Welcome to the Public Advocate of the ACT

"protecting and promoting the rights and interests of our vulnerable citizens in partnership with the ACT community"

The Public Advocate Act (2005) came into effect on 1 March 2006, changing our name from Community Advocate to Public Advocate of the ACT.

This new Act defines PA ACT clients as being children, young people and adults in the community who suffer from a condition or situation that makes them potentially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation or neglect.  This includes people ‘in care’ such as in a mental health facility or supported community accommodation, children living out of home or people in custody.   The Act further legislates for the ACT Public Advocate to be appointed as Guardian, in line with the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991, for those people who have ‘impaired capacity’ and for whom there is no-one else suitable or available to act as their guardian and make substitute decisions on their behalf.

Should you have any difficulty in accessing any of the information contained on this website, please contact us.