The NSW Government has introduced the Interment Industry Scheme as part of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulation 2022 – a licensing system for cemetery and crematorium operators.
The scheme licenses all operators and sets clear standards. Families will know what to expect from cemetery and crematorium operators and can make informed choices.
Key licence conditions relate to:
- consumer contracts – standard terms and conditions explained clearly so customers can understand what they are paying for
- cemetery maintenance – to make sure there are clear minimum standards for every cemetery
- pricing transparency – so customers know what they are purchasing and can easily compare prices
- customer service – to ensure operators are consistently providing quality service
- religious, cultural and spiritual principles– to ensure respect for religious and cultural requirements and promote understanding of the unique importance of Sorry Business to Aboriginal people.
Full licence conditions
For more information read the full Licence Conditions for Operators of Cemeteries and Crematoria (PDF, 400 KB).
Background to the scheme
Two recent reviews – the statutory review of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013 (PDF, 24 MB) and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Review of costs and pricing of interment in NSW – recommended significant changes to strengthen the interment sector and protect customers.
Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW have developed the Interment Industry Scheme which addresses the recommendations made by those reviews in relation to strengthening the regulator to provide greater operator accountability, pricing transparency and to better meet the needs of the community.
The Regulations governing the scheme commenced on 14 October 2022.
An important aspect of both reviews relates to perpetual maintenance of cemeteries. We recognise the complexity of the perpetual maintenance issue and have removed these requirements from the first stage of the Interment Industry Scheme. Further consultation with the community and operators is proposed in order to develop a workable and meaningful model to introduce into the scheme at a later date.
The introduction of the scheme follows nearly 2 years of consultation. During the latest stage of consultation, we received 21 formal submissions, 219 survey responses and hundreds of comments provided online and during consultation events. We thank everyone who contributed.
Applying for a licence
Pay for your licence
Pay for your Cemetery Operator Licence using your credit card and licence application number. If you are unable to pay online by credit card, email [email protected] for other payment options.
Fees are set by the Cemetery Operator Licence Fee Policy (PDF, 144 KB).
Current licence application fees
| Number of interments | Fee |
|---|---|
| 50 or more interments on average over the last 3 financial years OR Crematorium-only | $800 |
| 10–49 interments on average over the last 3 financial years | $400 |
| 9 or less interments on average over the last 3 financial years | No fee |
| No interments (Caretaker Licence) | No fee |
Understanding your licence conditions
In February 2026, Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW published version 2.6 of the General Licence Conditions for Operators of Cemeteries and Crematoria and updated the guides to each condition. These licence conditions will replace those in the previous version of the document, effective 1 July 2026, except for Licence Conditions C, which will take effect on 1 July 2027.
Before these dates, operators may comply with the conditions as described in either version 2.6 or version 2.5. After the relevant dates, operators must comply with the conditions as described in version 2.6.
- Guide to Licence Conditions A – Consumer Contracts (PDF, 590 KB)
- Guide to using the model consumer contract for sale of a perpetual interment right (PDF, 287 KB)
- Model contract for sale of a perpetual interment right (DOCX, 495 KB)
- Model contract for sale of a renewable interment right (DOCX, 501 KB)
- Model contract for cremation (DOCX, 81 KB)
Education videos are available to support you to understand the consumer contract and how it relates to other requirements and licence conditions:
Operators are required to provide updated information to Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW in certain circumstances – read the Licence Conditions for Operators of Cemeteries and Crematoria (PDF, 400 KB) for details.
Educational videos
These videos help you understand the consumer contract and how it relates to other requirements and licence conditions. They also complement the information in Licence Conditions A – Consumer Contracts.