This page contains information about legislation on succession and inheritance in Australia. Australian states and territories are responsible for making succession and inheritance law. As the law is not uniform.
The table below sets out relevant state and territory statutes. The links go to Australasian Legal Information Institute (Austlii).
Information on regulations, court rules and the most common Commonwealth legislation affecting succession law then follows. Other statutes with provisions which may impact succession and inheritance matters depending upon the circumstances, are listed at the end of this article.
Where to find Australian legislation on succession online
1. State and Territory Governments publish their legislation on official websites. For example the New South Wales Government publishes its legislation and related materials at https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au.
2. Another source is through the Australasian Legal Information Institute (Austlii) website at https://www.austlii.edu.au. Access is free.
Jurisdiction |
On Wills and Intestacy |
On Administration, Probate and Intestacy |
---|---|---|
NSW |
Succession Act 2006 | |
QLD |
Succession Act 1981 | Succession Act 1981 |
VIC | Wills Act 1997 | Administration & Probate Act 1958 |
SA | Wills Act 1936 | Administration & Probate Act 1919 |
WA | Wills Act 1970 | Administration Act 1903 |
TAS | Wills Act 2008 | |
NT | Wills Act 2000 | Administration & Probate Act 1969 |
ACT | Wills Act 1968 | Administration & Probate Act 1929 |
Australian legislation on family provision or testator’s family maintenance
Jurisdiction | Family provision or testator’s family maintenance legislation |
---|---|
New South Wales: | Chapter 3 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) |
Queensland: | Succession Act 1981 (QLD) |
Victoria: | Part IV of the Administration & Probate Act 1958 (VIC) |
South Australia: | Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) |
Western Australia: | Family Provision Act 1972(WA) |
Tasmania: | Testator’s Family Maintenance Act 1912 (TAS) |
Northern Territory: | Family Provision Act 1970 (NT) |
Australian Capital Territory: | Family Provision Act 1969 (ACT) |