Office of the Public Guardian TAS

The Office of the Public Guardian Tasmania promotes, speaks for, and protects the rights and interests of people with disabilities and acts as the guardian of people with disabilities when appointed by the Guardianship and Administration Board.

What is a Guardian?

• A Guardian makes decisions for you that are in your best interests.

• Your guardian will make decisions for you in the areas set out in the guardianship order.

• If you do not understand what this means or have not yet received a copy of this order, just speak to your guardian.

How will my Guardian make decisions?

• When asked to make a decision on your behalf, your Guardian may talk to you about what you would like. They may also talk to people who know you, such as your family or your doctor.

• A Guardian must act in your best interests, and take into account your wishes.

• A Guardian's job is to encourage and assist you to make reasonable judgments for yourself, and to help protect you from neglect, abuse and exploitation, and act as your advocate. This does not always mean your Guardian will agree with you.

• Your Guardian will act with respect, integrity, open-mindedness and will try to understand your individual needs.