Office of the Public Guardian

The Office of the Public Guardian has the following responsibilities:

• to carry out duties according to the Guardianship of Adults Act 2016 and Guardianship of Adults Regulations
• hold jurisdiction for guardianship in the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT)
• provide a free call service for advice on guardianship.

Read more about adult guardianship and orders.

Legislation

The Guardianship of Adults Act 2016 and Guardianship of Adults Regulations aim to provide a modern decision-making framework for the guardianship of adults in the Northern Territory (NT).

The law recognises the overall wellbeing, human rights and basic freedoms of adults with impaired decision-making capacity. It reflects the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Person with Disabilities.

Read the Guardianship of Adults Act 2016 and Guardianship of Adults Regulations 2016.

Public Guardian

Beth Walker is the inaugural Public Guardian of the Northern Territory.

Ms Walker has more than 25 years' experience in managing human services in the disability, aged, mental health, families, advocacy and child protection areas.

Her experience includes government and non-government sectors and statutory decision making.

Ms Walker was a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for over 16 years and represented the Territory at a local and national level for the Council on the Aging, National Shelter, Health and Families Ministerial Advisory Committee, Community Housing Forum and Consumer Health Forum.

Ms Walker has post graduate qualifications in policy and management.

Annual Report

The Office of the Public Guardian 2016-17 Annual Report PDF (2.2 MB) has been tabled in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and is now available to download.

Contact

Email public.guardian@nt.gov.au or go to adult guardianship and orders.

For more information, go to Office of the Public Guardian website.