World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: OPA Information

The Office of the Public Advocate provides training and resources to help Western Australian communities make a united stand against all forms of abuse against older people.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated on 15 June every year. During WEAAD week the Office of the Public Advocate is raising awareness of how you can protect yourself by effectively planning for the future.

The following information is for people living in Western Australia. 


Free Online Community Information Session

Planning for the future

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Time: 11.00am to 12.00pm

If you were injured or became unwell and could no longer make your own decisions - who would make them for you?  This information session, delivered by the Office of the Public Advocate and hosted by Bankwest, explains how to plan ahead using Enduring Powers of Attorney, Enduring Powers of Guardianship and Advance Health Directives - providing tips on how to successfully complete the paperwork, understand witnessing requirements and what you should do with the completed documents.

 Register Now

Planning for the Future flyer (PDF, 3.08MB)


Planning for the Future - Electronic Information Kit

From kits and Easy Read factsheets, to guides and brochures, the Office of the Public Advocate has a comprehensive library of online information to help you plan ahead.

The Planning for the future – electronic information kit (PDF, 397KB) provides links to relevant publications and webpages, all in the one document.

This kit is also a useful complementary tool when enrolling in the Planning for the Future online information session, on Wednesday 17 June 2025.


Easy Read – How to Plan for the Future

In order to make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG) or Advance Health Directive (AHD) you must have decision-making capacity.

This ‘How to plan for the future’ Easy Read factsheet (PDF, 1.46MB) provides simple, easy-to-understand information about what you need to consider before making an EPA, EPG or AHD.


Plain English Brochure – Who will make decisions for you?

This Plain English brochure (PDF, 1.27MB), provides you with more detailed information about making an EPA, EPG or AHD.

This brochure is available in bulk to service providers.  Contact 1300 858 455 or opa@justice.wa.gov.au for more information. 


Future Planning Tools - Kits and Guides

EPA and EPG Guides are large, comprehensive documents, available online only.

EPA and EPG Kits are a shorter step-by-step documents available both online and hard copy.

  • Both the Kits and guides include forms at the end of the publications.
     
  • EPA and EPG forms are not designed to be completed electronically. 
     
  • If you have trouble printing the forms, refer to How to print the form only (PDF, 140.86KB) for more information.
     
  • If you have any issues downloading the documents, contact our office on or 1300 858 455 or email opa@justice.wa.gov.au for further assistance.
     
  • If English is not your first language visit Translated Publications or download the English is not my first language – how can I access OPA information? publication.  Other language translations and interpreter services are available on request. Contact opa@justice.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 858 455 for more information.
     
  • The Office of the Public Advocate does not supply bulk orders of EPG and/or EPA kits to service providers.  Instead, kits are sent directly to people who seek to make the powers.


Enduring Power of Attorney Guides and Kits

Enduring Power of Guardianship Guides and Kits

Advance Health Directive resources


Elder Abuse Prevention

The Office of the Public Advocate provides a range of resources and strategies aimed at preventing elder abuse. For more information visit elder abuse.

Or visit the Public Trustee Financial Elder Abuse webpage for more information

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