NSW Public Guardian

The Public Guardian exists to promote the rights and interests of people with disabilities through the practice of guardianship, advocacy and education. The Guardianship Tribunal appoints the NSW Public Guardian as guardian of last resort and the Public Guardian then acts as a substitute decision-maker for people under his guardianship.

Mr Graeme Smith is the Public Guardian and is an independent statutory official. The Public Guardian is part of the Department of Attorney General and Justice and is supported administratively by the NSW Trustee and Guardian.


Latest News

New Website Launched

Planning Ahead Tools is a central point for information about Wills, Powers of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship and Advance Care Planning. The website has information, resources and educational material that you can use to assist people to plan ahead.

Download the information sheet, or you can go directly to the website at www.planningaheadtools.com.au


Easy Read fact sheets

The Public Guardian has developed Easy Read fact sheets for people under guardianship. The fact sheets explain how decisions are made, how to make a complaint, how to ask for a review of a decision and the Guardianship Tribunal. Copies of these fact sheets can be downloaded in PDF format from our Publications page, or contact Information and Support on 02 8688 6070 for copies.

Feedback: We are keen to know what you think about these fact sheets and how we can improve them. A feedback form can be downloaded and returned to the Information Support Unit.



The 2011 revised edition ‘Enduring guardianship in New South Wales: your way to plan ahead’ is now available.

The booklet is useful for the community, health and legal professionals to understand enduring guardianship and planning ahead.

This publication is an update of the 2005 edition and has been fully revised and updated to include recent changes to the Guardianship Regulation 2010. Changes include:

• new forms for appointing, revoking or resigning an appointment of enduring guardian
• a new provision including NSW Trustee and Guardian (trained) staff as eligible witnesses.

Planning ahead may reduce the number of people needing to have court appointed guardians, lessen the risk of elder abuse and exploitation, and allows autonomy to choose a future decision-maker.

For more information about guardianship you can contact us.


We value your feedback.
To tell us about a complaint, compliment or suggestion phone freecall 1800 451 510 or email us