Deceased estate administration in Australia — what executors need to know

Deceased estate administration is one of the most complex tasks a family can face. If you have been named as executor of a will — or if a family member has died without a will — this guide explains what you need to do, in what order, and how long it typically takes in Australia.

What is deceased estate administration?

Deceased estate administration is the legal process of managing and distributing the assets of someone who has died. This includes collecting all assets, paying all debts and expenses, lodging final tax returns, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries named in the will (or according to intestacy laws if there is no will).

The person responsible for carrying out these tasks is called the executor. If there is no will, the court appoints an administrator — usually the next of kin.

The executor's responsibilities

• Locating and securing the will
• Registering the death
• Arranging the funeral
• Applying for probate (if required)
• Notifying government agencies
• Notifying banks and financial institutions
• Collecting and valuing all assets
• Paying all debts and liabilities
• Lodging the deceased's final tax return
• Distributing assets to beneficiaries

Do you need probate?

Probate is the legal process of proving that a will is valid. Not every estate requires probate — it depends on the value and type of assets involved.

You will generally need probate if:

• The estate includes real property (a house or land)
• Bank accounts hold more than approximately $50,000
• Financial institutions request it before releasing funds
• The will is being contested

You may not need probate if:

• All assets were held jointly and pass automatically
• The estate consists only of personal effects
• The estate is small and all institutions accept a death certificate

Probate costs by state

Probate is administered by each state's Supreme Court. Court fees vary:

• NSW: $921 to $7,099 depending on estate value
• VIC: Scale based on estate value
• QLD: Scale based on estate value
• WA: $408 flat fee — most cost-effective
• SA, TAS, ACT, NT: Scale based on estate value

Government notifications

Several government agencies must be notified after a death. Start with the Australian Death Notification Service at deathnotificationservice.com.au — this notifies multiple agencies in one step including the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare and DVA.

Additional notifications required:

• ATO — 13 28 61 — to pause correspondence and arrange the final tax return
• Centrelink — 132 300 — to cancel payments within 14 days
• Medicare — 132 011 — to cancel the Medicare card
• Electoral Commission — at aec.gov.au — to remove from electoral roll
• State roads authority — to cancel drivers licence
• Home Affairs — to cancel the Australian passport

Superannuation

Superannuation does not form part of the deceased estate. It is held in trust by the superannuation fund and distributed according to the fund's rules and any valid binding death benefit nomination — not the will.

Contact each superannuation fund directly as soon as possible. Use the ATO Super Lookup at ato.gov.au to find any lost or unclaimed super accounts.

ATO and final tax return

The executor is responsible for the deceased's tax affairs including:

• Notifying the ATO of the death
• Lodging the deceased's final tax return (1 July to date of death)
• Applying for an estate TFN if the estate continues to earn income
• Lodging annual estate tax returns until the estate is fully distributed

The final tax return is due by 31 October in the year following the death, or the standard 31 October if the person died between 1 July and 31 October.

How long does estate administration take?

Estate administration in Australia typically takes 6 to 12 months from date of death to final distribution. Complex estates with real property, business interests or contested wills can take 2 to 3 years.

A typical timeline:

• Week 1: Register death, arrange funeral, locate will
• Month 1: Notify government, banks, super funds
• Month 1-2: Apply for probate (if required)
• Month 2-3: Collect and value assets
• Month 3-6: Pay debts and liabilities
• By 31 October: Lodge final tax return
• Month 6-12: Distribute to beneficiaries

Getting help

Estate administration involves many moving parts. Most executors benefit from professional help with at least some tasks:

• Probate lawyer — for probate applications, complex estates and disputes. Legal fees are paid from the estate, not your own pocket.
• Accountant — for the final tax return and estate tax obligations.
• Financial adviser — for superannuation death benefit claims and investment account transfers.

Making the account notifications easier

One of the most time-consuming parts of estate administration is notifying the dozens of organisations the deceased had accounts with — banks, super funds, utilities, subscriptions and more. Each requires a formal letter, documentation, and follow-up if there is no response.

WithPassage automates this entirely. Add each account, and WithPassage generates personalised bereavement letters, sends them directly to providers, and tracks every response — so you can focus on the more important parts of administering the estate.