Cut-off dates

Last December we delivered 52 million parcels and we’re expecting another huge festive season this year. 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

Sending to/from metro only
Sending to/from metro only^ Parcel Post Express Post

Within Australia (except WA and NT)

Parcel Post

18 December 2023

Express Post

21 December 2023

WA

Parcel Post

15 December 2023

Express Post

20 December 2023

NT

Parcel Post

14 December 2023

Express Post

20 December 2023

^ Please note: The dates provided above are for items posted to/from metro locations. If you’re sending from outside a metro area, we recommend posting even earlier.

Other destinations

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.

Destination
Destination Parcel Post Express Post

Norfolk Island

Parcel Post

9 - 16 November 2023 

Express Post

12 - 14 December 2023

Lord Howe Island

Parcel Post

30 November - 6 December 2023

Express Post

14 - 18 December 2023

Christmas/Cocos Islands

Parcel Post

1 - 8 November 2023

Express Post

5 - 8 December 2023

Cards and letters

Destination
Destination Regular Post (to/from metro locations)

Same state

Regular Post (to/from metro locations)

Monday 18 December 2023

Interstate

Regular Post (to/from metro locations)

Thursday 14 December 2023

Sending parcels overseas

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.

Sending to
Sending to International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered) International Economy Air Parcels International Standard International Express International Courier

New Zealand

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

27 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

27 November 2023

International Standard

7 December 2023

International Express

13 December 2023

International Courier

14 December 2023

USA

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

29 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

29 November 2023

International Standard

6 December 2023

International Express

13 December 2023

International Courier

14 December 2023

Canada

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

27 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

27 November 2023

International Standard

4 December 2023

International Express

11 December 2023

International Courier

12 December 2023

UK

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

28 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

28 November 2023

International Standard

5 December 2023

International Express

12 December 2023

International Courier

12 December 2023

Major European destinations

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

24 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

24 November 2023

International Standard

1 December 2023

International Express

8 December 2023

International Courier

12 December 2023

China and most of Asia

International Economy Air Letters (incl Registered)

23 November 2023

International Economy Air Parcels

23 November 2023

International Standard 

30 November 2023

Internatioanl Express

7 December 2023

International Courier

12 December 2023