Collecting missed deliveries
Received a missed delivery notification? Here’s what you can do to collect your parcel.
Not home to sign for a parcel or Registered Post letter, or there's no safe place for us to leave it?1 We'll take it to a nearby Post Office.
Australia Post holds parcels for 10 business days for you to collect, before it’s returned to sender.
When collecting from the Post Office, we'll ask you to show ID proving that you're either the person it's addressed to (the 'addressee'), or someone who's authorised to collect (on the addressee's behalf).
If the parcel was sent to a Parcel Collect address or was transferred from a Parcel Locker, we’ll ask you to show the collection notification email or SMS, in addition to suitable ID.
Can’t get there yourself? Someone else can collect your parcel for you.
If they have the same address, they can collect it, as long as they have proof of that address and suitable ID. If they have a different address, you’ll need to give that person authority to collect.
Choose one of the below ways to authorise collection, and another person can pick up your parcel with suitable ID.
When a parcel is awaiting collection, you may see the option Let someone collect this parcel on the AusPost app, or when you’re tracking online.
Follow the prompts to create and share a collection authorisation image. You’ll need a MyPost account to do this – it’s free to sign up and easy to use.
Then, another person can take this to the Post Office with suitable ID.
Complete the form, then another person can print this and take it to the Post Office, with suitable ID.
Fill out the collection notification card
If you’ve received an awaiting collection card, complete the collection authorisation section.
Then, another person can take the completed card to the Post Office, with suitable ID.
Please note: Some senders sending specific items, like phones or alcohol, may require in-person collection by the addressee only. In these cases, authority to collect options cannot be used.
Need to collect your parcel from a different Post Office? Fill out this form to transfer your parcel within Australia for $7.05.
If you’re not sure why your parcel was taken to a particular Post Office, report a delivery issue and we’ll look into this for you.
If your mobile number is included on your parcel, your missed delivery5 or PO Box parcel may be placed in a free 24/7 Parcel Locker, so you can collect it day or night. Parcel Lockers are free, secure and easy to use.
If this happens, we’ll send you a notification when it arrives. To open the Parcel Locker, use the access code provided in your SMS or email, and follow the on-screen prompts at the locker.
You have 48 hours to collect your parcel. If you’re unable to collect, it will then be available to collect from a Post Office . We’ll let you know when.
Manage deliveries better on the AusPost app
Get more delivery options. Give us the okay to leave parcels in a safe place,2 or change your delivery address while your parcel is on its way.3
Use a collection point. Collect your parcels anytime, day or night, from a free, secure 24/7 Parcel Locker.4
See delivery dates and delays. Track your parcel, stay up to date and keep an eye on any delivery delays.
Share collection authority. Let someone else collect your parcel from the Post Office with three taps.
1 Parcel delivery is dependent upon how an item is addressed, the location of a property, and Australia Post operational requirements for security and occupational health and safety.
Australia Post will card or deliver parcels according to the following methods:
2 The option to have your parcel left in a safe place will only be available if the sender has agreed to allow it. This applies to parcels in transit and addressed to a street address. Additionally, the shipping information provided by the sender must include your registered email address, mobile number, or other details that allow us to match the parcel to your MyPost account.
3 Parcel redirection is only available for parcels in transit and addressed to a street address. Additionally, the shipping information provided by the sender must include your registered email address, mobile number, or other details that allow us to match the parcel to your MyPost account. Changing your delivery address may result in a delay in delivery, depending on the location.
4 You have 48 hours to collect your parcel once it has arrived at a Parcel Locker or Parcel Collect (Post Office) location. Post Offices will accept parcels up to 22kg and not greater than 105 cm in one dimension. Letters and standard mail that can be delivered to your letterbox, including Express Post letters, will not be accepted. Please refer to the full Parcel Locker terms and conditions for further details.
5 'Missed deliveries' includes parcels addressed to a street address or PO Box.
