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Guardianships in Australia
If you lose capacity, an appointed guardian can protect you by supporting or managing your decision-making. Find out how guardianships work for older Australians and who can be involved.
Guardianships in your state or territory
The laws, types and names of Guardianships in Australia are different depending on where you live. Find out what applies in your state or territory.
Related articles
The following articles are national in scope and cover a range of topics to help you prepare, plan and better resolve issues relating to Guardianships in Australia.
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Introduction to Guardianships
A guardianship appointment aims to provide you with someone trustworthy to help you manage your affairs.
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Being a guardian
A guardian has both the duty and the privilege of enabling another person to live life as they want, by understanding and enacting their wishes and preferences.
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Having ‘capacity’
‘Capacity’ is a term often used when talking about a person’s ability to make decisions for themselves and understand the consequences of those decisions.
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Enduring Guardians
Appointing an Enduring Guardian allows you to have control and ownership of your personal and lifestyle decisions if you lose capacity.
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Supported decision-making
All adults have the right to make their own decisions. If an older person can manage some, but not all, of the steps in the decision-making process, providing the right support is vital for their autonomy, dignity and wellbeing.
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Helpful terms
The following are terms that you’ll find as you read information about guardians and trustees.
Related resources
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The SA Office of the Public Advocate Fact Sheets
The SA OPA provides many kinds of decision-making assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing some kind...
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Substitute Decision-Maker Toolkit
The aim of this resource is to give Substitute Decision-Makers helpful tools and resources to carry out their role.
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Compass video: What is Capacity?
‘Capacity’ is a term often used when talking about a person’s ability to make decisions for themselves and understand t...
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What is an Enduring Guardian?
An Enduring Guardian is the person you legally appoint to make decisions about your health and lifestyle in the event y...
In an emergency call 000
This free number will redirect you to an existing phone service near you. This is not a 24-hour line. Call operating times will vary. A collaboration between the Australian, state and territory governments.
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