Last updated 12 Oct 2026
Module
E-signatures
Signatures on forms and agreements, without the printer
E-signatures let participants, families and staff sign Document Centre forms, such as service agreements, without printing. Autonomy Care sends a single-use link, checks a one-time code, follows the signing order you set, sends reminders, and adds a signing certificate to the record's PDF. People with Family portal access can sign there instead.
How do participants sign?
They open a single-use link from email or SMS and enter a one-time code, with no account needed. People with Family portal access can sign there with their password. Text messages go through the SMS gateway Autonomy Care runs for the whole platform, so you don't need your own SMS account.
What if someone can't sign online?
You can record a paper signature by uploading a scan with an attestation.
How do reminders work?
Reminders go automatically after 48 hours and again 48 hours later, at most twice, and you can send one by hand. External signers get a fresh link each time.
What proves who signed?
Each signature stores who signed, when, their confirmed intent and a hash of the locked content. A certificate page in the record's PDF shows the signing history. Signatures can't be edited afterwards.
What it does and doesn't do
It does
- Sends single-use signing links by email or SMS
- Checks a one-time code for external signers
- Follows a signing order
- Sends reminders and adds a signing certificate
It doesn't
- Doesn't sign any uploaded PDF; it works on Document Centre forms
- Doesn't use a third-party e-signature service
- Isn't legal advice on whether a document needs a wet signature
Frequently asked questions
Can a nominee or family member sign?
Yes. You choose the signers. People without an account sign with a link and code. Contacts with full Family portal access can sign there.
Are electronic signatures legally binding?
Electronic signatures are generally recognised in Australia, but requirements vary by document and situation. Under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and the matching state and territory laws, an electronic signature meets a legal requirement for a signature when the method identifies the person and shows their intention, is as reliable as is appropriate for the purpose, and the person receiving the document consents to that method.
Service agreements and consent forms can generally be signed electronically. Some documents may still need a handwritten signature, a witness or a set process, depending on the state or territory. Examples include wills, some powers of attorney, statutory declarations in some jurisdictions and some guardianship documents. The Victorian Government's guide to electronic signing and online witnessing shows how one state handles this.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Can signatures happen in a set order?
Yes. Later signers wait until earlier signers have signed.
Can signers get the code by SMS?
Yes. The link and one-time code can go by email or SMS. Text messages go through the SMS gateway Autonomy Care runs for the whole platform, so you don't need your own SMS account.
How it works
Send for signature
Choose the signers and their order on a form record, such as a service agreement.
Signer confirms who they are
External signers open a single-use link (valid 72 hours) and enter a 6-digit code sent by email or SMS. Staff and family portal users re-enter their password. Text messages go through the SMS gateway Autonomy Care runs for the whole platform, so you don't need your own SMS account.
Sign with intent
Each signer confirms they intend to sign and consent to signing electronically.
Keep the record
The signed content is locked with a hash, and a certificate page is added to the PDF.
Who uses it
Intake and enquiries staff
Participants, nominees and families
Coordinators
Related modules
Document Centre
The Document Centre holds your forms, registers and policies. Autonomy Care includes a library of 71 ready-made forms you can adopt and change, template versions with approval and review dates, form records with signatures and PDF export, registers, policy acknowledgements with reminders, and a document control register that shows what needs attention.
Quotes and service agreements
A service agreement sets out the supports, prices and terms agreed with a participant. In Autonomy Care you build a quote from support items, checked against price limits, send it as a PDF and keep versions. When the participant accepts, the quote lines go into a draft service agreement that you complete and send for e-signature.
Family portal
The Family portal gives participants and their chosen contacts a secure login. With view access, family members see upcoming and past supports, goals and feedback. With full access, such as a nominee, they also see plans and budgets, the support team, shared documents to sign, messages and support change requests. Providers control each contact's access.
See it with your own rosters and plans
Get started, or book a demo and we will walk you through it with your questions.