Examinations and assessments

The involuntary process usually commences with a Recommendation for Assessment however, in some circumstances, the Recommendation for Assessment is preceded by an examination authorised under another process such as an Examination Authority or an Emergency Examination Authority.

Examination Authority

An application may be made to the Mental Health Review Tribunal for an Examination Authority where all reasonable efforts have been made to engage a person in a voluntary examination of their mental health and there is, or may be, serious risk of harm or worsening health.

An application to the Tribunal may be made by:

• an authorised person at an authorised mental health service (AMHS), or
• a concerned person
  • family member
  • friend
  • colleague, or
  • other member of the community who has concerns about the person.

If made by a concerned person, a written statement by a doctor (e.g. general practitioner) or authorised mental health practitioner (of an AMHS) is required with the application.

The Examination Authority authorises a doctor or authorised mental health practitioner to examine the person to determine whether a Recommendation for Assessment should be made. The Examination Authority is valid for seven days for the examination to occur.

The examination may occur in the person’s home or the person may be transferred to an authorised mental health service.

Policy: Examination authorities

Fact sheet: Examination authorities

Form: Application for Examination Authority - Available from the MHRT website

Form: Outcome of Examination Under an Examination Authority

Print version

Online version

Emergency Examination Authority

In emergency circumstances, a police or ambulance officer can make an Emergency Examination Authority (EEA) if the officer believes a person is at immediate risk of serious harm, such as threatening suicide, and the risk appears to be the result of a major disturbance in the person's mental capacity.

This could be caused by an illness, disability, an injury, intoxication or any other reason.

There is no presumption that the person subject to the EEA has an underlying mental illness. For this reason, an EEA is made under the Public Health Act 2005. This ensures that the Mental Health Act captures only those persons within its intended scope and that appropriate treatment and care is provided following an examination.

Further information and resources is accessible via the Queensland Health website on Emergency Examination Authorities.

Fact sheet: Emergency examination authorities

Form: Emergency Examination Authority - Available from the Public Health Act website

Judicial Order

A Judicial Order is an order made by a Court authorising the detention of a person in an authorised mental health service and generally, authorises the examination of the person by an authorised doctor or practitioner.

A Judicial Order does not authorise involuntary treatment.

Policy: Judicial Orders - Examination orders, court examination orders and other judicial orders

Examination Order

Made by a Magistrate for a person charged with a simple offence, if they are concerned about the mental condition of the person.

FAQ: Examination Orders

Form: Examination Order

Form: Examination Report

Court Examination Order

Ordered by the Mental Health Court for examination of a person whose matter has been referred to the Court. The examining practitioner provides the written report back to the Court.

Form: Examination Report

When considering involuntary mental health treatment for a person, the clinician must be satisfied that all treatment criteria are met and there is no less restrictive way for the person to receive treatment for their mental illness, for example, there is no Advance Health Directive or substitute decision maker available.

In this case a Recommendation for Assessment can be made by the doctor or authorised mental health practitioner who completed the initial mental health examination.

Recommendation for Assessment

The purpose of the assessment is to decide whether a Treatment Authority should be made so that the necessary treatment and care can be provided to the person during the period when they do not have capacity to consent to the treatment.

Wherever possible, mental health assessments and treatment are provided in the community and preferably in the person’s home.

Form: Recommendation for Assessment

Form: Revocation of Recommendation for Assessment

Visit the Treatment and care page for more information about capacity to consent, ‘Less Restrictive Way’, Treatment Authorities and other treatment and care provisions under the Act.