Using technology to make documents during COVID-19

Temporary laws apply to the making, signing and witnessing of affidavits, statutory declarations, general powers of attorney and particular mortgages. These temporary laws also apply to how deeds can be made and oaths can be administered.

Temporary laws were previously put in place to allow wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives to be witnessed over video conference, however they expired on 1 July 2021. Wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives must now be made in the usual way, meaning they must be signed on paper and witnessed in person. Find more information about power of attorney and making decisions for others.

However, temporary laws continue to allow nurse practitioners to sign the certificate in an advance health directive, as well as a doctor.

These temporary laws will help to reduce face-to-face contact and protect the health, safety and welfare of Queenslanders during the COVID-19 emergency. The laws relate to sections 8 and 9 of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020.

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