Voluntary consent
: A person must be free to exercise genuine choice about whether to give or
withhold consent. This means you haven’t been pressured or coerced into a decision, and you have all the information needed in a format that you understand. Voluntary consent requires that you are not affected by medications, other drugs or alcohol when making the decision.
Informed consent
: A person’s capacity to make decisions will vary depending on the type of decision
or its complexity, or how the person is feeling on the day. The way information is provided to you will also affect your capacity to make decisions. Choices have been offered in a way that the person understands, for example, by using images or signing. Support, where required, must be provided for the person to communicate their consent.
Current consent:
Consent cannot be assumed to remain the same indefinitely, or as the person’s
circumstances change. People and guardians are entitled to change their minds and revoke consent at a later time.