Executor Checklist Australia: Complete Step-by-Step

Have a question about this? Ask the Guide → the chat widget at the bottom-right of this page can answer it. Reading time: 7 minutes | The Executor’s Guide — Plain English. Step by step. Written for the person who just found out.

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This is a practical, sequential checklist for administering a deceased estate in Australia. Work through it in order — each stage depends on the one before it. Tick items as you complete them and keep this as a record of your administration.

Stage 1 — Immediate (First 48 Hours)

• Locate the original will (not a copy) and confirm you are named as executor
• Contact any other named executors — you must act jointly if multiple executors are named
• Arrange the funeral — you have legal responsibility for this. Costs come from the estate first
• Secure the deceased’s property and assets — change locks if necessary, insure if not already insured
• Do not use the deceased’s bank accounts, credit cards, or login credentials
• Do not distribute any assets or personal items yet

Stage 2 — First Week

• Register the death with the state Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry (the funeral home usually does this)
• Order at least 10 certified copies of the death certificate
• Notify Centrelink via deathnotification.gov.au — stops payments, prevents overpayments
• Notify Medicare
• Notify the ATO — call 13 28 65 to register as Legal Personal Representative
• Notify the deceased’s employer if applicable
• Redirect mail — Australia Post deceased mail redirection service
• Cancel any upcoming appointments, memberships, or services

Stage 3 — Identify All Assets and Liabilities

• Search the deceased’s paperwork, email, and bank statements to identify all accounts and assets
• List all real property — obtain titles from state land titles office to confirm ownership
• List all bank and financial accounts — contact each bank’s deceased estates team
• Identify all superannuation funds — search via ATO SuperSeeker on myGov
• List all investments — shares, managed funds, ETFs, bonds
• List all insurance policies — life insurance, income protection, TPD
• Identify any money owed to the deceased — outstanding loans, unpaid wages, tax refunds
• List all digital accounts with monetary value — PayPal, cryptocurrency, rewards points
• List all liabilities — mortgage, credit cards, personal loans, ATO debt, other debts
• Compile a formal Inventory of Assets and Liabilities for probate

Stage 4 — Apply for Probate

• Confirm whether probate is required (real property, bank threshold exceeded, shares/investments)
• Advertise your intention to apply for probate (state-specific — gazette or online registry, 14-day wait)
• Prepare probate application documents (state-specific forms — see state guides on this site)
• Lodge probate application with the Supreme Court in the relevant state
• Pay filing fee (based on estate value)
• Respond to any requisitions (court requests for corrections or additional information)
• Receive Grant of Probate — make certified copies (need 6–10 at minimum)

Stage 5 — Collect All Estate Assets

• Open a dedicated estate bank account in your name as executor
• Close each bank account and transfer balances to estate account
• Transfer or liquidate investments as directed by the will or required for estate management
• Collect any money owed to the estate
• Engage estate agent to sell property if required — obtain probate lodgement with land titles office
• Follow up each superannuation fund claim — process takes 3–6 months for discretionary decisions
• Cancel subscriptions and claim any refunds
• Close digital accounts and transfer or claim any monetary balances

Stage 6 — Pay All Debts

• Pay funeral and testamentary expenses (solicitor, probate fees) — these have first priority
• Pay secured debts (mortgage, if property is being sold)
• Pay unsecured debts (credit cards, personal loans, ATO, Centrelink overpayments)
• Do not pay debts from your own money — use estate funds only
• If estate is insolvent (debts exceed assets), stop and seek legal advice immediately

Stage 7 — Tax and ATO

• Lodge the date-of-death tax return (covers 1 July to date of death)
• Lodge trust tax returns for each financial year the estate earns income
• Apply for ATO clearance certificate before final distribution
• Receive clearance certificate (4–8 weeks processing)

Stage 8 — Distribute the Estate

• Prepare a final estate account — all receipts, all payments, all balances
• Provide the final account to all residuary beneficiaries for review before distribution
• Distribute specific gifts (named assets to named people) as directed in the will
• Distribute residue of estate to residuary beneficiaries according to their shares
• Obtain signed receipts from all beneficiaries confirming they have received their entitlement
• Transfer or convey any property not sold to the beneficiary entitled to receive it

Stage 9 — Administration Complete

• Close the estate bank account once all transactions are complete
• File and retain all estate records for at least 6 years
• Provide copies of the final estate account to any beneficiary who requests one

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The Executor’s Guide provides general information about estate administration in Australia. It is not legal advice. The Executor Documentation Kit available at theexecutorsguide.com.au includes a fillable version of this checklist plus all the key documents needed to administer an estate.

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Related guides

• What to Do When Someone Dies in Australia
• What Is an Executor?
• Executor Duties in Australia: The Complete Legal Guide
• Do I Need Probate? A Plain-English Guide