Register a Death and Cancel Accounts in Australia Remotely

You Don't Have to Be in Australia to Do This

The assumption that death registration and account closures require you to be physically present in Australia is wrong — and it is one of the most paralysing misconceptions that hits UK families in the first week. Almost everything can be done remotely, provided you have the right documents and you contact each organisation in the correct sequence.

Here is how each piece works when you are 10,000 miles away in the UK.

Death Registration: The Funeral Director Does It

In Australia, the family does not register the death directly. The funeral director does. Once the family appoints a funeral director (which can be done by phone or email from the UK), the director collects the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the hospital or coroner, compiles the registration details, and submits everything to the state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM).

You will need to provide the funeral director with:

• The deceased's full name, date and place of birth
• Their usual occupation and marital status
• Parent details (names, occupations)
• Whether they held Australian citizenship or were a UK national on a visa

The funeral director handles all of this electronically or in person at the state registry. You never need to visit a BDM office yourself.

The death certificate itself — the certified legal document you will need for banks, insurers, and UK probate — is ordered separately from the BDM registry after registration is complete. Processing times vary by state: NSW takes up to 2 weeks (priority available for AU$105), Victoria within 7 days, Queensland an average of 10 business days (urgent applications can be processed in 2 business days), and Western Australia within 3 business days. The certificate can be posted internationally to your UK address.

Freezing and Closing Australian Bank Accounts

Australian banks freeze a sole account holder's accounts as soon as they receive notification of the death. You do not need to be in Australia to trigger this — a phone call to the bank's bereavement team is enough to start the process.

Commonwealth Bank: From overseas, call +61 2 8629 0143 and select option 1 for a new case, or use its online notification service.

ANZ: From overseas, call +61 3 8699 6969. Its online notification form can start the process, and the bank will tell the authorised estate representative what documents it needs.

Westpac: From overseas, call +61 2 9155 7590 or email estatesmanagement@westpac.com.au. Complete the deceased customer notification form and send certified copies as directed.

NAB: From overseas, call +61 3 8903 9992 or use its online deceased-customer notification form.

Each bank sets its own certification and identity requirements. Ask the bank which overseas certifiers it accepts; a UK solicitor or notary may be acceptable, but do not assume Australian consular certification is required or sufficient.

Pre-probate releases: If the family needs to cover funeral or repatriation costs before probate is granted, ask the bank whether it can pay those expenses directly and what certified documents or itemised invoice it requires. Thresholds and procedures vary by institution.

Cancelling Utilities and Subscriptions

Utility companies, phone providers, and subscription services in Australia can all be cancelled remotely:

• Electricity and gas (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia): Call the provider's general line, explain the account holder has died, and provide the account number and date of death. Ask what proof of death it requires and how it will issue the final bill to the estate.
• Mobile phone (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone): Call the provider. If the phone is on a contract, ask whether it will waive early termination fees when you provide proof of death; arrange SIM deactivation with the provider.
• Internet and landline: Same process as utilities. Provide the account number and request disconnection.
• Rent: If the deceased was renting, notify the landlord or property manager in writing (email is fine). Tenancy rights and notice periods after a death vary by state and agreement; ask for the applicable deceased-tenant process. Any bond held by the state tenancy authority is dealt with under state rules.

Medicare and Government Accounts

If the deceased held a Medicare card (common for UK nationals with reciprocal healthcare access or permanent residency), notify Services Australia using the Advice of death form (SA116) or, from overseas, Medicare International Calling on +61 2 8633 3284.

For Centrelink benefits (if the deceased received any Australian social security payments), use the Centrelink international number for the UK, 0800 1695 865, or +61 3 6222 3455 if that route is unavailable. Overpayments after the date of death are recoverable from the estate, so notify quickly.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) needs a separate notification — the executor must register as the Legal Personal Representative before the ATO will discuss the deceased's tax affairs. This registration can be done by post or through a tax agent.

The Document That Unlocks Everything

The certified Australian death certificate is a key document: many formal account closures and asset releases are on hold until it is issued, although some organisations can begin notification earlier. The funeral director registration triggers the certificate process, so appointing a funeral director is genuinely the first domino.

The British Person Dies in Australia — Family Emergency Guide includes the full remote administration workflow — state-by-state BDM timelines, bank bereavement team contacts, and template letters for each notification so you can work through the list systematically from the UK.