General Power of Attorney

There are two types of power of attorney—‘general power of attorney’ and ‘enduring power of attorney’.

A general power of attorney is given to someone to make financial decisions on your behalf when you are absent (e.g. if you are overseas and need someone else to sell your house, pay your bills etc). 

An enduring power of attorney is put in place in the event something happens to you—usually illness or accident—that you will be unable to make your own decisions.

Either general or enduring power of attorney involves a formal agreement giving someone else the power to make decisions on your behalf.

For advice or further information about enduring powers of attorney for financial, personal and health matters, you can contact:

• the Adult Guardian on 1300 653 187
• NSW Guardianship Tribunal 1800 463 928
• your local office of the Public Trustee  
• your solicitor.

For advice or further information on putting an advance health directive in place for yourself, talk to your doctor.

For more detail about legal issues, contact your local Department of Justice and Attorney General