Advance care planning

Plan for the health care you'd want if one day you can't speak for yourself. Here's what it means in plain words, where to find your state's official forms, and a short checklist to tick off as you go.

Find your state's forms Go to the checklist

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning means thinking about, talking about and writing down the health care you'd want if you became very ill or injured and couldn't make or share decisions yourself.

Your plan is only used if you can't decide for yourself. While you can, you make your own choices, and you can change your plan at any time. It's worth doing at any age, not only when you're older or unwell.

It usually comes down to two things: writing down your wishes, and choosing someone you trust to speak for you.

Advance care directives

An advance care directive is a document where you write down what matters to you and the treatments you would or wouldn't want. Every state and territory has a legal way to make one, and it's only used if you can't make decisions yourself.

Each state uses its own name and form:

New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania
Advance care directive
Queensland and Western Australia
Advance health directive
Australian Capital Territory
Health direction
Northern Territory
Advance personal plan

Some states also have a simpler form just for your values and wishes, like Queensland's statement of choices or the Values and Preferences form in WA. They aren't legally binding, but they help the people caring for you understand what matters to you.

Choosing a substitute decision-maker

A substitute decision-maker is someone you choose to make health and personal decisions for you if you can't. Their job is to make the choices you would make, so pick someone who knows you well and will speak up for your wishes, even if they'd choose differently.

Again, the name depends on where you live:

New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania
Enduring guardian
Victoria
Medical treatment decision maker
South Australia
Substitute decision-maker
Queensland and the ACT
Attorney, in an enduring power of attorney
Northern Territory
Decision maker, in an advance personal plan

How is this different from a power of attorney for money?

Health and money are usually kept apart. In most states, an enduring power of attorney lets someone manage your money and property, and it's a separate document from the one for health decisions. In NSW, for example, an attorney can only make financial and legal decisions, and health decisions sit with an enduring guardian.

Queensland and the ACT work differently: one enduring power of attorney can cover both health and money. In the Northern Territory, your advance personal plan can cover both. You can choose the same person for health and money, or different people.

Planning for your money too? Gaia's Power of Attorney lets you choose who manages your assets and financial affairs, alongside your Will. Not sure it's the right kind for you? Ask us before you buy.

Talking with your family and your GP

The conversations matter as much as the form. They mean the people close to you won't have to guess, or carry a hard decision alone.

With the people close to you

  • Pick a calm moment. It doesn't need to be one big talk.
  • Share what a good life looks like for you, and what you'd find hard to live with.
  • Ask the person you'd like as your decision-maker if they're willing, and talk your wishes through with them.
  • Let everyone know where your papers will be kept.

With your GP

  • Book a longer appointment, so there's time to talk.
  • Ask what your health could mean for you in the future, and what treatment choices might come up.
  • Ask for help with the medical parts of your form.
  • Give them a copy once it's done.

Where to keep it, and who gets a copy

Keep the original somewhere safe that's easy to find, and tell people where it is. It can only help if someone can find it when it's needed.

Give a copy to:

  • your substitute decision-maker
  • your GP
  • close family or carers
  • the hospital you use most, and ask them to add an alert to your record.

You can also upload it to My Health Record, so your doctors and hospitals can find it.

Some states have their own process too. In Queensland, you can send a copy to the Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning to be added to your Queensland Health record. NSW Health asks you not to post your directive to them.

If you make changes, swap out every copy, so no one is left with an old version.

Reviewing your plan

Your wishes can change, and that's normal. You can update your plan whenever you like, as long as you can still make your own decisions.

NSW Health suggests reading it once a year. It's also worth looking again after a big change, like:

  • a new diagnosis or a change in your health
  • a stay in hospital
  • moving house or into care
  • a change in your relationships, or if your decision-maker can no longer help.

If you change it, tell everyone who has a copy and give them the new one.

Your state's forms

Choose where you live to see what each document is called and the official forms and guidance. Each link opens the government's own page in a new tab.

Your state and your ticks stay on this device. We only count that the guide was used, never what you pick or tick. Nothing else is sent.

Your state or territory

Choose your state or territory above to see its official forms.

Advance care planning · Gaia

My advance care planning checklist

Your checklist

Tick each step as you go. Take your time. There's no need to do it all at once.

0 of 10 done

  • If you were very unwell, what would a good day look like? What would you want, or not want, from your care?

  • Share what matters to you, so no one has to guess later.

  • Pick someone you trust to speak up for your wishes. Check they're willing, and talk it through together.

  • They can explain what your health might mean for the future and help with the medical parts of your form.

  • Use the official form for where you live. Find your state's forms.

  • Each state has its own rules about who can witness. Your form's instructions explain them.

  • Your decision-maker, your GP, close family and the hospital you use most. Keep the original somewhere safe and easy to find.

  • It helps your doctors and hospitals find it when it matters.

  • An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust manage your money, including if you can't. A Will covers what happens after you die. See online Wills and Power of Attorney, and ask us if you're not sure it's the right kind.

  • Once a year is a good habit, and again after any big change in your health or your life.

From gaiaapp.net/advance-care-planning. General information only, not legal or medical advice.

Your ticks stay on this device.

GRIEF SUPPORT

Grief is real, and it can hit hard. Griefline is now part of SANE Australia. SANE's free Service Enquiries line, 1800 187 263 (weekdays except public holidays, 10am to 8pm AEST/AEDT), can help you find grief support. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are there any time, day or night, and Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) supports children and young people. In an emergency, call 000.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Gaia can support you through what follows, with care and guidance when you need it most.

Create a Will online

Document your wishes and protect the people you love.
Funeral wishes

Share what you'd want on the day, in your own words.
Executor toolkit

A gentle guide through every job that falls to the executor.

Still have questions?

Every state and territory has a legal way to record your wishes for future health care, and a properly made directive is recognised by law. Some forms aren't legally binding, like Queensland's statement of choices, but they still help the people caring for you. The rules differ between states, so check your state's official guidance.

Not always. Many state forms are made to be filled in yourself. Victoria's, for example, can be completed without legal advice. Some steps work differently: in NSW, NSW Trustee and Guardian or a lawyer can prepare your enduring guardian appointment with you. If you have legal questions, or your situation is complicated, talk to a lawyer.

An advance care directive is about your health care while you're alive but can't speak for yourself. A Will is about what happens to your money and belongings after you die. Many people make both, along with an enduring power of attorney for their money.