An advance care directive records your wishes about medical treatment for a time when you may not be able to speak for yourself. It is the clearest way to make sure the care you receive reflects what matters to you, rather than leaving those decisions to others under pressure.
What is an advance care directive?
An advance care directive is a document that sets out, in advance, the medical treatment you would and would not want if you became too unwell to communicate. It can describe the level of intervention you want in a crisis, your views on life-prolonging treatment, where you would prefer to be cared for, and what quality of life means to you.
Without one, the medical system defaults to active treatment. With one, your wishes carry weight, and in many states they are legally binding on the people treating you.
Why does it matter?
A well-completed directive is the strongest protection you have against receiving treatment you would not have chosen. It also lifts a heavy weight off the people who love you. Without your wishes written down, your family may be left guessing, and making agonising decisions on your behalf with no clear guidance. The directive gives them something to follow, and the reassurance that they are honouring your choices, not their own.
Is it the same in every state?
No, and this is important. The name, the form, and the legal force of an advance care directive vary across Australia.
| State or territory | What it is called |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Advance Care Directive |
| New South Wales | No single statutory form; common law applies |
| Queensland | Advance Health Directive |
| South Australia | Advance Care Directive |
| Western Australia | Advance Health Directive |
| Tasmania | No specific legislation; common law applies |
| ACT | Health Direction |
| Northern Territory | Advance Personal Plan |
In some states, such as Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, a properly completed directive has strong legal force. In others it is treated as an important statement of your wishes that guides your care rather than binding it. Your GP or palliative care team can give you the correct form for your state, and Advance Care Planning Australia (advancecareplanning.org.au) has state-by-state resources.
Is it the same as appointing a decision maker?
No. An advance care directive records your wishes. Appointing someone to make medical and personal decisions for you is a separate step, made through an enduring guardianship or medical treatment decision maker appointment, depending on your state. The two work together: the directive states what you want, and the person you appoint helps make sure it is followed. It is worth putting both in place.
What should it cover?
It helps to be specific. Think about the level of medical intervention you would want in a crisis, whether you would want to be resuscitated, whether you would want to be fed artificially if you could not eat, and where you would wish to be cared for, whether that is home, a hospice, or hospital.
What do I do once it is done?
A directive only works if the right people have it. Once completed, give copies to your GP, your treating specialist, your palliative care team, your hospital, and the person you have appointed to make decisions for you. Do not leave it in a drawer where no one can find it when it is needed.
This is general information only. For your situation, speak with your treating team or a solicitor admitted in your state.
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Pierre started 18December after his partner Mark was given a terminal diagnosis, when they mapped out everything that needed to happen at the kitchen table. He reviews the guides to keep them honest, plain, and genuinely useful. About 18December
Published 12 June 2026
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