Department of Health

Repatriations

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Key messages

  • The department issues repatriation letters to certify that there is no objection to the removal of remains from Victoria.
  • Repatriation letters are usually required by foreign embassies as part of their own procedures to approve the repatriation of remains.

Repatriation letters

The department issues repatriation letters to certify that there is no objection to the removal of the remains in question from the state of Victoria and that there is no indication that the direct cause of death was due to an infectious disease.

Issuing repatriation letters is not a statutory requirement under Victorian law, but they are usually required by foreign embassies as part of their own procedures to approve the repatriation of remains.

To receive a repatriation letter, a member of the public or a funeral director must email the following documents to statutoryapprovals.cemeteries@health.vic.gov.au:

  • An email addressed to the manager of Permits and Licensing requesting a repatriation letter be issued.
  • The death certificate issued by the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM)External Link . If the death certificate issued by BDM does not display the cause of death, the Medical Certificate Cause of Death (or equivalent document from a non-Victorian jurisdiction) prepared by a registered medical practitioner must also be provided.
  • A medical certificate stating that the direct cause of death was not an infectious disease or an Order for Release of Body issued by the Coroners Court of Victoria which states that there is no indication of infectious diseases for the purpose of overseas repatriation.

Documentation should be provided to the department at least 48 hours in advance if possible. If all documentation requirements are met, a repatriation letter will be emailed to the requester.

Repatriation of remains into Australia

All enquiries related to the repatriation of deceased persons into Australia, regardless of nationality (including Australian), should be directed to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeExternal Link .

Reviewed 16 June 2025

Health.vic

More information

Contact details

Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Permits and Licensing GPO Box 4057, Melbourne , VIC 3001

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
statutoryapprovals.cemeteries@health.vic.gov.au
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