Planning Ahead
Record your wishes and key information so your family knows what you want.
You can complete this over time — there is no rush, and your plan is useful at any stage.
Your Planning Ahead information is saved on this device. Create a free account to save it to your ELUMMA account and access it when you sign in.
Think about the people and professionals your family would need to reach quickly — close family, a trusted friend, your GP, your solicitor or accountant, and anyone who helps care for you or your home.
You don’t need phone numbers for everyone here, but noting who matters and how to reach them can make a difficult time easier.
Planning Ahead helps you gather your wishes and key information. It does not create legal documents and is not a substitute for a valid Will, an advance care directive, or professional advice where required.
Free official planning tools
Direct links to free, official advance care planning forms and support. State and territory documents differ — use the official finder for your location.
Find your advance care planning forms
FREE FORMChoose your state or territory to find the recognised forms and instructions.
Source: Advance Care Planning Australia
Find my formsFree advance care planning starter pack
FREE TOOLFree starter pack and support to help you begin advance care planning.
Source: Advance Care Planning Australia
Get the starter packFree help to plan ahead
Record your wishes, then connect with free national services for advance care planning, Will information and carer support. Free options appear first.
ELUMMA puts useful free and low-cost help first. Paid partnerships do not determine this order.
Carer Gateway
FREEFree Australian Government support for unpaid carers, including counselling, planned and emergency respite, skills courses and tailored support packages.
Eligibility: For people providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail aged. Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm; emergency respite is available at any time.
Advance Care Planning Australia
FREEFree national advisory line for advance care planning — making your future medical and care wishes known. Can talk through the process and post a free starter pack.
Eligibility: Available to anyone. Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm (AEST). Note: the advisory line is free, but registering or storing an advance care directive may involve a fee in some states and territories — check your local process.
Community Legal Centres Australia
FREEFind a local community legal centre. Most provide free legal advice and some casework, especially for people who cannot afford a private lawyer. Services vary by centre.
Eligibility: Eligibility and services vary by centre. Use the national finder to locate your nearest centre and check what they offer.
ASIC's MoneySmart — Wills & powers of attorney
FREEFree, plain-English government information about making a Will, what makes it valid, and powers of attorney. Information only — it is not a Will-drafting service and does not replace legal advice.
Eligibility: Available to everyone.
National Legal Aid
FREE IF ELIGIBLEFree legal information, and — subject to a means test — legal advice and representation. Start with your state or territory Legal Aid commission, which can direct you to the right help for Wills, estates and disputes.
Eligibility: Legal aid advice and representation depend on your legal matter, financial circumstances and state/territory. General legal information is free; ongoing help is means-tested.
Private solicitor (paid professional help)
FEE APPLIESFor complex Wills, estates, disputes, blended families, trusts, businesses, overseas assets or capacity concerns, a private solicitor provides tailored legal advice and document drafting. Free preliminary legal information does not include drafting a Will — drafting is a paid service.
Eligibility: Anyone; fees apply. Ask for an upfront, written estimate before proceeding. Use your state or territory Law Society to find a solicitor.
Considering aged care or retirement living?
Plain-English guidance on aged-care assessments, fees, the family home and retirement villages.