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Get to know Australia Post
Updated over 2 months ago
The Australia Post logo
An Australia Post delivery worker in high visibility clothing, on an electric delivery vehicle.

Australia Post provides services to many Australians, and regularly visit over 12.7 million delivery points across the country offering more than just a postal service. Australia Post is renowned for their nationwide coverage and reliable network with several delivery options to meet the growing needs of customers and consumers.

This article covers Australia Post standard and express services. For more detail on the Australia Post OnDemand service, see the Get to Know Australia Post OnDemand article.


Services available

  • eParcel Domestic Standard = Shippit standard service level

  • eParcel Domestic Express = Shippit express service level

  • eParcel International Standard = Shippit international standard service level

  • eParcel International Express = Shippit international express service level

  • eParcel OnDemand = Shippit priority service level

  • eParcel Metro = Shippit express service level


Compatibility

See the carrier overview matrix for full compatibility, limitations, and restrictions.

Australia Post is suitable for:

  • Satchels, cartons, and small consumer goods

  • Food and beverages

  • Alcohol with prior approval

  • Consolidated, unpalletised freight

  • Dangerous goods - limited with prior approval from the carrier ensuring you are compliant with dangerous goods packaging and labelling guidelines. For more information, see the dangerous goods matrix.

Not suitable for:

  • Heavy bulky freight or pallets


Surcharges

Charges that can be identified at the time of booking are included in the API quote at the time of booking however additional surcharges may apply for undeclared goods, or special goods. For more information, see the surcharge matrix.


Insurance

Complimentary loss or damage insurance is not included when booking with Australia Post through Shippit unless you have it included in your own BYO account. Alternatively you can enable Shippit Transit Protection to cover your orders for loss and damage.


Serviceability

For eParcel Domestic standard and express:

For eParcel International standard and express:

For eParcel Metro:

  • Australia metro cities only

For eParcel OnDemand:

📚 For more information about eParcel OnDemand, see the Get to Know Australia Post OnDemand article.


Freight profile

eParcel Domestic Standard

eParcel Domestic Express

eParcel International Standard

eParcel International Express

eParcel Metro

eParcel OnDemand

Max dead weight

<22kg

<22kg

<20kg

<20kg

<22kg

<25kg

Max cubic weight

<0.25m³

<0.25m³

140cm girth

140cm girth

<0.25m³

L50cm x W50cm x H50cm

Max length

<1.05m

<1.05m

<1.05m

<1.05m

<1.05m

L50cm x W50cm x H50cm

Freight profile for eParcel Domestic standard and express:

  • Satchels and cartons

  • Consolidated freight

  • Alcohol

  • Food and beverages

  • Perishables

Do not use eParcel Domestic standard and express for:

  • Pallets

Freight profile for eParcel International standard and express:

  • Satchels and cartons

  • Consolidated freight

  • Alcohol

  • Food and beverages

  • Perishables

Do not use eParcel International standard and express for:

  • Pallets

  • Dangerous Goods

Freight profile for eParcel Metro:

  • Satchels and cartons

  • Consolidated freight

  • Alcohol

  • Food and beverages

  • Perishables

Do not use eParcel Metro for:

  • Pallets

  • Dangerous Goods

Freight profile for eParcel OnDemand:

  • Satchels and cartons

  • Consolidated freight

  • Alcohol

  • Food and beverages

  • Perishables

Do not use eParcel OnDemand for:

  • Pallets

  • Dangerous Goods

📚 For more information about eParcel OnDemand, see the Get to Know Australia Post OnDemand article.


Dangerous goods

You can only ship dangerous goods with Australia Post with prior approval. The only service levels available for dangerous goods are eParcel domestic standard and express.

Check the Australia Post guidelines for accepted dangerous goods and limitations, and seek approval from Australia Post to ship dangerous goods. When you have received approval from Australia Post, contact the Shippit configuration team to configure your Shippit account.


Activation

We currently only offer a BYO account configuration with Australia Post through Shippit, using your own BYO carrier account. To set up your integration, email the Shippit configuration team with these details:

Our team review your details, and usually get back to you in 1-3 business days. However, account activation for BYO can take 1-2 weeks to complete.


Get your Australia Post API key

To get an Australia Post API key, you need:

  • An Australia Post eParcel account, or an Australia Post business credit account

  • Your Australia Post account number

💡 NOTE: If you do not have an account with Australia Post, contact Australia Post to open a business credit account, and ask to include eParcel.

Getting your Australia Post API key

  1. Visit the Australia Post Developer Centre, log in to your account, and click Complete registration.

  2. In the Shipping and Tracking API Registration page, complete your company details. Make sure you include any account numbers you have for your eParcel, StarTrack, and OnDemand accounts. Click Next to continue.

  3. In the Are you accessing the API through a platform partner field, choose Yes and select Shippit from the list. This allows our team to troubleshoot any issues with Australia Post on your behalf. Click Next to continue.

  4. Complete your state or territory. You can also include additional account numbers in the comments field, if you could not include them all previously. Click Send to finish your registration.

  5. In the confirmation email that Australia Post send you, follow the steps to retrieve your API and secret keys.

💡 NOTE: If you have any problems retrieving your API key, you can contact the Australia Post Lodgement Support team directly.


Best practices

Using Australia Post through Shippit can streamline your shipping processes. Here are some best practices for shipping with Australia Post:

Australia Post's standard and express services have you covered across a wide range of locations in Australia. Make sure your shipping addresses are within their serviceable areas, and watch out for size and weight limits.

Because your account is directly with Australia Post, Shippit don't send you a delivery invoice for orders, your payment arrangement with Australia Post remains the same. You might receive a subscription invoice from Shippit, depending on your Shippit plan. For more information about the different Shippit invoices, see the billing and invoicing article.

When you use carriers directly through Shippit, you can keep your operating hours updated in your Shippit account. However, Australia Post can't access this setting. Make sure you maintain your pick-up arrangement with Australia Post so that you don't miss out.

If you’re shipping dangerous goods, make sure you’ve got the proper approval from Australia Post, and alway check the guidelines before you ship.

Make sure you manifest your orders within Australia Post’s cut-off times, especially for express services. Missing these cut-offs could delay your deliveries.

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