{"id":"nsw:sl-2016-0556","name":"Guardianship Regulation 2016","slug":"guardianship-regulation-2016","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"556 of 2016","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177530,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2016-0556-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Regulation","content":"#### 1 Name of Regulation\n\n1 Name of Regulation\n\n> This Regulation is the [Guardianship Regulation 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2016-0556).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Regulation commences on 1 September 2016 and is required to be published on the NSW legislation website.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> This Regulation replaces the [Guardianship Regulation 2010](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2010-0426) which is repealed on 1 September 2016 by section 10 (2) of the [Subordinate Legislation Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-146).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Regulation:\n> > \n> > restricted substance means a substance that is specified in Schedule Four of the Poisons List under the [Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1966-031).\n> > \n> > the Act means the [Guardianship Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-257).\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > The Act and the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.\n> \n> > (2) In this Regulation, a reference to a Form is a reference to a Form set out in Schedule 1.\n> \n> > (3) Notes included in this Regulation (other than in Schedule 1) do not form part of this Regulation.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Enduring guardians","content":"# Part 2 Enduring guardians\n\nPart 2 Enduring guardians","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Eligible witnesses","content":"#### 4 Eligible witnesses\n\n4 Eligible witnesses\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of paragraph (a) (iv) of the definition of eligible witness in section 5 of the Act, the following persons are prescribed:\n> > \n> > > (a) a foreign lawyer within the meaning of the [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW)](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2014-16a),\n> > \n> > > (b) a person:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) who is a member of staff of the NSW Trustee and Guardian or is employed in Service NSW, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) who has completed an approved course of study, and\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) who has been approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Trustee and Guardian for the purposes of this paragraph.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of this clause:\n> > \n> > approved course of study means a course of study approved by the Minister by order published in the Gazette.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appointment of enduring guardian","content":"#### 5 Appointment of enduring guardian\n\n5 Appointment of enduring guardian\n\n> For the purposes of section 6C (1) (a) of the Act, Form 1 is the prescribed form for an instrument appointing a person as an enduring guardian.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Revocation of appointment of enduring guardian","content":"#### 6 Revocation of appointment of enduring guardian\n\n6 Revocation of appointment of enduring guardian\n\n> For the purposes of section 6H (2) (b) of the Act, Form 2 is the prescribed form for an instrument revoking the appointment of a person as an enduring guardian.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Resignation of appointment as enduring guardian","content":"#### 7 Resignation of appointment as enduring guardian\n\n7 Resignation of appointment as enduring guardian\n\n> For the purposes of section 6HB (2) (a) of the Act, Form 3 is the prescribed form for a written notice of resignation of an appointment as an enduring guardian.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interstate enduring guardians","content":"#### 8 Interstate enduring guardians\n\n8 Interstate enduring guardians\n\n> For the purposes of the definition of interstate enduring guardian in section 6O (5) of the Act, the following instruments are prescribed:\n> \n> > (a) an enduring power of attorney made under the Powers of Attorney Act 2006 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> \n> > (b) an advance personal plan made under Part 2 of the Advance Personal Planning Act of the Northern Territory,\n> \n> > (c) an enduring power of attorney made under Part III of the Powers of Attorney Act of the Northern Territory,\n> \n> > (d) an enduring power of attorney or an advance health directive made under Chapter 3 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 of Queensland,\n> \n> > (e) an advance care directive made under Part 3 of the Advance Care Directives Act 2013 of South Australia,\n> \n> > (f) an instrument of appointment of an enduring guardian made under Part 5 of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 of Tasmania,\n> \n> > (g) an enduring power of attorney made under Part 3 of the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 of Victoria,\n> \n> > (h) an enduring power of attorney (medical treatment) made under Part 2 of the Medical Treatment Act 1988 of Victoria,\n> \n> > (i) an instrument of appointment of an enduring guardian made under Part 9A of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 of Western Australia,\n> \n> > (j) an instrument of a similar nature to an instrument specified in paragraphs (a)–(i) that was made before the provisions in the relevant paragraph came into force and that is taken to be made under those provisions, or otherwise remains in force, by virtue of a savings or transitional provision made in relation to those provisions.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Medical and dental treatment","content":"# Part 3 Medical and dental treatment\n\nPart 3 Medical and dental treatment","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Special medical treatment","content":"#### 9 Special medical treatment\n\n9 Special medical treatment\n\n> For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of special treatment in section 33 (1) of the Act, the following medical treatment is declared to be special treatment:\n> \n> > (a) any treatment that is carried out for the purpose of terminating pregnancy,\n> \n> > (b) any treatment in the nature of a vasectomy or tubal occlusion,\n> \n> > (c) any treatment that involves the use of an aversive stimulus, whether mechanical, chemical, physical or otherwise.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Major medical treatment","content":"#### 10 Major medical treatment\n\n10 Major medical treatment\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of the definition of major treatment in section 33 (1) of the Act, the following medical treatment (not including any special treatment) is declared to be major treatment:\n> > \n> > > (a) any treatment that involves the administration of a long-acting injectable hormonal substance for the purpose of contraception or menstrual regulation,\n> > > \n> > > Note.\n> > > \n> > > An example of such a substance is medroxyprogesterone acetate, in suspension, commonly known as Depo-Provera.\n> > \n> > > (b) any treatment that involves the administration of a drug of addiction,\n> > \n> > > (c) any treatment that involves the administration of a general anaesthetic or other sedation, but not treatment involving:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) sedation used to facilitate the management of fractured or dislocated limbs, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) sedation used to facilitate the insertion of an endoscope into a patient’s body for diagnostic purposes unless the endoscope is inserted through a breach or incision in the skin or a mucous membrane,\n> > \n> > > (d) any treatment used for the purpose of eliminating menstruation,\n> > \n> > > (e) any treatment that involves the administration of a restricted substance for the purpose of affecting the central nervous system, but not a treatment:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) involving a substance that is intended to be used for analgesic, antipyretic, antiparkinsonian, anticonvulsant, antiemetic, antinauseant or antihistaminic purposes, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) that is to be given only once, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) that is a PRN treatment (that is, given when required, according to the patient’s needs) that may be given not more than 3 times a month, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) given for sedation in minor medical procedures,\n> > \n> > > (f) any treatment that involves a substantial risk to the patient (that is, a risk that amounts to more than a mere possibility) of:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) death, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) brain damage, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) paralysis, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) permanent loss of function of any organ or limb, or\n> > > \n> > > > (v) permanent and disfiguring scarring, or\n> > > \n> > > > (vi) exacerbation of the condition being treated, or\n> > > \n> > > > (vii) an unusually prolonged period of recovery, or\n> > > \n> > > > (viii) a detrimental change of personality, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ix) a high level of pain or stress,\n> > \n> > > (g) any treatment involving testing for the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).\n> \n> > (2) In this clause, drug of addiction means a substance that is specified in Schedule Eight of the Poisons List under the [Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1966-031).","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Major dental treatment","content":"#### 11 Major dental treatment\n\n11 Major dental treatment\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of the definition of major treatment in section 33 (1) of the Act, the following dental treatment is declared to be major treatment:\n> > \n> > > (a) any treatment involving the administration of a general anaesthetic or simple sedation,\n> > \n> > > (b) any treatment intended, or likely, to result in the removal of all teeth,\n> > \n> > > (c) any treatment likely to result in the patient’s ability to chew food being significantly impaired for an indefinite or prolonged period.\n> \n> > (2) In this clause, simple sedation means a technique in which the use of a drug or drugs produces a state of depression of the central nervous system enabling treatment to be carried out, and in which:\n> > \n> > > (a) verbal contact with the patient is maintained throughout the period of sedation, and\n> > \n> > > (b) the technique used has a margin of safety wide enough to render unintended loss of consciousness unlikely.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requests for consent to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment","content":"#### 12 Requests for consent to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment\n\n12 Requests for consent to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 40 (4) (a) of the Act, a request for consent to the carrying out of minor medical or dental treatment is to be made in writing. However, the request may be made orally if:\n> > \n> > > (a) it is not practicable to make the request in writing, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the person whose consent is sought does not require it to be made in writing.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of section 40 (4) (a) of the Act, a request for consent to the carrying out of major medical or dental treatment is to be made in writing. However, the request may be made orally if it is not practicable to make the request in writing because of the need to provide the treatment quickly.\n> \n> > (3) A person who requests a consent referred to in this clause must give written confirmation of the request to the person whose consent is sought if the request was made orally and:\n> > \n> > > (a) the consent relates to the carrying out of major treatment, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the person whose consent is sought requires written confirmation.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Consents to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment","content":"#### 13 Consents to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment\n\n13 Consents to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 40 (4) (b) of the Act, a consent to the carrying out of minor medical or dental treatment is to be given in writing. However, the consent may be given orally if:\n> > \n> > > (a) it is not practicable to give the consent in writing, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the person by whom the treatment is to be carried out does not require it to be given in writing.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of section 40 (4) (b) of the Act, a consent to the carrying out of major medical or dental treatment is to be given in writing. However, the consent may be given orally if it is not practicable to do so in writing because of the need to provide the treatment quickly.\n> \n> > (3) A person who gives an oral consent as referred to in this clause must give written confirmation of the consent to the person who requested the consent if:\n> > \n> > > (a) the consent relates to the carrying out of major treatment, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the person who requested consent requires written confirmation.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Experimental special medical treatment to which Tribunal may consent","content":"#### 14 Experimental special medical treatment to which Tribunal may consent\n\n14 Experimental special medical treatment to which Tribunal may consent\n\n> For the purposes of section 45 (3) (b) of the Act, the following medical treatment is prescribed special treatment:\n> \n> > (a) any treatment that involves the administration to a patient of 1 or more restricted substances for the purpose of affecting the central nervous system of the patient, but only if the dosage levels, combinations or numbers of restricted substances used, or the duration of the treatment, are outside the accepted mode of treatment for such a patient,\n> \n> > (b) any treatment that involves the use of androgen reducing medication for the purpose of behavioural control.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Clinical records","content":"#### 15 Clinical records\n\n15 Clinical records\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 48 of the Act, a person by whom medical or dental treatment is carried out pursuant to a consent given under Part 5 of the Act is to keep a written record of:\n> > \n> > > (a) the name and address of the person by whom the consent was given, and\n> > \n> > > (b) the date on which the consent was given, and\n> > \n> > > (c) the conditions (if any) on which the consent was given, and\n> > \n> > > (d) the nature of the treatment carried out,\n> > \n> > and if the consent was given in writing, is to keep a copy of the consent together with the written record.\n> \n> > (2) A person by whom such a record is kept must allow the record, and any copy of the consent kept with the record, to be inspected at any reasonable time by an authorised officer.\n> \n> > (3) Nothing in this clause requires a person to retain a record of any medical or dental treatment carried out by the person for a period of more than 7 years after the date on which the treatment is carried out.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Corresponding laws","content":"#### 16 Corresponding laws\n\n16 Corresponding laws\n\n> For the purposes of the definition of corresponding law in section 48A of the Act, the following laws are declared to be corresponding laws:\n> \n> > (a) Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> \n> > (b) Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 of New Zealand,\n> \n> > (c) Guardianship of Adults Act of the Northern Territory,\n> \n> > (d) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (e) Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 of Queensland,\n> \n> > (f) Guardianship and Administration Act 1993 of South Australia,\n> \n> > (g) Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 of Tasmania,\n> \n> > (h) Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 of Victoria,\n> \n> > (i) Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 of Western Australia.\n> \n> **cl 16:** Am 2018 (395), cl 3.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Administrative review by Tribunal of guardianship decisions of Public Guardian","content":"#### 17 Administrative review by Tribunal of guardianship decisions of Public Guardian\n\n17 Administrative review by Tribunal of guardianship decisions of Public Guardian\n\n> For the purposes of section 80A (1) (b) of the Act, all decisions made by the Public Guardian in connection with the exercise of the Public Guardian’s functions under the Act as a guardian are prescribed.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service of notices and other instruments","content":"#### 18 Service of notices and other instruments\n\n18 Service of notices and other instruments\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 98 (1) (c) of the Act, a notice or other instrument may be published in a daily newspaper circulating generally throughout the Sydney metropolitan area.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of section 98 (2) (b) of the Act, a notice or other instrument published in accordance with this clause is to be taken to have been served at the end of 7 days after it was published.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings","content":"#### 19 Savings\n\n19 Savings\n\n> Any act, matter or thing that, immediately before the repeal of the [Guardianship Regulation 2010](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2010-0426), had effect under that Regulation continues to have effect under this Regulation.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Provision consequent on enactment of Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2018 No 29","content":"#### 20 Provision consequent on enactment of Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2018 No 29\n\n20 Provision consequent on enactment of [Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2018 No 29](/view/html/repealed/current/act-2018-029)\n\n> Section 3F of the Act, as amended by the [Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2018](/view/html/repealed/current/act-2018-029), applies only to proceedings consisting of a review by the Tribunal of a guardianship order made under the Act or an appointment (or purported appointment) of an enduring guardian under the Act commenced on or after the commencement of the amendment.\n> \n> **cl 20:** Ins 2018 (686), cl 3.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Forms","content":"# Schedule 1 Forms\n\nSchedule 1 Forms\n\n(Clauses 5–7)\n\nForm 1 Appointment of enduring guardian\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], appoint \\[*insert the name, address and occupation of each proposed enduring guardian*\\] to be my enduring guardian(s).\n\nI appoint my enduring guardians to act jointly/severally/jointly and severally.\n\nThe death, resignation or incapacity of any of my joint enduring guardians does/does not terminate the appointment of each of my other joint enduring guardians.\n\nI authorise my enduring guardian(s) to exercise the following functions:\n\n> (a) to decide where I live,\n\n> (b) to decide what health care I receive,\n\n> (c) to decide what other kinds of personal services I receive,\n\n> (d) to consent to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment on me (in accordance with Part 5 of the [Guardianship Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-257)),\n\n> (e) \\[*insert any additional functions*\\]\n\nI place the following limits on the authority of my enduring guardian(s): \\[*insert any limits*\\]\n\nThe functions of my enduring guardian(s) must be exercised in accordance with the following directions: \\[*insert any directions*\\]\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\n**AND if a person signs this instrument on another person’s behalf**\n\n\\[*insert name and address of the person who signs the document*\\]\n\n**Acceptance by enduring guardian**\n\nI accept my appointment as enduring guardian.\n\nName:\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\n**Certificate of witness**\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], certify that:\n\n> (a) \\[*insert name of person appointing enduring guardian*\\] appeared to understand the effect of this instrument and in my presence:\n> \n> > (i) executed the instrument voluntarily, or\n> \n> > (ii) voluntarily instructed \\[*insert name of person signing on behalf of person appointing enduring guardian*\\] to sign the instrument on his or her behalf and that person executed the instrument in my presence, and\n\n> (b) \\[*insert name of person accepting appointment as enduring guardian*\\] appeared to understand the effect of this instrument and in my presence executed the instrument voluntarily.\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\nAustralian legal practitioner/Registrar of the Local Court/foreign lawyer/approved NSW Trustee and Guardian employee/approved Service NSW employee\n\nNote.\n\nImportant information\n\nAn enduring guardianship appointment is an important document. It allows someone else to make medical and lifestyle decisions on your behalf. You should get legal or medical advice (or both) before you sign it.\n\nIt is important that you trust the person you appoint as your enduring guardian to make appropriate lifestyle decisions on your behalf. It is recommended you inform this person of your wishes about lifestyle decisions and involve them in discussions about your views or goals. If these change, it is important to let your enduring guardian know.\n\nAn enduring guardian can only make lifestyle decisions such as health decisions. You should make an enduring Power of Attorney if you want someone to make financial decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity.\n\nIf you appoint more than 1 enduring guardian, you should indicate whether the enduring guardians are to act jointly, severally or jointly and severally. Enduring guardians who are appointed jointly are only able to make decisions if they all agree about the decision. Enduring guardians who are appointed severally or jointly and severally are able to make decisions independently of each other.\n\nIf you appoint an alternative enduring guardian, they will only have authority to act as your guardian if the first appointed enduring guardian/s dies, resigns or becomes incapacitated.\n\nEach enduring guardian must sign their acceptance on the appointment for it to be effective.\n\nIf someone signs the appointment on your behalf, they must be at least 18 years old. They must not be the person being appointed as an enduring guardian. They cannot also witness the execution of the appointment.\n\nIf you marry after you appoint an enduring guardian then the appointment will automatically be revoked (unless you married your enduring guardian).\n\nYour enduring guardian can resign at any time, by giving you notice in writing. If you have lost capacity to make decisions at that time then your enduring guardian can only resign with the approval of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.\n\nEnduring guardianship appointments are not automatically accessible on any public register. Therefore, it is important that key people are aware of the appointment so they can contact the enduring guardian if required. You should provide a copy of the enduring guardianship appointment to your enduring guardian and keep a copy in a safe place. You should also let close friends or family know about it and give a copy to your solicitor, doctor and health service provider.\n\nFor further information about enduring guardianship, contact the NSW Trustee and Guardian or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.\n\nForm 2 Revocation of appointment of enduring guardian\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], revoke the appointment of \\[*insert the name of each enduring guardian*\\] as my enduring guardian.\n\nI understand that this revocation will not be effective unless the enduring guardian is or has been given written notice of the revocation.\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\n**AND if a person signs this instrument on another person’s behalf**\n\n\\[*insert name and address of the person who signs the document*\\]\n\n**Certificate of witness**\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], certify that \\[*insert name of person revoking appointment*\\] appeared to understand the effect of this instrument and in my presence:\n\n> (a) executed the instrument voluntarily, or\n\n> (b) voluntarily instructed \\[*insert name of person signing on behalf of person revoking appointment*\\] to sign the instrument on his or her behalf and that person executed the instrument in my presence.\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\nAustralian legal practitioner/Registrar of the Local Court/foreign lawyer/approved NSW Trustee and Guardian employee/approved Service NSW employee\n\nForm 3 Notice of resignation of appointment as enduring guardian\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], resign my appointment as an enduring guardian of \\[*insert the name and address of the person who appointed the enduring guardian*\\].\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\n**AND if a person signs this instrument on another person’s behalf**\n\n\\[*insert name and address of the person who signs the document*\\]\n\n**Certificate of witness**\n\nI, \\[*insert name, address and occupation*\\], certify that \\[*insert name of enduring guardian*\\] appeared to understand the effect of this instrument and in my presence:\n\n> (a) executed the instrument voluntarily, or\n\n> (b) voluntarily instructed \\[*insert name of person signing on behalf of enduring guardian*\\] to sign the instrument on his or her behalf and that person executed the instrument in my presence.\n\nSignature:\n\nDate:\n\nAustralian legal practitioner/Registrar of the Local Court/foreign lawyer/approved NSW Trustee and Guardian employee/approved Service NSW employee\n\nNote.\n\nAn enduring guardian can resign at any time by giving written notice in this form to the person who appointed the enduring guardian. However, an enduring guardian for a person who has lost the capacity to make personal decisions may only resign with the approval of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.\n\nFor further information contact the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.","sortOrder":24}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulation replaces the Guardianship Regulation 2010 and continues existing acts done under the old Regulation (cl.2, cl.19). It also contains a transitional limitation that restricts the operation of a specific amendment to proceedings commenced on or after that amendment (section 3F of the Act as amended) (cl.20). In practical terms, the Regulation updates prescribed forms, witness categories, treatment classifications and procedural detail while preserving prior acts; the transitional clause narrows the retroactive reach of the specified amendment (cl.19–20)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross‑references to the Guardianship Act and other Acts (e.g. Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act) requiring concurrent interpretation (cl.3, cl.10(2))","Range of substantive classifications with detailed exceptions (special vs major treatment; sedation and restricted substance exceptions) (cl.9–11)","Procedural rules with conditional flexibility (written vs oral requests/consents and required written confirmations) creating multi‑step obligations (cl.12–13)","Prescribed forms with formal witnessing and acceptance requirements that must be complied with to effect legal change (cl.5–7, Schedule 1)","Delegated administrative discretion (Minister declares approved course; CEO approval of employees; Tribunal consent for experimental treatment) (cl.4, cl.14)","Record‑keeping and inspection obligations combined with a finite retention period (7 years) that interacts with other legal processes (cl.15)","Transitional and savings provisions affecting temporal scope and application of amendments (cl.19–20)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Regulation implements parts of the Guardianship Act by prescribing the exact enduring‑guardian forms and witnessing rules, recognising certain interstate instruments, and classifying “special” and “major” medical/dental treatments.  \n\nIt affects people appointing or revoking enduring guardians, authorised witnesses (including some foreign lawyers and approved NSW staff), clinicians who must follow consent, record‑keeping and inspection rules, and the Tribunal/Public Guardian where review or special‑treatment consent is required—standardising procedure and evidentiary requirements."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.6","source":"moonshot-batch-reanalyse","citationCount":20,"completionTokens":3844},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation remains focused on its original purpose of supporting the Guardianship Act 1987 by prescribing forms, eligible witnesses, treatment categories, consent procedures, and recognition of interstate instruments. Amendments and savings provisions stay within this guardianship and medical consent framework."},"complexity_factors":["Nested exceptions in the definition of major medical treatment (clause 10), carving out sedation for fractures and endoscopy, and restricted substances used for analgesic, single-dose, or limited PRN purposes","Extensive cross-referencing to the Guardianship Act 1987, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966, and interstate and international legislation","Three prescribed forms in Schedule 1 with detailed execution requirements, witness certificates, and explanatory notes","Layered consent requirements distinguishing minor versus major treatment, and written versus oral communication with subsequent confirmation obligations"],"plain_english_summary":"**Guardianship Regulation 2016** works under the NSW *Guardianship Act 1987* and sets out the practical rules for appointing enduring guardians and giving consent to medical and dental treatment for people who cannot make their own decisions.\n\n**What it does**\n\n*   **Enduring guardianship:** It lists who can officially witness a person signing a document to appoint an enduring guardian — for example, lawyers, and certain approved staff from NSW Trustee and Guardian or Service NSW who have completed a required course. It provides the official forms for appointing, revoking, or resigning as an enduring guardian. It also recognises equivalent enduring guardianship and power-of-attorney documents from other Australian states and territories.\n\n*   **Medical and dental treatment categories:** The Regulation divides treatment into groups that affect who can give consent and how:\n    *   **Special treatment** — includes pregnancy termination, sterilisation (vasectomy or tubal occlusion), and treatment using unpleasant physical or chemical stimuli.\n    *   **Major medical treatment** — includes long-acting hormonal contraception, addictive drugs, general anaesthetic or sedation (with exceptions for things like setting fractures or certain endoscopies), treatment to stop menstruation, certain restricted drugs affecting the brain or nervous system (with exceptions for pain relief, single doses, and limited as-needed doses), HIV testing, and any treatment carrying a substantial risk of death, paralysis, serious scarring, or other major harm.\n    *   **Major dental treatment** — includes general anaesthetic or simple sedation, removing all teeth, or treatment likely to seriously impair chewing for a long time.\n\n*   **Consent rules:** Requests for consent and the consent itself generally must be in writing. They may be given orally if it is not practical to write things down — for example, in an emergency for major treatment — but written confirmation is then required.\n\n*   **Records and experimental treatment:** Doctors and dentists must keep written records of treatment given under consent for up to seven years. The Regulation also defines experimental special treatment that only the Tribunal can approve, such as unusual drug combinations or medication used to control behaviour.\n\n*   **Other matters:** It names equivalent guardianship laws in other states and countries, explains how legal notices can be served by newspaper, and preserves anything that was valid under the previous 2010 Regulation.\n\n**Why it matters:** This Regulation directly affects anyone planning to appoint an enduring guardian, medical and dental practitioners treating patients who lack decision-making capacity, and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It creates the categories and forms that decide whether a doctor needs written consent, Tribunal approval, or can proceed with ordinary care."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no indication that the scope of this regulation has changed from its original intent. It remains a procedural/administrative instrument supporting the Guardianship Act 1987, and the amendments visible in the version history appear to be minor updates rather than substantive expansions or contractions of scope."},"complexity_factors":["The document provided is primarily metadata and status information rather than the full substantive text of the regulation, making full analysis impossible","Sits within a layered legal framework — requires understanding of the parent Guardianship Act 1987 to fully interpret","References to pending but uncommenced amendments (Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022) create uncertainty about future state of the law","Automatic repeal mechanism under the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 adds a temporal complexity dimension","Multiple historical versions suggest the regulation has evolved, requiring version-tracking for historical disputes"],"plain_english_summary":"## Guardianship Regulation 2016 (NSW)\n\nThis is a **New South Wales regulation** that sits underneath the *Guardianship Act 1987* — the main law that sets up rules for making decisions on behalf of adults who cannot make decisions for themselves (due to disability, illness, or cognitive impairment).\n\n**What it does:** This regulation handles the administrative and procedural details that support the Guardianship Act — things like forms, fees, processes, and operational rules for the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and the Guardianship Division when they deal with guardianship and financial management orders.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Adults who have lost capacity (the ability) to make their own decisions\n- Family members, carers, and support workers involved in guardianship arrangements\n- Guardians and financial managers (people legally appointed to make decisions for someone else)\n- Legal practitioners and health professionals involved in guardianship proceedings\n- NSW government agencies dealing with guardianship matters\n\n**Why it matters:** If you or a loved one is going through a guardianship or financial management application in NSW, this regulation governs the nuts and bolts of that process — including any fees payable and the forms you need to complete.\n\n**Important note:** This regulation is scheduled for **automatic repeal on 1 September 2026** under NSW's sunset laws (a system where regulations automatically expire after a set period unless renewed). There is also a pending amendment from the *Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022* that has not yet taken effect."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016","history":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/guardianship-regulation-2016/documents"}}