When to complete a letter of authority

A letter of authority is a legal document that authorises a third party to act on behalf of a business.

The person completing the letter of authority must be listed as an associate of the business on the Australian Business Register (ABR).

You will need to complete a letter of authority if:

  • you would like to nominate someone within your business who is not listed as an associate on the ABR to act on behalf of your business – use sample text A as a base for your letter
  • you would like your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent to act on behalf of your business – use sample text B as a base for your letter.

Applicants must consent to Service NSW conducting an audit of documents used to support an application to verify information provided.

What to include in a letter of authority

The information we require in a letter of authority is described in the following sample letters.

Incomplete information may result in registration processing delays, or we may ask you to provide a new letter with the correct information.

How to write a letter of authority

Business letterhead

  • Create a letter using your business letterhead.
  • Copy and paste the text from either
    • sample text A, if someone from your business is acting on behalf of the business
    • sample text B, if your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent is acting on behalf of your business.
  • Where you see the square brackets [ ], insert the details for your business.
  • Sign the letter of authority or insert a digital signature.
  • Mail the document to us or send it by email as an attachment.

Email

If you do not have business letterhead, you can provide a letter of authority as email from your business email address.

  • Create a new email message.
  • Copy and paste the text from either
    • sample text A, if someone from your business is acting on behalf of the business
    • sample text B, if your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent is acting on behalf of your business.
  • Where you see the square brackets [ ], insert your specific details.
  • Insert an email signature (if you have one).
  • Send the email to us.

Sample text A: alternative business associate authorisation

To whom it may concern

I, [insert full name as recorded in the ABR] am an Associate of [insert registered business name and ACN/ABN] (‘the Business’) listed on the Australian Business Register and authorised to act on behalf of the Business. My position in relation to the Business is [insert your position title/role].

I authorise [insert full name, position title/role and contact details of the authorised person] to:

  • register for the NSW Seniors Card program on behalf of the Business; and
  • act on behalf of the Business in matters related to the abovementioned program registration.

[full name and title of authorised ABR associate]

[date and signature of authorised ABR associate]

[phone number of the business]

[commercial address of the business]

Sample text B: authorise your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent

If you are a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent registering on behalf of a business

Your client must complete a letter of authority on their company letterhead using sample text B if:

  • you are a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent
  • your client has asked you to register on their behalf for a grant, scheme or support program administered by Service NSW.

We will ask you to submit your client's signed letter during the online registration process.

To whom it may concern

I, [insert full name as recorded in the ABR] am an Associate for [insert registered business name and ACN/ABN] (‘the Business’) listed on the Australian Business Register and am authorised to act on behalf of the Business. My position in relation to the Business is [insert position title/role].

I authorise [insert registered business name of the authorised accountant/tax agent/BAS agent, ABN/ACN, professional registration number and contact number] to:

  • register for the NSW Seniors Card program on behalf of the Business; and
  • act on behalf of the Business in matters related to the abovementioned program registration.

[Important: Delete the next paragraph if you do not want the funds to be paid to your nominated accountant/ tax agent/ BAS agent]

I authorise [insert name of authorised accountant/tax agent/BAS agent] to receive any funds that may be payable to the Business, if the registration is approved, and I authorise Service NSW to deposit such funds into the account nominated by [name of authorised accountant/tax agent/BAS agent].

[full name and title of authorised ABR associate]

[date and signature of authorised ABR associate]

[phone number of the business]

[commercial address of the business]

Penalties

Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under Part 5A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). A person convicted of an offence under Part 5A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) is liable to imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to $22,000. 

Last updated: 7 June 2024