Government Admin After Death
The paperwork nobody warns you about.
There is a long list of government agencies that need to know someone has died. None of it is urgent in the way it feels. One envelope at a time.
Death certificates — how many and where
Order from your state's Births, Deaths and Marriages registry (the funeral director usually lodges the application). Order 5-10 certified copies — banks, super funds, and government agencies all want their own. Each copy costs a fee, and the fee differs by state — the registry's own page has the current one.
Services Australia (Centrelink + Medicare)
One call to 13 23 00 covers both. Ask about: stopping payments, bereavement period extension of existing payments, Family Tax Benefit changes. Have the deceased's CRN and date of death ready.
Australian Taxation Office
A final tax return needs to be lodged for the deceased covering the period from 1 July to the date of death. The executor does this (or an accountant on their behalf). Notify the ATO by calling 13 28 61 or writing to them.
Other agencies to notify
- Electoral roll — Australian Electoral Commission (to remove from the roll)
- Passport — Australian Passport Office (to cancel)
- Driver's licence — your state's transport authority
- Veterans Affairs — 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) (if applicable)
- Australia Post — deceased estate mail redirection
- Council rates — your local council
This is exhausting when you're grieving
See all 27 guides in When someone dies →
From bluetulipco.com/library/after-death/gov-admin — printed 1 October 2026.
General information only — not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or therapeutic advice. Read the full disclaimer.
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