You may sometimes want another person to support you in understanding, making, communicating or carrying out a personal or financial decision. For example, you may want someone to speak to your bank to help you get the information you need to make a financial decision or talk with support workers about services you need. Privacy laws mean organisations cannot give information about you to someone else without your permission, even if they are helping you. If you are an adult in Victoria with decision-making capacity , you can appoint another person as a supportive attorney to support you with decisions about your financial or personal matters. This means they will have legal authority to get information about you to help you make a decision. This also lets others know that you have chosen a particular person to support you and makes their role clear to everyone. Find the interactive supportive attorney appointment forms on the Department of Justice and Community Safety website. See: https://justice.vic.gov.au/powers-of-attorney-act-2014 What a supportive attorney can do You can give your supportive attorney authority to support you in different ways. For example, so they are able to: get information about you from other people or organisations (such as your bank, or electricity provider) tell other people and organisations a decision you have made or information about a decision you have made do things so your decision can happen, for example, making phone calls to organise services that you decide you want. What a supportive attorney can do You can give your supportive attorney authority to support you in different ways. For example, so they are able to: get information about you from other people or organisations (such as your bank, or electricity provider) tell other people and organisations a decision you have made or information about a decision you have made do things so your decision can happen, for example, making phone calls to organise services that you decide you want. What a supportive attorney cannot do A supportive attorney cannot support you to act on a decision about a significant financial transaction (for example, buying or selling a house). Nor do they have authority to support you to make and give effect to decisions about medical treatment (unless they are also your medical support person). Some people cannot be your supportive attorney (for example, your care worker, or health or accommodation provider). A supportive attorney appointment does not have effect during any period that you do not have decision-making capacity for the matters. What a supportive attorney cannot do A supportive attorney cannot support you to act on a decision about a significant financial transaction (for example, buying or selling a house). Nor do they have authority to support you to make and give effect to decisions about medical treatment (unless they are also your medical support person). Some people cannot be your supportive attorney (for example, your care worker, or health or accommodation provider). A supportive attorney appointment does not have effect during any period that you do not have decision-making capacity for the matters. How to appoint a supportive attorney How to appoint a supportive attorney 1. Choose someone you trust, who respects your rights and independence You can appoint more than one supportive attorney. If you do, each supportive attorney acts separately. 2. Choose what types of decisions you want support to make You can give your supportive attorney authority to: access, collect or obtain information assist you to access, collect or obtain information from organisations such as banks, Centrelink and utility providers. You can also give your supportive attorney authority to: communicate your decisions, take any reasonable action to give effect to your decisions. 3. Complete the form For the supportive attorney appointment forms, see the Department of Justice and Community Safety website: https://justice.vic.gov.au/powers-of-attorney-act-2014 Ending and cancelling the appointment A supportive attorney appointment ends if: you revoke (cancel) the appointment the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) revokes the power you die the supportive attorney dies, where you do not have an alternative supportive attorney (a back-up). Your supportive attorney’s role also ends if: they resign they are no longer eligible to be your supportive attorney they no longer have the decision-making capacity to support you or VCAT revokes their appointment. How to appoint a supportive attorney How to appoint a supportive attorney 1. Choose someone you trust, who respects your rights and independence You can appoint more than one supportive attorney. If you do, each supportive attorney acts separately. 2. Choose what types of decisions you want support to make You can give your supportive attorney authority to: access, collect or obtain information assist you to access, collect or obtain information from organisations such as banks, Centrelink and utility providers. You can also give your supportive attorney authority to: communicate your decisions,

take any reasonable action to give effect to your decisions. 3. Complete the form For the supportive attorney appointment forms, see the Department of Justice and Community Safety website: https://justice.vic.gov.au/powers-of-attorney-act-2014 Ending and cancelling the appointment A supportive attorney appointment ends if: you revoke (cancel) the appointment the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) revokes the power the supportive attorney dies, where you do not have an alternative supportive attorney (a back-up). Your supportive attorney’s role also ends if: they are no longer eligible to be your supportive attorney they no longer have the decision-making capacity to support you or VCAT revokes their appointment. Before you sign checklist Below is a checklist with some things to think about before you sign. It is not a complete list, but is to help you think carefully before you sign. If there is a question you do not feel able to answer, you may wish to get more information. ☐ Have you thought about the benefits and risks of appointing someone who can support you to make a decision? For example: ☐ Do they have the skills, time and interest to support you? ☐ Are you comfortable with them accessing personal information to support you? Before you sign checklist Below is a checklist with some things to think about before you sign. It is not a complete list, but is to help you think carefully before you sign. If there is a question you do not feel able to answer, you may wish to get more information. ☐ Have you thought about the benefits and risks of appointing someone who can support you to make a decision? ☐ Do they have the skills, time and interest to support you? ☐ Are you comfortable with them accessing personal information to support you? Downloadable Resources Further information Your supported medical decisions Office of the Public Advocate Phone 1300 309 337 Deaf or impaired hearing users Volunteer login Other languages Feedback and complaints Zero tolerance policy OPA is proudly inclusive. OPA acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community. Abusive, aggressive, intimidating, threatening, or otherwise disrespectful behaviour towards OPA staff will not be tolerated.