Estate Inventory Template and Probate Filing Fees in the ACT
Before you can file for probate in the ACT, you need to know what the estate is worth. Not approximately — specifically. The ACT Supreme Court uses the estate's gross value to determine the filing fee, and listing the wrong value is one of the most common triggers for a requisition that halts the entire application.
Gross value vs net value: a distinction that matters
The ACT Supreme Court's probate filing fees are calculated on the gross value of the estate — the total value of all assets before debts are deducted.
This catches many executors off guard. If the estate includes a $900,000 property with a $400,000 mortgage, and $50,000 in bank accounts with $10,000 in credit card debt, the gross estate value is $950,000 — not the $540,000 net figure you might intuitively use.
Why does the court use gross rather than net? Because the gross value is determinable from valuations and account balances, while the net value fluctuates as debts are paid during administration.
Listing the net value in the inventory of property triggers a requisition from the Probate Registrar. This halts the application and requires you to re-file with corrected figures, resetting your timeline by weeks.
ACT probate filing fees for 2025/2026
| Estate Gross Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | Nil |
| $50,000 – $249,999 | $1,124 |
| $250,000 – $499,999 | $1,420 |
| $500,000 – $999,999 | $2,147 |
| $1,000,000 and over | $2,859 |
These fees are separate from the $61 Notice of Intention to Apply fee and the $52 death certificate fee. The filing fee is paid when you submit the formal probate application.
For illiquid estates where the cash has been frozen and you need funds to pay the court fee: banks in the ACT will sometimes release funds specifically to cover Supreme Court filing costs. Ask the bank's bereavement team directly — this is one of the legitimate pre-probate release scenarios.
What goes into the estate inventory
The inventory of property (which forms part of the Form 3.11 Affidavit of Applicant) must account for all assets that form part of the probate estate. These are assets owned solely by the deceased, or owned as tenants in common.
Assets that do NOT go through probate (and don't count toward the filing fee calculation) include:
- Property held as joint tenants — passes automatically to the surviving owner
- Superannuation benefits — paid directly to nominated beneficiaries outside the Will
- Life insurance with named beneficiaries — bypasses the estate
- Assets in family trusts where the deceased was not the beneficial owner
Assets that DO form part of the probate estate:
- Real property held solely or as tenants in common
- Bank accounts in the deceased's name only
- Shares and investment portfolios in the deceased's name
- Motor vehicles registered to the deceased
- Personal property of significant value (jewellery, art, collectibles)
- Business interests owned personally
Free Download
Get the Australian Capital Territory — First 48 Hours Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
How to value estate assets
Real property: Obtain a current market valuation from a licensed property valuer or real estate agent. The court accepts a sworn valuation from an agent. For the probate application, a formal valuation is preferable to an estimate.
Bank and investment accounts: Request balance statements dated as close to the date of death as possible. Online statements are acceptable if they show the account number, institution name, and date.
Superannuation: Contact the superannuation fund and ask for the death benefit amount. Note that super does not form part of the probate estate and should not be included in the court inventory — but you still need to know the value to ensure beneficiaries make a timely claim.
Shares: Value at the closing price on the date of death. For publicly listed shares, market prices on the ASX on that date are readily available.
Motor vehicles: Use market valuation tools (RedBook, CarsGuide) for an indicative value, or obtain a trade estimate from a dealer.
Personal effects: Household contents, jewellery, and personal effects can often be grouped and given an estimated value unless individual items are particularly valuable. If any items are of substantial value, a formal valuation from an appropriate specialist (e.g., a jeweller for jewellery) provides a defensible figure.
Estate inventory template: the basic structure
Your inventory should capture the following for each asset:
| Asset Description | Location/Account | Estimated Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real property, 14 Brindabella St | Access Canberra Title ref | $875,000 | Held solely by deceased |
| Commonwealth Bank savings account | BSB 06x-xxx, Acc 123456 | $42,500 | Statement as at date of death |
| CBA transaction account | BSB 06x-xxx, Acc 789012 | $3,200 | Statement as at date of death |
| ANZ term deposit | Account 456789 | $25,000 | Maturity date [date] |
| BHP shares (500 × $45.20) | CHESS HIN [number] | $22,600 | ASX closing price date of death |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | VIN [number] | $18,000 | RedBook estimate |
| Household contents and effects | 14 Brindabella St | $5,000 | General estimate |
| TOTAL GROSS ESTATE VALUE | $991,300 |
This structure is what the court's Affidavit of Applicant requires. Itemise significant assets individually. Lump smaller items only where they are genuinely of minor combined value.
The ACT Estate Settlement Guide includes a ready-to-use estate inventory template, instructions for calculating gross value correctly, and a checklist for gathering the valuations you need before filing.
Get Your Free Australian Capital Territory — First 48 Hours Checklist
Download the Australian Capital Territory — First 48 Hours Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.