Probate in Queensland

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

A grant is a court document. The Supreme Court of Queensland says administering an estate often needs a court-issued grant, which gives someone the legal authority to act.

The court names three grants: probate; letters of administration with the will; and letters of administration without a will (intestacy).

The court describes probate as the grant typically applied for where there is a valid will and the executor named in it is seeking authority to administer the estate.

The other two grants are described in the card on letters of administration, below. These are the court's descriptions of its grants. They are not advice on which one to apply for.

The court says organisations such as banks and super funds often ask for formal proof, called probate.

This page does not say whether a grant is needed for the estate you are dealing with. The court says a grant of probate is not always needed, and to check with the organisation involved, such as the bank, to confirm what it requires. The court's own page says more, in general terms, about when a grant may not be needed: Queensland Courts · About grants of administration (including when a grant may not be needed)

SourcesSupreme Court of Queensland: Apply for a grant of administration (Queensland Courts) · Supreme Court of Queensland: About grants of administration (Queensland Courts)

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

The court's step-by-step page is the place to start: Queensland Courts · Apply for a grant of administration (the court's step-by-step page)

The court's page sets out the steps for people applying themselves, and says a solicitor or the Public Trustee can be hired to help.

People applying without a law firm file in person or by post at a Supreme Court registry in Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton or Townsville. Law firms lodge online.

The court says all forms must be completed electronically, not handwritten.

The court says applications filed in person or by post are digitised, which means a longer wait before the electronic grant is issued. The court emails the grant.

If an application does not comply, the court sends its reasons. This is usually called a requisition.

The court keeps the certified copy of the death certificate and the original will or codicil on file. They cannot be returned.

Anyone with an interest in the estate can file an objection, called a caveat. The court says it will not issue the grant until that is resolved.

The court says its registry staff cannot give legal advice.

SourcesSupreme Court of Queensland: Apply for a grant of administration (Queensland Courts) · Supreme Court of Queensland: About grants of administration (Queensland Courts)

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

In Queensland the notice of an intended application is published in the Queensland Law Reporter, and a copy goes to the Public Trustee. Two waits follow. This page repeats the court's words on both and adds nothing to them.

Before applying, the intention to apply is advertised in the Queensland Law Reporter, using the wording in Form 103.

The court says the advertisement is submitted through the ICLRQ's online customer portal, and gives the ICLRQ's number for help: (07) 3236 1855. ICLRQ stands for the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for the State of Queensland.

The ICLRQ's published rate for a notice in the Queensland Law Reporter is A$161.70, including GST. The Queensland Law Reporter is published every Friday. A notice, with its payment, has to be in by 3:30 pm on the Monday before.

A copy of the notice is also sent to the Queensland Public Trustee. The court says to wait at least 7 days after the Public Trustee receives it before filing.

After the notice appears in the Queensland Law Reporter, the court says to wait 14 days, to allow objections. If the registry is closed on the 15th day, filing is on the next business day.

The court's form that records the publishing and the sending: Affidavit of publication and service: Form 104.

The ICLRQ says it cannot give legal advice, or help draft a notice. The help routes below can point you to someone who can help with the notice and the timing for a particular application.

SourcesSupreme Court of Queensland: Apply for a grant of administration (Queensland Courts) · Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for the State of Queensland: Probate Notices · Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for the State of Queensland: Deadlines and Rates

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

The court says its fees are set in fee units, and that the current fee unit value for court fees is A$1.133.

Queensland Courts · Supreme Court fees

This is the court's filing fee only. It says nothing about whether a grant is needed.

• Application for probate, or for letters of administration with the will: Form 101.
• Application for letters of administration without a will: Form 102.
• Notice of intention to apply for a grant: Form 103.
• Affidavit of publication and service: Form 104.
• Affidavit supporting a probate application: Form 105.
• Affidavit supporting an application for letters of administration with the will: Form 106.
• Affidavit supporting an application for letters of administration without a will: Form 109.
• Certificate of exhibit: Form 47.

The court says all forms must be completed electronically, not handwritten.

SourcesQueensland Courts: Supreme Court fees · Queensland Courts: Reduction of civil court fees (Supreme and District Courts) · Supreme Court of Queensland: Apply for a grant of administration (Queensland Courts)

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

Where there is no valid will, the grant is letters of administration without a will (intestacy).

Where there is a valid will but the named executor cannot or will not act, the grant is letters of administration with the will.

These are the court's descriptions of its grants. They are not advice on which one to apply for.

The court's forms for an application without a will: Application for letters of administration without a will: Form 102. Affidavit supporting an application for letters of administration without a will: Form 109.

This page does not say who may apply for letters of administration, or who inherits when there is no will. The court's own page covers who may apply, in general terms: Queensland Courts · About grants of administration (including when a grant may not be needed) The help routes below can point you to someone who can look at a particular estate.

Letters of administration, by state →

SourcesSupreme Court of Queensland: About grants of administration (Queensland Courts) · Supreme Court of Queensland: Apply for a grant of administration (Queensland Courts)

Queensland

Queensland · general information · checked 10 October 2026

• Queensland Law Society · Register of Solicitors: the society keeps records of all current legal practitioners in Queensland, and the register can be searched.
• Legal Aid Queensland gives free legal information on 1300 65 11 88, 8.30am to 4.30pm (AEST), Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

SourcesQueensland Law Society: Register of Solicitors · Legal Aid Queensland: Help over the phone