FAQs for Australian investors

About the company

Annual general meetings (AGMs)

Financial Information

Tax related reporting

Dividends

Holding shares in Goodman Fielder

Shareholder services

About the company

What does Goodman Fielder do?
Goodman Fielder is one of Australia's largest producers of commercial and retail food products in baking, spreads and edible oils.

Our portfolio of leading, well-known consumer brands means our products reach the tables of many households and restaurants every day. We are proud that we hold top positions in many of the large product categories that we compete in. To find out more, visit our Brands You Know and Love section on this website.

What is the size of the company?
Our products are delivered to over 30,000 outlets daily, including supermarket chains.

Our business operates across four main divisions - Fresh Baking, Home Ingredients, Fresh Dairy and Commercial (fats, oils and flour). More information about what we do is available from our Who We Are section on our website.

Since 2003 our business has undergone major transformations. This has seen us generate sales revenue of over $2.3billion (on a pro forma basis) and $2.4billion for 2006 and 2007. You can find out more about our performance at our Shareholder Centre.

How many people work at Goodman Fielder?
We have a workforce of over 7,000 in Australasia and the Pacific Islands.

Goodman Fielder is led by a highly experienced senior team, headed by our CEO, Peter Margin. For more on our senior management visit our Board and Executive sections, under Who We Are.

Where does Goodman Fielder operate its business?
Goodman Fielder provides food products across Australia and New Zealand. Through our commercial division we also reach the pacific regions, providing food products to countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia.

What does Goodman Fielder do about corporate governance?
Underlying our business is a set of principles, guidelines and practices that promote transparency, responsible behaviour and accountability in all that we do.

Detailed information is available at our Who We Are section under corporate governance.

How do I contact the company for general information or business queries?
For product inquiries, please refer to our Consumer Advisory Centres.

For other inquiries, contact our Sydney corporate office:
Goodman Fielder
75 Talavera Road
North Ryde NSW 2113
Australia

Telephone: +61 2 8874 6000
Fax: +61 2 8874 6099

Annual general meetings (AGMs)

What is an Annual General Meeting?
Each year we will hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) that all shareholders are invited to attend. Shareholders will receive notification about the AGM including details on voting.

When and where will the next AGM be held?
Please see our financial calendar for AGM details.

What if I cannot attend an AGM?
If you cannot attend the AGM you may appoint a person to act on your behalf. This person is called a 'proxy' and may express your views or vote for you at the AGM. The share registry will send out a proxy form prior to the meeting which you will need to fill out and return by the date and time specified on these forms.

My registered holding is in the name of a company. Can I still attend the AGM and vote?
Anyone can attend an AGM, however if you wish to vote on a company holding you will have to provide a Corporate Letter of Representation at the meeting. A copy of this form is available from the share registry website.

I have lost my voting forms, how do I get another copy?
You can obtain replacement shareholder voting and proxy forms by contacting the share registry by phone or email.

Financial Information

What type of financial information does Goodman Fielder report?
Financial information we report on includes:

Interim and full year profit results
Market announcements
AGM data
Presentations
A range of financial data (i.e. EBIT, Sales, PAT, Cash flows and key ratios)

See our results and financial data section for further information.

Market announcements are also available from the Australian Securities Exchange website.

When are Goodman Fielder's results announced?
See our results section for results and announcements that have been reported to the market.

Where can I find the latest financial information?
See our results and financial data section.

Can I elect to receive paper copies of the annual reports?
You can nominate to receive copies of the annual report by completing the relevant form, available from the share registry.

Can I choose to have annual reports sent to me electronically?
You can nominate to have email notification of the annual report by completing the relevant form, available from the share registry.

Tax related reporting

Goodman Fielder and the share registry cannot provide tax advice. Investors wanting to know about the tax implications of trading shares are advised to speak to a tax accountant.

What records should I keep for tax purposes?
Investors should keep all records and paperwork relating to purchases, sales and payments made to them.

What should I do if my shareholder statements are stolen or lost?
Notify the registry immediately if you believe a holding or payment advice statement has been stolen. They can arrange for a replacement SRN.

What was the issue price for Goodman Fielder shares on 19 December 2005?
The issue price for the Australian Securities Exchange was $2.00 (AUD).

What is the capital gains cost base for Goodman Fielder?
To work out your cost base you should refer to your purchase and sale contract notes.

If you have misplaced this information your stockbroker may be able to help you. Alternatively, the share registry can determine a cost base that you can use. You can do this by calling their investor centre.

How do I find information about the tax implications of my shareholding?
Goodman Fielder and the share registry cannot provide tax advice. Investors wanting to know about the tax implications of trading shares are advised to speak to a tax accountant.

Alternatively, contact the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or visit their website at www.ato.gov.au .

Dividends

Does Goodman Fielder pay dividends?
Our shareholders will receive interim and full year dividends.

Dividend payments are subject to the company's dividend policy. The amount of the dividend to be paid is subject to Board approval and depends on company performance.

Further information on dividends is available at our Shareholder Centre.

What are the key dates for future dividend payments?
Please see our financial calendar.

How are dividends paid to shareholders?
Goodman Fielder Limited pays dividends by direct credit into an account held at an Australian bank or financial institution. To receive your dividend payments you need to advise the registry of your bank account details in writing. Banking instructions can be posted or faxed to the share registry.

Individual holders may complete their bank account instructions online.

Joint holders will need to complete a Direct Credit Instructions form and have all holders sign it.

How do I change my banking instructions for dividends?
Investors should complete a Direct Credit Instructions form and return it to the share registry (in its original form, not a photocopy or electronic version).

Some individual investors (i.e. not joint or company holdings) can change their banking details online or by emailing the registry.

I have shares in my name, can dividends be paid into an account with another name?
There are circumstances where issuers can allow dividends to be paid into third party accounts (i.e. accounts with names that do not match the name in which their shares are registered).

Dividends for joint holdings can be credited into the account of any one of the holders, provided this has been authorised by having all holders sign the Direct Credit Instructions form.

Investors wishing to make such arrangements should contact the share registry directly.

What should I do if I don't receive my dividend payment?
Banks reject deposits if account details are incorrect or the nominated account has been closed.

If expected deposits have not appeared in your bank account, please check that credit details for your holding are up-to-date and correct. You can do this online. Then contact the share registry to resolve the matter.

How can I find out about past dividends?
A list of all dividends paid by Goodman Fielder is available at the Dividends section on this website.

You can access your own dividend history from the share registry. Details are listed in your holding summary available online.

Please remember that to access information about your holding you will need to provide:

your SRN or HIN
the registered surname (or company name)
the registered postcode (or country for holdings registered overseas).

What currency can I have my dividend paid in?
Investors with shares registered on the Australian Securities Exchange can only have their dividends paid in Australian Dollars.

Does Goodman Fielder have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP)?
Goodman Fielder does not have a DRP and there are currently no plans to introduce one in the near future.

What does 'cum dividend', 'ex-dividend' and 'record date' mean?
These terms relate to actions surrounding a company declaring a dividend. Around this time share prices are quoted as 'cum-dividend' or 'ex-dividend'.

'Cum-dividend' means the shares carry an entitlement to the dividend. Buyers who purchase shares in this state will receive the dividend when it is due.

'Ex-dividend' means the shares come without the dividend. This means the buyer is not entitled to the latest declared dividend. Instead, the seller receives the dividend even though they do not hold the shares when the dividend is paid.

'Record date' is the date used to identify the holders on the share register who are entitled to receive the dividend and the number of shares the dividend will be paid on. Holders who hold shares on the record date will receive the upcoming dividend. Selling the shares after record date will not change their entitlement to the dividend.

All changes to registration and banking details must be made by the record date if you wish such changes to apply to the upcoming dividend.

When will Goodman Fielder withhold tax from a dividend?
Goodman Fielder may withhold tax from a dividend paid to a non-resident of Australia, or Australian residents who have not provided a TFN or ABN. The rate of withholding tax applied is governed by the relevant withholding tax legislation and tax treaties with other countries.

For information regarding the tax implications of share ownership, please consult your tax adviser or accountant. Alternatively, contact the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or visit their website at www.ato.gov.au.

Are Goodman Fielder dividend payments franked?
Goodman Fielder announced an interim dividend of 6.0 cents per share for the year ended 30 June 2008, payable on 3 April 2008. The dividend is franked at 30% with nil imputation for New Zealand registered investors.

This is the franking credit you are entitled to apply to the whole dividend. Your dividend statement will provide details on the dollar amount of your franking credits.

Franking and imputation rates depend upon a number of factors, including the Company's financial and taxation position, and no guarantee can be given regarding the level of franking or imputation of future dividends.

What is franking?
Franking refers to the percentage of the dividend that the company has already paid tax on. It is part of the Australian taxation system to ensure that investors do not have to pay double-tax on their investment (for example, tax paid by the company and then tax paid by the investor).

In Australia, when a company pays a franked dividend, investors are entitled to a rebate for tax already paid by the company. The rebate is called a franking credit (or imputation credit).

Your stockbroker or tax accountant can provide you with more information.

Why does my dividend statement refer to Conduit Foreign Income?

Some or all of the unfranked dividends paid by Goodman Fielder may also be declared to be 'Conduit Foreign Income'. The Australian tax implication of any unfranked distribution declared by an Australian corporate tax entity to be conduit foreign income is that it is not assessable to a foreign resident, and is not subject to dividend withholding tax.

Conduit Foreign Income is not relevant for individual Australian resident investors but may be relevant for taxation purposes for non-resident shareholders, trust shareholders with non-resident beneficiaries and Australian corporate shareholders. We recommend that you consult your taxation adviser if you require further information.

Holding shares in Goodman Fielder

Where are Goodman Fielder ordinary shares listed?
Goodman Fielder Limited is a dual listed company. It has ordinary shares listed on two stock exchanges - the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the New Zealand Exchange (NZX).

How do I buy and sell shares in Goodman Fielder?
Goodman Fielder ordinary shares can be bought and sold through a stockbroker. If you do not have a stockbroker the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has information about how to choose one.

How do I find the share price for Goodman Fielder?
Information about the share price is available from our Shareholder Centre. Current prices quoted reflect trading taking place on the Australian Securities Exchange delayed by 20 minutes.

Prices are also listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and New Zealand Exchange websites.

Shareholder services

Who is the share registry for Goodman Fielder?
Link Market Services Limited
Telephone: 1800 178 254
Fax: (02) 9287 0303
Fax: for proxy voting (02) 9287 0309
Website: www.linkmarketservices.com.au

Address:
Locked Bag A14
SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235

Level 12, 680 George Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

What is the balance of my holding?
Information about your holding balance can be found on your CHESS statement or issuer sponsored holding statement. Your latest dividend statement can also provide you with your current balance.

Investors can find out how many shares they currently hold through the share registry. You can access your holding details online through our Shareholder Centre or from the registry website.

You will need your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN), and both the surname (or company name) and postcode in which the shares are registered.

How do I know what type of shareholding I have?
There are two types of shareholdings, issuer sponsored and broker sponsored (also called 'CHESS sponsored').

Issuer sponsored holdings are identified by the letter 'I' at the start of your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN). This number is ordinarily printed on the top right hand corner of your statement. These holdings can be traded through any broker you give permission to access your holding for buying or selling shares.

Broker sponsored holdings have a Holder Identification Number (HIN) and are identified by the letter "X" which is printed on your statement. Trading these holdings needs to be actioned through the broker with which the holding is sponsored. If you cannot identify who your broker is, please contact the share registry.

How do I change my address on my holdings?
Updating your address depends on how your shares are registered. The share registry has specific forms for this purpose that can be downloaded from their website.

For issuer sponsored holdings (i.e. you have an SRN):

Most individual investors can change their details online or by notifying the share registry in writing by completing a Change of Address Form.
Joint holders, companies and other types of investors need to complete a Change of Address form and return it to the share registry.

For broker sponsored holdings (i.e. you have a HIN), any changes need to be made through your broker. If you do not remember who your broker is and cannot locate your CHESS statement, please contact the share registry and they can help you.

If you are unsure about what to do, you can contact the share registry to confirm what needs to be done for your situation.

I can't find my SRN or HIN. How can I get it?
For SRNs, please contact the share registry. For security reasons they cannot provide this information over the phone. A request must be made in writing and be signed by every person the holding is registered to.

For HINs, please contact your broker. If you cannot remember who you bought the shares through, please contact the share registry to find out what you need to do to find this out.

How do I know if my tax file number has been recorded?
TFN enquiries can be made at the share registry website. Alternatively, you can call the share registry directly.

To make a TFN enquiry, you will need the following information for security reasons:

your SRN or HIN
the registered surname (or company name)
the registered postcode (or country for holdings registered overseas).

This information appears on your holding statement or dividend payment notice. Without these details information cannot be provided.

How do I provide my Tax File Number (TFN)?
TFNs can be lodged with the share registry in writing or online.

For security reasons any lodgement requires the following information:

your SRN or HIN
the registered surname (or company name)
the registered postcode (or country for holdings registered overseas).

This information is found on your holding statement or dividend payment notice. Without these details information cannot be provided.

What should I do if all my shareholder statements are stolen or lost?
Notify the registry immediately if you believe a holding or payment advice statement has been stolen. They can arrange for a replacement SRN.

One of the holders has died. How do I administer shareholdings for the deceased estate?
Administration for deceased estates is often complex and time consuming.

For issuer sponsored holdings please contact the share registry directly so they can advise you on what is necessary for your circumstance. Guidelines are also provided on their website.

For broker sponsored holdings, please contact your broker.

How do I change information about my shareholding?
Depending on what needs to be changed you can find relevant forms and procedures detailed on the share registry website. In some cases, changes may need to be accompanied by additional paperwork such as certified copies of legal documents. You can contact the share registry directly to discuss your circumstance or visit their website.

Keep in mind, you should always ensure each person registered on the holding authorises the changes by signing the written instructions for change.

How do I fix incorrect information about my share registration?
What you will need to do will depend on your situation.

Minor name corrections can be amended using a Name Correction form available from the share registry website.

Change of address information can be amended using a Change of Address form. For some issuer sponsored holdings address changes can be completed online. For more details, please go to 'How do I change my address on my holdings?'.

For more information, please contact the share registry or visit their website.

How do I transfer shares to someone else?
A common way to transfer shares is known as an off-market transfer and is where investors transfer shares privately. This transfer of ownership involves completing a Standard Transfer form.

Please contact the share registry for a copy of the form. They can mail you the form or you can download it from their website.

For issuer sponsored holdings, you need to fill out a form for each security to be transferred.

For broker sponsored holdings, please contact your broker.

An alternative is an on-market transfer which your broker can arrange for you. This involves trading the shares on the market via the ASX and generally incurs fees associated with buying and selling.

I have a question about my shareholding that is not answered here. Who can I ask?
Please contact the share registry. They also provide a list of frequently asked questions on their website.

Where can I find shareholder forms?
If you need to make any changes to your shareholdings, you can contact the share registry to ask what you need to do. Information is also available on their website.

Shareholders can download commonly requested forms from the share registry website. These forms include:

Change of Address
Name Correction and Indemnity
Direct Credit Instructions
Tax File Number Notification
Transfer of Ownership (Off market transfer form)