End of Life Law - Substitute Decision-Making
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Substitute Decision-Making

As a person ages, they sometimes lose their ability to make decisions about health care. When this happens, those decisions will need to be made by a substitute decision-maker. The factsheet in this section explains the law on substitute decision-making. You will also find a case study, mythbusters and other resources about the law in this area.

Factsheet

Mythbusters

Case Study

Supported decision-making

It may be possible for an older person with a cognitive impairment to make their own medical treatment and health care decisions if they are provided with appropriate support. Learn about supported decision-making for medical treatment, and how it is different to substitute decision-making in this factsheet from End of Life Law for Clinicians.

Download the factsheet (200kb pdf)

  • Guide for substitute decision-makers
  • Training module

This guide for substitute decision-makers (952kb pdf) discusses how to make health care decisions for someone who cannot make decisions for themselves. Developed by End of Life Law for Clinicians, health professionals and aged care providers can share this guide with families and decision-makers, to support substitute decision-making.

An online training module on this topic is available through the End of Life Law for Clinicians training program. To learn more about the training or to register visit the ELLC online training portal.