FAQ: Representatives and advocates
Questions about aged care representatives and advocates
Even if you are that person’s partner or direct relative, it’s very important that we know you have consent to speak on their behalf. To do this, you need to register as a representative, known by My Aged Care.
If, for any reason, they are unable to give consent, you may need to become an authorised representative. This requires legal documentation to set up.
If the person in your care is unable to contact My Aged Care and provide consent, you may need to become an authorised representative. To put this in place, you will need supporting legal documents (and in most cases supporting medical evidence) so that My Aged Care knows you can legally represent them.
As an authorised representative, you can speak and act on their behalf, as long as you ensure that you act in their best interests and keep their personal information safe.
A representative is someone you nominate to speak and act on your behalf. With your consent, they can communicate with My Aged Care, assessors and service providers, and make decisions for you. They could be a family member, a trusted friend, a carer, or an advocate. If you choose to set up a representative, it’s important that you trust them, as they will be able to access your personal information.
If you are capable of providing consent for someone to speak and act on your behalf, you can set them up as a regular representative.
If someone isn’t able to give consent for a person to speak for them and isn’t able to make their own decisions or discuss their care needs independently the nominated person will need to become an authorised representative.
You can appoint a representative at any stage during the My Aged Care process. How you set this up depends on the type of representative you need.
Yes, you can change representatives or add additional representatives at any time. Your representative can also cancel their status.
If you or your representative need to make a change, either of you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
You may be needed at different times for tasks such as:
- talking to assessors, providers, and My Aged Care
- getting information about their progress to accessing aged care services
- making decisions about assessments and referrals
- seeing and updating their My Aged Care information
- receiving copies of their letters
- being a primary contact / My Aged Care’s first contact point.
You can do one of the following:
- Upload a PDF version of your document to the My Aged Care Online Account. View Your Online Account Guide: Documents for step-by-step instructions.
- Fax your documents to: 1800 728 174
- Mail them to: My Aged Care, PO Box 1237, Runaway Bay, QLD 4216
An advocate is an impartial person who works on your behalf to help you understand your rights in the aged care system.
They can help you with:
- making decisions about the care you receive
- resolving concerns with your aged care provider
- increasing your skills and knowledge to advocate for yourself, and more.
If you’re receiving or looking for government-funded aged care, there are advocacy services that can provide you with additional support.
Organisations such as the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) can offer help and support you in your aged care journey.
A family member, trusted friend, or carer can talk to My Aged Care on your behalf. For this to happen, My Aged Care will need your consent. You will both need to call My Aged Care together.
If you want this person to be able to speak on your behalf ongoing, can register them as a representative.