Examination Authority (EA)

An EA lets a doctor or a certain type of mental health worker called an authorised mental health practitioner (AMHP) examine a person's mental state even if they don't agree to it. This helps the doctors / AMHP decide whether a person needs treatment and support to keep them safe.

EAs are not for emergencies. If there's immediate danger, call 000 for help from the Queensland Ambulance Service or Queensland Police Service. They can use an Emergency Examination Authority.

You can apply if you're:

• The Administrator of an Authorised Mental Health Service.
• Someone authorised in writing by the Administrator.
• Someone who has received advice from a doctor or an AMHP.

To apply:

1. Fill out Part A of the application form. The form can be found here:‍
2. Discuss the reasons with a doctor or AMHP. They complete Part B.
3. Send both parts to the Tribunal by email or post.

If you need help, call the 24-Hour Mental Health Hotline at:

1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) or

13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Your GP can also help with Part B.

After Applying

The Tribunal will:

• contact you to arrange a hearing, usually within seven days.
• at the hearing, which is conducted by phone, they will ask you questions about your application.

Tribunal Decisions

The Tribunal will agree that an EA is needed only if it considers:

• the person has, or may have, a mental illness.
• the person does not, or may not, have capacity to consent to be treated for the mental illness.
• either:
  • reasonable attempts have been made to encourage the person to have a voluntary examination, or
  • it's not practical to attempt to encourage the person to have a voluntary examination
• because of the person’s mental illness, there is, or may be, an imminent risk of serious harm to the person or someone else; or the person suffering serious mental or physical deterioration.

The Tribunal may:

• approve the application and issue an EA
• refuse the application for an EA.

Usually, you will be told of the decision at the end of the hearing. You will also receive a written decision after the hearing. If you want to know the reasons for the Tribunal’s decision, you can request a written statement by emailing MHRT.SOR@mhrt.qld.gov.au

Once the Tribunal has issued an EA, they will also give a copy of it to the relevant Authorised Mental Health Service. The Tribunal then have no further role in this process.

The Authorised Mental Health Service use the EA to arrange an assessment of the person. They have seven days from the date of issue to do so.

The Authorised Mental Health Service might contact you for more information.

The person being reviewed may receive a copy of the EA, but your name will not be on it.

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You cannot appeal the Tribunal’s decision to approve or refuse an application for an EA to the Mental Health Court. However, you can submit a new application if needed.