Although an enduring guardian has a responsibility to protect a person's interests, he or she does not have the obligation to care for the daily needs of that person. The decisions of a guardian extend to all personal decisions, however, the enduring guardian has no authority to interfere with civil liberties for example, intercepting mail or preventing a person from marrying, see help from the guardianship board.

The enduring guardian has no authority to deal with money. However, she or he has to maintain an effective working relationship with the person responsible for financial management and consult her or him about important decisions involving money.

An enduring guardian is not able to consent to certain treatments which the law states must have additional legal authority. These are: sterilisation, termination of pregnancy, psychosurgery and, in certain cases, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). Further details regarding prescribed treatment is available from the Office of the Public Advocate.