How do you register a death in Australia?
Registering a death is one of the few official steps that has to happen in the days after a loved one passes away. In most cases the funeral director handles it for you, lodging with the relevant state Births, Deaths and Marriages registry. The deadline and the certificate fee differ in each state and territory.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak with the relevant state registry or a wills and estates solicitor.
If you have just lost someone, see our first 24 hours guide before this one. The registration is not urgent.
The practical order
Start with the authority that applies to the death: the doctor, hospital, aged care home, police, coroner, funeral director or births, deaths and marriages registry. The right order matters because one missing certificate or permit can delay the funeral, the cremation or the release of the death certificate.
If you are unsure who has the body, who has the paperwork, or who is allowed to sign, ask the funeral director or the relevant state registry before making bookings.
Who registers a death
In almost every case in Australia, the funeral director lodges the death registration with the relevant state Births, Deaths and Marriages registry. They do this on the family's behalf, using the medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor.
If you have chosen not to use a funeral director, the senior next of kin can register the death directly with the state registry. WA is a partial exception: under WA law a funeral director or cemetery board permit is required for arrangements, so DIY registration is not standard.
For the federal context on what to do alongside registration, see Services Australia's "What to do when someone passes away" page.
How long you have, by state
Each state and territory sets its own registration window. Most are 7 days from the funeral; QLD allows 14 days. WA does not publish a fixed number of days, so confirm the current window with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Late registration is still possible but a fine may apply in some states.
| State / Territory | Registration window | Cost to register | Online options |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 7 days after burial or cremation | Free | Registration via funeral director or post; certificates online via NSW BDM |
| VIC | 7 days after burial or cremation (under the BDMR Act 1996) | Free | Yes, via Service Victoria |
| QLD | 14 days from when the funeral director receives the cause of death certificate from the doctor (s94(8), Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023 (Qld)) | Free | No, mail or in-person |
| WA | Confirm with WA BDM | Free | Yes, via WA BDM Online portal |
| SA | 7 days after burial or cremation | Free | Certificates online via SA BDM portal |
| TAS | 7 days for the funeral director's written notice after disposal of remains (no separate full-registration deadline in the Act) | Free | Funeral director online portal (eDeaths) |
| ACT | 7 days | Free | Email (BDMDeathsOnline@act.gov.au) or in person |
| NT | 7 working days | Free | In-person at Darwin or Alice Springs; certificates online |
Each state's official process is linked below. We have a dedicated guide for each state with the exact form, the lodgement office address, and the document checklist.
What documents are needed
To register a death, the registry needs:
- The medical certificate of cause of death, issued by the doctor (or an interim certificate from the coroner if the death was reportable).
- Proof of identity for the person who has passed away (driver's licence, passport, Medicare card, or equivalent).
- Personal and family history details (parents' names, marriage details, children, occupation).
The funeral director collects all of this from the family during the first arrangements meeting.
Registering without a funeral director
If you are arranging a DIY funeral, you can lodge the registration yourself. Each state has a slightly different form and process, but the steps are similar:
- Collect the medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or hospital.
- Download the death registration statement from the state registry website.
- Fill in the form with personal and family details.
- Lodge with the registry by mail or in person, with proof of identity.
This pathway is most common in rural areas, in cases of natural or home funerals, or when families have particular cultural or religious wishes. Your state Births, Deaths and Marriages registry sets out the lodgement steps if you are not using a funeral director.
State by state details
New South Wales
Lodgement through Service NSW. Certificates can be ordered online once the registration is complete. See our dedicated Register a death in NSW page for the document checklist.
Victoria
Lodgement through Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. A Service Victoria account is required for online ordering of certified copies. See our Register a death in Victoria page for more.
Queensland
Lodgement through the Queensland Government registry. Under section 94(8) of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023 (Qld) (in force from 24 June 2024), the funeral director must give the cause of death certificate to the Registrar within 14 days of receiving it from the doctor. The doctor must supply the certificate within 2 working days of the death (s94(4)), so in practice the funeral director files within days of the death. Forms can be lodged by post or in person at any Magistrates Court or QGAP office. Registration is free; certificate copies carry a fee. See our Register a death in Queensland page.
Western Australia
Lodgement through the WA Department of Justice. WA does not publish a fixed registration window; confirm the current timeframe with the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The medical certificate of cause of death is normally issued within 48 hours of the death. Under WA law a funeral director or cemetery board permit is required for funeral arrangements. See our Register a death in WA page.
South Australia
Lodgement through Consumer and Business Services South Australia. Certified copies can be ordered online through the SA BDM portal. See our Register a death in SA page.
Tasmania
Lodgement through Births, Deaths and Marriages Tasmania (under the Department of Justice). Under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 (Tas), the medical practitioner must notify the Registrar within 48 hours of the death (s35), and the funeral director or person arranging disposal of remains must give the Registrar a written statement within 7 days of disposal (s37). The Act does not set a separate fixed deadline for full registration. See our Register a death in Tasmania page.
Australian Capital Territory
Lodgement through Access Canberra. BDM Deaths Online is the contact for self-registration where no funeral director is engaged. See our Register a death in the ACT page.
Northern Territory
Lodgement through the NT Attorney-General's Department BDM. Registration is in person at the offices in Darwin and Alice Springs. See our Register a death in the NT page.
After registration: the death certificate
The state registry issues the death certificate normally 2 to 3 weeks after registration. Some states offer express processing for an additional fee. Most families need 5 to 8 certified copies to handle banks, super, insurance, property, and government notifications.
For a deeper guide on certificate copies, fees, and how many you actually need, see our death certificate guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who legally registers a death in Australia?
How long do you have to register a death in Australia?
Do you pay to register a death in Australia?
What if my loved one passed away in a different state to where they lived?
Can I register a death online?
How long does it take to receive the death certificate?
What if my loved one passed away overseas?
When you are ready
Once the registration is lodged:
This guide is general information to help Australian families, editorially reviewed by the Funerals Direct team from publicly available sources. It is not legal or financial advice. Funeral prices change and vary by provider and region, so always ask for an itemised written quote. For prepaid funerals, bonds, or insurance, consider speaking with an independent financial adviser or a free financial counsellor on 1800 007 007.
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