Losing a loved one is emotionally exhausting, and the paperwork that follows rarely helps. When that person held assets abroad—perhaps a bank account in Sydney, shares in an Aussie company, or a family home in Perth—the complexity can feel overwhelming. If you already have a UK Grant of Probate, you’ve likely discovered it isn’t quite enough to unlock those Australian assets. This is where resealing probate comes in.
Executors unfamiliar with local rules may find the government’s overview of death and bereavement procedures in Australia helpful when managing overseas estates.
What Does Resealing Mean?
Consider the original Grant of Probate you received from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or any Commonwealth nation as a passport. It requires a local stamp to “enter” the Australian legal system, yet it is valid in its original nation.
The Australian Supreme Court does not begin anew when it “reseals” the grant. They’re merely saying, “We trust the original court’s decision. And this executor now has the power to manage assets here, too.”
Why is Resealing Important?
Land titles offices and banks in Australia are infamously stringent. In general, they won’t transfer a home title or give money based on a foreign document. Typically, a reseal is required if the deceased held:
- Property in any Australian state or territory.
- Accounts at banks with balances beyond a specific amount (often between $20,000 and $50,000, depending on the bank).
- Shares that are listed on the ASX (such as Commonwealth Bank or BHP).
States
There isn’t a single probate office in Australia. Every state has its own Supreme Court. Including NSW, VIC, QLD, and others. You might need to reseal in one state before it’s acknowledged in the other. If they had a bank account in Melbourne and a flat in Brisbane. A local solicitor can typically bundle this for you, even though it sounds like a headache.
Step-by-Step Resealing Guide
Find Paperwork – A court-sealed “Exemplification” or the actual Grant of Probate from your home court is required. Australian courts require the actual embossed seal, not a digital scan or a standard photocopy.
Notice to the Public – Most states require you to post a “Notice of Intention to Apply” on the court’s website before filing an application. This permits long-lost family members or creditors 14 days to voice their concerns.
The Application: You file your paperwork after the waiting period ends. This includes listing Australian assets and their valuations in an affidavit, a sworn statement. Even though the paper grant still needs to be mailed in, most of it is completed online in 2026 through legal portals.
The Wait – Depending on how busy the court is, it usually takes 2 to 6 weeks to process the reseal once it is submitted.
Executors dealing with international estates may find the Australian Taxation Office guidance on administering deceased estates with overseas assets useful when managing Australian obligations.
