Healthy living

Advance care planning process

  • Advance care planning involves talking about your values, beliefs and preferences for health and personal care with your loved ones and those involved in your care.
  • There are a number of advance care planning documents available in WA for you to record your values, care preferences and treatment decisions.
  • Updates to the advance care planning information resources and documents in WA were made in August 2022.

You may want to have a say in the type of care you receive throughout your life. This can become difficult at times when you are unwell and may be unable to make or communicate your wishes.

This process of preparing for this is called advance care planning. Advance care planning can start at any age. It is best started when you are feeling well and able to make decisions. Advance care planning is an ongoing process and involves 4 key elements: Think, Talk, Write, Share.

You can move between these elements and change your choices to suit changes in your personal situation, health or lifestyle.

The advance care planning process: Think, Talk, Write and Share

The information below outlines the advance care planning process, some information on the documents and tools you will need, and where to learn more. For more guidance on how to get started and explore each of the elements refer to Your Guide to Advance Care Planning in WA: A workbook for planning your future care (PDF 1.5MB).

Think
Talk
Write
Share

Advance care planning resources

A range of advance care planning resources are available, including translated resources

Where to get help

Advance care planning

  • Department of Health WA Advance Care Planning Information Line
    General enquiries and to order advance care planning resources  (e.g. Advance Health Directives, Values and Preferences form)
    Phone: 9222 2300
    Email: ACP@health.wa.gov.au
  • Palliative Care WA – Advance care planning workshops and support
    Free information, workshops and support with advance care planning for the community
    Phone: 1300 551 704 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day)
    Email: info@palliativecarewa.asn.au
    Palliative Care WA (external site)
  • National Advance Care Planning Free Support Service
    General queries and support with completing advance care planning documents
    Phone: 1300 208 582 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm AEST)
    Online referral form (external site)

Enduring Powers of Guardianship and Enduring Powers of Attorney

Last reviewed: 01-08-2022