An advance care directive lets you record the medical treatment you would or wouldn't want in the future. In Victoria it is made under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016. For the general picture, see our guide to advance care directives in Australia.
Two kinds of directive
- Instructional directive. Your medical treatment decision, made in advance, consenting to or refusing specific treatment. It is legally binding, and health practitioners must follow it if it applies. The Victorian Government recommends talking to a medical practitioner if you complete one.
- Values directive. A statement of your values and preferences for medical treatment. Your medical treatment decision maker uses it to make the decision they believe you would have made.
The form
The Victorian Department of Health publishes an Advance care directive for adults form with instructions. Cross out any sections that don't apply to you.
Signing and witnessing
You sign in front of two adult witnesses, and one must be a registered medical practitioner. Neither witness can be your appointed medical treatment decision maker. Each witness signs and dates the document in front of you and each other.
Your medical treatment decision maker
Your medical treatment decision maker makes decisions for you if you can't, and is appointed on a separate form. Our guide to enduring power of attorney in Victoria explains how that appointment differs from an enduring power of attorney.
After it's signed
Share it with your medical treatment decision maker and your health practitioners, and consider uploading it to your My Health Record.
Keep the original somewhere safe and easy to find, give copies to the people who may need them, and write down where it is kept. Our guide to storing important documents has more on this. Review it from time to time, especially if your health changes.
Sources
- Victorian Department of Health: Advance care planning forms (checked November 2026)
- Office of the Public Advocate (Vic): Information for witnesses, advance care directive (checked November 2026)
- Victorian Government: Justice of the Peace handbook, medical decision-making (checked November 2026)
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice.
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