We understand the death of a family member or friend is a difficult time. We want to make it as easy as possible to help you or your solicitor manage your loved one’s ambulance membership. 
 
Depending on the action you decide to take, there may be legal processes we need to follow. This is to protect the interest of the member and so that we action the request in the correct manner. 
 
Please choose which action you would like to take and follow the steps below: 

• You only want to tell us, please go to Step 1
• You would like to transfer the membership into your name, go to Step 2
• You want to close the existing membership, go to Step 3
• You want to close the membership and get a refund and/or change details go to Step 4 

Step 1. You only want to tell us 

Please let us know by phone, in writing or via email.

• We will add a note to the membership. 
• The membership will continue (renewal notices will be sent) until it resigns.

If you wish to close the membership and/or request a refund, please go to Step 4.

Step 2. You want to transfer the membership into your name (main member is deceased) 

Please let us know by phone, mail, or email.  You will need to be the active dependant adult listed on the Family membership to authorise this.

We will need the following information before we can action your request: 

• Legal evidence of death such as a copy of the Death Certificate or a Statutory Declaration. 
• Three points of ID for the deceased member (such as their full name, address (including postcode) and Date of Birth. 
• Your contact information so we can create a new membership in your name. 

Step 3. You want to close the membership

Please let us know by phone, in writing or via email.  

We will need the following information before we can action your request: 

• Legal evidence of death such as a copy of the Death Certificate or a Statutory Declaration. 
• Three points of ID for the deceased member (such as their name, address (including postcode) and Date of Birth. 
• Your contact information so we can close the membership. 

We will stop all notices (such as renewals) and close the membership from the day you tell us. 

If you are listed on this membership as a dependant and wish to remain covered, please go to Step 2.

Step 4.  You want to close the membership and request a refund and/or change details
 
If the refund is to be issued by cheque to the Estate or sent back to the original source (bank account or credit card) we will need a verbal or written request in addition to the following information: 

• Legal evidence of death such as a copy of the Death Certificate or a Statutory Declaration. 
• Three points of ID for the deceased member (such as their full name, address (including postcode) and Date of Birth. 
• Your contact information. 

If the refund is to be issued elsewhere (and/or you need to change any details on the membership), we need the above information in addition to a copy of any legal documents showing you have the authority to act on behalf of the member such as:

• Financial Power of Attorney 
• Guardianship order 
• Trustee 
• Administratorship 
• Legal Representative (LPR)* 
• Executor of the Estate (this shows you are acting on behalf of the deceased) 
• Will 
• Letters of Administration issued by the Supreme Court 
• Statutory Declaration (for estates under $10,000) 

Please note: 

• Refunds are calculated from the day after the date of death for a current membership period only. (This is to ensure any services required on the same day as death are included).
• No refund is available for prior years/periods of cover. 
• *If the refund is to be issued to an LPR, we need verification that the LPR is legally entitled to the funds. We will accept a notarised letter stating the same, or a certified copy of the letter by a person authorised to certify i.e., pharmacist, bank manager, etc. 

Where to send the documents
 
Once you have all the information ready, please send it to us using one of the following methods: 
 
Email 
Send documents via email to membership@ambulance.vic.gov.au
 
Mail
AV Membership, PO Box 278, South Melbourne Victoria 3205 
 
What happens next?
 
If you are just telling us:

• We will add a note to the membership only.  
• The membership will continue until it resigns (this means renewal notices will be sent). 
• If you are the main member, we can remove the deceased dependant as per your instructions.
• If you are a third party, we will need evidence that you have authority to act for the member and/or dependants listed on the membership before any changes can be actioned.

For other requests:

• We will process your request based on the membership that the deceased member held. 
• It will also depend on what information or evidence we receive. 
• If you are a third party, we will need evidence that you can act for the member and/or dependants listed on the membership before any changes are actioned.

If it is a Single Membership: 

• The membership will be closed. 
• Remaining funds can be donated to AV or refunded as requested (please refer to Step 4 for refunds). 

If it is a Family Membership (deceased is the primary member): 

• The membership will be closed. 
• A new membership can be created in the dependant’s name. You can choose from a Single or new Family Membership depending on the circumstances.
• The new membership start date will be from the day after the death of the primary member.
• Membership benefits will remain continuous.
• Any remaining funds can be applied to the new membership on a pro-rata basis. This will create a new expiry date.
• If the dependant wishes to cease cover, they can request the membership to be closed (please refer to Steps 3 or 4).

If it is a Family Membership (deceased is a listed dependant):

• The deceased member will be removed.  
• If it then becomes a single membership, the remaining funds will extend your membership end date on a pro-rata basis based on the difference between the cost of a single and family membership.
• If it changes to a family membership by adding another party, the benefit end date will remain unchanged.  
• All other details of the membership can remain unchanged unless advised. 

Contact us 
 
We are happy to guide you through the process.  Please don’t hesitate to call us on 1300 366 141 with any questions.