Statutory Declaration Template
A statutory declaration is a written statement that the maker solemnly declares to be true, witnessed by an authorised person. Use our free Australian template to prepare a Commonwealth statutory declaration under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) for insurance claims, government applications, identity verification, or any matter requiring a formal sworn statement.
| FULL LEGAL NAME | Sarah J. Mitchell |
| ADDRESS | 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
| STATE | New South Wales |
| OCCUPATION | Project Manager |
| SUBJECT | Identity confirmation for insurance claim |
| PURPOSE | in support of insurance claim No. IC-2026-00412 with Coastline Insurance Pty Ltd |
| WITNESS CATEGORY | Medical Practitioner |
| WITNESS FULL NAME | Dr. Emily Chen |
| ORGANISATION / PRACTICE | Sydney Central Medical Practice |
1. I am the person named Sarah Jane Mitchell, born 14 March 1985 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
2. I am the holder of Australian passport number PA9876543, issued 10 November 2022, valid until 10 November 2032.
3. I reside at 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 and have resided at this address since 1 June 2021.
4. I make this declaration in support of my insurance claim number IC-2026-00412 with Coastline Insurance Pty Ltd in respect of personal items lost in a house fire on 15 March 2026.
What Is a Statutory Declaration?
A statutory declaration is a written statement declared to be true in the presence of an authorised witness. It serves a similar function to an affidavit (a declaration made under oath or affirmation for court proceedings) but is used outside of court — for example, to declare a fact to a government department, an insurer, a bank, or a regulatory body. A statutory declaration is a serious legal document: knowingly making a false declaration is an offence under the Criminal Code.
The Commonwealth Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) governs statutory declarations made for matters under a Commonwealth law — including passport applications, Centrelink matters, Australian Taxation Office requirements, and other federal processes. Since 1 January 2024, the Statutory Declarations Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) has modernised the framework, permitting execution by paper in the presence of an authorised witness, by digital witnessing via approved platforms, or by electronic execution through the Commonwealth's digital declaration service (myGov Digital ID).
Each state and territory also has its own statutory declarations legislation for matters under state or territory law — for example, the Oaths Act 1900 (NSW), Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (Vic), Oaths Act 1867 (Qld), and Oaths Act 1936 (SA). Authorised witnesses differ slightly between jurisdictions. Where possible, use a Commonwealth statutory declaration — it is the most widely accepted format.
What's Covered in This Template
Our Commonwealth statutory declaration template follows the prescribed form under the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth).
Declarant Details
Full legal name, address, and occupation of the person making the declaration.
Declaration Introduction
Statement that the declarant makes the declaration in accordance with the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.
Numbered Statements
The facts being declared, set out in numbered paragraphs.
Attached Documents
Identification of any attached annexures, each signed by witness.
Warning About False Declarations
Statement of the offence under section 11 of the Act.
Declarant Signature
Signature of the declarant in the presence of an authorised witness.
Witness Certification
Certification by the witness of the declaration and the witness's qualification.
Witness Details
Name, capacity, and address of the authorised witness.
Date and Place
Date and place where the declaration was made.
Digital Execution Option
Option for digital execution via myGov Digital ID (where applicable).
How to Create a Statutory Declaration
Follow these steps to produce a valid Commonwealth statutory declaration.
- 1
Enter Your Details
Provide your full legal name, address, and occupation.
- 2
Set Out the Facts
State the facts you are declaring in clear, numbered paragraphs.
- 3
Attach Supporting Documents
Identify and attach any annexures referenced in the declaration.
- 4
Find an Authorised Witness
Locate an authorised witness from the list in the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth).
- 5
Sign Before the Witness
Sign in the witness's presence (or via approved digital method), who then certifies the declaration.
Legal Considerations
Statutory declarations are serious legal documents; false declarations are a criminal offence.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If a statutory declaration is required for court or tribunal proceedings, an affidavit is usually more appropriate.
Reviewed for Australian law
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth)
The Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) and the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth) prescribe the form and manner of Commonwealth statutory declarations. Section 8 of the Act requires the declaration to be in the prescribed form, and section 11 creates the offence of knowingly making a false statement in a statutory declaration — punishable by up to 4 years' imprisonment.
Authorised Witnesses
Schedule 2 to the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth) lists authorised witnesses, including lawyers, medical practitioners, pharmacists, police officers, Justices of the Peace, teachers (employed full-time), postal managers, bank managers, and a wide range of other professionals. The witness must verify the declarant's identity and witness the signature.
Digital Execution
Since 2024, Commonwealth statutory declarations may be executed digitally through the myGov Digital ID service, which verifies the declarant's identity electronically. Digital statutory declarations have the same legal effect as paper declarations and are increasingly accepted by Commonwealth agencies.
State vs Commonwealth Declarations
Use a Commonwealth declaration for Commonwealth purposes (Centrelink, ATO, passports) and a state declaration for state purposes (state driving authorities, state births/deaths/marriages registries). In practice, Commonwealth declarations are often accepted for state purposes. Check the requirements of the body requesting the declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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