7.14.1 Notification of death and initial investigation

Many deaths will, at least initially, be notified to DVA informally, for instance via a telephone call by a relative who may or may not be a dependant or by contact from ADF personnel.  Telephone contact by a senior NCO from the deceased member's unit is the common method of initial notification where the death occurred in service.

Delegates should note that in death cases, the identity of persons entitled to a benefit or even entitled to claim is not always clear at the time of the death.  Clarification of this point is one of the objects of any investigation.  It is not always clear who to encourage to submit a claim, nor are such persons always in a state of mind which would permit them to submit a formal claim soon after the death.