Guardianship Tribunal

We all prefer to decide for ourselves where we live, who we see, which doctor we go to, what medical treatment we will receive and what services we will receive. Unfortunately this is not always possible. Every day, people grow old, are involved in accidents or become sick. Sometimes this can lead to them being unable to make decisions for themselves.

People can plan ahead by appointing an enduring guardian for lifestyle decisions and by making an enduring power of attorney for financial decisions.

For many years people have been able to plan ahead for their financial affairs by making an enduring power of attorney. This means appointing a person who can make decisions about your estate once you have lost the capacity to make your own financial decisions.

Since 1998 people in New South Wales have also been able to plan ahead for lifestyle decisions by appointing an enduring guardian. An enduring guardian is someone you choose to make personal or lifestyle decisions on your behalf when you are incapable of doing this for yourself. You can also choose which decisions you want your enduring guardian to make.

The Guardianship Tribunal is a legal tribunal. It appoints guardians for people with disabilities aged 16 years and over who are incapable of making their own decisions, and need a legally appointed substitute decision maker because no appropriate or safe informal arrangements are in place, or for some other reason.

If a guardian needs to be appointed, the Guardianship Tribunal will consider appointing a family member or friend. If this is not appropriate, the Tribunal will appoint the Public Guardian.

The Tribunal also appoints financial managers as substitute decision makers for people aged 16 years and over and who are incapable of managing their own financial affairs and need a legally appointed substitute decision maker because no appropriate or safe informal arrangements are in place.

If a financial manager needs to be appointed, the Guardianship Tribunal will appoint a family member or friend (supervised by the Protective Commissioner) or the Protective Commissioner.

The Guardianship Tribunal also consents to medical and dental treatments in certain circumstances for people who are unable to consent for themselves.

The Guardianship Tribunal and the Office of the Protective Commissioner should be consulted if a mature person in a retirement village has been placed in very poor and inadequate accommodation by a guardian, financial manager or person holding a power of attorney. They are also the agencies to consult if the money and/or estate are not being handled in the best interests of that mature person suffering say with dementia.

You can contact the Guardianship Tribunal in person at: -

Level 3
Guardianship Tribunal
2a Rowntree Street
Balmain NSW 2041

or by writing to: -

Guardianship Tribunal
Locked Bag 9
Balmain NSW 2041

You can also telephone the Tribunal on (02) 9555-8500 or Toll-free on 1800 463 928.

You can fax the Tribunal on (02) 9555-9049.

The Guardianship Tribunal also has an excellent Web site at: -

http://www.gt.nsw.gov.au

Below is an interactive Web site link to the Guardianship Tribunal: -

Click Here to Visit the Guardianship Tribunal

Introduction
Obtaining a Copy of the Will
Accommodation in a Retirement Village
The Role of ACAT
Medical Records
Office of the Public Guardian
Ageing & Disability Department
Case Studies
World Wide Web Resources
Elder Abuse