Australian Capital Territory

Cemeteries and Crematoria (Public Cemetery Fees) Determination 2015 (No 1)
Disallowable Instrument DI 2015 - 87
made under the
Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, Section 49 (Determination of fees)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (the Act) regulates the operation of cemeteries and crematoria.  Section 49 of the Act provides the Minister with the power to determine fees for the purposes of the Act.

Public cemeteries and crematoria are managed by the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority (the Authority).  The Authority is required to operate on a sound financial basis.

This determination revokes the previous fee determination (DI2014-188) which set the Authority’s fees from 1 July 2014. A new fee determination, with increases, is being made to align with the financial year. 

Generally, the total effect of fee increases is a rise of nine and one half percent for a complete burial service. This is in line with the need to bring the fees into line with the requirements from changes to the Perpetual Care Trust Funds arrangements in the Act. 

Ancillary and part burial service fees have increased by two and one half percent (the current Wages Price Index). 

A small number of fees for specific products have risen above nine percent to reflect actual costs and specific discounts from standard fees.

Fees for Mausoleum crypts have not been increased.  All current crypts are sold and a new extension is programmed to be completed by August 2015. Fees are maintained to facilitate sales off the plan and an opening discount structure. 

New fees have been proposed in part 3 for additional plaque types and other services. 

The new fee determination takes effect on from 1 July 2015.