What financial steps should I take when living with a terminal illness in Australia?

The key financial steps are: nominating or updating your superannuation beneficiary, reviewing all life and income protection insurance policies, understanding which assets are jointly owned versus solely owned, introducing your partner or next of kin to your financial adviser or accountant, and reviewing all bank accounts. These steps require legal capacity to complete, so earlier is always better.

Am I entitled to Centrelink support as a carer in Australia?

Yes. Carers may be eligible for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance through Services Australia. The Carer Gateway (carergateway.gov.au) also provides funded support including counselling, coaching, and respite services.

When should I contact the palliative care team?

As early as possible. Palliative care is not just end-of-life care. It can begin at diagnosis alongside active treatment and focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Research shows that people who engage palliative care early often experience better outcomes.

How do I update a will when someone has a terminal illness in Australia?

A will can be updated at any time as long as the person making it has legal capacity. A solicitor can draft a new will or a codicil relatively quickly. It is important to act while the person still has full capacity.

What is a superannuation death benefit and how does it work in Australia?

A superannuation death benefit is the payout of a member's superannuation balance to their nominated beneficiary or estate when they die. If a binding death benefit nomination is in place, the fund must pay the nominated person. If no binding nomination exists, the fund's trustee decides based on dependants and the estate.

Living with terminal illness in Australia

Your checklist

Everything that needs to happen

You are doing enough. Carer support is available at every stage.

Legal

Update or create the will

Keep the will, power of attorney and advance care directive together, encrypted and easy to find, in the document vault.See the document vault

Set up Enduring Power of Attorney

Complete an Advance Care Directive

Check and update life insurance beneficiaries

Review any business interests, partnerships or directorships

Financial

Nominate account beneficiaries

Locate all insurance policies and confirm coverage

Keep every account, policy and provider in one place, so nobody is left searching later, in the account register.See the account register

Go through all accounts, logins and passwords together

Review the joint and individual bank accounts

Meet the financial adviser or accountant together

Understand which assets are jointly owned and which are sole

Medical & Practical

Meet with the palliative care team (earlier is always better)

Create and keep a current medication list

Keep a running log of every dose, with a reminder when the next one is due, in the medication diary.See the medication diary

Have the conversation about funeral wishes, together

Record funeral and service wishes in one quiet place, so the people who follow are not left guessing, in the last wishes registry.See the last wishes registry

Complete the digital estate checklist (subscriptions and accounts)

Help them write letters or record messages for the people they love

Write to the people you love and keep those letters somewhere safe and private, in legacy messages.See legacy messages

Medical

Ensure the Advance Care Directive is at home, with the GP, and at hospital

Confirm the palliative care team has current contact details for the household

Know what each medication does and who to call with questions

Keep a running log of every dose, with a reminder when the next one is due, in the medication diary.See the medication diary

Ask the palliative care nurse what to expect in the final days

Decide and document where they want to die: home, hospice, or hospital

Record funeral and service wishes in one quiet place, so the people who follow are not left guessing, in the last wishes registry.See the last wishes registry

Know whether to call 000 or the palliative care team (calling 000 can override care wishes)

Practical

Create a list of people to notify, with phone numbers

Keep every organisation and person to notify in one place, and mark off each one as it is done, in the notification tracker.See the notification tracker

Brief close family and friends on wishes and what will happen

Have the conversation about funeral wishes: burial or cremation, type of service, specific requests

Write down their funeral wishes somewhere accessible

Research funeral directors in your area and request itemised quotes from at least two

Check whether a pre-paid funeral plan or funeral insurance exists

Contact the superannuation fund to understand its bereavement payment process

Legal

Confirm the executor knows where the original will is located

Confirm the person with Power of Attorney knows their role and what to do

Personal

Say what you need to say. There is rarely a wrong time.

First 24 to 72 hours

Contact the GP or palliative care nurse to confirm the death

Contact a funeral director. They will guide you through the next steps.

Confirm burial or cremation if not already decided

Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the treating doctor

Notify immediate family and close friends

Secure the deceased's home: keys, pets, valuables

First two weeks

Confirm the funeral service: date, venue, and celebrant or officiant

Keep every organisation and person to notify in one place, and mark off each one as it is done, in the notification tracker.See the notification tracker

Obtain at least 10 certified copies of the Death Certificate

Notify Centrelink / Services Australia (bereavement payment may apply)

Notify the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Notify all superannuation funds and begin death benefit claim

Contact all banks and financial institutions

Cancel Medicare card and notify Medicare

Cancel or transfer utilities, subscriptions, and recurring payments

Estate (weeks to months)

Locate the original will and confirm the executor

Keep the will, power of attorney and advance care directive together, encrypted and easy to find, in the document vault.See the document vault

Determine whether Probate is required

Apply for Probate through the Supreme Court if required

Notify life insurance companies and begin claims process

Transfer or sell real property (requires solicitor)

Lodge the date-of-death tax return with a tax agent

Distribute the estate to beneficiaries per the will

Close digital accounts: email, social media, subscriptions

Living with terminal illness

Guides and tools for this stage

The important documents, in one place

4 documents

Never wonder if it's been given.

Everything that needs to happen

Real specialists, near you

Guides and tools for this stage

The important documents, in one place

4 documents

Never wonder if it's been given.

Everything that needs to happen

Real specialists, near you

Save your progress

Create your free account