Apply for a grant of administration

When someone dies, their assets (e.g. property, bank accounts, shares) must be managed and distributed to their beneficiaries.

This process, called administering the estate, often requires a court-issued grant to give someone the legal authority to act.

The steps to apply are the same whether you need a:

  • grant of probate
  • grant of letters of administration with the will
  • grant of letters of administration without a will (intestacy). If the process feels overwhelming, you can hire a solicitor or the Public Trustee to assist.

Important: All forms must be completed electronically, not handwritten.

Not sure which grant you need?

Unsure which grant to apply for—or whether you need one?

Read about grants of administration

1. Advertise your intention to apply

To apply for a grant, you must advertise your intention in the Queensland Law Reporter (QLR):

Prepare the advertisement

You may wish to see sample drafts on the Queensland Reports website.

Submit the advertisement

Need help?

Contact the ICLRQ on (07) 3236 1855 or email enquiries@queenslandreports.com.au.

2. Notify the Public Trustee

You must send a copy of your notice to the Queensland Public Trustee (QPT):

Send the notice

Post, fax, email, or deliver it in person.

Call 1300 360 044 or visit the QPT website for contact details.

Wait 7 days

Wait at least 7 days after the QPT receives the notice before filing your application.

Example: If the QPT receives your notice on Friday 14 March, you can file your application on Monday 24 March.

3. Allow time for objections

After your notice appears in the Queensland Law Reporter (QLR), you must wait 14 days to allow objections.

Example: If your notice is published on Friday 14 March and there are no objections, you can file your application on Monday 31 March.

If the registry is closed on the 15th day, file on the next business day.

Who can object

Anyone with an interest in the estate can file a caveat (objection) with the court.

If someone objects

Find out what happens if someone objects to your application.

4. Collect and complete the required documents

To apply for a grant of probate, you will need to gather and fill out:

The registry may request additional documents (e.g. further affidavits) if required after reviewing your application.

To apply for a grant of letters of administration with a will, you will need to gather and fill out:

The registry may request additional documents (e.g. further affidavits) if required after reviewing your application.

To apply for a grant of letters of administration without a will (intestacy), you will need to gather and fill out:

5. File at the Supreme Court of Queensland

You can file your application and supporting documents with the court as follows:

Legal firms: Lodge applications via the Queensland Courts and Tribunals Online Services Portal.

Self-represented applicants: File in person or by post at the Supreme Court registry in Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, or Townsville.

Applications filed in person or by post will be digitised. This will result in longer processing times before an electronic grant is issued.

Filing fee

A fee applies. See the ‘Administration of estate’ section in Schedule 1 of the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2019.

6. Wait for the court’s decision

Court staff will review your documents. If everything is in order, the grant will be issued:

Legal firms: The grant will be emailed to you. If your client needs a physical copy, they’ll need to arrange that directly with you.

Self-represented applicants: The grant will be emailed to you. Ensure your email address is valid.

If your application is non-compliant

If your application is non-compliant with legislation, the court will notify you of the reasons. This is typically referred to as a requisition.

Common issues include incomplete documents or ineligibility. You may have to:

  • submit additional documents or information by a certain deadline, as requested by the court
  • seek legal advice to address the issue.

If someone objects to your application

If someone files an objection (caveat) to your application, the court will not issue the grant until the issue is resolved. This is what happens:

Caveat filed

The court stops reviewing your application.

Notification

The registrar will inform both the person lodging the caveat and you (the applicant) with a Notice to caveator.

Next steps

Fees and other expenses

Your application costs will include:

  • advertising fees
  • court filing fees
  • the fee for obtaining the original death certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

You may also need to pay for:

  • solicitor’s fees (if you hire one)
  • postage.

Documents that cannot be returned

The following documents cannot be returned to you as they must stay on file at the Supreme Court of Queensland:

  • certified copy of the death certificate
  • original will and/or codicil.

If you need extra certified copies of the death certificate, you must purchase them from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Resealing an interstate or overseas grant

If a grant of probate or letters of administration was issued in another state or country, and the deceased owned assets in Queensland, you may need to apply to have the grant ‘resealed’.

The process for resealing a grant is different from applying for a new grant.

Find out how to apply to reseal a grant of administration.