2 Executive summary A financial enduring power of attorney (FEPOA) is a legal document that allows an adult (the principal) to appoint another adult person(s) (the appointed decision-maker(s)) to make certain financial decisions on their behalf. In February 2024, an online survey of 3,029 Australian adults was conducted to provide evidence about the current state of awareness, use and knowledge of FEPOAs held by principals and appointed decision-makers, as well as existing gaps in education and potential solutions to address those gaps. The sample of adults surveyed included 537 people who were currently or had previously been principals in an FEPOA and 522 who were currently or had previously been appointed decision-makers in an FEPOA. The sample also included 1,970 Australian adults who had never been a principal or appointed decision-maker. A sub-set of the sample (n = 2,496) was nationally representative of Australian adults. This report outlines the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) key findings and makes three recommendations. 2.1 Key findings The following summary of findings captures key insights from the Commission’s research. The detailed findings can be found in Chapters 4 - 7 of the report. In this report the term ‘principal’ refers to an adult who appoints another adult person(s) to make decisions on their behalf in an FEPOA. The term ‘appointed decision-maker’ refers to the person appointed to make decisions on the principal’s behalf in an FEPOA. 8 Empowering futures: A national survey on the understanding and use of financial enduring powers of attorney