Making an advance health directive

You can make an advance health directive if you are over 18 and have the capacity to do so. This means that you:

  • understand the nature and consequences of your health care decisions
  • understand the nature and effect of the directive
  • freely and voluntarily make these decisions
  • communicate your decisions in some way.

When to make a directive

The best time to make an advance health directive is now, before any urgent health condition arises. However, it is particularly important to make one if:

  • you are about to be admitted to hospital
  • your medical condition is likely to affect your ability to make decisions
  • you have a chronic medical condition that could result in serious complications such as diabetes, asthma and heart or kidney disease.

How to make a directive

You can download the Advance Health Directive Form for free, or you can buy one from a newsagency or some bookshops and stationers.

Discuss with your doctor

Part of the Advance Health Directive form needs to be completed by a doctor, so get them to explain your options, any unfamiliar terms, and ask them to provide more information if you need it.

Discuss with your family

Before completing the form, first take time to carefully reflect on the decisions you have to make. Remember, you are putting in place a plan that will determine your future health care. Consider what is important to you. Discuss these matters with your family or close friends.

Directives must be witnessed correctly

You will also need a witness, who is responsible for making sure that your signature is genuine, and that you understand the decisions you are making. Your witness must be over the age of 21 and be a Justice of the Peace (JP), Commissioner of Declarations (C.dec), lawyer or Notary Public. They cannot be:

  • your attorney for personal matters
  • your relative or a relative of your attorney
  • a current health provider
  • a current paid carer (this doesn’t include a person on a carer’s pension)
  • a beneficiary under your will.

What to do with the completed form

You don’t need to lodge your completed form with any authorities. Keep the original document in a safe place and give a copy to your doctor, a family member or friend, and your attorney for personal matters if you have one. You might also want to carry a card stating that you have made an Advance Health Directive and where it can be found.

Changing or revoking an advance health directive

You can make changes to your Advance Health Directive at any time, provided you still have the decision-making capacity to do so. It’s a good idea to review your directive every two years, or if your health changes significantly.

You can also revoke your directive, which means you cancel your instructions. You need to make any changes in writing and have your signature witnessed.