How to access a deceased person's accounts in Australia: a step-by-step guide
A calm, practical walkthrough of what to do with someone's bank accounts, super and tax affairs after they die in Australia — who to notify, in what order, and what you'll need.
When someone close to you dies, the last thing you want is a maze of phone calls, forms and frozen accounts. Yet that's often exactly what's waiting. This guide lays out the financial steps in a sensible order, in plain language, so you — or the person you've trusted with your own affairs — can move through it calmly. It's written with Indian-Australian families in mind, where some accounts are here and some are in India.
The short answer
After registering the death and getting certified copies of the death certificate, the usual order is: notify institutions (the free Australian Death Notification Service can reach many banks, super funds and government agencies at once), claim the superannuation, notify the ATO, then work through each bank and the India-side accounts. Each organisation runs its own process and asks for its own documents (Australian Death Notification Service; ATO).
Step 1 — Register the death and get certified copies
Almost every step below requires a death certificate. Once the death is registered, order several certified copies — you'll send them to multiple institutions, and originals are precious. Many organisations also want to see the will and, for larger estates, a grant of probate.
Step 2 — Notify institutions (the easy way first)
The Australian Death Notification Service is a free government service that lets you notify multiple organisations — banks, super funds, insurers and government agencies — through a single online form. It needs a registered death certificate and verifies the details before passing your notification on (Australian Death Notification Service).
It covers many major institutions, but not all. Anyone not participating has to be contacted separately, and some still require their own forms (Australian Death Notification Service). So keep a list of every institution the person dealt with.
Step 3 — Claim the superannuation
Super is often the largest single payment, frequently with life insurance attached — and it doesn't follow the will automatically. Contact the deceased's super fund to notify them and ask about the death benefit. If you believe you're a beneficiary or you're the legal representative of the estate, the fund will guide you through their claim process (ATO). It's worth understanding how super death benefits work before you start.
Step 4 — Notify the ATO and sort out tax
You can't manage a deceased person's tax through their myGov or myTax — those can only be used by the account holder. Their tax information is handled through the ATO directly (ATO). Someone needs to notify the ATO of the death and of who will manage the estate, using the ATO's official notification process (an online form, with documents verified at a participating Australia Post outlet) (ATO). There may be a final tax return to lodge.
Step 5 — Work through the banks
For each Australian bank, contact its deceased-estate or bereavement team. They'll typically place a hold on the deceased's individual accounts to protect them, then ask for documents — usually a certified death certificate, and depending on the bank and the size of the estate, the will and a grant of probate. The contacts and exact requirements differ by bank, so our companion guide breaks down how to notify CBA, Westpac, ANZ and NAB.
Step 6 — Reach the India-side accounts
If the person held NRE, NRO or FCNR accounts, mutual funds, PPF, EPF, LIC policies or property in India, those are claimed separately — usually by the nominee on each account, with a death certificate and KYC documents. The rules are different from Australia's, so see our guide to your India assets if you live in Australia and confirm specifics with each Indian institution.
A checklist you can keep
The hardest part of all of this is often simply knowing what exists. If you'd like a ready-made inventory — every account type across Australia and India, with space to record the details and a notify order — we've put together a free Cross-Border Account & Estate Checklist. Filling it in now is the single kindest thing you can do for whoever handles your affairs later.
Frequently asked questions
What's the first thing to do financially when someone dies in Australia? Register the death and get certified copies of the death certificate, then notify institutions — the Australian Death Notification Service can reach many at once (Australian Death Notification Service).
Can I use the deceased's myGov to handle their tax? No. A deceased person's tax affairs are managed through the ATO directly, not through their myGov or myTax (ATO).
Do I need probate to access bank accounts? It depends on the bank and the size of the estate. Some banks require a grant of probate above a threshold; each sets its own requirements (ATO). Check with each institution.
Is super part of the estate? Not automatically — it's paid by the fund according to the nomination or trustee discretion, and only forms part of the estate if paid to the legal personal representative (ATO).
This guide is general information to help you organise the process — it is not legal, financial or tax advice. Processes and requirements are current as at June 2026 and vary by institution; confirm with the linked official sources or a licensed professional.