"Only 14% of Australians have an Advance Health Directive in place." That’s according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Surprised? So are most people—until a crisis hits.
Making an Advance Health Directive (AHD) isn’t just for the elderly or the seriously ill. It’s for anyone who wants a say in their healthcare when they no longer have a voice. In Queensland, AHDs are legally binding and give you control—if they’re done right. But too often, small mistakes lead to big consequences.
Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
Only 14% of Australians have an Advance Health Directive in place.
Not Getting the Timing Right
AHDs must be made while you have full decision-making capacity. That’s the law. But here's the catch: capacity can be lost suddenly—after a stroke, an accident, or due to progressing illness.
Don’t wait. If you’re thinking about it now, that’s your sign to act. Make your wishes clear while you still can.
Being Vague About Your Wishes
“I don’t want to be kept alive by machines.”
That sounds clear, right? Not to your doctors. What machines? For how long? What about palliative sedation?
The more specific you are, the more useful your directive becomes. Think: life-sustaining treatment, tube feeding, resuscitation, pain relief, end-of-life comfort measures. Write it down in plain, unambiguous terms.
Failing to Talk to Your Doctor First
It’s one thing to write down your healthcare wishes. It’s another to make sure they’re medically realistic. Too many people skip this step.
Speak with your GP. Ask them to walk you through the implications of your choices. They’ll help you express your decisions in a way that works in real clinical situations—and that’s gold when the time comes.
Leaving Your Family in the Dark
You’ve made your directive. Good. But have you told anyone?
This is one of the biggest mistakes we see at Your Lawyers Turner Riddell Hervey Bay. A well-crafted AHD isn’t helpful if no one knows it exists. Or if your family isn’t on board with what it says.
Talk to your loved ones. Explain what your directive says and why. It might be an uncomfortable conversation, but it spares them the distress of guessing what you'd want in an emergency.
Not Signing It Properly
Sounds simple—but this trips people up all the time.
In Queensland, your AHD must be witnessed by a doctor and one other eligible witness, like a lawyer or justice of the peace. If it’s not signed correctly, it’s invalid. That’s the legal equivalent of writing your wishes on a napkin.
Avoid the stress. Get it witnessed properly the first time.
Forgetting to Review and Update It
Life changes. Your views might too. An Advance Health Directive should never be a “set and forget” document.
Review it every few years—or after any major health event. Make sure it still reflects your current values, beliefs, and medical situation.
If it no longer fits, update it. A new directive overrides the old one, but only if it's done and signed correctly.
Final Thought
Creating an Advance Health Directive in QLD isn’t just ticking a legal box. It’s about protecting your autonomy and sparing your loved ones from impossible decisions. But to work, it must be done carefully—no shortcuts, no assumptions.
At Your Lawyers Turner Riddell Hervey Bay, we’ve helped countless clients prepare clear, effective directives that actually work when it matters most. If you're unsure where to start, or need help getting it right, we're here to guide you through every step.
Because when the time comes, your voice deserves to be heard—loud and clear.
