About the Office of the Public Guardian
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights,
interests and wellbeing of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in
the child protection system and those accommodated in disability services, Authorised Mental Health
Services, residential health services and youth detention centres.
The purpose of OPG is to advocate for our clients’ human rights.
For children and young people clients, this means advocating for their rights, access to
services and where appropriate, their independence and choice by ensuring their views and
wishes are considered when decisions are made.
For adults, this means advocating for their rights, appropriate access to services, independence
and choice as part of a supported decision-making model and human rights framework.
Advocacy means understanding the lives and views of our clients with the aim of promoting and
protecting their human rights Advocacy can mean working to prevent or address discrimination,
abuse or neglect. Advocacy does not mean taking over a client’s life or problems. Advocacy does
not mean taking over other government agencies or services providers’ roles and responsibilities.
The Public Guardian Act 2014, Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 and Powers of Attorney Act 1998
set out the OPG’s legislative functions, obligations and powers. The OPG provides high quality, accessible
services through our network of offices located in Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville and Cairns.
You can find out more about what we do on our website www.publicguardian.qld.gov.au
