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.
To help understand this, we have the following document to download and read.
Asking for a review of Queensland Public Trustee’s appointment
If Queensland Public Trustee (QPT) is currently managing your money and you would like to manage your money yourself, or have someone else help you, the following explains your options.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) decides who manages your money.
Option 1: You want to make your own financial decisions
If you want to manage your own money, you will need to apply to QCAT.
What you need to do
You'll need to complete the following forms:
- 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.
You can request the forms by calling QCAT 1300 753 228.
What happens next
Once you have made an application:
- QCAT will set a date for a hearing
- the hearing, you will need to show you can manage your own money.
Examples of what you may need to show
To manage your money, you may be asked to show that you can:
- understand your income and expenses
- make and follow a budget
- pay your bills on time
- have a strong support network.
Option 2: You want someone else to manage your money
If you would like a trusted person (like a family member or friend) to manage your money instead of QPT, you will also need to apply to QCAT.
You'll need to complete the following forms:
- a Form 10 – Application for administration/guardianship appointment or review
- 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.
You can request the forms by calling QCAT 1300 753 228.
What happens next
Once you have made an application:
- QCAT will review your request.
Examples of what they may need to show
The person you choose to manage your money for you, may be asked to show that they can:
- manage money responsibly
- make and follow a budget
- pay bills on time.
The following document is available to download and read:
Support and help
If you want to apply to QCAT to review our role as financial administrator, you can get free, independent advice and assistance from Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI).
To contact QAI you can:
- call them on 1300 130 582
- visit QAI’s QPT Self Help page
- ask QPT staff to help you with a referral to QAI.
QAI services are:
- free and confidential
- independent from QPT.