Powers of attorney

• What is a Power of Attorney (general or enduring)?

  A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a trusted person the legal authority to act for you and to make any financial or legal decisions on your behalf.

  Note: A Power of Attorney can only be appointed by a person while they have the capacity to make decisions. If they no longer have this capacity please refer to our information on Guardians/Administrators.

• What can a general Power of Attorney do?

  A general Power of Attorney is usually used on a temporary basis to allow someone to manage your affairs in your absence.

  This is usually drawn up for a specific purpose with specific or general powers, such as if you are travelling overseas and require someone to access your bank accounts on your behalf.

• What can an Enduring Power of Attorney do?

  An enduring Power of Attorney allows someone to manage your affairs on a long term basis, even when you lose capacity to make decisions.

• Why have a Power of Attorney?

  In case of accident, sudden illness, planned or unexpected absence, or when you just can't cope, you may need someone to manage your financial affairs on your behalf.

  A Power of Attorney is particularly useful -

  • to relieve yourself of the day to day demands of financial paperwork and record keeping
  • as a safety net when travelling or to allow someone to handle your affairs in your absence
  • to avoid burdening family or friends with the responsibility of looking after your affairs
  • if you are unable to manage your prosperity or financial affairs

• What does an attorney need to do to operate under its terms at Bankwest?

  Before you can operate under the Power of Attorney, you will need to provide the Bank with a certified copy of the Power of Attorney;

  The Attorney should also bring with them appropriate identification to ensure we are able to identify them. Bankwest will then review the Power of Attorney: you should allow 1 to 3 days for this.

  If you wish to take out a loan product under the Power of Attorney, you may need to ensure that the Power of Attorney is registered with your relevant State or Territory land titles office before providing to Bankwest.

• Where can I get further information about a Power of Attorney?

  Contact your State or Territory Public Trustee's office, Public Advocate or visit their websites for further information as to: 

  • drafting a Power of Attorney
  • general guidelines for appointing and cancelling a power of attorney
  • who is able to witness the Power of Attorney

having financial difficulty? HOW can we help?

• call us on 1300 769 173
• pop into any Bankwest store