Someone to deal with Centrelink for you
There are different arrangements you can make if you would prefer to have someone else deal with Centrelink on your behalf.
Authorising a nominee
You can authorise another person or an organisation to act on your behalf with Centrelink and/or receive your Centrelink payments. This is called a nominee arrangement.
Correspondence nominee
A correspondence nominee is a person or organisation you authorise to act on your behalf when dealing with Centrelink. A correspondence nominee can do most of your Centrelink business, including:
- Advising of changes to your circumstances
- Making enquiries on your behalf
- Completing and signing Centrelink forms and statements on your behalf
- Attending Centrelink appointments with you or, if appropriate, on your behalf
- Receiving a copy of your mail from Centrelink
Payment nominee
A payment nominee is a person or organisation you authorise to receive your Centrelink payments. A payment nominee:
- Can only use your payments for your benefit
- Must keep records of the payments they received on your behalf and how they spent the money for your benefit
You can choose to have only one type of nominee or both. You can authorise different people for each role or the same person for both.
Authorising a person or organisation to be your nominee does not prevent you from conducting your own Centrelink business if you want to.
Note: Nominee arrangements do not apply to ABSTUDY.
Nominee arrangements are usually voluntary and can be cancelled at any time by contacting Centrelink (unless the arrangement is legally enforced, for example a court appointed arrangement).
Nominee Online Services
If you have an individual as your nominee, they can use online services to complete Centrelink business for you as well as themselves.
They will need to register for online services as a nominee. Once registered they can also subscribe to view and print Centrelink letters online.
Authorising a person to deal with Centrelink for me
You need to fill in an 'Authorising a person or organisation to enquire or act on your behalf' form, and return the completed form to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. You can telephone Centrelink on your main payment or service telephone number and ask for this form to be sent to you or you can download this form below.
Form
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Authorising a Person Permitted to Enquire (PPE)
This arrangement authorises a person or organisation to only make limited enquiries on your behalf.
Note: A Person Permitted to Enquire (PPE) is not a Nominee arrangement.
You can authorise a person to enquire on your behalf in relation to your payment and decisions regarding your payment. This arrangement does not authorise someone to act on your behalf or to receive your payment.
Form
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More information
For more information or to ask for help:
- telephone Centrelink on your main Services and payments telephone number
- visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre
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