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Support / Financial Management Order

What is a Financial Management Order?

A Financial Management Order, sometimes called an Administration Order or Adult Guardianship Order, is a legal arrangement made by a state or territory court or tribunal appointing someone (a financial manager) to manage the financial affairs of a person who is unable to do so themselves.

Your financial manager is there to act in your best interests, and most arrangements work well. Like any situation where someone else handles your money, it’s worth knowing the signs of financial abuse and fraud. For information on what to look out for, and who to contact for support, read through the FAQs or view the guides found in Tools & support.

A Financial Management Order:

  • Outlines who can act, how they act, and what limits apply to each account or financial product
  • May restrict or remove the account holder’s direct account access, depending on tribunal instructions
  • Because the order comes from a legal authority, it overrides any existing Power of Attorney or Third-party access

Who can become a financial manager?

Financial Management Orders are generally appointed by a tribunal. The appointed person:

  • Must be 18 or older
  • Can be a close relative, trusted family friend, or a public trustee
  • Will be authorised to manage all or limited financial affairs

I’m the account holder

  • Someone has been made my financial manager

    • You have the right to be treated with empathy and fairness. CommBank staff can speak to you directly and explain any changes or transactions in simple terms, even if someone manages your finances
    • You can get in-branch help at any time for balance checks, statements, or explaining fees, with or without your financial manager
    • Your accounts may be limited based on the tribunal’s directions and what your financial manager allows
    • The financial manager is legally required to act in your best interests 
    • You are protected by CommBank’s privacy and safety policies
    • If you’re concerned about how your money is managed, help is available through your state or territory Public Trustee, the Next Chapter Team (1800 222 387) for domestic and family violence or financial abuse, and Financial Assist Solutions (1300 720 814) 
    • If your situation changes, you or your financial manager can request a tribunal review. When a tribunal confirms that you’ve regained capacity, CommBank will restore full account access. 

I've been given authority

  • As a financial manager, you must:

    • Act in the account holder’s best interests, avoiding any conflicts of interest between their finances and your own personal gain
    • Comply with any tribunal restrictions, such as daily withdrawal limits and spending approvals
    • Keep accurate records of all transactions and decisions you make
    • Avoid breaching your duties as a financial manager. If you do, you may be removed
    • Do not delegate your powers provided under a Financial Management Order
    • Follow the instructions in the Financial Management Order. For example, if multiple financial managers must act together or jointly, we’ll only accept instructions from all of them at the same time
    • Tell us if the Financial Management Order is revoked or superseded, by either you or the account holder

How to set up a Financial Management Order

How to set up online

A financial manager can complete this process online or in-branch. The fastest way to start this is online. Each financial manager must complete this process individually.

You'll need: 

  • A certified Financial Management Order document or a digital copy. We accept scans or digital photographs of hard copy documents. A digital copy can be the email from the court or tribunal

Set up Online

How to set up in branch

Only the financial manager is required in branch when submitting the Financial Management Order to us. The account holder doesn't need to go to the branch. 

If there are multiple financial managers, each must complete the set up individually, either in branch or online.

You'll need: 

  • The original Financial Management Order document 
  • Proof of identity from each financial manager e.g. driver's license or passport
  • Your digital device for help with a digital notification e.g. smartphone or tablet

You may also need to complete some additional paperwork while at the branch.

Book an appointment at your nearest branch

Ending a Financial Management Order

    • A Financial Management Order can only be varied or revoked by the court or tribunal that issued it. If circumstances change, for example the account holder regains capacity, an application must be made to the relevant body
    • The Financial Management Order ceases automatically if the account holder passes away
    • CommBank must be notified promptly if the order is varied, revoked or if the account holder passes away

FAQs

The Method of Operation outlined in the Financial Management Order sets out how financial managers can act. This may mean one person acts alone (solely), any one person can act (jointly and individually), or all must act together (jointly).

Your access will be:

  • Branch: Always able to access in-branch assistance. Withdrawal limits may apply as set out by the financial manager
  • Debit Mastercard or keycard: Only if approved by the financial manager. Withdrawal limits may apply as set out by the financial manager
  • NetBank or CommBank app: Only by financial manager request and if the financial risks are accepted
  • Cheque or Passbook: Only if approved by the financial manager. Withdrawal limits may apply as set out by the financial manager

Your access is determined by the Financial Management Order and the account’s existing setup, not by CommBank. Based on those, the following access types are available: 

Your access will be:

  • Branch: Available
  • Debit Mastercard or keycard: You may have a card in your name linked to the accounts
  • NetBank or CommBank app: You may have the account holder’s accounts linked to your own NetBank
  • Cheque or Passbook: Available where there is an existing passbook or cheque book

Financial abuse occurs when money is used to gain power and control over another person. It can include someone pressuring you, restricting access, or controlling your money in a way you do not agree to.

A financial manager is appointed to manage your money in your best interests and is accountable to the court or tribunal. If their behaviour goes beyond what the order allows, that may be cause for concern.

Warning signs:

  • Your financial manager cannot or will not explain how your money is being spent 
  • Your standard of living has dropped without a clear reason 
  • Money is being used in ways that benefit your financial manager rather than you 
  • Your financial manager discourages you from contacting the tribunal, a lawyer, or support services 
  • You are being asked to sign documents you do not understand or have not had independently reviewed

What to do if you suspect misuse

  • If it’s safe, contact us as soon as possible and tell us you’re concerned about misuse or financial abuse
  • Gather what you can: dates, transactions, messages, or documents
  • Contact your State or Territory tribunal or Public Trustee/Guardian for guidance on the order or review options
  • Get independent support. For more info, view the FAQ “Are there other support services I can access?”

The information on this page is general. Laws governing Financial Management Orders vary by state and territory, so the support services available to you will depend on where you live. There are a range of external support services available that can help you understand and make decisions in relation to authorities and managing  your financial affairs in your state or territory.

Tools and support

We’re here to help

Things you should know

  • This information is general guidance only.