Skip to content
Language
española
عربى
Italiana
Ελληνικά
தமிழ்
Tiếng Việt
हिन्दी
русский
中文
中文 (Taiwan)
한국어
Српски
Hrvatski
English

Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line, our national team of advocates is available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm 

Self-advocacy toolkit

What you need to know for better aged care

Self-advocacy or speaking up means having the right information to get the care and support you need. Explore the topics below to start.

Home Self-advocacy toolkit Help with decision making Supporting your wishes and preferences

Supporting your wishes and preferences

If you have a substitute decision-maker they should not simply make decisions on your behalf. You have the right to be supported in making decisions about your life. Your substitute decision-makers have a responsibility to provide you with information and support to participate in decisions that concern you.

While there isn’t a consistent legal framework across states and territories, a substitute decision-maker is generally required to consider the values, beliefs, views and preferences of a person when making a decision about their health care, or medical treatment, finances or lifestyle.

If you are being prevented from making decisions or you have concerns that a substitute decision-maker is not supporting the wishes or preferences of an older person, call OPAN’s advocacy line on 1800 700 600.

Documents and external links

Learn more about supporting your wishes and preferences. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.

Decision making with your substitute decision-maker leaflet

Download this important OPAN leaflet to understand your rights when it comes to making decisions with a substitute decision-maker.

National Advance Care Planning Support Service

Contact Advance Care Planning’s National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 and visit their webpage for further guidance on being a substitute decision-maker.

Need more support?
Call 1800 700 600