Below you will find links to a variety of useful information websites, including government legislation and assistance, free legal aid services, grief support groups, various aligned organisations and charities etc, both nationally and within your State or Territory.
This page will be regularly updated to provide useful links to enhance your research and choices.
If you find any of the links are broken, or you would like to suggest additional information resources to be added, please contact us.
Links to external websites are provided for our visitor’s convenience. These links do not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any third party products or services offered by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability, completeness and correctness of information found at these websites.
End of Life / Palliative Care Web Sites
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
- Department of Health – Palliative Care
- Department of Health – Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care
- Social Services – My Aged Care – Home Care & Respite Providers
- Social Services – My Aged Care – Resident’s Agreement
- Social Services – Guardianship & Administrators
- Social Services – Extra assistance for accessing information when calling the My Aged Care website
- Social Services – Translated information in other Languages
- National Relay Service – Assistance for people who are deaf, hearing or speech impaired to make a phone call
- Immigration & Border Protection – Interpreting Services
- Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care – Charter of Rights
- Social Services – My Aged Care Line – 1800 200 422
- Social Services – Respite and Carelink Centre – 1800 052 222
OTHER USEFUL ORGANISATIONS
- Palliative Care Australia – A peak national body for Palliative Care
- CareSearch – Palliative care knowledge network
- Your Life Talks – Conversation Starter Cards
- DyingMatters – Raising awareness of dying, death & bereavement
- Centre for Palliative Care – Enhancing care through excellence in education & research
- NSW Southern Highlands Cancer Connect
CANCER COUNCIL
- Cancer Council NSW
- Cancer Council VIC
- Cancer Council QLD
- Cancer Council ACT
- Cancer Council TAS
- Cancer Council SA
- Cancer Council WA
- Cancer Council NT
MESOTHELIOMA SUPPORT
- Mesothelioma Guide
- Mesothelioma Fund
- Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Mesothelioma Veterans Center
- Mesothelioma.net
- Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
Specific Funeral Industry Legislation
Very few Australian States and Territories have enacted a single ‘Funerals Act’ covering all aspects of arranging and conducting a funeral (except Victoria). However, most jurisdictions have enacted legislation to do with pre-paid funerals and the treatment of funeral funds.
VIC: FUNERALS ACT 2006
TAS: PREPAID FUNERALS ACT 2004
QLD: FUNERAL BENEFIT BUSINESS ACT 1982
QLD: FUNERAL BENEFIT BUSINESS REGULATION 2010
NSW: FUNERAL FUNDS ACT 1979
NSW: FUNERAL FUNDS REGULATION 2016
SA: FAIR TRADING (PRE-PAID FUNERALS INDUSTRY CODE) REGULATIONS 2011
WA: WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – METROPOLITAN CEMETERIES BOARD
NT: NORTHERN TERRITIORY GOVERNMENT – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
ACT: N/A
Pre-Paid Funerals, Funeral Bonds & Funeral Insurance
- Australian Government
Australian Funeral Directors Association
ASIC MoneySmart website
Choice Magazine:
Legislation in relation to Pre-Paid Funerals
Queensland
- Funeral Benefit Business Regulation 2010
- Funeral Benefit Business Amendment Regulation 2013
- Funeral Benefit Business Act 1982
New South Wales
- Funeral Funds Act 1979
- Funeral Funds Regulation 2016
- Funeral Funds Amendment (Fees) Regulations 2014
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and Northern Territory have no specific Acts or Regulations regarding Pre-paid Funerals.
Burial & Cremations Act
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory
Births, Deaths & Marriages Acts
Western Australia
- Useful Link: Department of the Attorney General Births, Deaths & Marriages
- The Act: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1998
South Australia
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages South Australia
- The Act: Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996
Victoria
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria
- The Act: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1996
Tasmania
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages Tasmania
- The Act: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1999
New South Wales
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages NSW
- The Act: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1995
Queensland
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths, Marriages & Divorces QLD
- The Act: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 2003
Northern Territory
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages NT
- The Act: Births Deaths & Marriages Act 2015
Australian Capital Territory
- Useful Link: Births, Deaths & Marriages ACT
- The Act: Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997
Coroners’ Acts
Western Australia
- Useful Link: Practical Issues for Relatives WA
- The Act: Coroners Act 1996
South Australia
- Useful Links: Practical Issues for Relatives SA
Deaths – Practical Issues for next of Kin
- The Act: Coroners Act 2003
Victoria
- Useful Link: Practical Issues for Relatives VIC
- The Act: Coroners Act 2008
Tasmania
- Useful Link: A Guide for Families and Friends
- The Act: Cemetery Regulation 2005
New South Wales
- Useful Link: http://www.coroners.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
- The Act: Coroners Act 2009
Queensland
- Useful Link: Coroners Court
- The Act: Coroners Act 2003
Northern Territory
- Useful Link: Coroner’s Office NT
NT Department of Health – Deaths
- The Act: Coroners Act 2013
- Also see the Births Deaths & Marriages Act 2013 of NT
Australian Capital Territory
- Useful Link: ACT Coroners Court
- The Act: Coroners Act 2008
Coroner’s Offices
- QLD: Contact QLD State Coroner
- VIC: Contact VIC State Coroner
- NSW: Contact NSW State Coroner
- TAS: Contact TAS State Coroner
- SA: Contact SA State Coroner
- WA: Contact WA State Coroner
- ACT: Contact ACT State Coroner
- NT: Contact NT State Coroner
Wills and Probate Acts
Western Australia:
- Useful Link: http://www.publictrustee.wa.gov.au/w/what_is_probate.aspx
- The Act: Wills Act 1970 http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_1081_homepage.html
- The Act: Family Provision Act 1972 http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_457_homepage.html
- The Act: Administration Act 1903 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/aa1903173/
South Australia:
- Useful Link: http://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch36s01.php
- The Act: The Wills Act 1936 http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/WILLS%20ACT%201936.aspx
- The Act: The Administration and Probate Act 1919 http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/ADMINISTRATION%20AND%20PROBATE%20ACT%201919.aspx
Victoria:
- Useful : http://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/content/succession-laws-victoria-1
- The Act: The Wills Act 1997 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/wa199791/
- The Act: The Administration & Probate Act 1958 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/aapa1958259/
Tasmania:
- Useful Link: http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/82103/Chapter_09.pdf
- Useful Link: Tasmanian Law Handbook – Making a Will
- The Act: The Administration & Probate Act 1935 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/aapa1935259/
- The Act: The Wills Act 2008 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/wa200891/
- The Act: The TESTATOR’s FAMILY MAINTENANCE ACT 1912 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/tfma1912297/
- The Act: The INTESTACY ACT 2010 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/ia2010128/
New South Wales:
- Useful Link: NSW Supreme Court Filing Instructions
- Useful Link: http://www.foolkit.com.au/nsw/public/wills-and-probate
- The Act: Succession Act 2006 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sa2006138/
- The Act: Probate and Administration Act 1898 http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
Queensland:
- Useful Link: http://www.qls.com.au/Knowledge_centre/Areas_of_law/Succession_law
- Useful Link: http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/supreme-court/wills-and-estates-probate
- The Act: Succession Act 1981 https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/S/SuccessionA81.pdf
Northern Territory:
- Useful Link: nt.gov.au/law/bdm/make-a-will
- Useful Link: Being an Executor – Wills and Probate
- Useful Link: http://www.nt.gov.au/law/bdm/about-public-trustee
Australian Capital Territory:
- Useful Link: http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/wills/
- Useful Link: http://www.legalaidact.org.au/pdf/publications_wills.pdf
- Useful Link: http://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/services/probate_administration_and_foreign_grants
- The Act: Wills Act 1968 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/wa196891/
- The Act: Family Provisions Act 1969 http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1969-15/default.asp
Disposal of a Body – Legal Procedures
- QLD: http://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/wpapers/wp58.pdf or http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/ca2003128/
- NSW: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Body-disposal-legal-procedures/ or http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/dotd/Documents/disposal-of-bodies-ph-reg-2012.pdf or http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/inforce/subordleg+643+2002+cd+0+N
- VIC: VIC – Health, Aged Care & Wills or http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_reg/cacr2005331/
- TAS: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/local_government/legislation/burial_and_cremation_legislation
- WA: http://www.mcb.wa.gov.au/OurOrganisation/Legislation.aspx
- SA: http://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch36s01s04s01.php or http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/Cremation%20Regulations%202001.aspx
- ACT: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2003-11/
- NT: none
- Other Industry Guidance: Coffins & Caskets Australian Regulations
Australian Coffins & Caskets Legislation
The table below outlines the relevant State and Territory legislations and regulations for the use of coffins and caskets in Australia.
Preparing a Will
- Australian Government: http://australia.gov.au/topics/law-and-justice/wills-and-powers-of-attorney
- Australian Government: http://australia.gov.au/content/powers-of-attorney
- Australian Government: http://australia.gov.au/content/wills
- ACT Public Trustee Site: http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/wills/
- Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania: http://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/factsheets/wills.html
- ASIC MoneySmart: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/over-55s/wills-and-power-of-attorney
- NSW Planning Ahead website: http://www.planningaheadtools.com.au/
- Legal123: http://legal123.com.au/how-to-guide/how-to-write-a-will/
- Choice Magazine Will Kits Evaluated: http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/shopping-and-legal/legal/will-kits/page/diy%20will%20kits%20assessed.aspx
Powers of Attorney
- ASIC: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/over-55s/wills-and-power-of-attorney#attorney
- AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT: http://australia.gov.au/content/powers-of-attorney
WA: http://www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/E/enduring_power_of_guardianship.aspx
- or http://www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/E/enduring_power_of_attorney.aspx?uid=4607-1285-4846-1893
- or http://www.publictrustee.wa.gov.au/E/enduring_power_of_attorney.aspx?uid=1849-7691-2398-2053
- or http://www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/A/advance_health_directives.aspx?uid=6428-3216-6581-9305
- or http://www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/C/community_guardianship.aspx?uid=4216-0258-9718-2366
- or http://www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au/G/guardianship.aspx
QLD: http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/guardianship/power-of-attorney
- Or http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/guardianship/adult-guardian
- Or http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/guardianship/power-of-attorney/enduring-power-of-attorney/making-an-enduring-power-of-attorney
- Or http://www.publicguardian.qld.gov.au/
- Or https://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/power-of-attorney-and-making-decisions-for-others/power-of-attorney
- Or https://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/power-of-attorney-and-making-decisions-for-others/making-decisions-for-others
VIC: http://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/powers-of-attorney/
- or https://www.statetrustees.com.au/our-services/attorney-services
- or http://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/administration-&-guardianship/167/
- or http://www.advancecaredirectives.sa.gov.au/
- or http://publictrustee.sa.gov.au/wills-services/advance-care-directive/
- or http://www.opa.sa.gov.au/planning_ahead/enduring_power_of_attorney
- or http://www.guardianshipboard.sa.gov.au/about_us/guardianship_and_administration
NSW: http://www.planningaheadtools.com.au/make-a-power-of-attorney/for-individuals-families-and-carers/
- or http://www.tag.nsw.gov.au/powers-of-attorney-landing.html
- or http://www.advancecaredirectives.org.au/
- or http://www.tag.nsw.gov.au/enduring-guardianship.html
- or http://www.publicguardian.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/publicguardian/pg_index.html
- or http://www.ncat.nsw.gov.au/ncat/guardianship.html
TAS: http://publictrustee.tas.gov.au/power-of-attorney/
- or http://www.publicguardian.tas.gov.au/enduring_powers_of_attorney
- or: http://www.publicguardian.tas.gov.au/enduring_guardianship
- or: http://www.publicguardian.tas.gov.au/private_guardian
ACT: http://www.publicadvocate.act.gov.au/enduring_power_of_attorney
- or http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/powers-of-attorney
- or http://www.publicadvocate.act.gov.au/guardianship
NT: http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/bdm/land_title_office/power.shtml
- or http://health.nt.gov.au/Aged_and_Disability/Adult_Guardianship/index.aspx
- or http://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/social-services/office-public-guardian
Public Trustee Web Sites
- QLD: https://www.pt.qld.gov.au/ or Contacts: https://www.pt.qld.gov.au/contact/
- NSW: http://www.tag.nsw.gov.au/ or Contacts: http://www.tag.nsw.gov.au/enquiries-virtual.html
- VIC: https://www.statetrustees.com.au/ or Contacts: https://www.statetrustees.com.au/contact-us
- TAS: http://publictrustee.tas.gov.au/ or Contacts: http://publictrustee.tas.gov.au/contact/
- WA: http://www.publictrustee.wa.gov.au/ or Contacts: http://www.publictrustee.wa.gov.au/
- SA: http://www.publictrustee.sa.gov.au/ or Contacts: http://publictrustee.sa.gov.au/contact-us/
- ACT: http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/ or Contacts: http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/contact
- NT: http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/pubtrust/
Estate Planning
- ASIC: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/over-55s/wills-and-power-of-attorney
- ASIC: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/investing/financial-advice/choosing-a-financial-adviser
- IFAAA: http://www.ifaaa.com.au/
- Cleardocs: http://www.cleardocs.com/extra-family-trust.html
- SmartInvestor: http://www.afrsmartinvestor.com.au/p/new-investor/help_benefits_transfer_family_trusts_8eNAGOy7fP4VXQfrx7bDcI
- QLD: https://www.qld.gov.au/seniors/legal-finance-concessions/wills-estate-planning/
Offices of Fair Trading
- Australian Government: http://www.business.gov.au/business-topics/selling-products-and-services/fair-trading/Pages/fair-trading-laws.aspx
- NSW: http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/About_us/Online_services/Lodge_a_complaint.page?DCSext.ref=Homepagecomplaintclick
- QLD: http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/marketplace/make-a-complaint
- VIC: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/contact-us/resolve-your-problem-or-complaint
- ACT: ACT Office of Fair Trading – Consumers
- NT: http://www.consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au/ForConsumers/Complaint%20Form/Pages/default.aspx
- SA: http://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/wcm/consumers/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint/lodging-a-complaint/
- WA: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/complaints
- TAS: http://www.consumer.tas.gov.au/fair_trading/dealing_with_a_complaint
Legal Aid Web Sites
- QLD: http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx or https://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/legal-advice/
- NSW: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/ or Legal Answers Getting Help
- VIC: http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ or http://www.fclc.org.au/
- TAS: http://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/ or Tasmanian Law Handbook – Legal Assistance
- WA: WA Law Society
- SA: http://www.lsc.sa.gov.au/cb_pages/legal_advice.php or http://www.saccls.org.au/
- ACT: http://www.legalaidact.org.au/ or http://www.assistance.act.gov.au/adult/legal_advice/legal_aid_act
- NT: http://www.ntlac.nt.gov.au/ or http://www.dcls.org.au/
- National Legal Aid: http://www.nationallegalaid.org/ or https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/managing-debts/free-legal-advice
Grief Counselling – Support Groups
Centre for Grief Education
McCulloch House, Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road Clayton 3168
Tel (03) 9545 6377 or 1800 642 066
(This website has an extensive list of support groups)
www.grief.org.au or http://www.grief.org.au/resources/internet_links
NALAG- National Association for Loss and Grief
Referral information on accredited loss and grief practitioners, seminars and support groups
Tel (03) 9351 0358
http://www.nalag.org.au or http://www.nalag.org.au/Links.htm
The Compassionate Friends
Bereaved Parent Support and Information Centre
Tel (03) 9888 4944 or 1800 641 091
267 Canterbury Road Canterbury 3126
www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au or http://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/find-support/related-organisations/tcf-interstate
Solace Association Inc.
Grief Support for those grieving over the death of their partner
Tel (03) 9384 1722
http://www.solace.org.au
SANDS
Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support
Suite 208, 901 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill 3128
Tel (03) 9899 0218
http://www.sands.org.au/?gclid=CKPnvNCirMQCFY8kvQodkHAA6Q
SIDS and Kids
Professional counselling and support for families following the sudden, unexpected death of any child 6 years and under due to any cause
1227 Malvern Rd Malvern 3144
Tel (03) 9822 9611or 1300 308 307 24 hour crisis line
http://www.sidsandkids.org
Seniors Organisations Web Sites
- My Aged Care: www.myagedcare.gov.au
- Your Life Choices: www.yourlifechoices.com.au
- The Aged and Community Services Association (ACS) of NSW/ACT: www.agedservices.asn.au
- Aged Care Guide: www.agedcareguide.com.au
- My Life Change: www.mylifechange.com.au
- National Seniors Australia Ltd: www.nationalseniors.com.au
- Australian Ageing Agenda: www.australianageingagenda.com.au
- Association of Independent Retirees: www.independentretirees.com
- Seniors Information Service: www.seniors.asn.au
- Advocacy Australia: https://adaaustralia.com.au/
- Elder Abuse Prevention Unit: https://www.eapu.com.au/
- Seniors Legal and Support Service: https://www.qld.gov.au/seniors/legal-finance-concessions/legal-services
- Council on the Ageing (COTA): http://www.cota.org.au/australia/
Retirement Villages Resident Associations
- The Retirement Village Residents Association NSW & ACT (RVRA) www.rvra.org.au
- Association of Residents of QLD Retirement Villages (ARQRV) www.villagers.org.au
- South Australian Retirement Village Residents Association SARVRA www.sarvra.com
- Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV) www.rrvv.org.au
- Western Australia Retirement Complexes Residents’ Association (WARVRA)
www.warvra.org
Aged Care Web Sites
Australian Government:
- http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-homes
- and http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-home-costs-1-july-2014/paying-accommodation-aged-care-home
- and Agedcare Health
- and http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/eligibility-and-assessment/acat-assessments
- New Legislation – Aged Care Reform: Agedcare Reforms
- Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Bill 2013 : http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013B00043 and http://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/ageing-and-aged-care/aged-care-reform
- Agedcare Support Services
- Aged Care Act
- Australian Aged Care Quality Agency: http://www.aacqa.gov.au/ and http://agedcare.palliativecare.org.au/Portals/35/Guidelines/The%20Guidelines%202006.pdf
- Aged Care Pricing Commission (ACPC): http://www.acpc.gov.au/approval-of-accommodation-payments/
- ASIC: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/over-55s/your-home
- and https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/over-55s/aged-care
- NSW: http://www.tars.com.au/
- DPS Guide: https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/home-care
- End of Life Law in Australia (Advance Health Directives)
- ELDAC – End of Life Directions for Aged Care (Tool Kits)
- Nursing Home Abuse Guide
- Early Signs of Nursing Home Neglect article – The Eichholz Law Firm
- Nursing Home Abuse Support
- Nursing Home Abuse Center