Do I need to call 000 or the police after an expected death at home?

Australia · 29 August 2026 · 5 min read · Reviewed by Dr Kane Treble

Usually, no.

Usually, no. If the person was expected to die at home and there is a plan with their GP or palliative care team, you usually call the doctor, palliative care team or nurse named in the plan. You do not usually need to call 000 or the police.

General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional. Processes after death can vary by state and territory, so follow the person's home death plan and local advice.

Why an expected death is different

An expected home death means the person had an illness that was known to be life-limiting or terminal, and their treating team expected that they may die at home. There may be a care plan, palliative care notes, a GP letter or other "death at home" documents.

Healthdirect says you do not need to contact ambulance or police for an expected home death. When you are ready, call the person's doctor or palliative care team. Services Australia gives similar advice: if the death was expected, call the person's doctor so they can sign a certificate confirming the death.

This is one reason planning matters. A written plan helps ambulance, police, doctors, nurses and family understand that the death was expected.

Who should you call instead?

Call the contact listed in the home death plan. This may be:

the palliative care service
the GP or medical practice
an after-hours GP service
a community nurse
a specialist nurse or palliative care doctor

Ask what will happen next. The team may arrange a visit, tell you when the doctor can come, explain whether a nurse can verify death, or advise when to call the funeral director.

If death happens overnight, the plan may say you can wait until morning before contacting the doctor. If you need support sooner, use the after-hours number you were given.

When you should call 000

Call 000 if the death was not expected, if you are not sure whether the person has died, or if someone needs urgent medical help.

Call 000 if there has been:

a sudden collapse without an expected death plan
an accident or injury
severe uncontrolled bleeding
violence or a threat to safety
a fire or other danger in the home
a situation where another person may be at risk

Call 000 if the care plan tells you to call in that situation.

When police or the coroner may become involved

Police may become involved if the death is reportable to the coroner. This can happen when the death is sudden, unexpected, violent, unnatural, suspicious, follows an accident or injury, or when a doctor cannot certify the cause of death.

This can feel alarming, but it is a legal process. It does not automatically mean anyone is suspected of doing something wrong.

If police or the coroner may be involved, do not move the person or tidy the immediate area unless someone is in danger or emergency staff tell you to. Follow the instructions you are given.

What if family members disagree?

Sometimes one person thinks the death was expected and another person panics and wants to call an ambulance. If there is a written plan, show it to the family member. You can also phone the palliative care after-hours number, GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.

If there is no plan, no doctor involved, or you are uncertain, call 000. It is better to get emergency advice when the situation is unclear.

What to prepare before death

If a home death is planned, ask the GP or palliative care team for:

a written contact list
clear after-hours instructions
documents that explain the person is expected to die at home
guidance about resuscitation decisions
instructions about who can verify and certify death
advice about when to call the funeral director

Keep these papers somewhere easy to find. Tell close family or housemates where they are.

When to get help now

Call the palliative care team, GP or nurse if the person is still alive and symptoms are not controlled, or if you are unsure what the care plan means.

Call 000 if the death is unexpected, unclear, suspicious, related to injury or violence, or if there is any immediate danger.

If the person has died as expected and you are alone or distressed, call someone you trust to come over. You can also call the palliative care after-hours number or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.