Delivering strong consumer outcomes for Cemeteries and Crematoria in NSW
The NSW Government has released Delivering strong consumer outcomes for Cemeteries and Crematoria in NSW (the strategic statement). The new strategic statement will guide the transformation of the state’s cemeteries and crematoria sector with the goal of ensuring that all people in NSW have access to sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services.
This statement has been developed to inform industry and the community about key sector trends and issues, and how the Government will focus its resources to strengthen the sector and maximise consumer protections.
The statement outlines 3 priority action areas. They are:
- Delivering strong consumer protection for customers and communities
- Promoting sustainable practices to promote new supply
- Providing certainty for our Crown operators
Expansion of the interment services levy
The industry regulator Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW) will be strengthened to proactively maintain consumer protections and manage risks for the NSW Government and community.
To achieve this the government is proposing to implement a recommendation from IPART and a Statutory Review of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act to expand the interment services levy. It is proposed that from 1 July 2024 the levy will apply to all cemetery and crematorium operators, excluding operators of inactive cemeteries who will hold a Cemetery Operator (Caretaker) Licence (known as Category 4).
This will ensure that the regulator is properly funded to improve protections for customers and to maintain fair and consistent standards for the sector as well as delivering continuing education for operators to help them to meet them. Currently the levy is paid by only 2 operators which is inequitable and unfair and does not cover CCNSW’s costs of regulating the sector.
For more details about the expansion of the levy, read Interment Services Levy Information Package (PDF, 163 KB). CCNSW will consult with industry on the expanded levy until 9 May 2024 and will shortly release information on how to make a submission.