
In Australia, the cost of sending a letter or package depends on the weight, size, and destination. The standard rate for a letter weighing up to 250g is 92 cents.
Domestic letters are generally cheaper than international ones. For example, sending a standard letter within Australia costs 92 cents, whereas sending one to New Zealand costs $2.40.
The cost of sending a package also depends on its weight and size. For a parcel weighing between 0-500g and measuring up to 350mm x 150mm x 120mm, the cost is $8.50 for domestic delivery and $18.50 for international delivery.
The Australian Postal Corporation, also known as Australia Post, offers various postage rates for different types of mail, including standard letters, parcels, and express mail.
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Australian Postage Rates
Australian Postage Rates are determined by size, thickness, and weight.
For sending letters within Australia, postage prices vary depending on the size and weight of the item.
You can check if your letter can be sent as a small letter, large letter, or parcel using Australia Post's letter size and weight guide.
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Regular letters can be sent for a price of $1.50, which is equivalent to one $1.50 stamp.
Here's a breakdown of postage prices for regular letters:
Notifications of price increases lodged with the ACCC by Australia Post are listed on the price notifications register.
Australian Stamp Prices
Australian Stamp Prices are determined by the size, thickness, and weight of your letter.
A small letter or postcard weighing up to 250g costs $1.50 and requires 1 x $1.50 stamp.
Large letters have different price ranges depending on their weight. A large letter weighing up to 125g costs $3.00 and requires 2 x $1.50 stamps.
If your large letter weighs between 125g and 250g, the price is $4.50 and you'll need 3 x $1.50 stamps.
Heavier large letters, weighing up to 500g, cost $7.50 and require 5 x $1.50 stamps.
Economy Sea Mail Rates
Economy Sea Mail rates can be a bit tricky to navigate, but I've got the lowdown for you.
The postage cost for a package weighing between 2.5kg and 3kg is $58.45.
For packages weighing over 3kg up to 5kg, you'll pay $79.15.
If your package weighs over 5kg up to 10kg, the cost jumps to $130.90.
The same weight ranges have different costs depending on the specific Economy Sea Mail rate you're using.
Here's a breakdown of the costs for packages weighing over 10kg up to 15kg: $182.65 for one rate, $202 for another, and $233.10 for the third.
If your package weighs over 15kg up to 20kg, the costs are $234.40, $259.20, and $296.10, respectively.
To give you a better idea, here are the Economy Sea Mail rates for packages weighing between 2.5kg and 20kg:
Sending a Parcel in Australia
Sending a parcel in Australia can be done with flexibility, thanks to Australia Post's various delivery options. You can choose between Parcel Post and Express Post for domestic deliveries.
The Parcel Post option is a great choice when time is less of a consideration, and you're looking for a more affordable option. Express Post, on the other hand, is ideal for urgent deliveries.
If you need to send a parcel over 5kg, you'll need to use the Parcel Post option, and your delivery cost will be determined by weight. You can use Auspost's postage calculator to get an accurate cost by entering your parcel details.
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Sending a Parcel Under 5kg
Sending a parcel under 5kg is a straightforward process with Australia Post. Your local post office will have a selection of prepaid Parcel Post satchels and flat rate packaging available for you to use.
You can choose from a range of satchel sizes to fit your item, including Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. The fixed prices for these satchels are as follows:
The cost of the packaging is in addition to the fixed price of the satchel, so be sure to factor that in when choosing your option.
Sending a Parcel Over 5kg
Sending a parcel over 5kg can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered.
Australia Post allows you to send a parcel up to 22kg.
To get an accurate cost, you'll need to use their postage calculator and enter your parcel details, including from, destination, height, width, length, and weight.
You can send a parcel up to 105cm length.
The parcel's dimensions and weight will determine the delivery cost.
You can use the Auspost postage calculator for an accurate cost.
Australia Post's weight limit for a parcel is 22kg.
The calculator will give you an accurate estimate of the delivery cost based on your parcel's details.
Parcel Costs and Options

If you need to send a parcel, you have a few options to choose from.
For domestic deliveries, you can opt for Parcel Post or Express Post.
The cost and time to send an item can be estimated using Australia Post's online calculator.
If you're sending a parcel under 5kg, you can use a prepaid Parcel Post satchel, which will save you money on postage. The fixed price for these satchels varies depending on their size, ranging from $11.30 for a small satchel to $23.35 for an extra-large one.
Here's a breakdown of the prepaid satchel prices:
Keep in mind that these prices are for the satchel itself and don't include the cost of any additional packaging you might need.
Packaging Costs
If you're sending a parcel under 5kg, you have two options for packaging costs. You can choose from prepaid Parcel Post satchels and flat rate packaging available at your local post office.
The fixed pricing for prepaid satchels is determined by the size of the packaging you select. The options include small, medium, large, and extra large satchels, each with a fixed price.
The prices for prepaid satchels are as follows: $11.30 for a small satchel, $15.30 for a medium satchel, $19.35 for a large satchel, and $23.35 for an extra large satchel.
Alternatively, you can use your own packaging and the cost will be determined by the weight of your parcel. This means you can choose the packaging that best suits your item, rather than being limited to a specific size.
If you opt for using your own packaging, the cost will be based on the weight of your parcel. The prices for this option are: $10.95 for parcels up to 500g, $14.95 for parcels between 500g and 1kg, $18.95 for parcels between 1kg and 3kg, and $22.85 for parcels between 3kg and 5kg.
Cost of Sending a Parcel Over 5kg
If you need to send a parcel over 5kg, Australia Post has you covered. You can use their postage calculator to get an accurate cost by entering your parcel details.
The weight of your parcel will determine the delivery cost, which is a key advantage of using Parcel Post. You can send a parcel up to 22kg in weight, making it a great option for larger items.
To calculate the cost, you can use the following weight-based pricing: up to 500g costs $10.95, 500g-1kg costs $14.95, 1kg-3kg costs $18.95, and 3kg-5kg costs $22.85.
If your parcel is over 5kg, the cost will be determined by the weight, and you can use the postage calculator to get an accurate quote.
Express and International Options
If you need to send a parcel internationally, Australia Post offers international courier services from selected offices to select destinations. This option is best for urgent parcels, with delivery times of just 2-3 business days.
Parcels can weigh up to 20kg, and tracking is included in the delivery cost. This service is the most expensive option for international delivery through Australia Post, so it's best reserved for time-sensitive deliveries.
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Express Post

Express Post is a fast and reliable way to send parcels within Australia. It's a domestic service that usually gets items to their destination within 3 days or less.
Same state deliveries are often completed within 1-2 business days, while interstate deliveries take around 1-3 business days. If you're sending from a capital city, you might be eligible for next day delivery if you send before 4pm and your item is going to one of the eligible postcodes.
Next day delivery is available from major cities to eligible postcodes, but you'll need to check the list of eligible postcodes to see if your destination is included. Express Post comes with parcel tracking as standard, so you can keep an eye on your delivery and be notified of any delays.
Express Post is a great option if you need to send a parcel quickly and reliably. It's worth noting that movers may ask for a few more details about your delivery before giving you a quote, but the service is usually worth the extra information.
International Courier

International courier is available from selected Auspost offices and to select destinations, taking just 2-3 business days for delivery.
This option is suitable for urgent parcels that can weigh up to 20kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many forever stamps do I need for Australia?
For a postcard to Australia, you'll need 1 Global Forever Stamp valued at $1.65.
How much to post a xmas card in Australia?
To post a Christmas card in Australia, the discounted postage rate is 65 cents from November to December. This rate applies to cards with specific size and weight restrictions.
Sources
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/List_of_postage_rates_in_Australia
- https://auspost.com.au/sending/stamps/stamp-prices
- https://www.accc.gov.au/by-industry/postal-services/postal-services-price-notification-and-monitoring
- https://www.upmove.com.au/post/australia-post-send-parcel
- https://7news.com.au/business/australia-post/sending-a-letter-or-a-parcel-is-about-to-get-more-expensive-heres-how-much-youll-pay-c-7852419
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