Options to achieve greater financial independence

Seeking greater financial independence

We understand that not everyone wants Queensland Public Trustee (QPT) as their financial administrator. Unfortunately, QPT can’t stop being your financial administrator as this decision can only be made by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

If you decide you want to take back control of your money matters, or you want someone other than QPT to manage your money, you will need to apply to QCAT for a review.

If you want someone else to manage your money, the person must be:

• over 18 years old
• have capacity to make good decisions for you
• show that they know how to manage your money
• can’t be a paid carer or health provider.

If you want to manage your own money, you need to:

• show QCAT that you understand how to manage your own money matters.
• ask your doctor to complete a Health Professional Report.

Find out how to make an application from the QCAT website

We also offer two ways where we can support you to regain greater control of your money.

These are our:

• Financial Independence Pathway
• Referral pathway to a QCAT review.

Financial Independence Pathway

The pathway can support you if you are seeking to gain greater control of your money.

This may mean you still want our support but would like to gain more control of some aspects of your money matters. Or your goal may be to achieve full financial independence by seeking a review from QCAT of your financial administration order.

Whatever your goals are, we are here to help.

The pathway is available to all customers and usually takes a year to complete. Along the way it will help provide the evidence you need to complete a Declaration of Capacity if you want to seek a review from QCAT.

Since 2021,188 customers have taken part in the pathway and achieved greater control of their money matters. As of April 2025, 43 customers have achieved full financial independence.

You can find Declaration of Capacity forms on the QCAT website.

If you need extra support to access the Financial Independence Pathway, our dedicated Customer Advocate Team may be able to help.

Referral pathway to a QCAT review

If you want QCAT to review our appointment as your financial administrator, we can refer you to independent legal support.

QPT can make a referral on your behalf to the Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) to access support. They are an independent community organisation for people with disability.

QAI services are free, confidential, and separate from QPT. Their human rights lawyers provide advice and representation.

Between 2022 and 2024, we referred 149 customers to QAI for independent support. Of these, 28 customers regained full control of their money.

Apply to QCAT for a review yourself

If you have the Queensland Public Trustee appointed to look after your money and you want to make your own decisions, or want someone else to, you can apply directly to QCAT.

There are two processes depending on the option you want.

You want to make your own decisions

You'll need to complete both:

• a Form 11 – Application for a declaration about capacity
• a Health Professional Report.

Both documents are available in the Make an application section of the QCAT website. You need to look for Declaration about capacity.

You can also find details on how to submit your application.

Once you have made an application, QCAT will arrange a date for them to hear evidence supporting your application.

To prepare for the QCAT hearing, it is important that you can show that you know about your money. This could include things like budgeting, paying bills, and managing regular expenses.

You want someone else, other than QPT, to look after your money

You'll need to complete both:

• a Form 10 – Application for administration/guardianship appointment or review
• a Health Professional Report.

Your friend or family member will have to show that they know about your money and how to budget and pay bills. They should complete the following:

• Financial management plan for administrators

All 3 documents are available in the Make an application section of the QCAT website. You need to look for A guardian and/or administrator then find Appointment of a guardian or administrator.

You can also find details on how to submit your application.