Section 29 of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993 (SA) allows SACATto appoint the Public Advocate as a guardian of a person with a mental incapacity. The Public Advocate will only be appointed as guardian if a guardian is needed and there is no other appropriate person to appoint.

The Public Advocate has a role in encouraging alternatives to formal guardianship.

As a guardian, the Public Advocate can make a number of important life decisions for the person under guardianship (known as the 'protected person'). Some decisions and consent to certain medical procedures require the authority of SACAT, such as sterilisation and termination of pregnancy.

For more information, see The Public Advocate as Guardian webpage.