SS313 Authorising Person Form

What is the SS313 Authorised Person Form?

The SS313 “Authorising a Person or Organisation to Enquire or Act on Your Behalf” form is a Services Australia (Centrelink) form that lets you give formal permission for another person or organisation to:

• Speak with Centrelink about your payments, claims, or circumstances.
• Get information about your Centrelink records.
• Act on your behalf for certain decisions (if you choose to allow it).

This can make life easier for many people, especially older Australians, people in aged care, or anyone who needs help dealing with government services.

Centrelink SS313 Form Download

The SS313 Form (Authorised Person) can be downloaded from:

    SS313 Form (Authorised Person) Download.

Why Might You Use the SS313?

Managing Centrelink or other Services Australia matters can be complex and stressful. Many people choose to authorise a trusted person or organisation to help. Common reasons include:

• You live in an aged care home and want a family member to handle calls and paperwork for you.
• You have a partner, adult child, or trusted friend who can assist with forms, claims, or updates.
• You work with an aged care placement service, financial adviser, or community legal centre that helps manage your benefits.
• You want someone to receive mail or online updates about your payments.

The SS313 gives Centrelink written proof of who you’ve allowed to speak or act for you — and it ensures your private information is protected when they do so.

Who Can Be an Authorised Person?

You can authorise:

• An individual — like your spouse, adult child, sibling, friend, or neighbour.
• A professional — such as an aged care adviser, accountant, or solicitor.
• A company or organisation — for example, a charity, community group, or financial service.

In some cases, you might already have an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Guardian appointed under State/Territory law. If so, they might not need an SS313 — but it can still help Centrelink record their authority.

What Can an Authorised Person Do?

It depends on what level of authority you give them. There are two levels:

1. Enquire Only

This means the person or organisation can:

• Speak to Centrelink about your current or past payments.
• Get information about your Centrelink matters.
• Receive copies of letters and notices if you wish.

They can’t make changes to your records or sign forms for you. You keep full control over all your dealings.

2. Act On Your Behalf

This is a higher level of authority. It means the authorised person or organisation can:

• Do everything in “Enquire Only” — plus:
• Make changes to your records if needed.
• Update your circumstances (like income or asset changes).
• Submit forms or claims on your behalf.
• Speak on your behalf in Centrelink reviews or appeals.

This does not give them the right to receive payments into their bank account — payments must still go to you or your nominated account.

How Long Does an Authorisation Last?

You decide how long you want it to last. You can specify an end date on the form, or leave it open until you cancel it in writing.

You can also:

• Change your authorised person at any time.
• Revoke an authorisation immediately if needed.
• Appoint more than one person or organisation if you wish.

If you become unable to make decisions yourself, the authority will still stand — but if you have an Enduring Power of Attorney or Guardian, they can usually take over instead.

How Does This Relate to Enduring Power of Attorney?

The SS313 is not a legal Power of Attorney. It only gives Services Australia permission to share your information or accept instructions from your nominated person. A Power of Attorney covers wider legal and financial decisions.

If you do have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA), it’s smart to give Centrelink a copy so they can note it on your record. You may still complete an SS313 to set out exactly who can speak to Centrelink for you.

When Should You Complete the SS313?

It’s best to put a formal authorisation in place:

• When you’re first setting up your pension or benefit claim and expect help managing it.
• When your health or memory is changing, and you want a trusted person to help.
• Before you move into residential aged care, where family often need to deal with fees and Centrelink forms.
• When you work with a professional adviser, aged care placement service, or community service that helps with means testing and forms.

How to Complete the SS313

Here’s how to get it done:

• Download the form: Go to the Services Australia ( SS 313 ).
• Decide on the level of authority: Enquire only or act on your behalf. Think carefully about how much control you want to share.
• Choose your person or organisation: Get their full legal name, address, and contact details.
• Fill in your details: Include your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and your personal details exactly as Centrelink has them.
• Sign and date the form: The person you are authorising must also sign to accept responsibility.
• Provide proof of identity: If Centrelink does not already know your authorised person, they may need to show ID at a service centre.
• Submit: Return the completed form by mail, online via myGov, or in person at a Centrelink service centre. Keep a copy for your records.

Responsibilities of an Authorised Person

When you authorise someone to act for you, they must:

• Act honestly and in your best interests.
• Keep your information private.
• Tell Centrelink about any changes in your circumstances as soon as possible.
• Stop acting on your behalf if you withdraw your consent.

Services Australia may cancel an authorisation if they believe the person is acting dishonestly or not in your best interests.

What Happens After You Submit It?

Once your SS313 is processed, your authorised person can:

• Phone or visit Centrelink to discuss your payments.
• Provide information or documents on your behalf.
• Get copies of letters and forms (if you allow it).

Centrelink will record the details on your file, so any future dealings with your authorised person are recognised. If you make changes or revoke authority, Centrelink will update your record accordingly.

Common Pitfalls

To avoid delays:

• Make sure names and CRNs are exactly correct.
• Include signatures for both you and the authorised person.
• Check the level of authority you really want to give — don’t tick “Act on your behalf” if you only want them to make enquiries.
• Keep your own copy — and tell your family where it’s kept.

Can You Have Multiple Authorised People?

Yes. You can have more than one person or organisation authorised at the same time. For example, you might authorise your partner to act on your behalf and a placement service to make enquiries only. Just complete a separate SS313 for each one.

Getting Help with the SS313

If you need help:

• Ask your aged care provider’s accounts or admissions team — they help residents and families with Centrelink forms every day.
• Call the Centrelink Financial Information Service (FIS) on 132 300.
• Get independent legal or financial advice if you have concerns about Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, or protecting your rights.

Key Takeaway

The SS313 is a simple but powerful way to make sure you get the help you need when dealing with Centrelink — whether that’s for your pension, your means testing, or your residential aged care fees.

Choosing an authorised person you trust gives you peace of mind that someone can speak for you and help you stay on top of important decisions, especially when you might not feel confident handling complex forms and government processes alone.

Take your time, get advice if you need it, and remember you can change or cancel an authority at any time.