What must QCAT determine before considering applications for the appointment of a Guardian and Administrator for an adult?

Before considering applications for the appointment of a Guardian and Administrator for an adult, QCAT must determine the adult's impaired capacity. This is crucial because the legal framework governing guardianship and administration is designed to protect individuals who are unable to make their own decisions due to impairment. The concept of capacity involves assessing whether an individual can understand the nature and consequences of decisions regarding their personal, financial, and health matters.

Establishing impaired capacity is the fundamental criterion for intervention; if the adult is deemed capable of making decisions, there would be no justification for appointing a Guardian or Administrator. Therefore, the assessment focuses on the adult's ability to manage their own affairs and make informed decisions.

In contrast, while factors such as financial stability, health insurance status, and social support systems can be relevant to the broader context of the adult's well-being, they do not directly pertain to QCAT's primary responsibility of determining capacity. The appointment of a Guardian or Administrator is specifically triggered by incapacity, making the assessment of impaired capacity the primary concern in these cases.