Amortisation The carrying value of an intangible asset with a finite life is amortised on a straight-line basis over its useful life. Amortisation begins when the asset is available for use and ceases at the date that the asset is derecognised. The amortisation charge for each financial year is recognised in the surplus or deficit in the statement of comprehensive revenue and expense. The useful lives and associated amortisation rates of major classes of intangible assets have been estimated as follows: Acquired software 2-5 years 20-50% Trademarks 10 years 10% recognised in the surplus or deficit in the statement of comprehensive revenue and expense. The reversal of an impairment loss is also recognised in the surplus or deficit in the statement of comprehensive revenue and expense. Intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. An intangible asset that is not yet available for use at the balance sheet date is tested for impairment annually. Payables Short-term payables are recorded at their face value. Employee entitlements Short-term employee entitlements Impairment of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets Cash generating assets The Commission does not hold any property, plant and equipment or intangible assets that are cashgenerating. Assets are considered cash-generating where their primary objective is to generate a commercial return, otherwise they are considered non-cash generating. Non-cash-generating assets Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that have a finite useful life are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable service amount. The recoverable service amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Value in use is determined using an approach based on either a depreciated replacement cost approach, restoration cost approach, or a service units approach. The most appropriate approach used to measure value in use depends on the nature of the impairment and availability of information. If an asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable service amount, the asset is regarded as impaired and the carrying amount is written-down to the recoverable amount. The total impairment loss is 46 Employee benefits that are due to be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employee renders the related service are measured based on accrued entitlements at current rates of pay. These include salaries and wages accrued up to balance date and annual leave earned but not yet taken at balance date. A liability and an expense are recognised for bonuses where there is a contractual obligation or where there is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made. Permanent employees are entitled to actual and reasonable sick leave to recover from genuine illness but entitlements do not accumulate and are recognised as an expense when the absence occurs. Long-term employee entitlements Employee benefits that are due to be settled beyond 12 months after the end of the period in which the employee renders the related service, such as long service leave and retirement leave, have been calculated on an actuarial basis. The calculations are based on: • likely future entitlements accruing to staff, based on years of service, years to entitlement, the likelihood that staff will reach the point of entitlement, and contractual entitlements information, and • t he present value of the estimated future cash flows Human Rights Commission