Two datasets contain mortality information for deaths occuring in the ACT: the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) death registrations and the Australian Coordinating Registry (ACR) Cause of Death Unit Record File (COD URF), which also includes Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) death registration data prior to 2006.

All deaths for which a coronial inquiry is not required must be certified as to cause and date by a registered medical practitioner and the certificate registered by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in each State and Territory. Deaths that are referred to a coroner are registered by the coroner at the conclusion of an inquiry into the circumstances of the death. The vast majority of non-coronial deaths are registered with the relevant RBDM within four weeks of the date of death; however coronial inquiries can take months or even years to conclude.

RBDM death registration data are provided in raw, uncoded format. For this reason only date of birth, age at death, date of death and year of death are available for analysis. Death records available for linkage include deaths occurring in the ACT and do not include deaths of ACT residents who die interstate. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare holds the National Death Index, which can be used for research studies that require linkage of death records for ACT residents who die interstate. When there is an external cause of injury or poisoning, the external cause is provided as the underlying cause of death, not the injury. The date of birth on the death registration is sometimes incorrect as it is reported by relatives to the funeral director at the time when the funeral is being arranged. The funeral director reports the personal details of the deceased to the RBDM. Particularly for older family members who have died, relatives generally report the birth day (day and month) correctly, but may inadvertently give an incorrect year of birth. For this reason age at death may be preferable for analysis purposes.

Administrative. The ACT Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages keep a permanent record of all people who die in the ACT.

ACT state data

Births, Deaths and Marriages ACT is established under the Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1999.