Create Allied Health provides specialist social work support for NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) guardianship matters. Our experienced team navigates the complexities of guardianship law, ensuring clients' rights are protected while facilitating the least restrictive outcomes. We work alongside legal professionals, families, and care teams to deliver comprehensive support from initial application through to post-decision implementation.
We provide end-to-end support for NCAT guardianship applications in NSW, ensuring thorough preparation and strong advocacy throughout the process. Whether the application is for guardianship, financial management, or a combination of orders, our clinical social workers manage the process from initial assessment through to tribunal hearing.
In time-sensitive situations — such as when a patient cannot be safely discharged from hospital without a guardianship order, or when a person is at immediate risk — we respond within 24–48 hours to prepare and lodge urgent NCAT applications. Our clinical social workers are experienced in preparing urgent applications that meet the tribunal's requirements for expedited hearing.
Our clinical social workers provide expert support throughout the tribunal hearing process, ensuring all parties are well-prepared and informed.
When a person cannot make decisions about their medical treatment, health care, or accommodation due to disability, cognitive impairment, or mental health conditions, a medical guardianship application may be required. Our clinical social workers conduct capacity assessments that evaluate a person's ability to understand, retain, and weigh information relevant to specific decisions. These assessments are used to inform NCAT applications for guardianship over medical and health-related decisions, and are prepared to the standard required by the Guardianship Division of NCAT.
We also support families and treating teams navigating situations where medical decisions need to be made and there is no person lawfully authorised to consent on behalf of the patient. This includes coordinating with hospital teams, aged care providers, and legal professionals to ensure the appropriate guardianship arrangements are put in place.
We champion supported decision-making as an alternative to substitute decision-making wherever possible, in line with best practice and human rights frameworks.
When guardians are appointed, we provide ongoing support to ensure effective implementation and coordination of care.
Following a tribunal decision, we support clients and their families through the transition and ongoing implementation process.
Our guardianship and NCAT services are frequently engaged in situations including:
Consider referring a client to our guardianship and NCAT services when:
Our guardianship and NCAT services can be funded through a range of pathways:
Last reviewed: April 2026
A capacity assessment evaluates a person's ability to make decisions about their finances, health, or living arrangements. Our assessments are conducted by experienced clinical social workers and can be used in NCAT proceedings.
Guardianship may be needed when a person cannot make important decisions due to disability, mental health conditions, or cognitive impairment, and there is no other appropriate arrangement in place.
Yes. We prepare detailed social work reports for NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal) hearings including capacity assessments, risk assessments, and recommendations.
An NCAT guardianship application is made to the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It requires supporting documentation including clinical evidence and functional assessments. We assist with the entire application process — from initial assessment and evidence gathering through to lodgement and tribunal hearing attendance.
Yes. For time-sensitive situations such as hospital discharge delays or immediate safety concerns, we respond within 24–48 hours to prepare and lodge urgent NCAT applications. Our clinical social workers are experienced in meeting the tribunal's requirements for expedited hearings.
Medical guardianship is required when a person cannot make decisions about their medical treatment or health care due to cognitive impairment, disability, or mental health conditions. A guardian is appointed by NCAT to make medical and health-related decisions on the person's behalf. We conduct capacity assessments and prepare applications for medical guardianship through the NCAT Guardianship Division.
The NCAT Guardianship Division makes decisions about the appointment of guardians and financial managers for people who are unable to make their own decisions due to disability. It handles applications for guardianship orders covering accommodation, medical treatment, and other personal decisions. We support clients and families through the application and hearing process.
Contact us to discuss how we can help, or refer a client directly.