Authority to access accounts

Learn about authorising a person to access your account.

Authority to access accounts

Learn about authorising a person to access your account.

What is authority to access accounts?

There may be times in your life when you need to let someone access your account or handle your finances for you. You may also need to help a loved one who can no longer make their own financial decisions.

Why you may need to authorise access to your accounts

There are many reasons why this could be happening. Some of them include:

cognitive impairment or living with disability
physical or mental illness
extended travel.

Authority to access accounts and financial abuse

Authorising someone to access your account comes with certain risks. When you allow other people to access your money, you can become more exposed to financial abuse and fraud. Learn more about online safety.

It’s essential to only grant someone access to your account if there is no other alternative. Make sure you nominate someone you trust and who has your best interests in mind. Once this access is no longer required, make sure you inform the bank to remove access promptly.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that lets someone manage another person’s financial affairs. In it, the person who creates a power of attorney (called the principal or donor) nominates someone to make financial decisions for them.

There are two types of power of attorney:

general power of attorney (non-enduring)
enduring power of attorney.

You can only appoint an attorney (or attorneys) if you fully understand what you’re getting into and can make your own decisions. If you pass away, the attorney ceases to have any powers.

The general power of attorney allows one or more persons to act on behalf of the principal for a defined purpose, such as buying or selling a house.

A general power of attorney is only valid if the principal can still make decisions or manage their own financial affairs.

For example, if you’ll be away for an extended period, setting up a general power of attorney can enable someone you trust to help you for a specific purpose, such as buying or selling a property or trading shares.

An enduring power of attorney continues to be valid if the principal can no longer make decisions or manage their own financial affairs.

You can choose for an enduring power of attorney to come into effect only after you lose decision-making capacity and become legally incapable of making your own decisions.

An enduring power of attorney should be used to put a lasting formal arrangement in place, including:

planning for future incapacitation due to illness or injury
anticipating a loss of ability to manage your financial affairs.

As the account holder, you can access and manage your own accounts if you can make decisions and act legally.
A general power of attorney operates only when you can make and express decisions for yourself.
If a financial management order is issued, it voids and revokes any general or enduring power of attorney in place.

If you are an attorney, you must keep us informed about any changes regarding the principal's condition.

For example, if the principal loses their cognitive capacity to make financial decisions, you must inform Suncorp Bank of the new circumstances. You will have to do it by presenting confirmation from a medical professional.

To set up a power of attorney, please visit one of our branches with:

either the original or a certified copy of the power of attorney document
a completed Power of attorney - Add form
proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license or passport) for the principal and all attorney(s).

If you have any questions, call us on 13 11 75.

Once all information is received, we will process your request. Should we require more information or be unable to complete your request we will let you know.

Complete the ‘Power of attorney removal’ form and email it to tpo-poa@suncorpbank.com.au. On the email subject, write ’POA removal–<your full name>’

What is a financial management order?

A financial management order is a request to get help managing someone's money when they can't do it themselves. In some states and territories, it's called an administration order. Family members, friends and social workers often make this request.

Once the request is approved, a financial manager is chosen to take care of the person's money. While this order is in place, the person might have little or no access to their own bank account.

Generally, a tribunal is responsible for appointing financial management orders. The appointed person:

must be aged 18 years or older
be a close relative, a trusted family friend or a public trustee
be authorised to manage all financial affairs

Lodging a financial management order will automatically revoke and cancel any existing third-party authority and power of attorney the account holder has previously authorised.

To lodge a financial management order, please visit one of our branches with:

either the original or a certified copy of the financial management order document
proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license or passport) for all financial managers.

If you have any questions, please call us on 13 11 75.

Third-party authority - access to your account

A third-party authority allows other people (third parties) to access and use your bank accounts. The person you choose can make transactions on your nominated bank accounts.

You can only authorise access to your accounts if you can understand the nature and implications of the authority you’re giving. It’s important to know that with a third-party authority:

You may choose to authorise permanent access by the third party.
You may cancel the authority at any time by advising Suncorp Bank.
The person (or persons) you choose can't open new accounts or credit cards on your behalf.
If Suncorp Bank finds out you can't manage your money anymore, we will cancel the authority.

When should you consider a third-party authority?

You can give a third-party authority to someone you trust so they can manage your financial affairs. You may choose to set up a third-party authority if you’re living overseas, travelling for an extended period or if you’re in the hospital and can’t access your banking regularly.

With a third-party authority, you can authorise:

a financial advisor or accountant to make financial transactions or investments for you
a partner or family member to pay your bills or handle your everyday banking.

Risks and limitations of a third-party authority include:

Giving someone the ability to withdraw all or some of your money can increase the risk of financial abuse.
If a financial management order is issued, it will cancel any third-party authority you previously set up.

How do I lodge a third-party authority?

The most convenient way to lodge a third-party authority is by emailing tpo-poa@suncorpbank.com.au with:

a completed copy of the Third Party to Operate Authority - Add form
a certified copy of proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license or passport) of the account holder and each person the account holder is authorising to access the account(s).

You can also lodge a third-party authority by visiting one of our branches with the documentation above.

If you have any questions, please call us on 13 11 75.