Our role with adults

Our charter is to:

  • make personal, health and legal decisions (not related to property or finance) if the Public Guardian is their guardian or attorney
  • investigate allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults with impaired decision-making capacity
  • advocate and mediate on behalf of adults with impaired decision-making capacity
  • educate the public on the guardianship and attorney systems.

We also support the important protective role that community visitors have in Queensland by administering the Community Visitor Program.

The Public Guardian Act 2014 and Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 set out the OPG’s legislative functions, obligations and powers. The Powers of Attorney Act 1998 regulates the authority for adults to appoint substitute decision-makers under an Advanced Health Directive or an Enduring Power of Attorney.