Quick answer
Yes, in most of Australia's largest states. New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria all have specific laws requiring funeral providers to display a full itemised price list, both on their website and at their premises.
These states also require a written itemised quote before you sign any agreement. In states and territories without a specific law, funeral providers are still bound by Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits misleading pricing and generally supports your right to ask for a written quote.
On funeral pricing requirements, remember
- NSW, Queensland, WA and Victoria have specific laws requiring published, itemised pricing
- These states also require the cheapest package price to be clearly displayed
- Everywhere in Australia, misleading or unclear pricing breaches Australian Consumer Law
- You're entitled to ask for a written itemised quote before signing anything
- If a provider won't comply, that's worth treating as a red flag
States with specific pricing laws
Four of Australia's largest states have introduced laws requiring funeral providers to be upfront about pricing:
- New South Wales: since February 2020, funeral directors must display itemised prices at every place of business and on their website, and provide a written itemised quote before entering any agreement
- Queensland: since July 2022, funeral directors must display an itemised price list online and in-store, and must provide a written quote within 48 hours of being asked, or before signing, whichever comes first
- Western Australia: funeral providers must display pricing information at their premises and provide general pricing details within a set number of business days of being asked
- Victoria: since August 2025, funeral providers must display a full price list, including a separate coffin price list, on their website and at their premises
What these laws actually require providers to show
Beyond a general price list, several of these laws go further, requiring providers to display:
- The price of their least expensive package, for anyone wanting a simple funeral
- A breakdown of disbursements, third-party costs like the death certificate or cemetery fees, separately from the provider's own fees
- Pricing for coffins, caskets or shrouds, either individually or as a price range
This means you shouldn't have to ask twice for basic pricing information in these states, it's meant to be visible before you even walk in the door.
What applies everywhere else
If you're in a state or territory without a specific funeral pricing law, you're still protected by Australian Consumer Law, which applies nationally. This prohibits misleading conduct, including quoting a "from" price that doesn't reflect what most customers actually pay, and generally supports your right to request a full, written, itemised quote before agreeing to anything. In practice, a reputable funeral director anywhere in Australia will provide this without hesitation.
What to do if a provider won't give you pricing
If a funeral provider is reluctant to give you written, itemised pricing, that's worth taking seriously. You can:
- Ask again, specifically referencing your right to a written quote
- Compare with another provider who is more transparent
- If you're in NSW, Queensland, WA or Victoria, report non-compliance to your state's fair trading or consumer affairs body
- Report broader concerns to the ACCC
Compare
What to ask, based on where you live
- In NSW, QLD, WA or VIC: ask to see the published price list, and request a written itemised quote
- Everywhere else: ask directly for a full written quote, and reference your rights under Australian Consumer Law if needed
- Anywhere: ask what's a disbursement (third-party cost) versus the provider's own fee
- Anywhere: ask for the price of their simplest, lowest-cost option
Sources used in this guide include
NSW Fair Trading, the Queensland Government, Consumer Affairs Victoria, and the ACCC.