Advance care planning can help children and young people (under 18 years of age) living with a serious illness to talk with their family, friends and doctors about their values, goals and hopes; and to identify their future health care preferences.

The following advance care planning forms are not legally binding; however, can help guide discussions and convey wishes: 

• My Wishes (for children)
• Voicing My Choices (for adolescents)
• A Queensland Paediatric Statement of Choices Form is currently under development.

Your Doctor can help you begin advance care planning.

The Paediatric Palliative Care Service in Children’s Health Queensland can also help with advance care planning.  They can be contacted by Phone: (07) 3068 4699 or Email: ppcs@health.qld.gov.au.

In Queensland, a person needs to be 18 years or older before they can complete an Advance Health Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney document.

Related resources

• Information for carers about decision making and planning care for a child with life-limiting illness is available in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
• Information about consenting to medical treatment as a child or young person.
• Queensland Health has produced a “Guide to Informed Decision-making in Health Care”
• Legal perspectives relating to medical treatment (including end of life treatment) for children
  • Children and end of life decision-making