Coroner and Reportable Deaths Policy Template
Ensure your facility meets mandatory coronial reporting obligations with a clear, jurisdiction-specific policy covering which deaths must be reported and exactly how.
Overview
Not all deaths in aged care are expected or natural. Each Australian state and territory has specific legislation defining which deaths must be reported to the coroner — including deaths following falls, unwitnessed deaths, deaths in unusual circumstances, and deaths of residents who have not been seen by a doctor within a prescribed period. Failure to report a reportable death is a criminal offence. This policy template provides a clear, state-adaptable framework for identifying, reporting, and documenting coronial deaths.
What This Policy Covers
- Definition of reportable deaths under jurisdiction-specific coroners legislation
- Trigger criteria for coronial notification (falls, unwitnessed, unexplained, etc.)
- Step-by-step notification process to the coroner and police
- Preservation of scene and evidence obligations
- Communication with the resident's family and authorised representative
- Documentation requirements in the care record
- Coordination with the treating GP and death certificate process
- Internal incident review and learning from coronial deaths
- Reporting to ACQSC under SIRS where applicable
Compliance Alignment
- Coroners Act (state/territory specific — NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT)
- Aged Care Act 1997 – Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
- Aged Care Quality Standard 8 – Organisational Governance
- Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act (jurisdiction-specific)
Why This Policy Matters
Coronial reporting errors — whether failing to report or delaying notification — carry significant legal risk. ACQSC also expects providers to demonstrate that unexplained deaths trigger both an internal review and appropriate external notification. Facilities without a documented coronial reporting policy frequently face compounded non-compliance findings when a death occurs.
