being a 10-minute walk to the main office in Faraday Street. It is also co-located in the same building as BreastScreen Victoria, and Melbourne University, providing a valuable opportunity for our staff to build stakeholder relationships. This new second ACPCC office will accommodate approximately 32 Population Health and canSCREEN® employees and is expected to be completed in December 2023.
HealthLink for VCS Pathology ACPCC has partnered with HealthLink to ensure the provision secure communications with our referring practitioners, allowing timely and secure electronic reporting as soon as reports become available. This involved the migration of over 1200 general practitioner clinics from a system which had become obsolete, to Health Link, throughout 2022/23, enabling us to continue providing secure patient results.
Disaster Recovery Site In June 2023, ACPCC completed an initiative to set up a new Disaster Recovery Site in a secure location with the help of an external vendor. This site will serve as a backup for our business in the event of a major disruption, such as a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or a power outage. By having this Disaster Recovery site, our business can maintain its operations and reduce the impact of a disruption to our customers, employees, and ACPCC’s reputation. ACPCC disaster recovery enables our business to resume its normal functions as quickly and smoothly as possible.
PAGE 53
PAGE 54
LEADERSHIP TEAM
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
L E A D E R S H I P
PAGE 55
T E A M
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Prof Marion Saville AM
DIRECTOR POPULATION HEALTH
DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES
DIRECTOR DIGITAL HEALTH
DIRECTOR MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
DIRECTOR CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY
DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Alvin Lee
Dr Michelle Critchley
Michael Lammardo
Associate Professor David Hawkes
Grace Tan
Associate Professor Misha Coleman
OPERATIONS MANAGER
FINANCE MANAGER
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGISTS
PATHOLOGISTS
Kerry Crooks
Prasad Nekkadapu
SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYSTS
Dr Hiu Tat Mark Chan
Dr Fong Koh
CLINICAL EDUCATION MANAGER
HR ADVISOR Jessy Warn
Elizabeth Shao Grit Diessner Jasvir Kaur APPLICATIONS DELIVERY MANAGER Mark Bryant SENIOR ANALYST PROGRAMMER David Lamb SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Simon Chapman
Dr Nomvuyo Mothobi LIAISON PHYSICIANS Dr Alexis Butler Dr Wendy Pakes MOLECULAR SENIOR SCIENTISTS Ivy Nguyen Joanne Romano Marco Ho Ting Keung
Dr Kristy Dundas Dr Yi Sun Dr Karen Talia Dr Reshma Pujari CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY SUPERVISOR Diana Stockman MULTIDISCIPLINARY SENIOR SCIENTISTS Domenica Giacomantonio Noni Christou OPERATONS MANAGER Sheree Holt
Hannah Saunders
PAGE 56
OUR PEOPLE
O U R
P E O P L E
The ACPCC has continued to attract and develop a highly skilled workforce. At 30 June 2023, the ACPCC employed 131 staff across a range of managerial, professional, technical and operational roles. Our staffing model includes permanent, temporary and casual employees, comprising of 72 full time, 54 part time and 5 casual appointments. The resourcing needs of VCS Pathology have continued to be a major priority for workforce planning. We aim to recruit and retain the best people to deliver on the objectives of our Strategic Plan.
Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality ACPCC is an equal opportunity employer, consistent with our values of Fairness, Integrity, Respect and Excellence. We acknowledge that a diverse and inclusive workforce promotes engagement and wellbeing and underpins our position as an employer of choice. The financial year saw ACPCC become a member of the Diversity Council Australia. Compliance training was delivered to all ACPCC employees via an on-line platform to support an inclusive culture and respectful workplace, ensuring legislative compliance. The ACPCC commits to providing all employees with the same rewards, resources, opportunities for success and outcomes, regardless of background or gender. We employ, develop, and promote our employees based on the strengths of the individual and the needs of our operations. The ACPCC has a long-established history of an inclusive and strong female workforce. In 2022/23, ACPCC’s workforce comprised of 70% female employees. ACPCC achieved the annual reporting requirements for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency and was compliant for the 2022/23 reporting period.
Workforce Compliance and Safety Training Compliance training modules delivered throughout the year included Anti-bullying and Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Cybersecurity, Equal Opportunity, Privacy, Social Media and Manual Handling. For Executives and Corporate Services employees, Whistleblower and Fraud Prevention training was also delivered. The financial year continued ACPCC’s reliance on the Fit2Work platform for pre-employment checks. Reference checks for new employees were transitioned to Fit2Work, aligning with the approach for national police checks and providing major productivity benefits in recruitment. The Employment Hero employee self-service system continued to track the status of annual confidentiality deeds and other certifications, ensuring our continuous compliance.
Performance, Learning and Development ACPCC continued to support the career development of employees across the organisation. We recognise that training is critical to employee engagement and retention, providing the basis for succession planning and achieving our operational objectives. Following on from previous years, efforts continued towards upskilling our multidisciplinary VCS Pathology team and introducing flexibility into our workforce across the molecular and cytology work areas. We continued our valued relationship with RMIT for laboratory student placements. These placements provide students with invaluable support in building their academic performance, as well as gaining technical and employment skills. It also demonstrates ACPCC’s commitment to continue developing a workforce for the future of the pathology industry. In 2022/23, ACPCC successfully transitioned to Employment Hero for annual performance reviews, replacing the former VESSPA system.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 57
Workforce Statistics TOTAL WORKFORCE AND EMPLOYMENT TYPES Full Time
Part Time
WORKFORCE AGE DEMOGRAPHICS
Casual
160 140 120
13 49
100
5
55
7
5
53
54
Aged 50+ (32%) Aged 41 - 50 (19%) Aged 31 - 40 (21%)
80
Aged 30 and under (28%)
60 84 40
80
74
72
2021/22 (134)
2022/23 (131)
20 0
2019/20 (146)
2020/21 (140)
WORKFORCE GENDER BALANCE Female
WORKFORCE BREAKDOWN BY POSITION Male
Prefer not to say
120 100
27%
27%
73%
73%
31%
29%
69%
70%
80 60
Executive (5%) Manager/Supervisors (10%) Medical Employees (7%) Professional (37%)
40
Operations/ Administration (15%)
20
Scientists/ Laboratory (26%)
0
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
PAGE 58
OUR PEOPLE
O U R
P E O P L E
Vale Joyce Douyere It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to our long-standing staff member Joyce Douyere who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in May 2023. Joyce was a familiar and constant face in the organization for 36 years after commencing in May 1987 when the organization was in its infancy. Joyce was the longest serving staff member at ACPCC and it was her first and only place of employment. Her life evolved whilst she was with us. As a young woman she was introduced to her husband, Roydon, through a colleague and went on to have two children, Jason and Caitlin. Her second child Caitlin, who has also passed away, had special needs which Joyce took on without hesitation or complaint.
Joyce’s kind, gentle and humble nature enabled her to form longstanding and deep connections with the people around her. She could always be counted on to co-ordinate the fun and participate in dress up events with our team always going the extra mile. Anyone fortunate to know her would remember her loving, kind spirit, her generous nature, her selflessness and her absolute love and devotion to her family. She was an integral member of the organisation and is greatly missed. Joyce worked in our clerical team and her spirit remains with us and those most close to her. Vale Joyce Douyere.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Dr Michael Drake was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘contribution to medicine particularly in the fields of diagnostic cytology and cervical cancer screening’.
L-R: Dr Gabriele Medley, Ms Sandy Anderson (past ACPCC Chairman), Prof Marion Saville, Dr Michael Drake at the 50 Year Anniversary Celebrations at Government House 2015
Vale Dr Michael Drake AM Founder of the Australian Centre for Prevention of Cervical Cancer and the Australian Society of Cytology Sadly, we acknowledge the passing of Dr Michael Drake aged 95, founder, and one of only three Directors of the ACPCC in its nearly 60-year history. Dr Drake served in the role of Director for 23 years. His contribution to the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia began in 1964, when he was asked to assist in developing a program for the detection of cervical cancer in women. Later that year he was awarded the Robert Fowler Fellowship by the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria. Dr Drake was later appointed Director of the newly formed Victorian Cytology (Gynaecological) Service, a position he held until 1987 when he retired to become Director of Cytopath Laboratories. Notably, Dr Drake became a member of the Advisory Committee of the RMIT and, in collaboration with the Prince Henry’s Hospital School of Cytotechnology, was able to successfully introduce Cytology into the RMIT teaching program.
In 1968 a group of Victorian Pathologists led by Dr Drake established the Victorian Society of Clinical Cytology. Soon after, he founded the Australian Society of Cytology and became founder President, and later, Chairman of the Executive Committee. During his term in office, he introduced the CTASC examination which our scientists undertake to this day. Michael’s life work has been dedicated to the elimination of cervical cancer, and through our continued efforts we can honour his achievements, and make his vision a reality in Australia and in low- and middle-income countries around the world.
Goodbye and Farewell, Dr Michael Drake.
A message from June Drake: Michael was one who always enjoyed a project and a challenge, and he was so happy that the ACPCC grew and prospered and became the force it is today.
PAGE 59
PAGE 60
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H A N D S A F E T Y Outcomes for 2022/23 The ACPCC’s comprehensive health and safety approach directly supports the physical and mental wellbeing of all employees. Health and Safety initiatives conducted throughout the year included custom fittings of N95 masks, COVID-19 safety training, influenza vaccinations, warden training, and the promotion of employee mental health and wellbeing. The services of the Employee Assistance Program continued to be used with a total of 14 sessions provided to employees in the financial year. ACPCC staff are regularly encouraged to reach out to this service if they are experiencing mental health difficulties or challenges in the workplace. All EAP sessions are free to ACPCC employees, confidential and provided by an independent agency.
The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) was 19.89 for the financial year, a decrease from 24.87 in 2021/22. LTIFR is calculated by the number of lost time injuries per million hours worked in the quarter. There was 1 incident in the year which resulted in a WorkSafe claim. The Health and Safety Committee continued to meet in accordance with legislative requirements, consistent with our commitment to excellence in safety management and best practices. Health and Safety at the ACPCC is underpinned by genuine care for our employees, in alignment with our corporate values of Fairness, Integrity, Respect and Excellence. The ACPCC Health and Safety Policy was last reviewed and approved by the Board in May 2022.
F R E E D O M O F I N F O R M A T I O N ACPCC is not directly subject to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982. While some of the organisation's government funded activities may be the subject of FOI requests, these requests should be made to the relevant government department for assessment.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
P R I V A C Y
ACPCC understands the importance of protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all personal and health information that is held by the organisation. ACPCC collects a range of personal and health information about individuals. ACPCC may collect this information from the individual or from another person dealing with that individual, such as their healthcare practitioner. The type of information that ACPCC collects and the way in which it may use and disclose that information varies according to the services, activities and programs ACPCC provides or undertakes in relation to an individual.
All personal and health information is stored on the premises of ACPCC or in cloud-based storage. Backup tapes of the information system and some slides are stored in a secure facility off-site. Where services are contracted out, contractors must comply with ACPCC privacy and confidentiality requirements if any personal information is provided to them. Our Privacy Policy was last updated in 2022 and is available at www.vcs.org.au/privacy-policy
ACPCC has strict privacy and confidentiality practices in place and all staff are required to abide by these. A Disciplinary Policy and Procedure is in place to ensure staff comply with these practices. All persons who may observe personal and health information held by ACPCC are required to sign a confidentiality statement annually.
W H I S T L E B L O W E R S P R O T E C T I O N ACPCC is committed to the highest standards of legal, ethical and moral behaviour. The organisation seeks to maintain an operating environment where legitimate misconduct concerns can be reported without fear of retaliatory actions or retribution, and are managed expeditiously, in confidence and according to internal policy.
ACPCCs Whistleblower Policy and Procedure is compliant with the new whistleblower reforms under Part 9.4AAA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). An updated version of the Policy and Procedure was approved by the Board in August 2021. Compliance training in whistleblower protection is routinely scheduled for all members of the Executive and Corporate Services teams.
PAGE 61
PAGE 62
DIRECTORS REPORT
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
D I R E C T O R S R E P O R T
ACPCC (VCS Foundation Ltd) is a registered company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Vic) and is governed by a Board of up to 11 Non-Executive Directors in accordance with the Constitution.
The Audit and Finance Committee (a subcommittee of the Board) is responsible for:
The Executive Director of the Service is not a member of the Board but acts as Secretary. The Board establishes the organisation’s vision, strategic intent, goals and objectives, employs the Executive Director, identifies and monitors the management of corporate risks, and monitors and assesses the Executive Director and the performance of the organisation. The Directors present their report on the ACPCC (“the Company”) for the financial year which ended 30 June 2023.
ACPCC Board of Directors The role of the ACPCC Board of Directors is to: •
Set, approve and monitor the strategic direction of ACPCC
•
Take responsibility for the overall performance of the organisation including appointing and managing the performance of the Executive Director, monitoring and working in the best interests of the stakeholders
•
Monitor and minimise the risks to ACPCC
•
Establish and approve Board policies
•
Comply with the Constitution of ACPCC, State and Federal Laws, Directors’ and insurance responsibilities.
•
Advising the Board on matters relating to financial strategies and policies, financial performance, viability, sustainability and capital management
•
Reviewing the quality of internal financial reporting to the Board
•
Ensuring effective governance and financial stewardship to assist directors in discharging their responsibility to exercise due care and diligence in relation to: -
the selection and application of accounting policies in line with accounting standards and legislation
-
financial reporting, and
-
management and internal control procedures
•
Ensuring the effectiveness and independence of external audit function
•
Applying appropriate risk management processes contributing to improving the risk management culture in the organisation.
The Quality Assurance Committee (a subcommittee of the Board) is chaired by the Executive Director. It uses statistical analyses to monitor a range of activities including performance targets in the scientific, registries, administration and clerical areas, audits, non-conformance events and document control. Results of the activities are presented at the Quality Assurance Committee meetings and any actions identified are assigned and reported. Detailed reports are presented to the Board on a quarterly basis.
PAGE 63
PAGE 64
DIRECTORS REPORT
D I R E C T O R S R E P O R T
Chairman Tim Humphries
Vice Chairman Mr David Wrede
Mr Tim Humphries - Chairman Mr Tim Humphries was elected Chairman at the 2020 AGM and was previously the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee. Mr Humphries joined the Board in 2012 as a Director with expertise in Finance, Commerce or Corporate Management. Mr Humphries holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Flinders University, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Deakin University. He is a member of the Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD). Mr Humphries brings a wealth of experience with a career spanning more than 20 years in senior Accounting and Finance roles, and CEO, a position he currently holds. His broad finance experience is complemented with HR, IT, corporate governance, sales and project management skills developed in a wide range of industries including health, aged care, transport and logistics, materials handling, recruitment, and not-for-profit sectors in Australia. Mr David Wrede – Vice Chairman Mr David Wrede was appointed to the Board in May 2010 as the Director with gynaecological expertise and was appointed Vice Chairman in 2017. Mr Wrede studied medicine at Cambridge University and St. Thomas’ Hospital London. His post-graduate training was in General Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology and included two years of research into Cervical Cancer and HPV at the St. Mary’s branch of the Ludwig Institute. Previous appointments in the UK’s National Health Service include Consultant posts with interests in
Chair Audit and Finance Committee Ms Fiona Kelly
Gynaecological Cancer, Minimal Access Surgery and Colposcopy in Scotland and England. Since moving to Australia, his main clinical focus has been in gynaecological cancer prevention at The Royal Women’s Hospital. He is the clinical lead for the Dysplasia (Colposcopy) services at the Womens' and Box Hill Hospitals. His research profile includes being an investigator on a number of cervical screening projects including COMPASS (led by Prof Marion Saville and Prof Karen Canfell), iPAP (led by A/Prof Dorota Gertig) and EXCISE (co-led with A/Prof Paul Cohen) and he is also an Associate Investigator with the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Cervical Cancer Control. He is a member of both the Quality and Safety Management Committee and the Clinical Guidelines Working Group for the renewed NCSP and past Secretary of the Management Committee of the Australian Society for Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology. Mr Wrede is an Honorary Consultant to the Familial Cancer Centre in the Parkville Precinct and Honorary Senior Lecturer to the Department of O&G at the University of Melbourne. Ms Fiona Kelly – Chair, Audit and Finance Committee Ms Fiona Kelly was appointed to the Board in March 2017 as a Director with expertise in Finance, Commerce and Corporate Management and was appointed Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee at the 2020 AGM. She holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne. Ms Kelly has broad
VCS FOUNDATION LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Mr Tony Abbenante
Dr Jane Collins
experience in financial management, operations and governance as a Chartered Accountant, management consultant and through executive roles in the not-for-profit and social enterprises sectors. Ms Kelly is passionate about improving health outcomes for women and values the ACPCC’s commitment to cancer prevention in Australia and globally. She is currently Chief Financial Officer at FVREE, a specialist family violence service and is also a Board member of Carey Baptist Grammar School. Mr Antonio (Tony) Abbenante Mr Tony Abbenante was appointed to the board in October 2018 as a Director with wide expertise in Information Technology and Communications. He has specialist knowledge and experience in enterprise-wide digital health. Mr Abbenante holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Studies from the University of South Australia and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Digital Health. He has broad experience in governing national and state-wide programs; this provides a wealth of experience and knowledge to the ACPCC. His career spans more than 27 years in senior digital health roles and he has extensive experience with government. Tony has deep knowledge and experience in sector delivery, governance and digital health outcomes that deliver value-based clinical and business outcomes to the health sector.
Ms Stephanie Reeves
Dr Jane Collins Dr Jane Collins was Chairman in 2019/20, a position she also held from 2009-2013. Dr Collins was appointed to the Board in February 2008 to fill the role of a Director with expertise in General Practice. Dr Collins is an experienced General Practitioner, business owner and freelance medical writer. She has a special interest in women’s health, as well as the provision and organisation of health care in the wider community. Dr Collins is a coowner and the Clinical Director of the Clifton Hill Medical Group, an inner urban general practice comprising 10 general practitioners. Ms Stephanie Reeves Ms Stephanie Reeves joined the Board in February 2014 as a Director with expertise in Law. She served as Chairman from 2017 to 2019 and was a member of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee of the Board from 2015–2020. Ms Reeves has worked as an in-house legal counsel for both small and large ASX Listed companies for many years. She is now Co-Principal of a consultancy business assisting families navigate the ageing process. She is also a Non-Executive Director of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited, serving on its Governance & Risk Management subcommittee, and its Club & Membership subcommittee. Stephanie has previously been on the Council of the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, a member of the Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust, on the Advisory Board of a start-up law firm, Lexvoco, and a NonExecutive Director and Chairman of Crime Stoppers Victoria. Stephanie has a particular interest in corporate governance in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
PAGE 65
PAGE 66
DIRECTORS REPORT
D I R E C T O R S R E P O R T
Ms Ange Steeele
Ms Genevieve Webb
Ms Ange Steele
Ms Genevieve Webb
Ms Ange Steele joined the ACPCC Board of Directors in January 2022 as the nurse representative with relevant expertise in preventative health. Ms Steele is a Nurse Practioner, a Registered Nurse, a Registered Midwife and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and a Master of Public Health. Ms Steele has been a cervical screening nurse for 23 years which includes experience in rural and remote Australia. She is currently the Associate Nurse Unit Manager at the Royal Women's Hospital Gynae Oncology Dysplasia Unit, and is the first trained Nurse Colposcopist in Victoria. Ms Steele is also a nurse educator and course coordinator in cervical screening courses for nurses at Family Planning Victoria and is involved in research participation in cervical cancer prevention at The Royal Women’s Hospital.
Ms Genevieve Webb joined the Board in 2019 as a Director with a consumer perspective. Genevieve is a senior executive with extensive experience in health and human services. Her most recent position was Director of Quality at BreastScreen Victoria, where she led the client centric care and consumer engagement program. Her previous roles include CEO of Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, GM Corporate Services at Mind, Executive Director of Relationships Australia (Vic) and Associate Director at KPMG. Genevieve has extensive experience in organisational governance, as Chair of the Audit Committee at the State Revenue Office (Vic) and as a board member of a community health service, a TAFE college and other community organisations. She has qualifications in Psychology and IT and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Members Guarantee
Operating Results
ACPCC was incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 on 3 December 2015 and is a company limited by guarantee. If the company is wound up, the constitution states that each member is required to contribute a maximum of $10 each towards meeting any outstanding obligations. At 30 June 2023, the total amount that members of the company are liable to contribute if the company is wound up is $100.
The consolidated result for ACPCC for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 was a net deficit of $4.7M after depreciation and amortisation. The result reflects the new financial operating environment for the ACPCC with the end of COVID-19 testing, and our reliance on Medicare bulk billing in the absence of the National Partnership Agreement. Activity continues to align ACPCCs business model with the changing funding and operating environment.
Company Secretary In accordance with the constitution, the person appointed as the Executive Director shall also be the Company Secretary. The Executive Director, Professor Marion Saville AM, has held the position of Company Secretary for the year.
Principal Activites The principal activity of ACPCC during the financial year was to provide public health services. Specifically, this included laboratory and registry services supporting cervical cancer screening and vaccination.
Significant Changes to State of Affairs In 2021, there was major structural change to the funding profile of ACPCC with the end of the Commonwealth’s National Partnership Agreement funding for cervical screening. The Agreement was critical in sustaining laboratory operations and staffing as the ACPCC transitioned into the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. From 1 July 2021, VCS Pathology became highly reliant on test volumes, test types and Medicare bulk billing for revenue. The financial result for 2022/23 reflects the end of extraordinary income from SARS-CoV-2 testing opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the organisation’s dependency on test volumes and Medicare bulk billing for cervical screening revenue.
Pecuniary Interest During the 2022/23 financial year, no Board Director declared a conflict of pecuniary interest in a contract with the ACPCC.
Declaration of Interest During 2022/23 the following Board Members noted their involvement with the Compass Trial Pilot: Mr David Wrede: Principal investigator – Compass Trial Dr Jane Collins: Investigator – Compass Trial
PAGE 67
PAGE 68
DIRECTORS REPORT
D I R E C T O R S R E P O R T Meetings of the Board and its Committees
BOARD MEETINGS ATTENDED 2022/23
The following meetings were held during 2022/23:
8
• The Members of the organisation met at the Annual General Meeting 11 November 2022
7
• The Board of Directors met on eight occasions either virtually or in person. • The Board’s Audit and Finance Committee met on five occasions, and • The Board’s Quality Assurance Committee met on ten occasions for Scientific Quality and four occasions for Operational Quality.
Risk Management The ACPCC records, monitors and reports on enterprise-level risks using the software RiskWare™ which is compliant with ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 31000:2018. The Board of Directors are provided with Quarterly Risk Reports and are immediately notified if a risk is escalated to a High or Extreme rating. The Risk Management Policy and Risk Management Procedure are scheduled to be updated in September 2023 together with the introduction of the ACPCC Risk Appetite Statement. The risk management framework supports the organisation in effectively managing risks by providing a systematic and documented process to identify, mitigate and manage the risks that may impact the achievement of the ACPCC’s business and strategic objectives, both positively and negatively. The Executive Director, Business Unit Directors and Managers are responsible for identifying, evaluating and treating Risks in their respective business areas.
Board Meetings Attended
Total Number of Board Meetings
9
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Anthony Jane Tim Fiona Abbenante Collins Humphries Kelly
Stephanie Angela Genevieve David Steele Webb Wrede Reeves
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ATTENDED 2022/23 Meetings Attended
Number of Meetings
5 4 3 2 1 0
Tim Humphries
Fiona Kelly
Genevieve Webb
David Wrede
There were no High/Extreme risks at the end of the 2022/23 reporting period. Rating
2022/23
2021/22
2020/21
2019/20
2018/19
High/Extreme
0
0
0
1
5
Major
22
23
20
19
19
Significant
31
34
33
31
31
Moderate/Low
27
29
30
30
22
Total
80
86
83
81
77
VCS FOUNDATION LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
2022/23 Risk Attestation Statement
Auditor’s Independence Declaration
I, Marion Saville, certify that the ACPCC has appropriate risk management processes in place consistent with the Risk Management Standard AS ISO 31000:2018 and has an internal control system in place that enables the Executive Management team to understand, manage and satisfactorily control risk exposures. The Audit and Finance Committee verifies this assurance and that the risk profile of the ACPCC has been critically reviewed within the last 12 months.
The external auditor’s independence declaration for the year ended 30 June 2023 has been received and can be found on page 93 of the financial report.
Professor Marion Saville, AM ACPCC Executive Director Fiona Kelly Chair, ACPCC Audit & Finance Committee
This directors’ report is signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. Director Timothy Humphries Dated 13/11/2023
PAGE 69
PAGE 70
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
F I N A N C I A L S U M M A R Y Audit and Finance Committee Chairman (Treasurer) and Director Corporate Services Report The ACPCC’s consolidated net result for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 was a deficit of ($4.7M) after accounting for depreciation and amortisation. This was a major variation from the budgeted deficit of ($2.9M). Lower than forecast test numbers were the key driver of the result, particularly with the end of the intense phase of COVID-19 PCR testing early in the year. HPV test volumes were close to budget at year end and aligned with modelled forecasts following Renewal of the NCSP. LBC volumes were 30% lower than budgeted. The overall result highlights the dependency on Medicare bulk billing by VCS Pathology as the ACPCC transitions into its new financial operating environment with the end of National Partnership Agreement funding. Employment costs were higher than budgeted for 2022/23. There was investment into the communications and digital health teams to meet project and workload demands. The clerical team in VCS Pathology also expanded with the continued focus on test turn-around-times. There was unbudgeted expenditure into the annual statistical report for our Data and Reporting activities and the C4 report, with the objective of making our reporting tools sustainable, cost-effective and attractive to funding stakeholders. ACPCC achieved the contractual requirements of its Service Plans with the Victorian Government. VCS Pathology continued to exceed its target market share for primary screening in 2022/23, reporting over 50% of all HPV tests in Victoria. Capital investment in the previous year has competitively positioned the laboratory to effectively service the volume demands of self-collected HPV tests.
Audit and Finance Committee Chairman Ms Fiona Kelly
Director Corporate Services Dr Michelle Critchley
ACPCC also continued the important follow-up activities for the Compass Trial, helping to inform the future pathways for the National Cervical Screening Program. VCS Pathology was successful in the Victorian Medical Equipment Replacement Program for new equipment in the cytology laboratory. In the coming financial year, a major investment is planned to implement a new Laboratory Information Management System. This follows an extensive RFP and joint solution design process over the last 18 months. ACPCC has valued the financial support from both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. This has enabled ACPCC to achieve excellence across its screening, vaccination and specialist laboratory services, consistent with our purpose as a not-for-profit organisation. We acknowledge the support of the Audit and Finance Committee and finance team in completion of the 2022-23 financial statements. Ms Fiona Kelly Chairman – Audit & Finance Committee Dr Michelle Critchley Director Corporate Services
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
72 Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income 73 Statement of Financial Position 74 Statement of Changes in Equity 75 Statement of Cash Flows 76 Notes to the Financial Statements 92 Directors’ Declaration 93 Independent Auditor's Declaration 94 Independent Auditor's Report
General information The financial statements cover VCS Foundation Limited as an individual entity. The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is VCS Foundation Limited's functional and presentation currency. VCS Foundation Limited is a not-for-profit unlisted public company limited by guarantee, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office and principal place of business is: VCS Foundation Limited 265 Faraday Street Carlton South VIC 3053 A description of the nature of the Company's operations and its principal activities are included in the directors' report, which is not part of the financial statements. The financial statements were authorised for issue, in accordance with a resolution of directors, on 27 October 2023. The directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial statements.
PAGE 71
PAGE 72
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
V C S F O U N D A T I O N L I M I T E D Trading as The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer ABN 35 430 554 780 Auditor's Independence Declaration under Section 60 40 of the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012 to the Responsible Persons of VCS Foundation Limited and Controlled Entities
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 Note
2023
2022
$
$
3
19,252,317
43,559,155
4,5
853,236
114,255
Wages and salaries
5
(12,703,764)
(13,301,709)
Interest Expense
5
(12,365)
(35,191)
Operating and administration costs
(5,648,901)
(4,746,989)
Laboratory Consumables
(4,168,647)
(13,013,319)
(41,288)
(76,141)
(2,300,004)
(2,154,736)
(4,769,416)
10,345,325
-
-
(4,769,416)
10,345,325
Revenue from contracts with customers Other income Expenses
Rental Expenses Depreciation and amortisation Surplus/(deficit) for the year attributable to the members of VCS Foundation Limited
17
Other comprehensive income for the year Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the members of VCS Foundation Limited
The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 73
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2023 Note ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS
2023
2022
$
$
Cash and cash equivalents
6
2,321,641
17,562,034
Trade and other receivables
7
2,557,610
2,153,345
Inventories
8
917,656
766,398
Other financial assets
9
25,053,729
13,652,925
Other assets
11
356,559
660,786
31,207,195
34,795,488
Total current assets NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment
12
2,192,859
2,351,836
Right-of-use assets
10
574,863
381,334
Intangibles
13
1,686,851
2,394,147
Other assets
11
8,887
91,905
Total non-current assets
4,463,460
5,219,222
Total assets
35,670,655
40,014,710
LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables
14
1,686,546
1,296,332
Contract liabilities
15
380,000
-
Lease liabilities
10
92,145
544,250
Employee benefits
16
3,159,182
3,534,250
5,317,873
5,374,832
Total current liabilities NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Lease liabilities
10
483,931
82,230
Employee benefits
16
518,877
438,258
Total non-current liabilities
1,002,808
520,488
Total liabilities
6,320,681
5,895,320
Net assets
29,349,974
34,119,390
29,349,974
34,119,390
29,349,974
34,119,390
EQUITY Accumulated surplus Total Equity
The above statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
17
PAGE 74
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 Accumulated surplus $
Total equity
Balance at 1 July 2021
23,774,065
23,774,065
Surplus for the year
10,345,325
10,345,325
Other comprehensive income for the year
-
-
Total comprehensive income for the year
10,345,325
10,345,325
Balance at 30 June 2022
34,119,390
34,119,390
Balance at 1 July 2022
34,119,390
34,119,390
Deficit for the year
(4,769,416)
(4,769,416)
Other comprehensive income for the year
-
-
Total comprehensive income for the year
(4,769,416)
(4,769,416)
Balance at 30 June 2023
29,349,974
29,349,974
The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
$
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 75
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 Note
2023
2022
$
$
Receipts from government
16,391,234
42,275,225
Receipts from customers
2,570,695
3,504,950
Payments to suppliers
(8,966,478)
(17,934,199)
Payments for wages and salaries
(12,995,888)
(13,774,678)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(3,000,437)
14,071,298
Interest received
696,101
40,621
Interest paid
(12,365)
(35,191)
(2,316,701)
14,076,728
Net cash from/ (used in) operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for property, plant and equipment
12
(978,640)
(1,012,690)
(17,403,696)
-
-
40,687
6,002,892
2,471,422
(12,379,444)
1,499,419
Repayment of lease liabilities
(544,248)
(463,025)
Net cash used in financing activities
(544,248)
(463,025)
(15,240,393)
15,113,122
17,562,034
2,448,912
2,321,641
17,562,034
Payments for term deposits Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from redemption of term deposits Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
6
PAGE 76
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial report covers VCS Foundation Limited, a Company registered on 3 December 2015 in Victoria under the Corporations Act 2001 (previously registered as Victorian Cytology Service Inc., an Association incorporated on 3 September 1991 in Victoria under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act, 2012 (Vic)). In accordance with section 601BM of the Corporations Act 2001, this change does not create a new legal entity. The Company is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission (ACNC) and is therefore also required to comply with the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012. Comparatives are consistent with prior years, unless otherwise stated. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
NEW OR AMENDED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS ADOPTED The Company has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board ('AASB') that are mandatory for the current reporting period. Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory have not been early adopted.
BASIS OF PREPARATION These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Australian Accounting Standards Simplified Disclosures issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board ('AASB'), the Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission Act 2012 and Victorian legislation the Fundraising Act 1998 and associated regulations and the Corporations Act 2001, as appropriate for not-for profit oriented entities. The Company is a not-for-profit entity and therefore applies the additional paragraphs applicable to 'not for profit' organisations under the Australian Accounting Standards ('AAS'). The financial statements, except for the cash flow information, have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on historical costs modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of selected non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities. Significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are presented below and are consistent with prior reporting periods unless otherwise stated.
Historical cost convention The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for, where applicable, the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, investment properties, certain classes of property, plant and equipment and derivative financial instruments. Critical accounting estimates The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.
REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company recognises revenue as follows: The core principle of AASB 15 is that revenue is recognised on a basis that reflects the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognised by applying a five-step model as follows: (1) Identify the contract with the customer (2) Identify the performance obligations (3) Determine the transaction price (4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations (5) Recognise revenue as and when control of the performance obligations is transferred Generally, the timing of the payment for sale of goods and rendering of services corresponds closely to the timing of satisfaction of the performance obligations, however, where there is a difference, it will result in the recognition of a receivable, contract asset or contract liability. None of the revenue streams of the Company have any significant financing terms as there is less than 12 months between receipt of funds and satisfaction of performance obligations. Specific revenue streams The revenue recognition policies for the principal revenue streams of the Company are: Rendering of services Revenue from provision of services is recognised in the accounting period in which the services are rendered. For fixed price contracts, revenue is recognised based on the actual services provided to the end of the reporting period as a proportion of the total services to be provided as the customer receives and uses the benefit simultaneously.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
Statement of financial position balances relating to revenue recognition Contract assets and liabilities Where the amounts billed to customers are based on the achievement of various milestones established in the contract, the amounts recognised as revenue in a given period do not necessarily coincide with the amounts billed to or certified by the customer. When a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring a promised good or service to the customer before the customer pays consideration or before the payment is due, the Company presents the contract as a contract asset, unless the Company's rights to that amount of consideration are unconditional, in which case the Company recognises a receivable. When an amount of consideration is received from a customer prior to the entity transferring a good or service to the customer, the Company presents the contract as a contract liability. Grant revenue Government grants are recognised at fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, and all grant conditions will be met. Grants relating to expense items are recognised as income over the periods necessary to match the grant to the costs they are compensating. Grants relating to assets are credited to deferred income at fair value and are credited to income over the expected useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis. Interest Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets, using the effect interest rate method. Other revenue Other revenue is recognised when it is received or when the right to receive payment is established.
LEASES At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a lease exists i.e., does the contract convey the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. This involves an assessment of whether: •
•
•
The contract involves the use of an identified asset – this may be explicitly or implicitly identified within the agreement. If the supplier has a substantive substitution right, then there is no identified asset. The Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset throughout the period of use. The Company has the right to direct the use of the asset i.e., decision making rights in relation to changing how and for what purpose the asset is used.
PAGE 77
Lessee accounting The non lease components included in the lease agreement have been separated and are recognised as an expense as incurred. Right-of-use asset At the lease commencement, the Company recognises a right-of-use asset and associated lease liability for the lease term. The lease term includes extension periods where the Company believes it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. The right-of-use asset is measured using the cost model where cost on initial recognition comprises of the lease liability, initial direct costs, prepaid lease payments, estimated cost of removal and restoration less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the lease term on a straight-line basis and assessed for impairment in accordance with the impairment of assets accounting policy. Lease liability The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments at the commencement of the lease. The discount rate is the rate implicit in the lease, however where this cannot be readily determined then the Company's incremental borrowing rate is used. Subsequent to initial recognition, the lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The lease liability is remeasured whether there is a lease modification, change in estimate of the lease term or index upon which the lease payments are based (e.g., CPI) or a change in the Company's assessment of lease term. Where the lease liability is remeasured, the right of use asset is adjusted to reflect the re-measurement or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right of use asset has been reduced to zero. Adoption of short-term leases or low-value asset exception Exceptions to lease accounting: The Company has elected to apply the exceptions to lease accounting for both short term leases (i.e., leases with a term of less than or equal to 12 months) and leases of low value assets. The Company recognises the payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
BORROWING COSTS Borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
INCOME TAX As the Company is a charitable institution in terms of subsection 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as amended, it is exempt from paying income tax.
PAGE 78
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT CLASSIFICATION Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification. An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the Company's normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current. A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in the Company's normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Financial instruments are recognised initially on the date that the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. On initial recognition, all financial instruments are measured at fair value plus transaction costs (except for instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss where transaction costs are expensed as incurred).
FINANCIAL ASSETS All recognised financial assets are subsequently measured in their entirety at either amortised cost or fair value, depending on the classification of the financial assets. Classification On initial recognition, the Company classifies its financial assets into the following category, those measured at: •
amortised cost
Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets. Amortised cost Assets measured at amortised cost are financial assets where: •
the business model is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and
•
the contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
The Company's financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents and term deposits in the statement of financial position. Subsequent to initial recognition, these assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method less provision for impairment. Interest income, foreign exchange gains or losses and impairment are recognised in profit or loss. Gain or loss on derecognition is recognised in profit or loss. Impairment of financial assets Impairment of financial assets is recognised on an expected credit loss (ECL) basis for the following assets: •
financial assets measured at amortised cost.
When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating ECL, the Company considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis based on the Company's historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward looking information. The Company uses the presumption that an asset which is more than 30 days past due has seen a significant increase in credit risk.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
The Company uses the presumption that a financial asset is in default when: •
the other party is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Company in full, without recourse to the Company to actions such as realising security (if any is held); or
•
the financial assets are more than 90 days past due.
Credit losses are measured as the present value of the difference between the cash flows due to the Company in accordance with the contract and the cash flows expected to be received. This is applied using a probability weighted approach. Trade receivables Impairment of trade receivables have been determined using the simplified approach in AASB 9 which uses an estimation of lifetime expected credit losses. The Company has determined the probability of nonpayment of the receivable and multiplied this by the amount of the expected loss arising from default. The amount of the impairment is recorded in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised in finance expense. Once the receivable is determined to be uncollectable then the gross carrying amount is written off against the associated allowance. Where the Company renegotiates the terms of trade receivables due from certain customers, the new expected cash flows are discounted at the original effective interest rate and any resulting difference to the carrying value is recognised in profit or loss. Other financial assets measured at amortised cost Impairment of other financial assets measured at amortised cost are determined using the expected credit loss model in AASB 9. On initial recognition of the asset, an estimate of the expected credit losses for the next 12 months is recognised. Where the asset has experienced significant increase in credit risk then the lifetime losses are estimated and recognised.
PAGE 79
INVENTORIES Finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value on a 'first in first out' basis. Cost comprises of purchase and delivery costs, net of rebates and discounts received or receivable. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation and impairment. Assets are capitalised when in excess of $1,000. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows: Fixed asset class
Depreciation rate
Plant and Equipment
5 ‑ 50%
Leased Equipment
20%
Motor Vehicles
25%
Leasehold improvements
5 - 33%
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the assets, whichever is shorter. An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the Company. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.
TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit losses.
Intangible assets represent identifiable non-monetary assets without physical substance such as patents, trademarks, and computer software and development costs (where applicable). Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. Subsequently, intangible assets with finite useful lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Costs incurred subsequent to initial acquisition are capitalised when it is expected that future economic benefits will flow to the Company.
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES The Company measures all financial liabilities initially at fair value less transaction costs, subsequently financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The financial liabilities of the Company comprise trade and other payables and finance lease liabilities.
PAGE 80
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Amortisation Amortisation is recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, other than goodwill, from the date that they are available for use.
CONTRACT LIABILITIES Contract liabilities represent the Company's obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer and are recognised when a customer pays consideration, or when the Company recognises a receivable to reflect its unconditional right to consideration (whichever is earlier) before the Company has transferred the goods or services to the customer.
Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Software and licenses Software and licenses have a finite life and are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. It has an estimated useful life of three years.
Short-term employee benefits Provision is made for the Company’s obligation for short term employee benefits. Short term employee benefits are benefits (other than termination benefits) that are expected to be settled wholly before 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service, including wages and salaries. Short term employee benefits are measured at the (undiscounted) amounts expected to be paid when the obligation is settled.
IMPAIRMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS At the end of each reporting period, the Company determines whether there is any evidence of impairment for its non-financial assets. Where an indicator exists and regardless for goodwill, indefinite life intangible assets and intangible assets not yet available for use, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated. Where assets do not operate independently of other assets, the recoverable amount of the relevant cash generating unit (CGU) is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the higher of the fair value less costs of disposal and the value in use. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset or cash generating unit. Where the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss. Reversal indicators are considered in subsequent periods for all assets which have suffered an impairment loss, except for goodwill.
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES These amounts consist predominantly of liabilities for goods and services. Payables are initially recognised at fair value and then subsequently carried at amortised cost and represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the Company becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of purchase of these goods and services. The normal credit terms are usually Net 30 days.
The Company’s obligations for short term employee benefits such as wages and salaries are recognised as a part of current trade and other payables in the statement of financial position. Other long-term employee benefits Provision is made for employees’ long service leave and annual leave entitlements not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service. Other long term employee benefits are measured at the present value of the expected future payments to be made to employees. Expected future payments incorporate anticipated future wage and salary levels, durations of service and employee departures and are discounted at rates determined by reference to market yields at the end of the reporting period on corporate bonds that have maturity dates that approximate the terms of the obligations. Upon the re-measurement of obligations for other long term employee benefits, the net change in the obligation is recognised in profit or loss as a part of employee benefits expenses. The Company’s obligations for long term employee benefits are presented as non-current provisions in its statement of financial position, except where the Company does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period, in which case the obligations are presented as current provisions. Defined contribution superannuation expense Obligations for contributions to defined contribution superannuation plans are recognised as an employee benefit expense in profit or loss in the periods in which services are provided by employees. The Company has minimal exposure to liability arising from defined benefit plan liability as highlighted in Note 24. In view of this, the amount is not recognised on the basis that it is immaterial.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market. Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For nonfinancial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.
GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ('GST') AND OTHER SIMILAR TAXES Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense. Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority is included in other receivables or other payables in the statement of financial position. Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flows.
PAGE 81
NOTE 2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS The Directors make estimates and judgements during the preparation of these financial statements regarding assumptions about current and future events affecting transactions and balances. These estimates and judgements are based on the best information available at the time of preparing the financial statements, however as additional information is known then the actual results may differ from the estimates. The significant estimates and judgements made have been described below. Allowance for expected credit losses The allowance for expected credit losses assessment requires a degree of estimation and judgement. It is based on the lifetime expected credit loss, grouped based on days overdue, and makes assumptions to allocate an overall expected credit loss rate for each group. These assumptions include recent sales experience and historical collection rates. Estimation of useful lives of assets The Company determines the estimated useful lives and related depreciation and amortisation charges for its property, plant and equipment and finite life intangible assets. The useful lives could change significantly as a result of technical innovations or some other event. The depreciation and amortisation charge will increase where the useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, or technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold will be written off or written down. Employee benefits provision As discussed in note 1, the liability for employee benefits expected to be settled more than 12 months from the reporting date are recognised and measured at the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be made in respect of all employees at the reporting date. In determining the present value of the liability, estimates of attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation have been taken into account.
PAGE 82
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
NOTE 3. REVENUE
2023 $
2022 $
Department of Health
6,469,528
7,535,503
Patient fees
9,846,555
32,489,168
Project income
2,744,502
3,382,818
191,732
151,666
19,252,317
43,559,155
2023
2022
$
$
Recognised at a point in time
10,038,287
32,640,834
Recognised over time
9,214,030
10,918,321
19,252,317
43,559,155
NOTE 4. OTHER INCOME
2023 $
2022 $
Foreign currency translation gains
2,325
18
Profit on sale of non-current assets
52,813
40,687
Bank interest
798,098
73,550
Other income
853,236
114,255
Government grants:
Other revenue from operating activities Revenue Disaggregation of revenue The disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows:
Timing of revenue recognition
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
NOTE 5. EXPENSES
PAGE 83
2023 $
2022 $
Plant and equipment
638,096
435,774
Motor Vehicle
156,160
132,410
Leasehold improvements
64,465
64,236
1,140,967
1,038,616
Right-of-use asset - Building
203,800
305,700
Right-of-use asset - Equipment
96,516
178,000
2,300,004
2,154,736
12,365
35,191
(2,325)
(18)
(52,813)
(40,687)
Defined contribution superannuation expense
1,101,660
1,067,225
Employee benefits expense excluding superannuation
11,602,104
12,234,484
Total employee benefits expense
12,703,764
13,301,709
2023
2022
$
$
Cash at bank
67,945
110,551
Deposits at call
2,253,696
17,451,483
Total cash and cash equivalents
2,321,641
17,562,034
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC EXPENSES: Depreciation and amortisation
Computer Software
Total depreciation and amortisation Finance costs Interest and finance charges paid/payable on lease liabilities Net foreign exchange loss Net foreign exchange (gain) / loss Net (profit)/loss on disposal Profit on sale of non-current assets Employee benefits expense
NOTE 6. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Current
The effective interest on short-term bank deposits was 1.55% (2022: 0.17%).
PAGE 84
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
NOTE 7. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
2023
2022
$
$
Trade receivables
2,515,196
2,210,347
Less: impairment of receivables
(109,450)
(106,869)
2,405,746
2,103,478
Current
Interest receivable
151,864
49,867
2,557,610
2,153,345
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable in the financial statements. Impairment of receivables The Company applies the simplified approach to providing for expected credit losses prescribed by AASB 9 Financial Instruments, which permits the use of the lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The loss allowance provision as at 30 June 2023 is determined as follows, the expected credit losses incorporate forward looking information.
30 June 2023
Current
30 days overdue
90 days overdue
> 90 days overdue
Total
-
-
-
8.10
4.36
1,035,394
61,262
67,933
1,350,607
2,515,196
ECL provision
-
-
-
109,450
109,450
30 June 2022
Current
30 days overdue
90 days overdue
> 90 days overdue
Total
-
-
60.97
95.16
4.83
2,042,711
35,101
56,307
76,228
2,210,347
-
-
34,331
72,538
106,869
2023 $
2022 $
106,869
23,315
2,581
83,554
109,450
106,869
Expected loss rate (%) Gross carrying amount ($)
Expected loss rate (%) Gross carrying amount ($) ECL provision
RECONCILIATION OF CHANGES IN THE PROVISION FOR IMPAIRMENT OF RECEIVABLES IS AS FOLLOWS: Balance at beginning of the year Amounts written off as uncollectible - Movement through provision Balance at end of the year
The Company measures the loss allowance for trade receivables at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit loss (ECL). The ECL on trade receivables are estimated using a provision matrix by reference to past default experience of the debtor and an analysis of the debtor’s current financial position, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions of the industry in which the debtors operate and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast direction of conditions at the reporting date. The Company writes off a trade receivable when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. when the debtor has been placed under liquidation or has entered into bankruptcy proceedings or when the trade receivables are over 150 days past due, whichever occurs first.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
NOTE 8. INVENTORIES
PAGE 85
2023
2022
$
$
917,656
766,398
2023
2022
$
$
25,053,729
13,652,925
Current Medical and surgical supplies - at cost
NOTE 9. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS FINANCIAL ASSETS AT AMORTISED COST Current Term deposits
NOTE 10. LEASES The Company as a lessee The Company has leases over a range of assets including land and buildings, and plant and equipment. Information relating to the leases in place and associated balances and transactions are provided below. Terms and conditions of leases The Company has entered into the following lease arrangements: • a premises located in Carlton for the term 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2028; and • plant and equipment, 1 x Cobas 6800 system and 2 x Cobas p 480 v2 instruments, from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2025. Neither of the above lease agreements contain options to extend the term of options to purchase the assets on expiry. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS Buildings $
Plant and Equipment $
Total $
Balance at beginning of year
203,800
177,534
381,334
Additions to right-of-use assets
493,845
-
493,845
Depreciation expense
(203,800)
(96,516)
(300,316)
Balance at end of year
493,845
81,018
574,863
509,500
252,167
761,667
Year ended 30 June 2023
Year ended 30 June 2022 Balance at beginning of year
-
103,367
103,367
Depreciation expense
Additions to right of use assets
(305,700)
(178,000)
(483,700)
Balance at end of year
203,800
177,534
381,334
2023 $
2022 $
Current
92,145
544,250
Non current
483,931
82,230
Total lease liabilities
576,076
626,480
LEASE LIABILITIES Lease liabilities included in the balance sheet:
PAGE 86
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
NOTE 11. OTHER ASSETS
2023
2022
$
$
356,559
660,786
8,887
91,905
365,446
752,691
2023
2022
$
$
Leasehold improvements - at cost
1,387,993
1,387,993
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(909,168)
(844,703)
478,825
543,290
Plant and equipment - at cost
6,707,735
6,026,341
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(5,152,230)
(4,523,238)
1,555,505
1,503,103
Motor vehicles - at cost
442,791
520,759
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(284,262)
(215,316)
158,529
305,443
2,192,859
2,351,836
Current Prepayments Non-current Security deposit
NOTE 12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Non-current
RECONCILIATIONS Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current financial year are set out below:
Year ended 1 July 2022
Plant and Equipment $
Motor Vehicles $
Leased Improvements $
Total $
Balance at 1 July 2022
1,503,103
305,443
543,290
2,351,836
Additions
693,469
26,478
-
719,947
Disposals
(9,095)
(136,402)
-
(145,497)
Depreciation written back on disposal
6,124
119,170
-
125,294
Depreciation expense
(638,096)
(156,160)
(64,465)
(858,721)
Balance at 30 June 2023
1,555,505
158,529
478,825
2,192,859
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
NOTE 13. INTANGIBLES
PAGE 87
2023
2022
$
$
Computer software - at cost
10,235,259
9,976,565
Less: Accumulated amortisation
(8,548,408)
(7,582,418)
1,686,851
2,394,147
Non-current
RECONCILIATIONS Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current financial year are set out below: Computer software
Total
$
$
2,394,147
2,394,147
Additions
258,693
258,693
Amortisation expense
(965,989)
(965,989)
Balance at 30 June 2023
1,686,851
1,686,851
2023
2022
$
$
Trade payables
1,230,623
473,396
GST payable
28,227
423,548
Other payables
427,696
399,388
1,686,546
1,296,332
2023
2022
$
$
380,000
-
Balance at 1 July 2022
NOTE 14. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Current
NOTE 15. CONTRACT LIABILITIES Current Government grants
PAGE 88
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
NOTE 16. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
2023
2022
$
$
Long service leave
1,568,135
1,851,858
Annual leave
1,591,047
1,682,392
3,159,182
3,534,250
518,877
438,258
3,678,059
3,972,508
2023
2022
$
$
Accumulated surplus at the beginning of the financial year
34,119,390
23,774,065
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
(4,769,416)
10,345,325
Accumulated surplus at the end of the financial year
29,349,974
34,119,390
Current
Non-current Long service leave
NOTE 17. ACCUMULATED SURPLUS
NOTE 18. MEMBERS' GUARANTEE The Company is incorporated under the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012 and is a Company limited by guarantee. If the Company is wound up, the constitution states that each member is required to contribute a maximum of $10 each towards meeting any outstanding obligations of the Company. At 30 June 2023 the number of members was 8 (2022: 8).
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 89
NOTE 19. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT The Company's principal financial instruments comprise of deposits with banks, receivables and payables. The totals for each category of financial instruments, measured in accordance with AASB 9 Financial Instruments as detailed in the accounting policies to these financial statements, are as follows: Note
2023
2022
$
$
FINANCIAL ASSETS Held at amortised cost: Cash and cash equivalents
6
2,321,641
17,562,034
Trade and other receivables
7
2,557,610
2,153,345
Term deposits
9
25,053,729
13,652,925
29,932,980
33,368,304
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Held at amortised cost: Trade and other payables
14
1,658,319
872,784
Lease liabilities
10
576,076
626,480
2,234,395
1,499,264
NOTE 20. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURES The names of persons who were Board members at any time during the year are set out in the Annual Report. There were no transactions that require disclosure for the years ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022. The Board did not receive any remuneration during the financial years ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022. COMPENSATION The aggregate compensation made to directors and other members of key management personnel of the Company is set out below:
Aggregate compensation
2023
2022
$
$
2,675,396
2,024,952
PAGE 90
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
NOTE 21. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by RSM Australia, the auditor of the Company: 2023
2022
$
$
33,000
19,500
Audit services - RSM Australia (2022: HLB Mann Judd) Audit of the financial statements Other services - RSM Australia (2022: HLB Mann Judd) Preparation of the financial reports
4,000
2,710
37,000
22,210
NOTE 22. CONTINGENCIES In the opinion of the Directors, the Company did not have any contingencies at 30 June 2023 (2022: Nil).
NOTE 23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 20. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES There were no transactions with related parties during the current and previous financial year. RECEIVABLE FROM AND PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES There were no trade receivables from or trade payables to related parties at the current and previous reporting date. LOANS TO/FROM RELATED PARTIES There were no loans to or from related parties at the current and previous reporting date.
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 91
NOTE 24. DEFINED BENEFITS SCHEME The Company contributes to a Defined Benefits Scheme ('the Scheme') maintained by Aware Super Fund ('the Fund') and has an ongoing obligation to share in the future experience of the Fund including favourable or unfavourable variations that may arise should the experience of the Fund differ from the assumptions made by the Fund's actuary in estimating the Fund's accrued benefits liability. The trustee of the Scheme has determined that the notional excess of net assets attributable to the staff who are members of the Scheme for the year ended 30 June 2023 totalled $Nil (2022: $2,906). The Fund's actuary has advised that the contributions will remain unchanged for the current year.
NOTE 25. ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY The Company is dependent on the Department of Health and Aged Care for a significant portion of its revenue used to operate the business. At the date of this report, the Board of Directors has no reason to believe the Department will not continue to support the Company.
NOTE 26. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD The financial report was authorised for issue on 27 October 2023 by the Directors. No matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2023 that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect the Company's operations, the results of those operations, or the Company's state of affairs in future financial years.
PAGE 92
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
265 Faraday Street Carlton South VIC 3053 Phone: +61 3 9250 0300 Fax: +61 3 9349 1977 www.vcs.org.au VCS Foundation Limited ABN 35430554780
DIRECTORS' DECLARATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
265 Faraday Street Carlton South VIC 3053 Phone: +61 3 9250 0300 Fax: +61 3 9349 1977 www.vcs.org.au VCS Foundation Limited ABN 35430554780
In the Directors opinion: •
the attached financial statements and notes comply with the Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 1998 and associated regulations, and other mandatory professional reporting requirements;
•
the attached financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the Company's financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its performance for the financial year ended on that date; and
•
there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
In addition: • We certify that VCS Foundation Limited has complied with the terms and conditions of their service agreement with the Commonwealth and Victorian Department(s). • We certify that VCS Foundation Limited has used funding received from the Commonwealth and Victorian Department(s) for the year ended 30 June 2023 on the services specified in the service agreement. Signed in accordance with a resolution of directors made pursuant to subs 60.15(2) of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2022. On behalf of the Directors
Mr Tim Humphries Chairperson Date: 09/11/2023
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
PAGE 93
AUDITOR'S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION RSM Australia Partners Level 21, 55 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 PO Box 248 Collins Street West VIC 8007 T +61 (0) 3 9286 8000 F +61 (0) 3 9286 8199 www.rsm.com.au
Auditors Independence Declaration under Section 60 40 of the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012 RSM Australia Partners
Level 21, 55 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000
As lead auditor for the audit of the financial report of VCS Foundation Limited the year ended 30West JuneVIC 2023, POfor Box 248 Collins Street 8007I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of: T +61 (0) 3 9286 8000 F +61 (0) 3 9286 8199
(i)
the auditor independence requirements of the Australian professional accounting bodies; and
(ii)
any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
www.rsm.com.au
Auditors Independence Declaration under Section 60 40 of the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012 RSM AUSTRALIA PARTNERS
As lead auditor for the audit of the financial report of VCS Foundation Limited for the year ended 30 June 2023, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of: K J DUNDON (i) the auditor independence requirements of the Australian professional accounting bodies; and Partner (ii) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. Dated: 13 November 2023 Melbourne, Victoria RSM AUSTRALIA PARTNERS
K J DUNDON Partner Dated: 13 November 2023 Melbourne, Victoria
THE POWER OF BEING UNDERSTOOD AUDIT | TAX | CONSULTING
1
RSM Australia Partners is a member of the RSM network and trades as RSM. RSM is the trading name used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and consulting firm which practices in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity in any jurisdiction. RSM Australia Partners ABN 36 965 185 036
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
PAGE 94
AUDITORS' INDEPENDENT DECLARATION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
RSM Australia Partners Level 21, 55 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 PO Box 248 Collins Street West VIC 8007 T +61 (0) 3 9286 8000 F +61 (0) 3 9286 8199 www.rsm.com.au
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT To the Members of VCS Foundation Limited Opinion We have audited the financial report of VCS Foundation Limited, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2023, the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the statement of changes in equity and the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors’ declaration. In our opinion, the financial report of VCS Foundation Limited has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including: (a)
giving a true and fair view of the registered entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its financial performance and cash flows for the year ended on that date; and
(b)
complying with Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures under AASB 1060 General Purpose Financial Statements – Simplified Disclosures for For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Tier 2 Entities and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2022.
Basis for Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the VCS Foundation Limited in accordance with the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Other Information Those charged with governance are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in VCS Foundation Limited's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023 but does not include the financial report and the auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. THE POWER OF BEING UNDERSTOOD AUDIT | TAX | CONSULTING
24
RSM Australia Partners is a member of the RSM network and trades as RSM. RSM is the trading name used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and consulting firm which practices in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity in any jurisdiction. RSM Australia Partners ABN 36 965 185 036
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
RSM Australia Partners Level 21, 55 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 PO Box 248 Collins Street West VIC 8007
Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report The directors of the VCS Foundation Limited are responsible for the preparation of the financial that 8000 gives T +61report (0) 3 9286 a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures F +61 (0)under 3 9286AASB 8199 1060 General Purpose Financial Statements – Simplified Disclosures for For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Tier 2 www.rsm.com.au Entities and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (ACNC Act) and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and isAUDITOR’S free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. INDEPENDENT REPORT
To the Members of VCS Foundation Limited
In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing VCS Foundation Limited's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going Opinion concern of accounting either intends to liquidate VCS Foundation Limited or cease We have basis audited the financialunless reportmanagement of VCS Foundation Limited, which comprises the statement of to financial operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. position as at 30 June 2023, the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the statement of changes in equity and the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors’ declaration. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. In our opinion, the financial report of VCS Foundation Limited has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including: with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably (a) giving a true and fair view of the registered entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2023 and of its financial be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. performance and cash flows for the year ended on that date; and A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and (b) complying with Australian Accounting – Simplified Disclosures under AASB 1060 General Assurance Standards Board website at: Standards http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar4.pdf. This Purpose Financial Statements – Simplified Disclosures for For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Tier 2 Entities and description forms part of our auditor's report. Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2022.
Basis for Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent RSM AUSTRALIA PARTNERSof the VCS Foundation Limited in accordance with the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. We that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our K Jbelieve DUNDON opinion. Partner Other Information Those with governance are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Dated:charged 13 November 2023 information Melbourne,included Victoria in VCS Foundation Limited's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023 but does not include the financial report and the auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. THE POWER OF BEING UNDERSTOOD AUDIT | TAX | CONSULTING
24
RSM Australia Partners is a member of the RSM network and trades as RSM. RSM is the trading name used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and consulting firm which practices in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity in any jurisdiction. RSM Australia Partners ABN 36 965 185 036
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 25
PAGE 95
PAGE 96
ACPCC LTD. ABN 35 430 554 780
L I S T
O F
A C R O N Y M S
ACPCC
Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
NCSP
National Cervical Screening Program
NCSR
National Cancer Screening Register
CPD
Continuing Professional Development
NHMRC
CST
Cervical Screening Test
National Health and Medical Research Council
Cth
Commonwealth
NPAAC
ECHO
Extension For Community Healthcare Outcomes
National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council
PCC
Preventing Cervical Cancer Conference
GP
General Practitioner
RACGP
HPV
Human Papillomavirus
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
HR
Human Resources
RCPA
ICT
Information Communication Technology
Royal College of Pathologists Australasia
ISO
International Standards
VCS
VCS Foundation Limited
NATA
National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia
WHO
World Health Organization
A P P E N D I C E S See our full list of 2022/23 committee engagements here: bit.ly/ACPCC-committees
1. Committee Engagement
See our full list of 2022/23 strategic partnerships here: bit.ly/ACPCC-partnerships
2. Strategic Partnerships
See our full list of 2022/23 publications here: bit.ly/ACPCC-publications
3. 2022/23 Publications
Members of the ACPCC team are engaged with committees on a range of international, national and Victorian organisations. Our team members support with: data monitoring and reporting, professional mentoring, program and policy development and guidance, as well as clinical and technical expertise.
The ACPCC partners with health organisations and academic institutions in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, contributing to a variety of research and implementation projects.
The ACPCC’s research team (in collaboration with our key partners) continues to undertake research and evaluation of public health activities supporting cervical cancer elimination in Australia and internationally, with outcomes published in peer-reviewed journals and health-care focussed articles.
Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23 Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer PO Box 178, Carlton South VIC 3053 265 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053 Telephone: (03) 9250 0300 Website: www.acpcc.org.au
© Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer ACN: 609 597 408 Copies of this report are available online: www.acpcc.org.au Printed copies can be ordered from: Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer Telephone: (03) 9250 0322 Email: directorate@acpcc.org.au ISSN 2981-9725
Printed locally in Melbourne at Bambra Press. Bambra is a Forest Stewardship Council® certified (FSC® license code FSC-C169001) printing company. Printed using K+E/BASF Bio inks which are low in volatile organic compounds. FSC Certified paper used is responsibly-sourced from sustainable growth forests, verified recycled content or controlled fibre.