Legislation and publications

Legislation

• Legislation relevant to the coronial jurisdiction:
  • Coroners Act 2003 – the role of the State Coroner, reportable deaths and investigation and inquest requirements
  • Coroners Regulation 2015 - information about fees payable under the Act to particular persons
  • Cremations Act 2003 - regulates the process of cremating human remains
  • Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023 - information about the registration of births, deaths and marriages
  • Burials Assistance Act 1965 - provides for the burial or cremation of deceased people who have no assets or for anyone that cannot pay for or organise a funeral
  • Recording of Evidence Regulation 2018 - information about fees and obtaining court transcripts.
  • Judicial Review Act 1991 - relating to the review on questions of law of certain administrative decisions and for the reform of procedures relating to judicial review at common law

State coroner's guidelines

• State Coroner's Guidelines 2013 (PDF)
• Outline (PDF, 120.7 KB)
• Chapter 1: Introduction and the scope of the coroner's role (PDF, 41.1 KB)
• Chapter 2: The rights and interests of family members (PDF, 64.7 KB)
• Chapter 3: Reporting deaths (PDF, 283.6 KB)
• Chapter 4: Dealing with bodies (PDF, 272.1 KB)
• Chapter 5: Preliminary investigations, autopsies and retained tissue (PDF, 442.8 KB)
• Chapter 6: Release of bodies for burial or cremation (PDF, 339.7 KB)
• Chapter 7: Investigations (PDF, 832.2 KB)
• Chapter 8: Findings (PDF, 467.8 KB)
• Chapter 9: Inquests (PDF, 462.5 KB)
• Chapter 10: Access to coronial information (PDF, 134.8 KB)
• Chapter 11: Memoranda of understanding (PDF, 378.1 KB)

Publications and brochures

• Coronial investigations - information for family and friends
• Funeral Assistance (DOCX, 178.9 KB)– what is funeral assistance and how to apply
• What to expect at an inquest (PDF, 184.9 KB)– information for families and friends
• Coronial Assistance Legal Service – free legal help for families going through the coronial process
• Information for health professionals (PDF, 451.6 KB)
• Issuing cause of death certificates for apparent natural causes deaths - a guide for Queensland medical practitioners (PDF, 256.0 KB)
• A death in the workplace - A guide for family and friends (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Deaths in care (disability) – Expert Review Panel Final Report (PDF, 814.8 KB)
• Deaths in care (PDF, 245.4 KB)
• Deaths in care  (disability)  -  Factsheet
• When is a  COVID-19 death reportable to the coroner (PDF, 602.1 KB)
• Coronial Services System Delivery Framework 2021-2025   (PDF)

Maps

• Map of regional coronial boundaries (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Useful agencies

• Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services – Forensic services provided to police and the Coroners Court
• Queensland Police Stations – police station locator
• Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (Griffith University) – Leading centre for research, clinical practice, education and community action for suicide prevention
• Australian Funeral Directors Association – National funeral service organisation consisting of members in every State and Territory
• Queensland Funeral Directors Association – Contacts for the QLD Division of the AFDA
• Queensland State Archives - Lead agency for public recording keeping in QLD
• Asia Pacific Coroners Society – Promotes the advancement, best practice and education of coronial law and practice
• Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine – Australia’s largest multi-disciplinary center for forensic medical and scientific services
• Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia - Organisation representing pathologist and senior scientists in Australasia
• National Coronial Information System (NCIS) – Database of information about deaths reported to coroners in Australia and New Zealand
• Removal of sperm from a deceased person for IVF ( Queensland Health) – Information and guidelines about sperm retrieval after death
• Body Donation Program (The University of Queensland) – Information on UQ’s body donation program