How does Mail Redirection and Mail Holding work?

If you want us to redirect or hold your personal mail, you can apply online or at an Australia Post retail outlet. To redirect or hold your business or government mail, including family trust funds and self-managed super funds, you need to apply in person at an Australia Post retail outlet.

If you are applying on behalf of a deceased estate, or if you qualify for a concession rate, you will need to apply in-store to show the necessary identification.

Fees apply for these services - for more information please view Mail Redirection and Mail Holding pricing.

Please keep your receipt and customer reference number handy in case you need to make any changes to your mail redirection or holding service.

How does Mail Redirection work?

• We can redirect your mail for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months for a permanent move, and up to a selected date for a temporary move.
• We need three working days to process your request from the date your application is lodged.
• We will send you a confirmation letter, so you can check all details and ensure your mail is secure.
• Before your mail redirection period ends, we will send you a reminder letter and you can extend your service by applying online.

How does Mail Holding work?

• We can hold your mail for a specified number of weeks or months depending on the type of mail
• We need three working days to process your request from the date your application is lodged.
• On the next delivery day after your return, we will deliver all your held mail articles.

Completing your application form

• We will redirect or hold mail addressed to variations of the names listed. For example, if you redirect mail to Fred and Lisa Smith, we will also redirect mail addressed to F Smith, L Smith, Mr F W Smith and so on.
• If you only redirect for one person, but mail is addressed to two people, it will not be redirected - it will be delivered to the address on the envelope.
• If mail is addressed to two people and both people have redirected to different addresses, it will not be redirected - it will be treated as a "left address" and returned to sender.
• If there are more than seven names for mail redirection, you will need to attach a second signed form with any additional names. Up to eight names can be accepted online.
• Applications may be refused under special circumstances, such as; private mail addressed to a caravan park, hotel, motel or business premises where it is difficult to isolate redirected mail from other mail to be delivered to the same address.

Address update service

If you're moving permanently and would like us to give your new address details to organisations that already know your name and previous address and who have asked us to update their records, simply tick the box during your online application, sign the free Address Update service section on your Application to Redirect Mail or download and fax us back the Application to redirect mail form.

This service is a free add-on to the mail redirection service, but can only be provided with your permission. You will need to apply online separately for our Notify Organisations service.

• Why do I need to register for an Australia Post ID when applying online to redirect or hold my mail?

  Registering online for an Australia Post ID has a number of benefits:

  • You'll be able to use your Australia Post ID details for other Australia Post online services, including the Notify Organisations service.
  • We can contact you about your service if required.
  • It will save you time the next time you need to use any of our secure online services as we can verify your details quickly.
  • If you choose, we can keep you updated with the latest news and offers we think you'll be interested in.

• If my ID check is unsuccessful, how can I reapply?

  When applying online, the personal details you enter must match exactly with the data sources we are checking against. If any of your details are different (for example, your address details are not up-to-date) we may not be able to verify your identity.

  If we cannot verify your identity, you can download a pre-filled, editable PDF application form, and take this completed form into your nearest Australia Post retail outlet for lodgement. You will still need to provide suitable proof of identity and complete the in-store ID check.

  If you are sure that all details are correct and you are still having difficulty verifying your identity online, please contact us for further assistance.

• What happens when my redirection or holding service ends?

  All mail received by Australia Post after the finish date on your application, will be delivered as addressed. Please allow for some mail that will be in transit and that may arrive at the new address after the finish date. If the mail redirection or holding service is cancelled, cancellation fees apply. Please refer to the refund policy.

• How do I change my redirection to a different address?

  If you wish to change your Mail Redirection service to a different address, you must cancel your existing service and lodge a new application. Cancellation fees apply. Please refer to the refunds table.

• Can I apply for mail redirection or mail holding on behalf of other people?

  You can only include other people in a mail redirection or mail holding application, or apply on their behalf, if you have their authority to do so. We may ask you for written evidence of that authority.

  It is a criminal offence to redirect or hold another person's mail without authority. Giving false or misleading information is also a serious offence.

  For more information, please refer to clauses 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 in Section 8 and Section 9 of the Terms and Conditions.

• What if I don't have a fixed address for mail redirection?

  If you have no fixed address, or you have no street delivery available, you can also redirect to "care of post office".