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Under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016, a health practitioner, or a person's medical treatment decision maker may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for directions or an advisory opinion on any matter or question relating to an advance care directive or the medical treatment of a person.

Among other things, VCAT can also make orders in relation to:

  • decision-making capacity
  • the validity of an advance care directive
  • whether a statement in an advance care directive is still applicable
  • the authority of a medical treatment decision maker to make a medical treatment decision.

Those who may be able to apply to VCAT for an order include a health practitioner, a person's medical treatment decision maker,  a person's support person, or any other person whom VCAT is satisfied has a special interest in the affairs of the person can also apply to VCAT.

Community Visitors

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OPA's volunteer Community Visitors monitor disability support accomodation and mental health facilities in Victoria and report on any issues.

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How can OPA help you?

Get advice

OPA’s Advice Service team can answer questions and provide information, advice and assistance on a diverse range of matters that affect people with disability.

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Advocacy services

OPA advocaces for the rights of people with disability in all its work. OPA also provides direct advocacy services through its advocacy and guardianship program, and through its advice service.

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Find information

Download or order printed copies of OPA’s informative publications on topics such as decision-making, medical consent, powers of attorney, guardianship, administration and OPA volunteer programs.

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Level 1, 204 Lygon Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

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Phone: 1300 309 337

TTY: 1300 305 612

Fax: 1300 787 510

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The Office of the Public Advocate is located on the land of the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We acknowledge their history, culture and Elders both past and present.