What we do
Advocacy Tasmania is a community based non-profit organisation managed by a consumer-focused Board of Management.
We are funded by both federal and state government to provide free and independent statewide advocacy services.
The main focus of the service is to provide individual advocacy on behalf of clients at the request of the person, or their guardian.
Our advocacy programs
We currently have eight programs:
- Disability advocacy - for people with a disability
- Aged Care advocacy - for older people living in nursing homes or hostels or receiving Community Aged Care Packages or eligible to do so.
- Home and Community Care advocacy - for people in receipt of or eligible to receive HACC services.
- Dementia Advocacy service - for people with dementia and memory loss wanting assistance to maintain decision making control over their lives.
- Mental Health advocacy - for people with a mental health disorder.
- Mental Health Tribunal Representation Scheme - for people appearing before the Mental Health Tribunal who require free, competent representation.
- ATOD advocacy - for people using alcohol, tobacco and other drug services.
- ATOD Consumer & Carer Participation program - Advocacy Tasmania is establishing consumer participation programs for ATOD clients with the goal of having active feedback to assist in the systemic improvement of services as well as addressing individual needs.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is the process of standing beside an individual or group and speaking out on their behalf to protect and promote their rights and interests.
Advocacy Tasmania provides service for:
- People who are aged
- People with disabilities
- People with mental health disorders
- People who use ATOD services
- Their carers, relatives and representatives
For a more detailed description of advocacy services, see the document entitled "The Role of Advocacy Services in the Tasmanian Disability Sector", available in the publications section.
What does our advocacy service do?
We can:
- provide you with information about your rights and responsibilities
- help you to resolve problems or complaints
We do this by:
- speaking for you if you wish; or
- helping you to speak up on your own behalf
How we work
We will listen to you to understand your needs and concerns. We will provide information on your rights and responsibilities and also discuss with you the possible courses of action that could be taken. For more detail on our principles of advocacy which form the basis for our approach to working with you, see the section on our principles in the About Us area.
Support to self-advocate
We will support you (or a relative or friend) to speak on your behalf to have your problem addressed.
We believe that helping you to self-advocate empowers you and those around you by increasing knowledge, skills and confidence.
Representational advocacy
Sometimes people need someone who will speak on their behalf. We call this 'representational advocacy'.
When representing you our advocate will:
- work at your direction
- be on your side
- assist you to resolve matters as quickly and as amicably as possible
Referrals to other agencies
Sometimes there are other people or agencies who are better able to assist. When this occurs we can provide a referral to the most appropriate person or agency.
Systemic advocacy
Where a number of people are affected by a problem we work to have this addressed at a systems level. This is called 'systemic advocacy' and often involves working to change government policy or service provider practices. See the systemic advocacy page for more information.
Rights education
We also perform an educative role. Advocates work with client groups, service providers, government bodies and the general community to raise awareness of the human, legal and civil rights of people with disabilities, older people and their carers.
