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    Making your own decisions with support

    You can get help from someone you trust, such as a family member, friend, or professional to make your own decisions. This is an informal arrangement that respects your right to decide. You stay in control – it’s always your decision.

    What is supported decision-making?

    • supported decision-making is a process where someone helps you make your own decisions
    • it’s about recognising your right to choose
    • it gives you the support you need to understand decide and communicate your choices
    • this is an informal arrangement that respects your right to decide
    • you stay in control – it’s always your decision.

    Why is supported decision-making important?

    Supported decision-making promotes your independence and ensures your rights, interests, and preferences are respected. It’s about empowering you to make decisions that matter to you, with as much or as little support as you need.

    What are the different ways decisions can be made?

    Supported decision-making sits on a spectrum from you making decisions on your own to someone else making them for you.

    • independent decision-making: you make the decision on your own.
    • you decide with support: you can get help from someone you trust, such as a family member, friend, or professional to make your own decisions. This is an informal arrangement that respects your right to decide. You stay in control – it’s always your decision.
    • informal decision-maker: if you can’t decide with support, a trusted person such as a family member or friend may step in to make decisions for you. This is also an informal arrangement. They don't need legal paperwork or formal authority to make decisions on your behalf.
    • substitute decision-maker: a formally appointed person that makes decisions for you when you can’t decide with support.

    How does supported decision-making work?

    Supported decision-making is a step-by-step process. Here’s how it works:

    • getting to know you: your wishes and preferences, likes and dislikes, past experiences, and needs
    • understanding the decision: identifying and describing the decision, its impact on your life, and any constraints (like money or time)
    • looking at options: together, you look at all possible choices and their consequences
    • narrowing it down: choosing what’s realistic and achievable
    • making the decision: break it into smaller steps if needed
    • put the decision in action: carry it out, with advocacy help if required.

    What does it mean to make decisions with support?

    Making decisions with support means getting help from someone you trust so you can make your own decisions. This is an informal arrangement – you stay in control, and the person supporting you helps you along the way.

    Your support could come from a family member, friend, or professional. They can help with decisions about:

    • where to live (accommodation)
    • who can help you (services)
    • what healthcare you need (healthcare).

    How can someone support you to make decisions?

    Support might include:

    • explaining information: breaking down complex ideas into simple terms
    • exploring options: helping you think through choices and what might happen
    • give expert advice: for example, from a doctor, lawyer, or accountant
    • interpreting information: translating unfamiliar words or concepts into language you understand
    • communicating your decisions: supporting you to share your decision with others
    • helping you access services: guiding you through systems like NDIS or My Aged Care.

    What types of decisions can you get support with?

    You can get support with everyday and other decisions, including:

    • everyday decisions: what to wear and what groceries to buy
    • healthcare decisions: agreeing to (or refusing) medical treatment and accessing care services
    • lifestyle decisions: living arrangements, relationships and employment
    • financial decisions: using money, selling property and making investments.

    Who can support you with decisions?

    It’s best to choose someone you already know and trust such as a:

    • family member
    • close friend
    • carer
    • support worker
    • mentor
    • advocate
    • co-worker.

    You can have more than one person supporting you. Sometimes one person takes the lead, but others may help depending on the decision.

    What makes a good supporter to help you with decisions?

    A good supporter:

    • listens to you, is reliable and respects your views
    • believes in your ability to decide
    • encourages you
    • is patient and doesn’t rush you
    • helps you work through problems
    • keeps their promises.

    What if I can’t make my own decisions, even with support?

    If you're unable to make decisions, someone else may need to decide for you. This could be:

    • an informal decision-maker – a family member or friend who makes decisions for you, without needing formal legal authority.
    • an attorney – someone you chose in advance, using a legal document like an Enduring Power of Attorney (EOPA) or Advance Health Directive (AHD).
    • a guardian – a person officially appointed to make personal or health decisions for you.
    • an administrator – a person officially appointed to make financial decisions for you.

    Is there one way to do supported decision-making?

    No. There isn’t one universal or best-practice approach.

    In Australia, the Living with Disability Research Centre at La Trobe University has created the first evidence-based framework to guide decision-making supporters.

    This framework was designed for people with intellectual disabilities or acquired brain injuries, but you and your supporter may still find it useful if you have another type of cognitive impairment.

    When might a substitute decision-maker be needed?

    A substitute decision-maker maybe needed in certain situations for example if:

    • there’s no one suitable or willing to support you in making your own decisions
    • even with support, you’re unable to understand, make, or communicate the decision
    • there’s conflict between you, your family, supporters, or service providers that can’t be resolved through mediation
    • it’s a legal or financial decision you don’t have the ability to make, and someone with legal authority is required
    • the decision you want to make could cause unacceptable harm to you or someone else
    • your needs and interests won’t be adequately met or protected without a substitute decision-maker.

    More information

    Last updated: 30 September 2025