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Guides / Australia

What to do when someone dies in Australia

When someone dies in Australia, a doctor confirms the death, contact a funeral director, and register the death with the state or territory registry.

Some steps differ by region inside the country.

Immediate, First 24-48 Hours

  1. Arrange funeral or cremation, follow known wishes and check funeral insurance or prepaid contracts
  2. Notify close family and friends; delegate someone to answer messages and door
  3. Secure the home, wallet, phone, and mail, note passport and ID for later cancellation
  4. Locate the signed original will and contact the nominated executor or solicitor. A lifetime power of attorney is not authority to administer the deceased estate.
  5. Order the death certificate from the registry in the state or territory where the death occurred. This may differ from the person’s permanent home; the funeral director commonly helps with registration.

First Week

  1. Notify the deceased's employer; ask about unpaid wages, leave, and any group life or income protection
  2. Contact banks, accounts may be frozen or transferred according to estate rules; do not withdraw funds without legal authority
  3. Tell Services Australia within 28 days if the person received a payment. Also notify Medicare and the private health insurer as applicable.
  4. Lodge life insurance, super death benefit, and funeral claims, each insurer or fund has its own forms and proof requirements
  5. Gather recurring debits (utilities, rent, mortgage, subscriptions) for later cancellation or redirection by the executor

First Month

  1. Ask asset holders whether a grant is required. Follow the relevant Supreme Court’s probate or administration procedure, including notices and waiting periods; this is not a universal first-month deadline.
  2. Notify the ATO; arrange final individual tax return(s) and consider whether a deceased estate tax return is required
  3. Contact each super fund about death benefits, the validity of nominations and any reversionary pension. Check the fund’s rules rather than assuming the will controls the payment.
  4. Review property title, mortgage, vehicle registration, and insurance, inform insurers; avoid lapsing cover without advice
  5. Redirect Australia Post mail if needed; secure or memorialise email and important online accounts per platform policies

Ongoing, Estate Administration

  1. Executor collects assets, pays debts and taxes, and keeps estate accounts, timelines vary with complexity and disputes
  2. Distribute the estate according to the will or intestacy rules after debts are cleared
  3. Close or transfer memberships, licences, and business interests with legal and accounting support where needed
  4. Retain key documents (probate, death certificate, tax notices, super and insurance correspondence) for several years

Finding their documents

  1. Emergency contacts
  2. Wills
  3. Life insurance
  4. Superannuation
  5. Medicare and health cover
  6. Bank access
  7. Debit orders
  8. ATO tax records
  9. Centrelink
  10. Investments
  11. Business documents
  12. Title deeds
  13. Vehicle registration
  14. Council rates
  15. Superannuation death benefit nominations
  16. Probate letters
  17. Organ donor registry

This is practical information, not legal, medical, or financial advice.

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