Australian birth, marriage and death records

Indexes held by the Library

Each Australian state publishes indexes to the births, deaths and marriages registered in that state. Use these indexes to locate official registrations of life events and obtain registration numbers.  Other information such as date and place of the event, parents’ names and age at time of death may be supplied in the index.  The date range of publication depends on legislation enacted in each state, so the coverage of indexes varies from state to state.

These indexes are available via eResources in the reading rooms and/or on microfiche in the open access family history area of the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room. Certificates may be purchased from the appropriate State Registrar.

The contents of certificates vary from state to state and differ over time within each state. See What you might expect to see on an historical AUS BDM certificate for a description.

Australian State Libraries, local libraries and genealogical societies may also hold these indexes.

ACT

For pre 1930 records see NSW Deaths.
An index for deaths 1930-1973 is available online at ACT Historic Death Index.
An index for marriages 1930-1936 is available online at ACT Historic Marriage Index.

Records after 1930 are available on application from the ACT Registrar-General's Office.

NSW   

Births          1788-1918 networked in eResources

Marriages   1788-1945 networked in eResources, 1919-1945 on microfiche

Deaths         1788-1945 networked in eResources, 1919-1945 on microfiche

See the note below on NSW Pre-1856 Records.

See the note below on NSW Pre-1846 Records.
The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has a free search index for births (1788-1912), marriages (1788-1962) and deaths (1788-1982).
There are ocassional Errors in the Place of Registration on the indexes.

NT

Births           1870-1918 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Marriages   1870-1913 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Deaths         1870-1913 networked in eResources and on microfiche

For 1856-1863 see NSW. For 1863-1870 see SA.

QLD

Births            1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1919 on microfiche

Marriages     1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1939 on microfiche

Deaths           1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1964 on microfiche

See NSW indexes for earlier dates.
The Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney General has a free search index for births (1829-1914), marriages (1829-1934) and deaths (1829-1964).

SA

Births             1842-1928 networked in eResources and on microfiche 

Marriages     1842-1937 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Deaths           1842-1972 networked in eResources and on microfiche

TAS

Births              1803-1919 networked in eResources 

Marriages      1803-1930 networked in eResources

Deaths            1803-1930 networked in eResources

See the note below on Tasmanian Pre-1900 Records.

VIC

Births              c1837-1920 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Marriages        c1837-1942 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Deaths            c1837-1985 networked in eResources and on microfiche

Marine BDMs 1836-1920 on juke box computer in Newspapers and Microfilms Reading Room

An online index to births (1836-1924), marriages (1836-1942) and deaths (1836-1985) is available at the Victorian Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages. A fee for viewing is charged.

Births, deaths and marriages on ships coming to Victoria (1853-1920) are also available at Marine Index. Ships' names are included. A fee for viewing is charged.

WA

Births              1841-1931 bookmarked in eResources, 1841-1905 on microfiche

Marriages       1841-1936 bookmarked in eResources, 184 -1965 on microfiche

Deaths            1841-1965 bookmarked in eResources, 1906-1980 on microfiche

See the note below on Western Australian Pre 1842 records.
The Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has a free search index for births (1841-1932), deaths (1841-1971) and marriages (1841 -1936).

New South Wales pre-1856 records

Baptism, marriage and burial records from NSW churches prior to Civil Registration in 1856 may be viewed in this library. These records have volume reference numbers beginning with V on the indexes above.

Eg. V183214 26 (year = 1832, entry no = 14., volume no. = 26)

Vols. 1-123, out of 158, are on microfilm in the Newspaper Reading Room (SR Reel nos. AO 5001-5048), Microfilm drawer NEW SOUTH WALES 1, Call No. mfm N 229.  Copies of entries from other volumes may be purchased from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Tasmanian pre-1900 records

Registrar-Generals Department pre-1900 births, deaths and marriages records, Tasmania.
Microfilm Drawer TASMANIA 1; Call no.: mfm N 220. Refer to the Register-General's guide in the NMRR Reference collection at RX mfm N 220 to locate reel numbers.

Western Australian pre-1842 records

Pre 1842 baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded by the Anglican Church in Western Australia. These records are on microfilm in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room (Access to Ancestors Accession 703, reel 214), Microfilm Drawer WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1, Call no. mfm N 303. Refer to the Access to Ancestors's guide for a description of the records.