Future Planning: Tools and Resources for Families 

For many families connected to Bayley House, future planning is already part of the conversation.

Whether you’ve updated your Will, put powers of attorney in place, or explored trustee options, these are important steps that provide reassurance for both you and your loved one. Over time, circumstances can change and so it is also important that your plans are updated accordingly. 

As part of our role at the Bayley House Foundation, we regularly review publicly available resources that may help families in these decisions. One such resource is the Office of the Public Advocate (Victoria), which continues to be a highly credible and practical source of information for anyone planning ahead for a family member with disability or vulnerability. 

If you’re revisiting your arrangements or sharing information with others in your support network, you may find the following sections of the OPA website useful: 

Enduring Powers of Attorney
Guidance on how to formally appoint a trusted person to make financial or personal decisions should you become unable to do so. 

Medical Treatment Decision Makers
Information about who can make medical decisions on someone’s behalf, and how to nominate or formalise this role. 

Guardianship and Administration Orders
Details on the processes involved if formal arrangements are needed to support decision-making, including applications to VCAT. 

Supported Decision-Making
Resources and tools that uphold the rights of people with disability to make their own decisions, with the appropriate guidance and support from those they trust. 

Plan for the Future Toolkit
A structured digital resource that includes checklists, forms, and sample scenarios which could be helpful when clarifying or communicating your intentions with family or professionals. 

The OPA also regularly hosts free online information sessions covering topics such as powers of attorney, guardianship, and supported decision-making. These sessions are open to the public and may be particularly useful if you’re looking to deepen your understanding. 

You can explore these resources or register for upcoming webinars at: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au 

The Bayley House Foundation continues to offer opportunities for families to engage with expert-led sessions and to discuss estate planning considerations in a confidential and informal setting. While we do not provide legal or financial advice, our aim is to ensure families feel supported, informed and connected to the right tools. 

If you would like to speak further or be notified about future events, please contact Kim Gasperino at legacygiving@bayleyhouse.org.au 

Other helpful resources you may wish to explore: 

• State Trustees (Victoria) www.statetrustees.com.au
  As Victoria’s public trustee, State Trustees is often appointed by VCAT when no other arrangement is in place. It also provides trustee and executor services for families seeking an impartial, government-backed administrator. 

• Carers Victoria www.carersvictoria.org.au
  A valuable support organisation for unpaid carers, offering information and guidance on planning ahead, guardianship, administration and accessing advocacy services. 

• Services Australia – Special Disability Trusts  www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/special-disability-trusts
  Provides detailed guidance on how Special Disability Trusts can help support a loved one with disability while preserving Centrelink entitlements. 

• Equity Trustees www.eqt.com.au and 

Australian Unity Trustees www.australianunity.com.au 

Both are licensed professional trustee companies that provide estate planning and trust administration services. These services may suit families looking to appoint an independent professional trustee to manage a Special Disability Trust or provide long-term financial oversight.