Advance health directive
Your own instructions about future health care.
An advance health directive (AHD) records your wishes and directions about medical treatment, including life-sustaining treatment, in case you cannot make or communicate decisions later. It only takes effect if you lose capacity, and it gives doctors and your family clear guidance at a difficult time.
Treatments you consent to or refuse, your values and wishes, and the circumstances in which life support should be withheld or withdrawn.
A doctor must sign the directive, confirming you appear to have capacity. Talking it through with your GP helps your directions make medical sense.
A directive cannot authorise euthanasia. Directions to withhold life-sustaining treatment only apply in limited circumstances set by law.
You can appoint attorneys for health matters in an EPA or an AHD. The AHD’s directions take priority over your attorneys on matters it covers.
A statutory health attorney — usually your spouse, an unpaid carer, or a close friend or relative — may make decisions, and may not be who you would choose.
Review it when your health changes. Give copies to your GP, specialists and attorneys, and consider uploading it to My Health Record.
- Directions that are vague or medically unclear
- No doctor involved in preparing it
- Copies not given to doctors or hospitals
- Family unaware it exists
- Conflicts with an older EPA or AHD
- Not reviewed after a major diagnosis
How we help — our difference
We prepare your advance health directive alongside your will and enduring power of attorney, so the documents work together, and make sure it is signed and witnessed properly. Your matter is handled personally by an experienced solicitor.
- Advance health directives prepared and witnessed
- Coordinated with your EPA
- Review of existing documents
- Guidance on sharing copies
Talk to us about your advance health directive
A short first phone call is free. Detailed advice on your situation is given at a paid consultation, by appointment.
General information only, current as at October 2026 — not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees and duty rates change, so we confirm the current position before advising you. Official information: Office of the Public Guardian (Qld).