Planning Ahead
Learn about planning ahead
We have collated a range of information and resources from various organisations here for you to access. Many of the links will take you to an external website where you can access what you are looking for. Compass.info is another great source of elder abuse information. To navigate, click a topic below or ‘back to the top’ to return to this menu.
What is planning ahead?
If you are not sure what planning ahead is or why you’d do it, we highly recommend you watch this very brief and entertaining video put together by Queensland’s Office of the Public Guardian.
What are the chances?
(Office of the Public Guardian - YouTube)
Planning ahead usually refers to preparing for a time in the future when you may no longer be able to make decisions for yourself – for example, decisions about your money, health or other personal matters. You can find out more about what is involved in ‘planning ahead’, as well as tips for successful planning on the Office of the Public Guardian’s website:
What's Your Plan?
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Tips for successful planning
(Office of the Public Guardian)
General Powers of Attorney
A General Power of Attorney can only be used:
- while the principal has capacity
- for financial matters
- For the time period and/or task(s) specified in the document
You can find the relevant forms or read more about the different types of Attorney documents below:
Forms - General Power of Attorney
(Queensland Government)
Powers of Attorney In Queensland
(Compass.info)
Enduring Powers of Attorney
There is a lot to consider about Enduring Powers of Attorney documents and it is very important you understand the powers they grant to an attorney before you sign one. The Queensland Government has published an extensive explanatory guide, which walks you through completing an Enduring Power of Attorney, as well as providing helpful information, practical examples, hints and tips. You can find the explanatory guide and related forms below:
Enduring power of attorney explanatory guide
(Queensland Government)
Power of Attorney and advance health directive forms
(Queensland Government)
Below are just a few of the many great resources that might be of interest, in order to learn more about Enduring Powers of Attorney. The first link, ‘common questions’, can help answer tricky questions, like if an attorney document from interstate/overseas can be used in Queensland.
Common Questions
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Who should speak for you?
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Powers of Attorney in Queensland
(Compass.info)
Enduring Power of Attorney Factsheet
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Glossary of Terms – Guardianship and Administration
(ADA Australia)
Advanced Health Directive
An Advanced Health Directive allows you to document your preferences about future health care and treatment. It is only used when you are not able to make these decisions for yourself. The Queensland Government has published an explanatory guide, which walks you through completing an Advanced Health Directive, as well as providing helpful information, practical examples, hints and tips. You can find it and related forms below:
Advanced Health Directive Explanatory Guide
(Queensland Government)
Power of Attorney and advance health directive forms
(Queensland Government)
Below are just a few of the many great resources that might be of interest, in order to learn more about Advance Health Directives:
Advanced Health Directive Factsheet
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Who should speak for you?
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Advance Health Directive webpage
(Queensland Government)
Glossary of Terms – Guardianship and Administration
(ADA Australia)
Statutory Health Attorney
A Statutory Health Attorney is someone who may make a decision for you, without being formally appointed, if you are unable to make them yourself due to illness of incapacity. This can happen when a specific need arises and there is no guardian, enduring power of attorney or advanced health directive in place. To learn more about statutory health attorneys see below:
Factsheet – Statutory Health Attorney
(Office of the Public Guardian)
Statement of Choices
The Statement of Choices form is another option in Queensland for you to plan healthcare decisions in advance in the event you lack healthcare decision-making capacity. Although these are not legal documents, they can help you express your values and preferences regarding health care treatment. You can read more about Statements of Choices here:
Queensland advance care planning forms
(Office of Advance Care Planning)
Wills & Estates
The Public Trustee website has a great overview of the different ways to make a will, whether it be via a solicitor, Will Kit or through their free Will making service.
How can I make a Will in Queensland?
(Public Trustee)
Seeking other advice about Wills and Estates will normally require you to speak with a private lawyer. If you are searching the web for general information (for personal advice always speak with a lawyer), ensure that any information you find is current, from a trustworthy source and applies to the applicable State/Territory. Good places to start are:
About deceased estates
(Public Trustee)
Queensland Law Handbook
(Caxton Legal)
