Two datasets contain mortality information for deaths occurring in NSW: 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. Prior to 2007, details of all registered deaths were forwarded to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS then check and code the information. A single code for an underlying cause of death was applied in the years to 1997. From 1997 multiple cause of death codes (ICD-10) were applied to each death record where more than one cause contributed to the death.

For deaths registered from 2007 onwards, the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health receives coded cause of death data from the Australian Coordinating Registry (ACR) for the Cause of Death Unit Record File (COD URF). Access to the COD URF is in accordance with the ACR terms and conditions of use and disclosure by the NSW Ministry of Health. The legacy ABS mortality data prior to 2006 have been mapped and combined with the COD URF.

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.

Dates of birth are sometimes incorrect as they are reported to the funeral director when the funeral is being arranged and the funeral director reports it to RBDM. Particularly for older people. Family members may report the day of birth correctly but an incorrect year of birth. For this reason, age at death may be preferable for analysis.

Administrative. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages of the New South Wales Department of the Attorney General and Justice keep a permanent record of all deaths in NSW.

NSW state data

The New South Wales Deaths Registrations is established under the authority of Births, Death and Marriages Registration Act 1995 and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Regulation 2011. The NSW Deaths Registrations is administered by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages of the New South Wales Department of the Attorney General and Justice.