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Advance Care Directives

The Advance Care Directives Act 2013 (SA) allows a person to make an advance care directive that can

  • set out their values and wishes to guide decisions about their future healthcare and other personal matters,
  • set out what, if any, particular healthcare they refuse and in what circumstances, and
  • appoint one or more substitute decision-makers.

It is no longer possible for a person to appoint a guardian under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993 (SA). However, any power of guardianship executed and guardian appointed before 1 July 2014 will be taken to be an advance care directive and substitute decision-maker under the Advance Care Directives Act 2013 (SA).

It is no longer possible to complete an anticipatory direction or make a medical power of attorney appointing a medical agent under the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 (SA). However, any directive or medical power of attorney given and agent appointed before 1 July 2014 will be taken to be an advance care directive and substitute decision-maker under the Advance Care Directives Act 2013 (SA).

See Advance care directives before July 2014.

All references in this section are to the Advance Care Directives Act 2013 (SA) unless stated otherwise.

Advance Care Directives  :  Last Revised: Mon Mar 18th 2024
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.