After a death, it must usually be registered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry in the relevant state or territory.
This can sound like a legal or administrative process, but in most cases, it’s handled for you.
This guide explains how registering a death works in Australia, what’s involved, and what you may need to do.
In simple terms
Registering a death records it with the relevant government registry and allows an official death certificate to be issued.
The death certificate is commonly needed when dealing with banks, government agencies, superannuation funds, insurers, and estate matters.
In plain English
In many cases, the funeral director helps submit the death registration, but this can vary depending on the circumstances.
A funeral director will often:
- Collect the required information
- Submit the registration
- May help arrange the death certificate for you
Who registers the death?
In Australia, deaths are registered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in the relevant state or territory where required.
A funeral director usually handles the registration if they are involved.
If no funeral director is involved, another eligible person may need to arrange registration under the relevant state or territory rules.
What information is required?
To register a death, the required information can vary, but may include:
- Identity
- Birth
- Death
- Relationship
- Occupation
- Family Details
A funeral director can usually guide you through the information required.
What is a death certificate?
Once the death is registered, an official death certificate can be issued or ordered.
A death certificate is commonly required by: banks, government agencies, insurers, super funds and others before they will finalise account or estate matters.
You may need certified copies or official copies depending on what organisations require.
You’ll need this later
The death certificate becomes one of the most important documents in the process.
You’ll typically need it to:
- access bank accounts and financial institutions
- probate or administration applications, depending on the court’s requirements
- Superannuation funds and insurers commonly request a death certificate or other evidence when assessing claims.
Consider ordering enough official or certified copies for the organisations that require them.
How long does it take?
The timing can vary slightly depending on the state, but generally:
- A funeral director will usually submit the registration once they have the required information; timing can vary by state and circumstances.
- Processing times vary by state, application method and delivery, so check the relevant registry for current timeframes.
Your funeral director can usually give you a clearer timeframe.
Do you need to do anything?
In many cases, you may need to provide accurate information and check details, while the funeral director handles formal submission.
Where a funeral director is involved, they commonly handle the formal registration process on your behalf.
What happens next?
Once you have the death certificate, many organisations can progress their formal processes; you can also consider whether probate or another court grant is required.
Next steps may include:
- notifying organisations
- managing the estate
- determining whether probate is required
Learn more:
Take things one step at a time
Registering a death is one of the first formal steps, but it’s usually taken care of for you.
You don’t need to manage everything at once, just focus on the next step when you’re ready.