‘Tis the time to send your gifts
To give your Christmas parcels the best chance of arriving on time, send them as early as possible and by the cut-off dates below.
Cut-off dates
Last year we delivered nearly 100 million parcels to customers during November and December. We recommend sending your Christmas parcels as early as possible, and by the cut-off dates below, to help us get them there in time for Christmas Day. We’ll deliver items sent after these dates as quickly as we can, but they may not arrive until after Christmas.
If you’re sending a Christmas card within Australia, the postage cost is 65c3. Check out the cost to send cards, letters and parcels, within Australia and overseas here.
Sending within Australia
The dates provided below are for Parcel Post items being sent to/from metro locations and collected by one of our trucks or vans and taken directly to our processing facility. For Parcel Post items being sent outside a metro area or being lodged over the counter, please allow additional time.
| Sending from | To NSW* | To ACT | To VIC* | To QLD* | To SA | To WA | To TAS | To NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW* | To NSW* 20/12/24 |
To ACT 20/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 20/12/24 |
To SA 20/12/24 |
To WA 18/12/24 |
To TAS 19/12/24 |
To NT 16/12/24 |
| ACT | To NSW* 20/12/24 |
To ACT 20/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 20/12/24 |
To SA 20/12/24 |
To WA 18/12/24 |
To TAS 19/12/24 |
To NT 16/12/24 |
| VIC* | To NSW* 20/12/24 |
To ACT 20/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 20/12/24 |
To SA 20/12/24 |
To WA 18/12/24 |
To TAS 20/12/24 |
To NT 16/12/24 |
| QLD* | To NSW* 20/12/24 |
To ACT 20/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 20/12/24 |
To SA 19/12/24 |
To WA 17/12/24 |
To TAS 18/12/24 |
To NT 13/12/24 |
| SA | To NSW* 20/12/24 |
To ACT 20/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 19/12/24 |
To SA 20/12/24 |
To WA 18/12/24 |
To TAS 19/12/24 |
To NT 13/12/24 |
| WA | To NSW* 18/12/24 |
To ACT 18/12/24 |
To VIC* 18/12/24 |
To QLD* 17/12/24 |
To SA 18/12/24 |
To WA 18/12/24 |
To TAS 18/12/24 |
To NT 13/12/24 |
| TAS | To NSW* 19/12/24 |
To ACT 19/12/24 |
To VIC* 20/12/24 |
To QLD* 18/12/24 |
To SA 19/12/24 |
To WA 17/12/24 |
To TAS 20/12/24 |
To NT 13/12/24 |
| NT | To NSW* 16/12/24 |
To ACT 16/12/24 |
To VIC* 16/12/24 |
To QLD* 16/12/24 |
To SA 16/12/24 |
To WA 16/12/24 |
To TAS 13/12/24 |
To NT 16/12/24 |
*Parcels sent to/from Geelong, Gold Coast and Newcastle follow the above metro location cut-off dates
The dates provided below are for Express Post items being sent to/from metro locations. For Express Post items being sent outside a metro area, please allow additional time.
| Sending to/from metro only | Cut-off date |
|---|---|
All other States* |
Cut-off date 23 December 2024 |
NT, TAS and WA |
Cut-off date 20 December 2024 |
*Parcels sent to/from Geelong and Gold Coast follow the above metro location cut-off dates
Depending on where you’re sending items from, to the destinations below, they need to be sent between the following dates for the best chance of arrival in time for Christmas. Speak to your local Post Office team member for the specific cut-off date that applies to your sending location.
Due to changes in third-party ferry scheduling, Parcel Post services to Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island will now require the use of Express Post in order for any items to arrive by Christmas. Please refer to the last sending dates for these services to ensure timely delivery.
| Destination | Parcel Post | Express Post |
|---|---|---|
Norfolk Island |
Parcel Post 11 - 15 November 2024 |
Express Post 13 December 2024 |
Lord Howe Island |
Parcel Post 4 - 10 December 2024 |
Express Post 18 December 2024 |
Christmas/Cocos Islands |
Parcel Post Not available |
Express Post 11 - 16 December 2024 |
| Destination | Regular Post (to/from metro locations) |
|---|---|
Same state |
Regular Post (to/from metro locations) 16 December 2024 |
Interstate |
Regular Post (to/from metro locations) 13 December 2024 |
International sending cut-off dates vary depending on destination and the chosen delivery service. Search by country below to find our recommended dates. Parcels sent after these dates will be delivered as quickly as possible, but they may not arrive until after Christmas.
Overseas deliveries may be affected by factors that are beyond our control such as customs delays and overseas postal disruptions – so it’s best to send as early as you can.
Items sent from South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory must travel interstate before departing Australia. You can factor this in by adding 2 business days for Express items, and 5 business days for Standard and Economy items.
All estimates are for sending between metro destinations - items sent to and from regional and rural locations will likely take longer.
As always, we remain committed to keeping you updated on any external impacts that may affect our services To stay updated see our international updates.
| Sending to | Courier parcels & letters1 | Express parcels & letters | Standard parcels | Economy Air parcels1, 2 & International Post Registered letters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Courier parcels & letters1 16 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 5 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 28 November 2024 |
| USA | Courier parcels & letters1 16 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 16 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 11 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 4 December 2024 |
| Canada | Courier parcels & letters1 16 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 9 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 2 December 2024 |
| UK | Courier parcels & letters1 16 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 6 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 29 November 2024 |
| Major European destinations | Courier parcels & letters1 13 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 9 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 2 December 2024 |
| China | Courier parcels & letters1 13 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 10 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 3 December 2024 |
| East/Southeast Asia | Courier parcels & letters1 13 December 2024 |
Express parcels & letters 13 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 6 December 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 29 November 2024 |
| Rest of world | Courier parcels & letters1 Not available |
Express parcels & letters 2 December 2024 |
Standard parcels 26 November 2024 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 19 November 2024 |
If you’re sending a Christmas card within Australia, the postage cost is 65c3 during November and December. If you’re sending a Christmas card overseas, the postage cost is $34 anywhere in the world. Find our range of domestic and international Christmas stamps here.
Parcels up to 5kg are eligible for flat rate postage options to anywhere within Australia. If you’re using your own packaging, parcels are charged according to their actual weight or cubic weight equivalent, whichever is greater. Prices for parcels up to 5kg range from $10.95 for small Parcel Post, to $31.35 for extra large Express Post. Learn more about the range of delivery options and postage costs.
For items over 5kg, postage is based on weight and destination. Use our online calculator to estimate postage cost and delivery timeframes. Choose ‘Within Australia’ or ‘Overseas’, then choose ‘Parcels’ or ‘Letters’.
Track your gifts with the AusPost app
No need to check this list twice. The AusPost app sends an update when your gifts are on the way.
Use a free 24/7 Parcel Locker this Christmas
Keep gifts a surprise this Christmas - get them delivered to a free Parcel Locker.
1 International Courier is only available at select retail outlets and to select destinations.
2 No longer performing signature on delivery due to government restrictions.
3 Envelope to be endorsed with ‘Card only’ and must be no larger than 130mm x 240mm, no thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 250g
4 Envelope to be endorsed with ‘Card only’ and must be no larger than 260mm x 360mm, thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 50g.
