Our Purpose

To protect the wishes and interests of those we serve.

Our Vision

We are flexible, responsive and empathetic in supporting our customers and our employees.

Our Objectives

People

We support the wellbeing of our valued and trusted people, who are delivering outcomes.

Customer Experience

We promote a culture of responsiveness and resolution, which shows with empathy and respect.

Technology-enabled Business Improvement

We continue to modernise our secure systems.

Governance & Financial Sustainability

We drive accountability and performance, while effectively managing risk.

Our Strategies

People

  • Prioritise resilience and flexibility for our people
  • Recognise and develop the capabilities of our people

Customer Experience

  • Customers can easily engage with us and we are responsive to their needs
  • Advocate for positive policy and process changes that impact on customer outcomes

Technology-enabled Business Improvement

  • Systems and processes continue to be modernised
  • Robust, safe and accessible data to inform decision making

Governance & Financial Sustainability

  • Meet and exceed AGD and whole of Government standards
  • Meet our Performance Statement requirements agreed by the Attorney-General and Treasurer

Our Values

Service, we proudly serve the community and the South Australian Government

Professionalism, we strive for excellence

Trust, we have confidence in the ability of others

Respect, we value every individual

Collaboration and Engagement, we create solutions together

Honesty and Integrity, we act truthfully, consistently, and fairly

Courage and Tenacity, we never give up

Sustainability, we work to get the best results for current and future generations of South Australians

PT Org Chart

From 1 July 2023 a low value estate threshold of $50,000 was implemented for Minor’s Trusts, replacing the existing threshold of $5,550. This will result in no fees being charged on estates with less than $50,000 of assets.

The Hon Kyam Maher MLC, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector is the state’s principal legal advisor to the government and is responsible for exercising certain powers and regulating and administering a range of legislation.

The Attorney-General is a member of Cabinet and is responsible for:

  • specific legislation and the state's legal system
  • developing and implementing policy
  • legal action relevant to the state government.

Nicolle Rantanen
The Public Trustee

The Public Trustee is responsible to the Attorney-General for the efficient management of the Public Trustee Office and the effective implementation of the Public Trustee Act 1995. The role encompasses acting as administrator, executor or trustee of deceased estates, as administrator or manager of estates of protected persons and as attorney or agent. The Public Trustee is also the trustee for minors as a result of distributions in intestate estates administered by private administrators and by appointment as trustee for other trusts and Wills.

Tony Brumfield
Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer oversees a comprehensive range of business and support services including ICT systems, corporate financial and administrative services, procurement and risk management. The role is also responsible for financial services for customers including financial management and reporting, accounts payable and receivable, investment funds management and taxation and superannuation services.

Elizabeth Williams
Director Customer Services

The Director, Customer Services ensures the delivery of high quality deceased estate, trust, financial administration, Will-making and litigation guardian services.  The role provides high level leadership to develop and implement business reform strategies to enhance the customer’s experience and create a positive service focused culture.

Public Trustee Act 1995

Under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Public Trustee Act 1995, the Public Trustee may act as: a trustee, executor of a Will, administrator of an estate (whether or not of a deceased person), manager, receiver, committee, curator, guardian, next friend, agent, attorney, or stakeholder.

Other Acts that form the basis of how, and which, Public Trustee services are delivered to customers are as follows:

  • Administration and Probate Act 1919
  • Aged and Infirm Persons’ Property Act 1940
  • Family Relationships Act 1975
  • Guardianship and Administration Act 1993
  • Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972
  • Legal Practitioners Act 1981
  • Powers of Attorney and Agency Act 1984
  • South Australian Civil and Administrative Act 2013
  • Trustee Act 1936
  • Wills Act 1936

The Public Trustee is a business unit of the South Australian Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) and as such complies with AGD policies. The Public Trustee employees are employees of the AGD.

The Public Trustee works closely with the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) who appoint the Public Trustee to administer the personal financial and/or legal affairs of people who are unable to manage their own affairs. The Public Trustee works with the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) when there are mutual customers i.e. OPA as guardian and the Public Trustee as financial administrator.