National Advance Care Planning Week begins on Monday 17 March, focussing on Advance Care Directives – an essential element of planning for your future and the uncertainties that life can hold.

Accidents and illness can happen at any time, so it’s important to talk to your loved ones about your wishes for future health care, end of life, living arrangements and personal matters and document them.

An Advance Care Directive is a legal document that ensures your wishes for future care are upheld, in the event you're unable to communicate these due to illness or injury.

Last year, the South Australian Government made improvements to the Advance Care Directive Kit.

The Kit includes a step-by-step do-it-yourself guide, as well as required documents to complete an Advance Care Directive without help from a legal professional. In 2025, over 200 people have created an Advance Care Directive online in South Australia.

Advance Care Directive kits are free and available at Service SA locations and select libraries across South Australia. Visit www.advancecaredirectives.sa.gov.au to view the full list of collection points or create an ACD online, and view and download other resources.

While you’re thinking about your future care needs, make sure you also complete an Enduring Power of Attorney, your Will, and record your organ and tissue donation wishes. Find further information at: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/planahead.