Notification of Death NSW: Who to tell?

Losing a family member or a close friend is a difficult time for anyone. It can be even more daunting if you are the executor of the deceased’s estate or their next of kin. Why? Because there are big decisions that you must make immediately. In NSW, you have to start with sending out notifications about the person’s death.

Sending out the notification of death in NSW does not end with just the relatives and friends of the deceased. There are several organisations that you must inform about the person’s passing, whether in writing or by phone. Also, whilst most organisations have a straightforward death notification process, some may require additional documents with the death advice.

Who to notify when someone dies

Deaths that happen in NSW must be registered with NSW Births, Deaths, and Marriages within 7 days of the date of death. The registration of a person’s passing must be completed before you can apply for a death certificate. Usually, it is the funeral director’s responsibility to register the passing of a person. However, the deceased’s next of kin or relative may also lodge the registration.

Once the death registration is completed, the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages will notify the relevant government departments. However, the deceased’s executor or next of kin may also send out the notification of death in NSW.

If you are responsible for sending out the notification of death, you may use the Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS). ADNS is an online government service that enables you to notify multiple organisations from one location. Though limited, the platform can notify some banks, utilities, superannuation and NSW Trustee & Guardian services at one time.

Some organisations you must notify include:

1. The Relevant Financial Institutions

It is important to notify banks, credit and insurance companies where the deceased person has accounts held. Financial institutions must be notified immediately, especially if the deceased held home account loans solely in their name. Once notified, the relevant banks will close or transfer the deceased’s accounts and discuss loan repayment options.

If the financial institution is not one of the participating organisations in the ADNS, you have to notify them separately.  Usually, banks require a letter with a copy of the death certificate as formal notification of an account holder’s passing. Some financial institutions, like the National Bank of Australia, may also require you to complete their own death notification form.

2. Services Australia

Services Australia must be notified if the deceased received Centrelink payments or was paying or receiving child support. Once they have confirmation, they will then notify Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support agencies about the passing of the deceased.

To notify Services Australia, you have to complete the Advice of Death Form either digitally or by hand. The electronic version of the form is dynamic, which means the questions may change depending on your answers. If opting to complete the form by hand, there is a separate form for a deceased adult and deceased child. Download and print the relevant form to complete it, then upload to the Services Australia website.

You may also notify Services Australia by calling the Older Australians line and saying “bereavement,” or by going to a customer service centre.

3. Centrelink

When a deceased person receives payments or international pensions, Centrelink must also be immediately notified to cancel payments to the deceased. Usually, Services Australia and the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages will inform or update the Centrelink records of a deceased person. However, the deceased’s partner, relative, or friend may also personally provide the Notice of Death.

The Notice of Death may be delivered by calling Centrelink, through mail, or by visiting one of their offices. Ensure to notify Centrelink if you are seeking exemption from mutual obligations or activity test requirements for the deceased.

Once notified, Centrelink will confirm the death and identity of the deceased before any death transaction or bereavement pay is processed. Centrelink will also determine if you are eligible to receive bereavement pay. If eligible, they will also work out the type and the amount to ensure they incur no debt.

The type and amount of bereavement payments will depend on your:

  • individual circumstances
  • relationship to the person who died

4. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

When someone dies, the executor, next of kin or close friend must notify the ATO about the deceased’s passing, so that the ATO can pause tax correspondence and any attempt to contact the deceased, and in order to finalise income tax returns.

The ATO may be notified by completing an online form and going to an Australia Post outlet for an interview. You must go to your Australia Post interview within 30 days after completing the online form. There, you must present the printed summary of the online form and the required supporting documents.

You can also notify the ATO by mailing a completed paper form along with certified copies of the necessary supporting documents. A justice of the peace or other approved certifier must certify the copies that you will mail to the ATO. However, the ATO will not be returning the certified copies of the supporting documents to you.

Moreover, the online form will let the ATO know about who will manage the estate. Also, it may take up to 28 days after the notice of death is received for the deceased person’s records with the ATO to be updated. The required supporting documents include:

  • Death certificate – to officially notify the ATO of a person’s death.
  • Probate or letters of administration – to identify the legal personal representative (LPR) who has full authority to manage the deceased’s tax affairs.
  • Will – to verify your role in the estate’s tax affairs and add your name to the ATO Records.
Notification of Death NSW

5. The Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA)

When a veteran dies, you must notify the DVA immediately – either in writing or by phone. This needs to be done so that the DVA can stop all payments made to the veteran and assess entitlements for the surviving family. A DVA representative will communicate with you within two weeks after the notice of death.  

When contacting the DVA about the deceased veteran, you must provide the:

  • Deceased veteran’s full name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • the Date of death
  • Place of death
  • DVA file number
  • the DVA pension types received
  • Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) if a member of the couple received their pension from Centrelink

6. My Aged Care

When a loved one who passed away is a member of My Aged Care, you must notify them immediately. My Aged Care will then close the deceased’s record and pause further correspondence to the deceased and their family or representatives.

Although My Aged Care may also receive information about the deceased from other agencies, it is still best to notify them directly. You may notify My Aged Care about a member’s passing by:

  • using the Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS)
  • calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
  • using your My Aged Care Online Account.

7. The NSW Land Registry

In NSW, a Notice of Death can be processed for a property owned by parties as Joint Tenants. If a joint tenant has passed, the surviving tenant can make an application to remove the deceased’s name from the Title.

A Notice of Death can also be processed for a property owned by parties as Tenants in Common. The surviving tenants will remain on title whilst the deceased’s name is removed. Moreover, all surviving Tenants  must be clearly represented in the respective Notice of Death.

In NSW, the Notice of Death must be lodged electronically through PEXA or other Electronic Lodgment Network Operators (ELNOs). When lodging the Notice of Death, you must provide evidence details, such as:

  • Death Certificate
  • Certificate under NSW Trustee and Guardian Act
  • Coroner’s Report
  • Medical Certificate certifying death

8. Transport for NSW

When a loved one has recently passed, you must immediately notify Transport for NSW. This is so they can cancel, or transfer vehicles registered under the deceased’s name and their driver’s licence. If the deceased person also has a disability parking permit, Transport for NSW will also have to cancel it.

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages usually notifies Transport for NSW about the passing of registered drivers. However, it is still best to notify them personally by visiting a service centre and submitting the required documents:

  • your proof of identity
  • one of the following pieces of documentation confirming the deceased’s status:
    • death certificate (original or copy)
    • newspaper death notice
    • letter from a solicitor or the NSW Trustee and Guardian advising that the person is deceased
    • a completed Advice of Death form with the deceased’s proof of identity documentation
    • with a missing person presumed deceased, a ‘Presumption of Death Order’ issued by the Supreme Court (original or copy).

How can VC Lawyers help with notification of death in NSW

Losing a loved one is already painful enough, yet the responsibilities you must fulfil make it even more difficult. Whilst there is no legal rule on who to notify about someone’s passing, the right legal advice can ease your responsibilities.

VC Lawyers provides full legal support in Family Law matters, including notification of death in NSW. Our Family Lawyers offer practical advice and guidance, whilst carefully considering your circumstances, to give you the most beneficial legal outcome.

We also have extensive knowledge of Wills and Estate and Probate Applications to further assist you if you are the executor or administrator. Our team is here to help you fulfil your responsibilities after someone’s passing, so you can focus on grieving, healing, and moving on.

Talk to us to know more on how we can help you with notification of death in NSW.

NB: This blog post is neither a legal advice nor intended to be such, and is only for general information. The same should not also be taken as a financial or commercial advice. The reader must personally consult their professional adviser/s on the contents of this blog post. VC Lawyers is not liable for any loss or damage, direct or consequential, as a result of the reader’s or a third person’s misconstruction of the wordings or use/misuse of the contents of this blog post.

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Pelagio Palma Jr., BA, LLB, LLM, MBA

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16 February 2026 No Comments

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