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Mother and daughter hugging

Guardianship

A guardian is someone who can make healthcare, lifestyle and medical decisions on behalf of a person who lacks decision-making ability. 

How we can help

Couple smiling on the couch

Learn about how to appoint an Enduring Guardian to make lifestyle, health and medical decisions for you if you become incapable of doing this for yourself.
Person with disability smiling next to carer

If your decision-making ability is impaired, a court or tribunal may issue a guardianship order for healthcare, lifestyle and medical decisions. Learn more.

Definitions

tribunal

A legal forum to make and review decisions and settle conflicts. Tribunals are like courts but are usually more specialised and less formal.

Professional woman smiling at appointment

The Public Guardian is a public official appointed to make healthcare, lifestyle and medical decisions for a person under a guardianship order. Learn more.
Diverse family in park

If you are legally appointed as a Private or Enduring Guardian, NSW Trustee and Guardian can provide you with information and support in the role.
Young teenagers laughing

People with disability can benefit from support to make decisions. Learn about supported decision-making and what it means to lack capacity to make decisions.

Definitions

supported decision-making

Helping someone to understand and make their own decisions, so they remain in control of making decisions that are important to them.

A doctor treating an elderly patient.

If you’re a medical, dental or healthcare provider, learn about the role of guardianship and a person’s capacity to consent to treatment and end-of-life care.

Definitions

consent

Learn more about the Public Guardian

The Public Guardian promotes the rights and interests of people with disability through the practice of guardianship, advocacy, and education

This video provides an overview of what we do when we’re appointed as a guardian by a court or tribunal to make health and lifestyle decisions for people who are unable to on their own.

Definitions

tribunal

A legal forum to make and review decisions and settle conflicts. Tribunals are like courts but are usually more specialised and less formal.