My Aged Care Registered Supporter

Supporter vs Appointed Decision Maker

My Aged Care distinguishes between two levels of access. A registered supporter helps the older person navigate the system — attending assessments, making phone calls, managing paperwork — but the older person retains decision-making authority. An appointed decision maker has legal authority to make decisions on the older person's behalf, typically because they hold an enduring power of attorney, enduring guardianship, or a tribunal order.

The practical difference is significant. A supporter can call My Aged Care, access the person's file, and attend meetings, but they cannot sign agreements, accept home care packages, or consent to residential care placements. An appointed decision maker can do all of those things.

How to Register as a Supporter

If your parent still has capacity and wants your help navigating the system, they can register you as a supporter through My Aged Care. The process requires your parent's consent — they need to confirm that you are authorised to act on their behalf.

Registration can be done by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or through the My Aged Care online portal. Your parent will need their My Aged Care Client ID (assigned after their initial registration or assessment). You will need your own identification details.

Once registered, you can access your parent's information, speak with My Aged Care staff, attend ACAT or RAS assessments, and manage referrals and services on their behalf.

Becoming an Appointed Decision Maker

If your parent has lost capacity — or is likely to lose capacity — and you hold a valid enduring power of attorney, enduring guardianship, or tribunal order, you can register as an appointed decision maker.

My Aged Care requires certified copies of the legal documents that grant you authority. This means:

• A certified copy of the Enduring Power of Attorney (financial matters)
• A certified copy of the Enduring Guardianship or Advance Care Directive (personal and health matters)
• Or a certified copy of the tribunal order (NCAT, VCAT, QCAT, SAT, etc.)

Submit these to My Aged Care along with your identification. Once processed, you have full authority to make decisions about your parent's aged care services — including accepting packages, changing providers, and consenting to care plans.

Changes Under the New Aged Care Act

The new Aged Care Act introduced changes to how decision-makers and supporters are recognised in the aged care system. The new framework puts more emphasis on the older person's choice and consent, even when a decision maker is involved.

Under the new rules, registered supporters have a more formally defined role. They are expected to help the older person understand their options and participate in decisions, rather than simply making decisions for them. The act reinforces supported decision-making as the preferred approach — with substitute decision-making (through an appointed decision maker) used only when the person genuinely cannot participate.

Centrelink Nominee Forms

Separate from My Aged Care, you may also need to register as a nominee with Centrelink (Services Australia) to manage your parent's Age Pension and aged care means assessments. This requires different forms:

• Form SS313 — Authorising a person or organisation to enquire or act on your behalf
• Form AC019 — Aged Care Nominee (specifically for aged care financial matters)

These forms give you authority to deal with Services Australia on financial matters that affect aged care — including income and asset assessments that determine how much your parent pays for residential or home care.

For a complete walkthrough of the My Aged Care and Centrelink registration process — including which legal documents you need in each state — see our Enduring Power of Attorney and Guardianship in Australia guide.

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