How to cancel accounts after death in Australia — complete guide

When someone dies, their family is left to manage dozens of accounts — bank accounts, subscriptions, utilities, memberships, streaming services and more. This guide covers the most common accounts that need to be cancelled after death in Australia, and exactly how to do it.

Where to start

Before cancelling individual accounts, use the Australian Death Notification Service at deathnotificationservice.com.au. This notifies multiple government agencies in one step — including the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare and DVA.

Then work through the categories below systematically. Most families find it easiest to tackle one category per day rather than trying to do everything at once.

Bank accounts and financial services

Bank accounts must be notified promptly. Each major bank has a dedicated bereavement team:

• Commonwealth Bank: 1800 686 153
• NAB: 1800 033 382
• Westpac: 1300 130 467
• ANZ: 1800 237 170
• Bendigo Bank: 1300 236 344

You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and proof of your identity as executor. For accounts over approximately $50,000, most banks will require probate before releasing funds.

Superannuation

Superannuation does not form part of the deceased estate — it does not pass under the will. Each super fund must be contacted directly and will distribute the balance according to their rules and any binding death benefit nomination.

Contact every super fund the deceased held an account with as soon as possible — there are no set time limits but delays can complicate things. Use the ATO Super Lookup at ato.gov.au to find any lost super accounts.

Streaming and subscription services

Netflix

Log in to the account and cancel via Account Settings. If you cannot access the account, contact Netflix support and explain the situation — they will process the cancellation with a death certificate.

Spotify

Contact Spotify support at spotify.com/au/support. Explain you are managing a deceased person's account and request cancellation. They will typically cancel the account without further charges.

Stan, Disney+, Apple TV+

All can be cancelled via account settings if you have login access. If not, contact their support teams directly — all major services have bereavement processes.

Utilities

Cancel or transfer utilities as soon as possible to avoid ongoing billing:

• Electricity and gas — contact the provider directly. If the property is being sold or vacated, request a final meter read.
• Internet — most providers will waive early termination fees in a bereavement situation. Ask specifically.
• Phone — contact the mobile carrier. Prepaid accounts can usually be cancelled by phone. Postpaid contracts require a death certificate.

Telco providers

• Telstra bereavement: bereavement@support-team.telstra.com
• Optus bereavement: BereavementCare@optus.com.au
• Vodafone: 1300 650 410
• TPG: 1300 365 233

Insurance policies

Review all insurance policies the deceased held:

• Life insurance — contact the insurer to lodge a claim
• Health insurance — cancel the policy and request a refund of unused premiums
• Car insurance — cancel if the vehicle is being sold or transferred
• Home and contents — maintain until the property is transferred or sold

Social media accounts

Each platform has its own process. Facebook and Instagram can be memorialised or deleted. LinkedIn and Twitter/X can only be deleted. A certified death certificate is required for all platform requests. See our complete social media closure guide for step-by-step instructions.

Government accounts

• MyGov — notify via ADNS or contact Services Australia directly on 132 300
• Medicare — cancel the Medicare card by calling 132 011
• ATO — notify by calling 13 28 61 or via the ADNS
• Electoral roll — notify the AEC at aec.gov.au
• Drivers licence — notify the state roads authority (RMS in NSW, VicRoads in VIC etc)

Loyalty programs

Loyalty points may have real value. Contact each program before closing the account:

• Qantas Frequent Flyer — points may be transferred to a family member or used for a redemption
• Velocity Frequent Flyer — same process as Qantas
• Woolworths Everyday Rewards and Coles flybuys — redeem remaining points before cancelling

Making this easier

Managing this many accounts during a period of grief is exhausting. WithPassage helps by generating personalised bereavement letters for each provider, sending them automatically, and tracking responses — so you know exactly where things stand without having to chase every organisation individually.