Why We Ask for a Third Party or Letter of Authority

We ask you to sign these forms so we can access important financial or legal information on your behalf—like detailed superannuation data or updates from your accountant, lawyer, or aged care provider. It’s a bit like calling in a plumber to check behind the walls when something’s not right—you need proper access to see what’s really going on. These authorities don’t let us make changes, just view information. They’re standard, privacy-safe, and help us give you better advice with less hassle for you.

Why We Ask You to Sign a Third Party or Letter of Authority

As part of providing you with accurate and meaningful financial advice, we sometimes ask you to sign what’s called a Third Party Authority (TPA) or a Letter of Authority (LOA). These are both standard tools that allow us to gather the information we need from your financial institutions and other professionals—without making any changes to your accounts or personal affairs.

What’s the Difference?

Third Party Authority (TPA):
This is used with your financial product providers—like superannuation funds, investment platforms, or managed fund companies. It gives us access to important information that usually doesn’t appear on your statements, such as:

Taxable and preservation components of your super
Underlying investment options
Hidden or bundled fees
Specifics of pension payments

Think of it like noticing a small leak under your kitchen sink. From the outside, you can tell something’s not quite right—maybe the floor is damp or there’s a musty smell—but to understand what’s really going on, you need a plumber to take a proper look behind the cabinetry or check the pipes.

That’s exactly what this authority allows us to do: to see what’s really happening “behind the scenes” with your super or investments, so we can give you advice that actually fits your situation.

Importantly, this authority only allows us to access information. It does not give us permission to make changes or act on your behalf.

Letter of Authority (LOA):
This is used when we need to speak to other professionals on your behalf, such as your:

Accountant
Lawyer
Aged care facility
Centrelink representative
Financial institutions outside of super

Just like a medical specialist wouldn’t share your test results with anyone without your consent, these professionals are also bound by strict privacy rules. This letter simply gives them permission to speak with us and share the information we need to act in your best interests.

Why Do We Do This?

Getting access to the right information helps us give you tailored advice that works for your full circumstances. It also saves you from having to chase down paperwork or spend time back-and-forth with providers—we handle it all professionally, securely, and with respect for your privacy.

A Few Things to Know

Some providers accept digital signatures. Others may need a scan of your handwritten signature—or even a “wet ink” signature (physically signed on paper).
When signing under a Power of Attorney, some institutions have additional steps or specific requirements.
It can take a little time for each provider to process the authority, so we appreciate your patience.

Once these authorities are in place, we can liaise directly with the necessary people, which makes the advice process smoother and more efficient.

In Summary

This is a normal and important part of how we work to support you. You’re not giving away control—just giving us permission to access key information so we can give you advice that’s accurate and relevant.

And if you ever have questions about what you’re signing or why, we’re always here to explain it in plain English.