A corporate plan can be varied during the reporting period if the accountable authority of an entity considers the variation to be significant (section 16E(6) of the PGPA Rule).
The term ‘significant’ carries its natural meaning, that is ‘important, of consequence' (Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary - Third Edition). It requires an exercise of judgement to determine whether a particular variation would be considered significant. As an example, consideration would be given to vary a corporate plan to recognise:
The contents of the varied plan must comply with the PGPA Rule in the same manner as a plan otherwise would for the relevant reporting periods.
Publishing a varied corporate plan
If the corporate plan is varied during the reporting period, a copy of the varied plan must be given to the responsible Minister and the Minister for Finance. The varied plan is given to the Finance Minister by email to PGPA@finance.gov.au. The varied corporate plan must be on the entity’s website as soon as practicable after being given to the responsible Minister and Finance Minister.
