Advance care directives

An advance care directive is a legal form that allows people over the age of 18 years to:

• write down their wishes, preferences and instructions for future health care, living arrangements, personal matters and end of life
• appoint one or more substitute decision-makers to make these decisions on their behalf when they're unable to do so themselves.

Advance care directives came into effect on 1 July 2014. If you already had a medical power of attorney or an anticipatory direction, these continue to be legally valid, unless you complete the advance care directive form.

For free legal advice, phone the Legal Services Commission on 1300 366 424.

SA Health has more information about advance care directives.

You can complete an advance care directive using an online form, or download and print an advance care directive kit, which contains an advance care directive form and a step-by-step guide.

Alternatively, you can:

• buy a hard copy of the Advance Care Directive Kit to be delivered to your address
• buy a hard copy, in person, of the Advance Care Directive kit. Kits can be purchased from any Service SA centre (including metro and regional).They can also be purchased from service agents and rural service agents including: Clare, Millicent, Yorketown, Keith, Peterborough, Port MacDonnell, Roxy Downs, Wudinna and Port Broughton. They cannot be purchased from commissioned agents.

Related information

Other websites

• Advance directives - Legal Services Commission of South Australia
• Advance Care Planning Australia
• Office of the Public Advocate - help with making decisions and resolving disputes
• SA Disability Health Service - SA Health