An Enduring Power of Guardianship is a legal document that authorises a person of your choice, to make important personal, lifestyle and treatment decisions on your behalf should you ever become incapable of making such decisions yourself. This person is known as an enduring guardian.
An enduring guardian could be authorised to make decisions about things such as where you live, the support services you have access to and the treatment you receive.
An enduring guardian cannot be authorised to make property or financial decisions on your behalf.
To make an Enduring Power of Guardianship you must:
be 18 years of age or older
have full legal capacity (this means you must be able to make a formal agreement and understand the implications of statements contained in that agreement).
The person you appoint as your enduring guardian must also be 18 years of age or older and have full legal capacity.
You can appoint more than one enduring guardian as joint enduring guardians, but they must act jointly which means they must reach agreement on any decisions they make on your behalf. If you plan to appoint more than one enduring guardian, it is important you consider their ability to work together on your behalf.
The Public Advocates recommends you appoint no more than two joint enduring guardians.
You may also appoint substitute enduring guardians who would take over decision-making responsibilities in the event one or more of your enduring guardians was unable to continue in the role.
The scope of authority given to your enduring guardian is determined by you when you make your EPG.
You may authorise your enduring guardian to make the same range of decisions as a plenary guardian, who is appointed by the State Administrative Tribunal.
This would enable your enduring guardian to:
decide where you live, whether permanently or temporarily
decide who you live with
decide whether you work and, if so, any matters related to that work
make treatment decisions on your behalf to any medical, surgical or dental treatment or other health care (including palliative care and life-sustaining measures such as assisted ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation)
decide what education and training you receive
determine who you associate with
commence, defend, conduct or settle any legal proceedings on your behalf, except proceedings that relate to your property or estate
advocate for and make decisions about the support services you access
seek and receive information on your behalf.
Alternatively, you may restrict the decision-making authority of your enduring guardian. For example, you may authorise your enduring guardian to make decisions about any treatment you receive, but not about where you live or who you associate with.
When making an Enduring Power of Guardianship you must also determine the circumstances under which your enduring and substitute enduring guardians will act.
For example, you might direct that your enduring guardian act only when they are in the same State as you.