General information from official government pages, checked 12 October 2026. Fees and rules change, usually each July. It isn't legal or financial advice: your funeral director, the registry or a lawyer can confirm what applies to you.
At a glance
| Will | By law, contact the Public Trustee to check for one |
|---|---|
| Registering the death | Within 7 working days after the burial or cremation. Free |
| Death certificate | $74. Priority adds $39 |
| Registry | Births, Deaths and Marriages, Darwin 08 8999 6119 |
| Coroner | 08 8999 7770 |
| Probate | Notice on the court website for 14 days. Fee $1,585 |
| Centrelink and Medicare | Tell Services Australia within 28 days |
If the coroner is involved
Unexpected, unnatural or violent deaths are reported to police and the coroner. The coroner works with the person's senior next of kin. NT Government If you object to an autopsy, tell police or the coroner's office straight away. If the coroner still decides one is needed, the senior next of kin has 48 hours to ask the Supreme Court to review the decision. NT Government Coroner's office: 08 8999 7770. NT Government
Check for a will first
By law, you must contact the Public Trustee to check whether there's a will, even if you think you've found it. NT Government The will may say how the person wanted to be farewelled. If there's no will, a culturally appropriate person can decide on burial or cremation. NT Government
Paying for the funeral
Funeral costs are paid from the estate before other debts, and banks can pay the funeral company directly from the person's account. NT Government The same page lists other help:
- The Indigent Person's Funeral Scheme, applied for through the Public Trustee (the fund is managed by the Coroner's Office), when the estate and family can't pay.
- The Northern and Central Land Councils may help eligible Aboriginal families.
- The motor accidents compensation scheme, run by TIO, may cover some funeral costs after a road death.
Comparing quotes? Our guide to planning a funeral covers what to ask.
Registering the death
The death must be registered within seven working days after the burial or cremation. It's free, the funeral director usually does it, and the forms are also available at remote health centres. NT Government
The death certificate
A certificate costs $74, and priority processing adds $39. NT Government Applications are usually processed within 10 business days. NT Government Births, Deaths and Marriages, Darwin: 08 8999 6119. NT Government
The estate and probate
Small estates may be able to use a simpler process, so ask the Public Trustee or the Probate Registry. For a grant, the executor publishes a notice on the Supreme Court website for 14 days before applying. The filing fee is $1,585 (from 1 July 2026). If you apply more than six months after the death, you'll also need an affidavit explaining the delay. Supreme Court of the NT
Who to tell
- Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare): within 28 days. Services Australia
- The ATO: online form plus an interview at Australia Post, or the paper form. ATO
- Motor Vehicle Registry: to transfer or cancel registration, call 1300 654 628. NT Government
- Banks, telcos and utilities: the free Australian Death Notification Service tells several at once. Australian Death Notification Service
For family and friends, our guide to telling people has wording you can copy.
In another state? NSW · VIC · QLD · WA · SA · TAS · ACT · or the Australia-wide checklist you can tick off as you go.
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