Executor checklist: the first 30 days after a death in Australia

Last reviewed

Short answer

In the first 30 days, an executor should get the death certificate, find the original will, secure the home and valuables, notify Services Australia, banks, super funds and insurers, and gather a list of assets and debts. Applying for probate usually comes after that. Nobody has to do everything at once.

Key facts

  • The funeral director usually registers the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and you then order the death certificate.
  • Services Australia should be told within 28 days. The free Australian Death Notification Service can notify several organisations at once.
  • Don’t distribute anything until debts, tax and possible claims are known.
  • Keep a record of every expense and decision. You may need to account for them later.

In the first few days

  1. If the death was unexpected, call 000. If it was expected, the doctor provides a medical certificate of the cause of death.
  2. Choose a funeral director. They usually register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state.
  3. Look for funeral wishes in the will or in a letter, and talk with the family before booking.
  4. Secure the home, car, valuables and any pets. Collect keys and check that insurance stays in place.
  5. Find the original will. Check with the person’s solicitor, the public trustee, the bank and their papers at home.

In the first two weeks

  1. Order the death certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages (often via the funeral director). Ask for several certified copies.
  2. Tell Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare) within 28 days. You can use the Australian Death Notification Service to notify several organisations at once.
  3. Notify the banks. Accounts are usually frozen, and many banks will pay funeral costs directly from the account.
  4. Contact every super fund and life insurer to start a claim.
  5. Redirect mail through Australia Post and cancel subscriptions and direct debits.
  6. Deal with digital accounts. See our guide on what happens to Facebook, Google and Apple accounts.

By the end of the first month

  1. Make a list of all assets and debts, with approximate values on the date of death.
  2. Work out which assets pass outside the will, such as joint property, super and some insurance.
  3. Decide whether you need probate. Banks, share registries and land titles offices usually ask for it once the amounts are larger.
  4. Speak to a solicitor or the public trustee if the estate is complex, someone may contest the will, or you are unsure.
  5. Tell the ATO about the death, and plan for the final individual tax return and any trust tax returns for the estate.

What makes this easier?

The hardest part for most executors is finding things: the will, account numbers, insurance policies, passwords and the person’s wishes. A readiness checklist completed in advance, and a vault the executor can open when the time comes, saves weeks.

Common questions

Do I always need probate in Australia?

No. If the estate is small, or most assets were jointly owned, banks and other institutions may release funds without probate. Each institution sets its own limit. Land held in the person’s sole name usually needs probate.

How long does an executor have to finalise an estate?

There is no single deadline, but executors are expected to act without unnecessary delay. Many estates take six to twelve months. Family provision claims have time limits, so executors often wait until that period has passed before distributing.

Can an executor refuse the role?

Yes. An executor can renounce before they start dealing with the estate. Someone else, such as a backup executor or a beneficiary, can then apply.

Who pays for the funeral?

Funeral costs are paid from the estate. Many banks will release money from the person’s account directly to the funeral director on presentation of the invoice and death certificate.

Sources and official help

These guides are general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws differ between states and territories and change over time. Speak to a solicitor or your state or territory public trustee about your situation.