Advance care planning documents and resources
- It is important to write down the choices you have made about your future health care.
- In WA, there are different documents you can use to make your values and choices for your future care known.
- Thinking about what type of decisions and thoughts you want to share with others will help you decide which document(s) could be useful for you.
Watch the video to learn more about the different documents in WA and when you might use them.
Documents to write down your choices
Completed by you (if you have decision-making capacity)
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Advance Health Directive (AHD)
An Advance Health Directive (AHD) is a legal and binding document where you write down the type of medical treatment you want or do not want in the future circumstances. Your instructions in your Advance Health Directive are only used if you cannot make or communicate choices for yourself.
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Enduring Power of Guardianship (external site)
The Enduring Power of Guardianship (external site) is a legal and binding document where you pick someone else to make health and lifestyle choices for you only when you cannot. They can make choices about where you live, the services you use and the health care you can have.
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Values and Preferences Form: Planning for my future care
The Values and Preferences Form: Planning for my future care document is helpful to write down how you want to live your life and your values and beliefs. It does not have decisions about medical treatments. This can help your loved ones and those involved in your care understand what is important to you. Only use this form if you do not want to make an Advance Health Directive.
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Documents that are completed by another person
Values and preferences statement for a person with impaired decision-making capacity
A Values and preferences statement for a person with impaired decision-making capacity is a form that can be completed by your recognised decision-maker(s) who has a close relationship with you. Can be used to guide people who may need to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf. This form cannot be used to give legal consent to, or refusal of treatment. This form should only be used if you do not already have an Advance Health Directive or a Values and Preference Form.
Goals of Patient Care form
The Goals of Patient Care form is used by health professionals in hospitals or other care facilities to write down decisions about treatments that may be useful for you if you get sicker. You make these decisions together after one or more conversations.
Other documents you might want to think about
Some people may consider other topics that are not related to health or that can’t be recorded in WA advance care planning documents. These may include:
- Organ and tissue donation
Organ and tissue donation cannot be formally registered using advance care planning documents. Register at DonateLife (external site).
- Wills
A will is a written, legal document that says what you want to do with your money and belongings when you pass away. Refer to the Public Trustee (external site) for more information.
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal agreement that enables a person to appoint a trusted person - or people - to make financial and property decisions on their behalf. Refer to the Office of the Public Advocate (external site) for more information
Map of advance care planning documents in WA
Information resources
Resources for Aboriginal people
Understanding the legal standing of my documents
Statutory
Statutory documents are the strongest, most formal way of recording wishes for future health and personal care. They are recognised under legislation in WA and must meet certain requirements.
WA statutory documents include:
Non-statutory documents
Other less formal documents can also be used for advance care planning. These are called non-statutory documents. They are not recognised by specific legislations and do not carry the same legal force and may be less likely to be followed than statutory documents.
Examples of non-statutory documents in WA include:
How to pick the right document for me
It is important to pick the right document to write down your choices. You can get someone to help you understand the different documents, for example, a doctor, a lawyer, a community health nurse, family member or friend. Different people can help with different questions and advice.
Question to think about when picking a document:
- Do you have strong values and beliefs that will affect the care you would or would not want in future?
- Do you have strong views on the treatment you would or would not want in future?
- Do you have people in your life you would trust to make decisions about your care if needed?
It might be helpful to work through Your Guide to Advance Care Planning in WA to learn more about the advance care planning process and start to gather your thoughts. Or you can read more about the process of advance care planning on the process page.
Where to get help
Advance care planning information and resources
- Department of Health WA Advance Care Planning Information Line
General enquiries and to order free advance care planning resources (e.g. Advance Health Directives, Values and Preferences form)
Phone: 9222 2300
Email: ACP@health.wa.gov.au
- Speak to your GP
Workshops and help with completing documents
- Palliative Care WA – Advance care planning workshops and support
Provides free advance care planning community workshops and the Advance Care Planning Support Service for help with completing documents
Phone: 1300 551 704 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mon to Fri)
Email: info@palliativecarewa.asn.au
Palliative Care WA (external site)
Enduring Powers of Guardianship and Enduring Powers of Attorney
Order resources
Last reviewed: 08-01-2026