Reviewing and updating your Centrelink nominees

Your circumstances, needs and relationships can all change as time goes on.

Top 3 messages about Centrelink nominees

1. You can change or cancel your nominee arrangements whenever you like.

2. Circumstances and relationships change, so your nominee arrangements may need to change, too.

3. Outdated nominee arrangements may leave you vulnerable to elder abuse.

Many older Australians use Centrelink services and receive support. When you first started, you may have nominated another person to act for you. This is called a ‘nominee arrangement’. Having a trusted nominee is a valuable tool for making sure your Centrelink arrangements and payments keep working well for you.

However, ‘setting and forgetting’ your nominee arrangement might leave you vulnerable to elder abuse. This is because your nominee may no longer be someone who will act in your best interests, or you no longer need a nominee that was set up to be temporary.

For your own wellbeing and security, it’s wise to review your nominee arrangement now and then. Does it still reflect what you want? Is it appropriate for your current needs?

What can a Centrelink nominee do?

A nominee is someone you choose who can:

• ask Centrelink questions for you

• get your Centrelink payment for you

• manage your aged care costs, if you have any

• act on your behalf.

There are 2 different types of Centrelink nominee. One person can act as both, if you wish.

• A payment nominee can receive and manage your Centrelink payments on your behalf.

• A correspondence nominee can help manage and update your personal details and deal with Centrelink for you.

Read more about Centrelink nominees here

Why should I review my nominee?

Your circumstances, needs and relationships can all change as time goes on. What worked well in the beginning may not be the best fit now.

• Maybe the your nominee isn’t the best person to help you now, because the nature of your relationship has changed.

• Maybe you, or they, have moved house. If contact details aren’t correct when a financial transaction is needed, things can get confused and mistakes may be made.

• Maybe you need more, or less, or different assistance than you did back then.

• Maybe you’re not sure your nominee is acting in your best interests now.

For helpful tools to continue being helpful, they need to be reviewed and, if necessary, updated. ‘Set and forget’ isn’t the safest approach when it concerns your wellbeing, security and finances.

How to do a quick review

First, ask yourself:

• Is my nominee still the right person for the role?

• Do I still need them to act on my behalf?

• Am I sure my contact and banking details are up to date?

• Am I confident they are still acting in my best interests?

If any of the answers are ‘no’, you can change your Centrelink nominee any time you like.

And, like all arrangements of trust, it’s important that both you and the nominee understand what it’s all about. Otherwise, misunderstandings can arise and mistakes can be made.

Have open conversations together about what you want, and make sure your nominee understands and is willing to do it for you. It’s not about giving away control: the point is to ensure you are informed about, and involved in, your own affairs.

Book an appointment with Services Australia to review, change or cancel your nominee arrangement.

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