Punch, the POA should be a completely separate document to the Will, even if they are kept together. If you need to put the POA into effect you will need to get the original document from the solicitor and take it to places like your father's bank and anywhere else you may require to use the POA. Ring places like the health fund and insurance company to ask if they require a copy to be sent etc. By rights every provider of services that you may have to deal with should sight the original document, but many are happy to be sent a copy...you can not just ring up and say 'I have POA..."

We have copies, have not once been asked for the original yet, bank, centrelink, doctor, insurance, car reg. nursing home. We do have a certified copy to carry with, just in case. The solicitor keeps the original. NSW.

A POA is a convenient document, but also a dangerous one.  When I had a POA for my brother (he lived in Thailand and owned a property in Australia), people kept asking me to send them a copy ... but, if I sent them a copy, they could send anyone else a copy and claim that they had the POA.  So, I refused ... most firms saw the sense.  

A POA is a convenient document, but also a dangerous one.  When I had a POA for my brother (he lived in Thailand and owned a property in Australia), people kept asking me to send them a copy ... but, if I sent them a copy, they could send anyone else a copy and claim that they had the POA.  So, I refused ... most firms saw the sense.

it has the POA 's name and address on it? and signed by them. It is like a minefield isn't it?

Absolutely, Az.  A bit of "white out" and you can be anyone.