How to report a death
Call Coronial Admissions and Enquiries (CA&E) on 1300 309 519 to report a death. CA&E are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may be directed to complete a medical deposition to provide further details about the death.
If you are asked to complete a medical deposition, you will be given a secure code number and directed to complete the medical deposition online.
This medical deposition asks for:
- Identification details of the deceased
- Identification details of the certifying doctor
- Where the death occurred
- Admission diagnosis
- Medical details, and
- Possible causes of death
Who reports a death
People who must advise the coroner of a reportable or reviewable death include:
- a medical practitioner who was present at or after the death
- police or prison officer who was attempting to take a person who died into custody
- any person who had care or custody of a person placed in care
- a medical practitioner who was present at or after the death of a child that may constitute a reviewable death.
Anyone who thinks a reportable death has occurred and that the court has not been advised should report the death without delay.
The immediate family of a person who has died may report the death to the coroner if the person who has died was discharged from an approved mental health service within three months of the death occurring.
If you have concerns about a health service, you may contact the Office of the Health Services Commissioner.
Types of reportable deaths
Not all deaths need to be reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria. Reportable deaths include:
- Deaths that are unexpected, unnatural or violent or resulted after accident or injury
- Deaths that unexpectedly occur during or after a medical procedure
- Deaths where the identity of the person or their cause of death is not known
- Deaths where the person was in custody or care.
More information on reportable and reviewable deaths can be found on our website.
Contact CA&E if you are unsure whether you need to report a death. CA&E can be contacted on 1300 309 519 and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What happens next
After a death is reported case files are created and managed by our Registry office. If you want to request access to coronial documents you will need to complete Form 45 – Application for Access to Coronial Documents/Inquest Transcript or contact Registry on 1300 309 519.