Put clear signing and communication authority in writing

This is commonly used by businesses that want a staff member, contractor, manager or other representative to handle a specific task on the business's behalf. Examples include speaking with a bank, dealing with a supplier account, managing a lease issue, or corresponding with a government body. It can be especially useful where the business owner or director is unavailable, where teams are spread across locations, or where a third party wants written confirmation before they will discuss account or operational matters.

A common problem is giving authority in terms that are too broad, too vague or not limited by time, purpose or account. That can create confusion about what the representative can actually do, and some third parties may reject the form if the wording is unclear. It is also important to think about whether the person should be able to sign documents, access information, give instructions, or only communicate on a narrow issue. A well-drafted form helps record those boundaries more clearly.

The fixed-fee covers legal input on the delegation arrangement and a custom Authority To Act Form drafted around the authority you want to give. We can address practical points such as who is being authorised, what actions are permitted, whether the authority is ongoing or temporary, and whether any limits should be stated expressly. You also receive guidance on signing and use. The service does not include tax advice, ongoing representation, or setup inside a bank portal, supplier system or other third-party platform.

Sometimes a simple template can work for a very basic delegation, but many businesses need wording that matches the actual task, the business structure and the third party involved. A generic form may leave out important limits, fail to identify the right entity, or use language that does not align with the way authority is intended to operate. A tailored form is often more useful where the representative is only authorised for certain accounts, transactions, communications or time periods, or where the business wants clearer internal controls.

Once the form is finalised, the next step is usually to sign it correctly and provide it to the relevant third party or keep it on file for use when needed. In some situations, the receiving organisation may have its own internal form or identification process as well, so the legal document may need to sit alongside those operational requirements rather than replace them. If that happens, we can explain how your Authority To Act Form is intended to work and whether further legal documents may be worth considering.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.