Queensland’s guardianship system is under review, here’s what QLS says needs to change

These decisions are made by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), an independent body established in 2009, as a single, accessible forum for resolving civil, administrative and disciplinary matters. Guardianship cases account for almost half of all matters heard by QCAT and often involve adults whose decision-making capacity is under question.

With QCAT now under review as part of a statutory review of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009, the Queensland Law Society (QLS) says that the guardianship system is under increasing strain. QLS members say rising demand and growing complexity are affecting fairness, participation and timely decision‑making.

Here’s what QLS is recommending.