Adult Guardian
The role of the Adult Guardian is to protect the rights and interests of adults who are unable to make decisions for themselves. This lack of decision-making ability, known as impaired capacity, may be caused by intellectual or psychiatric disability, acquired brain injury, dementia or temporary illness such as delirium.As an independent statutory officer, the Adult Guardian operates free from inteference from government and non-government organisations.
Both the Adult Guardian and Public Advocate are concerned with protecting these people’s rights and interests. However, the Public Advocate does not deal with individual cases, but looks at widespread deficiencies in institutions and systems that affect a large number of people.
For example, while the Adult Guardian might obtain a warrant to remove a person with impaired capacity who is being exploited by a carer, the Public Advocate looks at how the system has failed this person, and could be failing others in similar situations. Find out more about the role of the Public Advocate.
The current Adult Guardian, Dianne Pendergast, took up the role on 28 April 2006.
Providing support to the Adult Guardian are the staff of the Office of the Adult Guardian who are employed by our department. The Adult Guardian may delegate specific functions to these officers, who also act independently of other organisations in carrying out their work.
Can I call the Office of the Adult Guardian for help?Our office needs to give priority to calls which relate to or may help prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults with impaired decision-making capacity.
Before calling us, it is a good idea to understand what we do. This will enable our staff to better assist you. Information on the following pages will be able to help you find out more about the Adult Guardian.
Your solicitor, the Public Trustee or a financial planner may also give you advice.
For applications for guardianship and administration orders, contact the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal on 07 3243 0666 or 1300 780 666 (freecall outside Brisbane).
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07 3234 0870 or 1300 653 187 (outside Brisbane)
07 3239 6367
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