Collect on your behalf

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).

You’ll need to show one valid form of photo ID, such as:

• Australian Driver Licence, International Driving Permit (physical or digital) or Australian Learner Permit
• Digital Driving Licence (selected states, such as NSW or SA)
• Keypass (physical card) or other Government-issued proof-of-age card (physical or digital)
• Australian or international passport
• Other issued photo or digital ID, such as Working with Children Check, Proof of Age card, Firearms Licence or WorkSafe Licence  

Otherwise, you can show 2 valid forms of ID without your photo. At least one should contain your address, and details must match the name or address on the article. For example: 

• Medicare card 
• Credit/debit card 
• Bank statement, utility bill or rates notice (can be digital)  
• Current Government-issued ID (pensioner concession card, Veteran Card, Working with Children Check, etc) 
• MyPost and/or MyPost Concession card 

Please note:

• Only a current physical or approved digital ID will be accepted. A photo or image of your ID is not digital ID and won’t be accepted.
• There may be different or extra requirements if you are collecting a parcel addressed to a business, on behalf of someone else, or from a Parcel Locker. 
• 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.

Yes, if your parcel or letter is ready to be collected from a Post Office, you can have it transferred to another Post Office that's more convenient for you. This can be handy if you’re away temporarily, or you’ve changed address.

When you complete the transfer form, you'll be able to search for and select your preferred Post Office. You can pay the transfer fee of $7.20 at the Post Office when you collect your item.

Not sure why your item was taken to the Post Office it's at? You can report a delivery issue instead, asking us to waive the transfer fee.

If you can't collect your parcel or mail from the Post Office, you can:

Check for extended hours

Visit our locations and hours tool to see if the Post Office has extended hours or is open Saturdays. This will give you more flexibility for pick-up time.

Arrange for someone else to collect your item

In most cases, you can nominate someone else to collect a parcel or letter from the Post Office for you.

You can either:

• print and sign a collection authorisation form (PDF 83kB), nominating someone to collect on your behalf
• arrange for someone else who lives or works at the delivery address to collect it for you

At the Post Office counter, we’ll ask them to show proof of identity. If the item they’re collecting was sent to a Parcel Collect address or transferred from a Parcel Locker, they’ll also need to show the collection notification email or SMS we sent you. At the counter, they can show the email or SMS – forwarded by you – on their phone, or present a printout of the email.

In some cases, though, the sender may require that you collect and sign for the item in-person. This means the collection authorisation form can’t be used. If you’re ordering something online, you should be made aware of this when placing your order.

Ask for it to be transferred

If you've changed your address or plans, you can have your item transferred to another Post Office for collection.

The small transfer fee can be paid at the Post Office counter when you collect your item.

In most cases, you can nominate someone else to collect a parcel or letter from the Post Office for you.

If you can’t make it to the Post Office yourself, you can either:

• arrange for someone else who lives or works at the delivery address to collect it for you
• give someone else authority to collect for you. To see the ways you can do this, visit collecting a parcel from the Post Office

At the Post Office counter, we’ll ask them to show proof of identity. If the item they’re collecting was sent to a Parcel Collect address or transferred from a Parcel Locker, they’ll also need to show the collection notification email or SMS we sent you. At the counter, they can show the email or SMS – forwarded by you – on their phone, or present a printout of the email.

Signature required items

In some cases, though, the sender may require that you collect and sign for the item in-person. This means you can’t authorise someone else to collect it for you. If you’re ordering something online, you should be made aware of this when placing your order.