Our publication scheme outlines and describes information that we routinely make available to the public. Our publication scheme gives the community greater access to government information in accordance with section 21 of the Right to Information Act 2009 (opens in new window).
Information listed in our publication scheme is available free of charge from our website. Please contact our office if you have difficulty accessing this information and we will endeavour to meet any reasonable request for an alternate version of the required information without charge. You will be advised in advance of any charges that may be payable if your request is for a large volume of material.
About us
The Public Advocate is an independent statutory position appointed by the Governor-in-Council under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (opens in new window).
The Public Advocate works on behalf of adults with impaired decision-making abiltiy to:
- promote and protect their rights, including protecting them from neglect, exploitation and abuse
- encourage the development of services and programs to help them reach the greatest possible degree of autonomy
- promote, monitor and review the provision of services to them.
The Office of the Public Advocate supports the Public Advocate to perform the functions of the role.
More information about the Public Advocate’s functions and powers can be found here.
A brief description of ‘impaired decision-making capacity’ can be found here.
A profile of the Public Advocate can be found here.
Our services
The Public Advocate does not provide services directly to individuals. The Public Advocate’s role is to undertake systemic advocacy to protect and promote the rights and interests of people with impaired decision-making ability.
Information about how the Public Advocate undertakes systemic advocacy can be found here.
More information about what our office does and doesn’t do can be found here.
Our finances
A summary of the Office of the Public Advocate’s annual financial information is published as part of our Annual Report . More detail about the office’s financial position can be found in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General annual report (opens in new window).
Our priorities
Our Business Plan sets out our vision, purpose and values. It also outlines advocacy activities of the Public Advocate for the 2023-24 year.
Our decisions
The Public Advocate must abide by the General Principles in the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (opens in new window) when performing his role. The General Principles can be found here .
The Office of the Public Advocate operates within the corporate governance framework of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. The Department’s framework emphasises ethical behaviour, openness and public accountability. It also guides us in managing our information and resources. More information about the Department’s governance framework can be found here (opens in new window).
Our policies
The Office of the Public Advocate is supported by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. The office therefore operates in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Department. More information about our policies can be found here.
Our lists
The Office of the Public Advocate is not required to hold any public registers in relation to the performance of the role of the Public Advocate, however the office contributes to the lists owned by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, including things like the Gifts and Benefits register. More information about the lists of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General can be found here (opens in new window).
Complaints
You have the right to make a complaint when information in the publication scheme is not available. Our office manages complaints in accordance with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s Client Complaint Management Policy (opens in new window).
Any personal information you provide when making a complaint, including email addresses, will be collected for addressing your complaint about the publication scheme. This is in accordance with the Ministerial Guidelines (opens in new window) under the Right to Information Act 2009 (opens in new window).
Information about how to make a complaint can be found here (opens in new window).