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
| Who registers the death | Usually the funeral director, within 7 days of the burial or cremation. Free |
|---|---|
| Registry | Births, Deaths and Marriages (Consumer and Business Services): 131 882 |
| Death certificate | $72, or $105 for the package. Priority $50 extra |
| Coroner | Release is usually within 72 hours. Coroners Court 8204 0600 |
| No money for a funeral | Funeral AssistanceSA: 1300 762 577 |
| Probate | Supreme Court Probate Registry, through CourtSA |
| Centrelink and Medicare | Tell Services Australia within 28 days |
The first hours
A doctor or qualified paramedic certifies that the death has happened. Courts Administration Authority For a natural death, the doctor sends the cause of death certificate to Births, Deaths and Marriages within 48 hours, with a copy for the funeral director. If the cause isn't known yet, the doctor notifies within 48 hours and completes the certificate later. SA Government
Doctors only certify natural deaths that aren't going to the coroner. SA Government For family and friends, our guide to telling people has wording you can copy.
If the coroner is involved
Deaths from an unexpected, unnatural, unusual, violent or unknown cause are reportable, as are deaths in custody and deaths within 24 hours of certain procedures. Courts Administration Authority
- Post mortems are mostly done at Forensic Science SA in Adelaide, and if a post-mortem is needed, people who die in regional areas are brought to Adelaide.
- You can raise objections through the Coroners Court social worker, though the coroner decides.
- The person is usually released within 72 hours, sometimes longer. There's no burial or cremation until then.
- Coroners Court: 8204 0600. SA Government brochure
Registering the death
The funeral director normally registers the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages, within 7 days of the burial or cremation. Registration is free. BDM: 131 882 (option 1). SA Government
The death certificate
| Certificate | Fee |
|---|---|
| Death certificate with cause of death | $72 |
| Extract without cause of death | $72 |
| Package of both | $105 |
| Priority processing (1 business day), on top | $50 |
The person's parent, child, spouse or partner, the executor or administrator, or someone with power of attorney or written authority can apply. Apply online, by post, or in person in Adelaide, Gawler or a regional office. Phone applications aren't accepted. SA Government
Help with funeral costs
Funeral AssistanceSA pays for a basic funeral, usually a cremation, for people on low incomes. The estate must be under $4,000, and immediate family must have under $4,000 in accessible funds and not own a home they could borrow against. Both the person and the family must be on a pension, benefit or low income. Call before booking a funeral director: if one is already engaged, you may only get up to $625. It doesn't cover the death certificate. Tell Centrelink about the death first. Phone 1300 762 577. SA Government
CTP insurance can cover funeral costs after a road death, and victims of crime can apply to the Commissioner for Victims' Rights. SA Government Funerals are usually paid from the estate, and banks often pay the funeral director directly. Public Trustee SA
The will and probate
Look for the will at home, with friends, a solicitor, the bank or accountant, or the Public Trustee, on (08) 8372 7550. SA Government
There's no rule that every estate needs a grant: it's needed when a bank, Land Services SA or another holder won't release assets without one. Apply through the CourtSA portal, and send the original will to the Probate Registry. CourtSA Registry: 08 8204 2444 (Freecall 1800 571 191). Courts Administration Authority
From 1 January 2025, banks may release up to $15,000 to a spouse, partner or child without a grant, and a grant can't be made earlier than 28 days after the death. SA Law Handbook Claims against the will must be made within 6 months of the grant. SA Government
Who to tell
- Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare): within 28 days. Services Australia
- Banks, telcos and utilities: the free Australian Death Notification Service contacts several at once. SA Government
- The ATO: online form plus an interview at Australia Post, or the paper form. A phone call to 13 28 65 pauses their tax mail. ATO
- Driver licence: notify Service SA. The electoral roll is usually updated by BDM. SA Government
- Car registration: transfer at a Service SA centre ($33). Beneficiaries may get a stamp duty exemption, and the estate can hold the registration for up to 12 months. SA Government
In another state? NSW · VIC · QLD · WA · TAS · ACT · NT · or the Australia-wide checklist you can tick off as you go.
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