At what age can an individual give consent to accept or refuse medical treatment?

In Queensland, the legal age for an individual to give valid consent to accept or refuse medical treatment is 18 years. This is aligned with the concept of legal capacity, where individuals must reach a certain age to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. The law recognizes that by the age of 18, individuals are generally considered capable of understanding the information related to consent, the nature of the medical treatment, and the consequences of their decisions.

While younger individuals may have the ability to understand and make certain decisions about their healthcare, the law establishes 18 as the threshold for legally binding consent. This means that minors under this age may not be able to provide such consent independently, and in many cases, a parent or guardian may need to be involved in these decisions. Thus, the choice of 18 as the correct answer reflects the legal framework governing medical consent in Queensland.