Decision Making Capacity Assessments

What is a decision making capacity assessment?

A decision making capacity assessment is an assessment performed by a health or legal professional to assess a person's capacity to make reasonable and informed decisions.
For example, a decision making capacity assessment might be recommended before a person appoints a power of attorney or makes or changes their will.

These assessments can have legal consequences. Sometimes the health or legal professional may recommend that an "administrator" or "guardian" be appointed to help the person make decisions.

You can read more about decision making capacity, administration, and guardianship at the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) website.

At PsyAx we routinely complete decision making capacity assessments and provide reports to the Victorian Civil & Administration Tribunal (VCAT).

Types of Capacity Assessments

Referrals regarding assessments of decision making capacity may review:
  • the capacity to appoint an enduring power of attorney for financial and / or personal decisions
  • the capacity to appoint a medical treatment decision maker
  • the capacity to make medical, financial, or lifestyle decisions
  • the capacity to make or change a will ("testamentary capacity")
  • the capacity to instruct a solicitor or participate in legal proceedings (i.e. whether a "litigation guardian" is needed); or
  • any other matter for which a client's capacity to make reasonable and informed decisions is under question
If you would like to make an appointment for yourself or a family member or friend, please book an appointment online, call PsyAx on 1300 455 677 or visit the contact us page for more options.

Referrals for capacity assessments

We are currently only accepting referrals for medicolegal capacity assessments.
We are unable to accept new clients for clinical assessment of treatment. 
Please visit Find a Psychologist  for other options.