Published date: 24 February 2023
If you are planning for, or receiving, aged care services it can help to appoint a trusted person to support you.
Until now, this support person – known as a representative – could be a family member, friend, or carer.
While you can still appoint a representative, you now also have the option to appoint a professional to support you to make your own decisions. This is known as an agent.
An agent relationship can be with an organisation you trust such an advocacy organisation. Or it could be an individual professional support worker, such as a cultural support person.
What can an agent or representative help me with?
Both agents and representative can:
- communicate with My Aged Care, assessors, and service providers
- help you understand your aged care assessment
- support the referral process for aged care services
- seek and update some personal information held by My Aged Care.
The biggest difference between agents and representatives is that agents can’t make decisions on your behalf with My Aged Care.
Where can I learn more?
To learn more about representatives and agents and how they work visit the Arranging someone to support you page.
Last updated date: 7 October 2023