The Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations 2025 (the 2025 Regulations) came into effect on 15 June 2025. The 2025 Regulations, made under section 180 of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, prescribe matters for the care, protection and management of public cemeteries and crematoria by cemetery trusts. They include forms for applications relating to interments, cremations and exhumations, and set out Model Rules to control behaviours and activities within public cemeteries.
Following commencement of the 2025 Regulations, the Department of Health (the department) conducted engagement activities with the sector to support implementation. During these activities, stakeholders suggested possible improvements to the prescribed forms to reduce duplication, clarify requirements, and collect information to assist cemetery trusts’ operations. In October 2025, minor administrative amendments were made to the prescribed forms to reflect stakeholder suggestions.
To download the latest version of the Regulations – with the October 2025 amendments – visit the Victorian Legislation website.
Changes in the 2025 Regulations
The 2025 Regulations largely remake the 2015 Regulations with targeted improvements and updates. These changes are intended to:
- modernise and clarify the Regulations
- improve privacy and cultural protections
- formalise current industry practices
- clarify regulatory requirements and powers of cemetery trusts to address unsafe or inappropriate activities within public cemeteries
- reflect community expectations.
October 2025 updates to the prescribed forms
The changes to the prescribed forms include:
- checkboxes to record the type of container being used for burial, such as a coffin or casket
- additional prompts under ‘special requirements for interments’
- a general field for additional information in forms for interment or cremation of foetal remains
- removal of the requirement for a separate letter to authorise an agent to collect cremated remains
- clarified requirement for documents to ‘accompany’ applications rather than be ‘attached’ to them.
Consultation
Throughout development of the 2025 Regulations, the department consulted with a broad range of stakeholders through a publicly released discussion paper, targeted communications and meetings with key sector groups. The Summary of review outcomes document outlines the consultation process, stakeholder perspectives and the rationale behind the changes:
After commencement of the 2025 Regulations in June 2025, further engagement was conducted with cemetery trusts, peak bodies and the funeral sector to support implementation. Feedback from this engagement has directly informed the October 2025 amendments to the prescribed forms.
Implementation
The requirements in the 2025 Regulations took effect from their commencement on 15 June 2025, with an extended transition period for adopting the forms. To support implementation, the department has created a fact sheet with guidance and a detailed appendix of changes in the 2025 Regulations:
The prescribed forms, updated in October 2025, must be used from 1 November 2025. After this date, cemetery trusts will no longer receive old forms.
More detail about the changes to the forms is available in the Summary of amendments document:
New downloadable Word templates of the 11 prescribed forms can be accessed below:
Contact the department
For enquiries about the 2025 Regulations, contact:
Legislative and Regulatory Reform
Email: legandregreform@health.vic.gov.au
For enquiries about cemetery statutory approvals, contact:
Permits and Licensing
Email: statutoryapprovals.cemeteries@health.vic.gov.au
For all other cemetery enquiries, contact:
Divisional Portfolio Entity and Appointments Advisory Unit
Email: cemeteries@health.vic.gov.au
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