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Christmas cut-off dates and postage costs
Christmas cut-off dates and postage costs
Last year we delivered almost 103 million parcels to customers during November and December. 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. View the postage cost to send Christmas cards here and overseas.
Post Offices with extended hours ahead of Christmas
Post Offices with extended hours ahead of Christmas
We’ve extended the opening hours of 300+ Post Offices across Australia, to help you collect and send parcels for Christmas.
Sending within Australia
Parcel Post
The dates provided below are for Parcel Post items being sent to/from metro locations and collected by one of our trucks or vans and taken directly to our processing facility. Allow additional time for items sent outside metro areas.
For Parcel Post items lodged over the counter, there is a 2.30pm cut-off time.
Sending from |
To NSW* | To ACT | To VIC* | To QLD* | To SA | To WA | To TAS | To NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW* | To NSW* Mon 22/12 |
To ACT Fri 19/12 |
To VIC* Fri 19/12 |
To QLD* Fri 19/12 |
To SA Fri 19/12 |
To WA Thu 18/12 |
To TAS Fri 19/12 |
To NT Tue 16/12 |
| ACT | To NSW* Fri 19/12 |
To ACT Mon 22/12 |
To VIC* Fri 19/12 |
To QLD* Fri 19/12 |
To SA Fri 19/12 |
To WA Thu 18/12 |
To TAS Fri 19/12 |
To NT Tue 16/12 |
| VIC* | To NSW* Fri 19/12 |
To ACT Fri 19/12 |
To VIC* Mon 22/12 |
To QLD* Fri 19/12 |
To SA Fri 19/12 |
To WA Thu 18/12 |
To TAS Fri 19/12 |
To NT Tue 16/12 |
| QLD* | To NSW* Fri 19/12 |
To ACT Fri 19/12 |
To VIC* Fri 19/12 |
To QLD* Mon 22/12 |
To SA Fri 19/12 |
To WA Wed 17/12 |
To TAS Thu 18/12 |
To NT Fri 12/12 |
| SA | To NSW* Fri 19/12 |
To ACT Fri 19/12 |
To VIC* Fri 19/12 |
To QLD* Fri 19/12 |
To SA Mon 22/12 |
To WA Thu 18/12 |
To TAS Fri 19/12 |
To NT Wed 17/12 |
| WA | To NSW* Thu 18/12 |
To ACT Thu 18/12 |
To VIC* Thu 18/12 |
To QLD* Wed 17/12 |
To SA Thu 18/12 |
To WA Mon 22/12 |
To TAS Tue 16/12 |
To NT Fri 12/12 |
| TAS | To NSW* Fri 19/12 |
To ACT Fri 19/12 |
To VIC* Fri 19/12 |
To QLD* Thu 18/12 |
To SA Fri 19/12 |
To WA Tue 16/12 |
To TAS Mon 22/12 |
To NT Fri 12/12 |
| NT | To NSW* Tue 16/12 |
To ACT Tue 16/12 |
To VIC* Tue 16/12 |
To QLD* Wed 17/12 |
To SA Wed 17/12 |
To WA Wed 17/12 |
To TAS Fri 12/12 |
To NT Mon 22/12 |
* Parcels sent to/from Geelong, Gold Coast and Newcastle follow the above metro location last sending dates.
Express Post
The dates provided below are for Express Post items being sent to/from metro locations. For Express Post items being sent outside a metro area, please allow additional time.
| Sending to/from metro only | Cut-off date |
|---|---|
NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA and within same state* |
Cut-off date 23 December 2025 |
NT, TAS and WA |
Cut-off date 22 December 2025 |
* Parcels sent to/from Geelong, Gold Coast and Newcastle follow the above metro location last sending dates.
Other destinations
Depending on where you’re sending items from, when sending to the destinations below, items need to be sent between the following dates for the best chance of arrival in time for Christmas.
Due to changes in third-party carrier (sea freight) shipping schedules, Parcel Post services to Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island will require the use of Express Post in order for items to arrive by Christmas. Please note, some items such as large freight and dangerous goods may not be suitable for transport via air. Please review the classifications for dangerous goods or requirements for Express Post.
Parcel Post is still available for sending items to Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, however items will not arrive before Christmas.
Any articles that were sent as Parcel Post to Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island up to close of business 27 October 2025 will be sent by air freight, if necessary, to arrive by Christmas Day.
The dates provided below are for Parcel Post items being sent to/from metro locations and collected by one of our trucks or vans, and taken directly to our processing facility. Please allow additional time items sent outside metro areas. For Parcel Post items lodged over the counter, there is a 2.30pm cut-off time.
| Destination | Parcel Post | Express Post |
|---|---|---|
Norfolk Island |
Parcel Post 7-14 November 2025 |
Express Post 15-18 December 2025 |
Lord Howe Island |
Parcel Post 1-8 December 2025 |
Express Post 14-17 December 2025 |
Christmas/Cocos Islands |
Parcel Post NSW/NT/QLD/SA/VIC:
WA: 27 October 2025 |
Express Post NT: 9 December 2025
NSW/QLD/SA/TAS/VIC: 10 December 2025
WA: 12 December 2025 |
Cards and letters
| Destination | Regular Post (to/from metro locations) |
|---|---|
Same state |
Regular Post (to/from metro locations) 18 December 2025 |
Interstate |
Regular Post (to/from metro locations) 16 December 2025 |
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.
Please note: These dates are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. Overseas deliveries may be affected by factors that are beyond our control such as customs delays and overseas postal disruptions – so it’s best to send as early as you can. As always, we remain committed to keeping you updated on any external impacts that may affect our services. To stay updated see our international updates.
Items sent from South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory must travel interstate before departing Australia. You can factor this in by adding 2 business days for Express items, and 5 business days for Standard and Economy items.
All estimates are for sending between metro destinations - items sent to and from regional and rural locations will likely take longer.
| Sending to | Courier parcels & letters1 | Express parcels & letters | Standard parcels | Economy Air parcels1, 2 & International Post Registered letters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 15 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 11 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 4 December 2025 |
| USA | Courier parcels & letters1 Suspended |
Express parcels & letters 15 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 11 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 4 December 2025 |
| Canada | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 11 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 8 December 2025 |
Economy Air parcels & International Post Registered letters 1 December 2025 |
| UK | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 15 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 11 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 4 December 2025 |
| Major European destinations | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 15 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 11 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 4 December 2025 |
| China | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 9 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 2 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 25 November 2025 |
| East/Southeast Asia | Courier parcels & letters1 15 December 2025 |
Express parcels & letters 12 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 5 December 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 28 November 2025 |
| Rest of world | Courier parcels & letters1 Not available |
Express parcels & letters 5 December 2025 |
Standard parcels 28 November 2025 |
Economy Air & International Post Registered letters 21 November 2025 |
Sending with StarTrack?
Sending with StarTrack?
Track your gifts with the AusPost app
Track your gifts with the AusPost app
No need to check this list twice. The AusPost app sends an update when your gifts are on the way.
Use a free 24/7 Parcel Locker this Christmas
Use a free 24/7 Parcel Locker this Christmas
Keep gifts a surprise this Christmas - get them delivered to a free Parcel Locker.
1 International Courier is only available at select retail outlets (PDF 848kB) and to select destinations.
2 Signature on Delivery is not available for Economy parcels, due to government restrictions.
3 Envelope must be endorsed with ‘Card only’ and must be no larger than 130mm x 240mm, no thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 250g
4 Envelope must be endorsed with ‘Card only’ and must be no larger than 260mm x 360mm, no thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 50g.
