A formal version of an advance care plan, an advance care directive allows a person to document their preferences for how they will be cared for and who can make decisions when they are unable to.

Each state and territory has different advance care directives, but they all allow a person to state their beliefs, values and goals, medical treatment preferences and what will be important to them towards the end of their life.

Health professionals and family members are legally obliged to follow a valid advance care directive, so it is important to review and update your documents as your circumstances change. For information about making an advance care directive, visit the Advance Care Directives page on Compass.