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Office of the Public Guardian Tasmania

    • About us
    • About the Office of the Public Guardian

      Information about the office of the public guardian in Tasmania, including the guardianship services and education.

    • Guardianship Standards

      Guardianship standards outline the responsibilities of guardians and explain what to expect.

    • Community education

      The Office of the Public Guardian provides education sessions for organisations and community groups.

    • After Hours - on call guardian

      The Office of the Public Guardian provides an emergency after hours on call guardian to government and non-government services - hospitals, police, residential facilities and support providers.

    • Investigations

      The Public Guardian investigates complaints or allegations about the actions of a private or enduring guardian or an enduring power of attorney.

    • Guardianship
    • About guardianship

      A guardian is someone with legal authority to make important health and lifestyle decisions on behalf of a person with a decision-making disability.

    • Applying for guardianship

      Anyone who has a genuine concern for the welfare of a person with a mental disability can make an application for guardianship.

    • Emergency applications

      How to apply for an emergency guardianship or administration order where there is an immediate risk to a person’s health, welfare or property,

    • Enduring guardianship

      An enduring guardian, is a person appointed by you to make important personal and lifestyle decisions on your behalf if you lose decision-making capacity as a result of a disability.

    • Enduring powers of attorney

      A power of attorney allows you to appoint another person to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf. An enduring power of attorney gives your attorney authority to make these decisions if you lose capacity as a result of a disability or illness.

    • Information for guardians

      Who can be a guardian and what is involved.

    • Information for service providers

      Guardians may provide letters of consent for a service to be provided, if the guardian considers it necessary.

    • NDIS Service Provision and Guardianship

      Guardians may provide letters of consent for a National Disability Insurance service to be provided, if the guardian considers it necessary.

    • Consent for medical and dental treatment

      How to get substitute consent to medical and dental treatment for adults with cognitive impairment.

    • Help and support
    • Resolving concerns and complaints

      How to resolve guardianship concerns and complaints.

    • Reviewing a Guardian's decision

      What can I do if I am unhappy with a guardian's decision? How do I get a guardian's decision reviewed?

    • Resources
    • Fact Sheets

      Fact sheets from the Office of the Public Guardian.

    • Annual reports

      Annual reports from the Office of the Public Guardian.

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I want to

  • Find out about guardianship
  • Learn about appointing an enduring guardian
  • Find out about enduring powers of attorney
  • Contact the Public Guardian

Guardians

A guardian is someone with legal authority to make important health and lifestyle decisions on behalf of a person with a decision-making disability.

A guardian may be:

  • a Private Guardian – a suitable family member or friend; or
  • the Public Guardian – when no other suitable person is available or when there is conflict

Informed consent for medical treatment

Before a medical or dental practitioner provides treatment to a patient the practitioner must obtain informed consent for the treatment and the patient must be able to understand and agree to the treatment before the treatment can be started.

Public guardian

The Public Guardian is an independent role appointed under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 (the Act). This means that the Public Guardian's decisions and actions are independent of the Government.

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About us

  • Office of the Public Guardian
  • Community education

Quick links

  • Applying for guardianship
  • Emergency applications
  • Resources

How do I

  • Resolve a concern or complaint
  • Review a guardian's decision
  • NDIS Service Provision and Guardianship

Get help

  • Contact us
  • Help and support

Acknowledgement of country

In recognition of the deep history and culture of this Island, we acknowledge Tasmanian Aboriginal people, the original and continuing Custodians of the Land, Sea and Sky. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Tasmanian Aboriginal Communities, all of whom have survived invasion and dispossession, and continue to maintain their identity, culture and Aboriginal rights

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