If you can’t make your own decisions

There might be a time when you can’t make your own decisions.

For example, some people who are very old can’t make decisions on their own anymore.

Or, sometimes people get very sick.

In case this happens, you can choose someone you trust to make decisions for you that you would agree with.

This person is called your guardian.

Your guardian can make decisions about things like:

• where you will live
• how you will be cared for

what medical treatment you will have.

Your guardian can’t make decisions about your:

• money
• assets – things that have value, like your bank account, car or house.

You can also make a Power of Attorney.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document you can use to choose someone to make decisions for you.

You can make:

• a General Power of Attorney – this can only be used for a short amount of time, for example, if you’re going overseas
• an Enduring Power of Attorney – this can be used for when you aren’t able to make your own decisions anymore.

Choosing a guardian and making a Power of Attorney can be hard.

You can ask for help from a disability advocate.

An advocate is someone who helps you to speak up for yourself.

You can learn more about finding a disability advocate on the Australian Government Disability Advocacy Finder website.

Download the WWDA Easy English Book: Your Right to Make Choices to learn more about support with decisions.

You can also use the:

• ADACAS Decision Making Toolkit
• Inclusion Melbourne: It’s My Choice online toolkit 
• Western Australia’s Individualised Services: Supported Decision Making online toolkit.