An Authorisation letter is a formal, legally significant document used to grant a third party permission to act, speak, or make decisions on your behalf in specific, clearly defined matters.
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Use this free letter of authorisation template to formally and securely delegate specific powers to another individual or entity to act on your behalf in Australia. This can be for personal matters, such as collecting important documents, or for business affairs, such as liaising with a government agency.
Docusign's authorised letter template is easily customised, allowing you to clearly define the exact scope and duration of the authority you are granting. Once you have completed the letter, you can securely share the document via a Docusign envelope to the recipient (the organisation or individual who needs to accept the authority) and the authorised person for their records. The completed and signed record is securely stored in your Docusign account for easy access, downloading, or printing.
A letter of authorisation (or letter of authority) is a foundational document in Australian administrative and business dealings. Unlike a general Power of Attorney, which grants broad legal authority, a letter of authorisation is typically limited to a specific occasion, transaction, or defined set of tasks, and the authority is not automatically ongoing.
In Australia, this document is frequently required by government agencies (such as the ATO, Centrelink, or state registries), financial institutions, or other entities before they can legally interact with a third party on your personal or company matters. The letter’s critical function is to provide verifiable proof of consent and delegated authority, protecting both the individual granting the authority (the Principal) and the organisation relying on the document.
This authorisation letter template is highly versatile and can be used by individuals in Australia for various matters:
Individuals (The Principal): To authorise a trusted family member, friend, or associate to collect documents, manage a specific issue with a government agency, or handle a limited financial matter on their behalf.
The Authorised Person: To provide them with the necessary written proof of their granted authority to present to the relevant third party.
The primary purpose of the letter of authorisation template is to clearly and legally define the limits of a delegated authority for a third party to act on the Principal’s behalf. Specifically, the letter:
Grants Specific Powers: It explicitly lists the actions the authorised letter template permits the authorised person to perform, avoiding ambiguity that could lead to disputes or non-compliance.
Limits Scope and Risk: It clearly outlines any specific limitations or exclusions, ensuring the authorised person cannot act outside the defined parameters (e.g., forbidding the withdrawal of funds).
Defines Duration: It sets a clear Start Date and End Date for the authority, ensuring the delegation does not continue indefinitely, or until written notice of revocation is provided.
Ratifies Actions: It confirms that any action carried out by the authorised person within the granted scope will be considered as if carried out by the Principal themselves.
To ensure the document is effective and accepted by an organisation in Australia, the authorisation letter must include:
Principal and Authorised Person Identity: The full names and addresses of the person granting the authority (the Principal) and the person being authorised (the Authorised Person).
Specific Recipient: The name and address of the organisation or individual the letter is addressed to, or "To Whom It May Concern".
Scope of Authority: A precise, itemised list of the specific powers being granted, for example, "To collect the following personal documents" or "To manage my affairs with [Organisation Name]".
Limitations of Authority (Crucial): Any specific actions that are excluded from the authorised person's powers should be listed clearly.
Duration of Authority: The Start Date and End Date for which the authority is valid. Alternatively, a statement confirming it remains in effect until formal written notice of revocation is provided.
Verification: The Principal's signature and contact details (phone and email) for the recipient to verify the authorisation.
Identification: A note that a copy of the Principal's and Authorised Person's identification is attached for verification purposes.
Disclaimer: These templates are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. They should not be construed as regulatory, legal, or privacy law compliant. The templates are not a substitute for professional legal advice and should not be relied upon for any specific situation or circumstance. Users are strongly advised to consult with a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction before using or adapting these templates.
The templates are provided on an "as is", "with all faults" and "as available" basis. To the extent permitted by law, the provider expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Docusign does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials in these templates or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to these templates. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this disclaimer is intended to exclude or limit any rights that cannot be excluded under Australian law, including the Australian Consumer Law.
A Non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a legally binding contract used to protect sensitive business information from being improperly disclosed or misused by a receiving party.
A Non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a legally binding contract used to protect sensitive business information from being improperly disclosed or misused by a receiving party.
