Sydney (Tribune International, Customer Services Release, 30 August 2020): A new Australia first digital service aiming to make it easier for families to cope with the loss of a loved one was officially launched today by the NSW Government.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the one-stop online Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS) allows families to notify relevant organisations when someone close to them passes away so their accounts can be closed or transferred.
“When a loved one passes away, up to 40 government, private organisations and NGOs need to be notified. These notifications can be stressful and traumatic, taking up to several months and often requiring multiple physical visits with a certified copy of a death certificate,” Mr Dominello said.
“We are using technology to put families at the centre of the process. The last thing they need during this difficult time is to be burdened with lots of paperwork. This is something most people go through and it shouldn’t be the case.
“This new service can also save more than 30 hours of a customer’s time by allowing them to securely notify several organisations online at the same time.”
The ADNS validates details about the person who has passed away against the Australian Death Check, a system that holds death registration data recorded by Birth, Deaths and Marriages Registries.
“The customer simply enters the details of the deceased, chooses which institutions and services they wish to notify, and adds their contact details. Then they will receive communication back on next steps within 10 business days from the chosen service providers,” Mr Dominello said.
The big four banks were the first to get on board with the ADNS, following a pilot with innovation partner ANZ. Major telecommunications providers and the first utility provider, Sydney Water, will also join the ADNS this month. The Government is working with other providers to on board them as well.
The NSW Government set up the ADNS in collaboration with Births, Deaths and Marriages Registries across Australia. It is part of the Government’s Life Journeys work to help people confidently navigate the most important events in their lives. The service is available at http://deathnotification.gov.au/
[End]
