Powers of Attorney Act 2014

A witness who witnesses a principal signing an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney must—

certify in writing in the instrument—

that the principal appeared to freely and voluntarily sign the instrument in the presence of the witness; and

that, at the time the principal signed the instrument, the principal appeared to the witness to have decision making capacity in relation to the making of the enduring power of attorney; and

state that the witness is not—

an attorney under the power of attorney; or

a relative of the principal or of an attorney under the power of attorney; or

a care worker or an accommodation provider for the principal; and

if the witness is acting as a person who is authorised to witness affidavits or a medical practitioner, state the qualification on which the witness is acting.

A witness who witnesses another person signing an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney at the direction of the principal must—

certify in writing on the instrument—

that, in the presence of the witness, the principal appeared to freely and voluntarily direct the person to sign for the principal; and

that the person signed the instrument in the presence of the principal and the witness; and

that, at the time the person signed the instrument, the principal appeared to the witness to have decision making capacity in relation to making the enduring power of attorney; and

state that the witness is not—

the person signing at the direction of the principal; or

an attorney under the power of attorney; or

a relative of the principal or of an attorney under the power of attorney; or

a care worker or an accommodation provider for the principal; and

if the witness is acting as a person who is authorised to witness affidavits or as a medical practitioner, state the qualification on which the witness is acting.

A certification and statement under subsection (1) or (2) must be signed by the witness making it.

For the purposes of this section, a signature may be an electronic signature if the remote witnessing procedure is used.

For the purposes of this section "in the presence of" includes being present by audio visual link in accordance with the remote witnessing procedure.