CoMHWA’s Approach to Guardianship and Administration Hearings – Supported Self-Advocacy

At CoMHWA, we support people with psychosocial disability or mental health challenges to speak up for themselves at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) through supported self-advocacy. This means you stay in control – making your own decisions and speaking for yourself – while receiving non-legal support from our Peer advocates to help you navigate the process.

Our Peer advocates work alongside you by bringing their skills and knowledge to support the issue you’re dealing with. We listen without judgment and take the time to understand your perspective. We then support you to take action and have your voice heard.

We can support you by:

• Helping you understand the issue and what you want to achieve
• Explaining how SAT works and what to expect at your hearing
• Reading and helping you to understand documents
• Completing forms or drafting submissions
• Planning what you want to say
• Communicating your thoughts and views clearly

This kind of support can:

• Make the tribunal process easier to understand and engage with
• Help ensure your voice is heard and respected

You are always the decision-maker. Our role is to empower you to take part in the process as fully and confidently as possible.

An advocate can help you understand and exercise your rights.

Email: ia@comhwa.org.au

Phone: 9258 8911