Sending and receiving mail
You can buy mail products from the vending machines on selected bases or access these products from the Defence Online Business Shop and at the closest Post Office on base.
Sending business mail
Address and stamp your mail. Then send it:
- Via a Street Posting Box. Ask your Base Management team where these are located.
- Over the counter at your Post Office using your unit’s charge account. Get access details from your Australia Post Regional Manager.
- With StarTrack services for larger freight. Log in to Parcel Send using the account details from your unit or Area Manager.
Sending personal mail
Address and stamp your own mail. Then send it via a Street Posting Box or over the counter at your local Post Office.
Receiving mail
We’ll deliver personal and business mail to each unit’s designated letterbox bank.
Where mail is addressed to a specific building, we’ll attempt delivery directly to that location in the first instance.
If delivery can’t be completed, we’ll card the item to a Parcel Locker where available.
Alternatively, we’ll send the item to the nearest Post Office for collection.
How to address mail to Defence personnel
For mail to be delivered, it must:
- be correctly addressed
- include the sender’s details on the front left corner or back
- have postage in the top right-hand corner (if required) or the payment label for prepaid products.
Addressing guidelines
Use the example below to correctly address mail to defence personnel on base.
| Address format | Correct addressing | Incorrect addressing |
|---|---|---|
Recipient’s name Address line 1 (unit address) Address line 2 (base name) Address line 3 (base address) Suburb, state and postcode (base location) | Major Mike Moore If the unit has been allocated a letterbox number, include it in the address. For example, for Letterbox 1 in building 68 on Lavarack Parade: Major Mike Moore – Tactical Air Control Party | Major Mike Moore Major Mike Moore |
Sending and receiving mail on Navy ships
Incoming mail is dispatched from a central gateway to your ship’s destination, then secured in a locked ULD until collection at the next port of call.
The Fleet team coordinates any mail diversions based on your ship’s location requests.
Outgoing mail from ships is lodged directly into Street Posting Boxes.
Use the examples below to correctly address mail to Defence personnel on HMA ships.
Items addressed to an AFPO, except letters containing only correspondence or documents, require a customs declaration (CN23 form). Items addressed to an HMA ship within Australia do not need one.
| For delivery to | Address on item |
|---|---|
| AFPO Senders must complete and attach a CN23 customs form to parcels. Check with your Post Office for more details. | Serial number, rank and name of recipient Name of unit AFPO [insert number of AFPO] AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES NSW 2890 |
| HMA ships | Employee ID / Name of Recipient / Unit Name HMAS (Ship Name) AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES NSW 2890 |
Sending and collecting parcels with Parcel Lockers
Use a free 24/7 Parcel Locker to send, collect and return parcels.1 Many leading retailers now offer this option on their website.
Sending or returning a parcel
Send or return parcels through a Parcel Locker at a time that suits you.
- Pack item
Buy a prepaid satchel from an Australia Post vending machine, Online Shop or a Post Office on base. For returns, remove any old labels and attach the prepaid return label provided by the retailer. - Get a verification code
At the Parcel Locker, follow the prompts on the screen, select ‘Drop off’ and enter your mobile number to receive a verification code. - Lodge your parcel
Enter the verification code on the Parcel Locker screen, scan your labelled parcel and place it in the locker that opens. - Track your parcel
Once your parcel is lodged, you’ll receive an email with tracking details.2
Collecting a parcel
If we can’t deliver your parcel to your address, we’ll place it in a nearby Parcel Locker on your Defence base instead of sending it to a Post Office.
- You’ll receive an SMS or email with a unique PIN and the locker location.
- Enter the PIN at the locker and collect your parcel within 10 business days.
You can also choose to have parcels delivered to a Parcel Locker.
- Choose a Parcel Locker
- Scan the 2D code on your chosen locker to open the MyPost app.
- Follow the prompts to register and a Parcel Locker address will be assigned to you in the app.
- Shop online
- At checkout, enter your Parcel Locker address as the delivery address.
Addressing your parcel to a Parcel Locker
Your Parcel Locker address must include your name, 10-digit APCN (Australia Post Customer Number) and your full unit and base address.
Follow this format:
Name: <First name> <Last name>
Address line 1: Parcel Locker <10-digit APCN>
Address line 2: <Unit address>
Address line 3: <Base name>
Address line 4: <Base address - Suburb, state and postcode>
Here’s an example:
Major Mike Moore
Parcel Locker 1234567890
1/68 Lavarack Parade
Gallipoli Barracks
168 Lloyd Street
ENOGGERA QLD 4051
You must include the 10-digit APCN to ensure the correct parcel is delivered to your Parcel Locker.
Important notes
- Items that fit in your letterbox or require a signature will still be delivered as usual.
- Special delivery restrictions, such as certain consignments, will still apply.
- Australia Post cameras have been removed from Parcel Lockers on bases in line with Defence security protocols.
Frequently asked questions
Track your mail
Keep tabs on your deliveries with our easy-to-use tools and services.
- AusPost app – track and manage your deliveries on the go, set your delivery preferences and more
- MyPost – a free personal account with great features and benefits (required to access the AusPost app)
- Track a parcel – our online tracking service
Postage rates
Postage3 to AFPOs, excluding AFPO2 Malaysia, is free for items weighing up to 2kg (cubed or actual, whichever is greater).
Domestic rates of postage apply to the following:
- Mail to HMA ships in any location, including overseas
- AFPO2 Malaysia
- Mail over 2kg (cubed) to all other AFPOs, charged by total item weight
Postage is calculated using the applicable domestic postage rate from point of lodgement to postcode 2890.
If a member of the Defence Forces overseas is not at an AFPO or on board an HMA ship, standard International Post charges and conditions apply.
Ordering from the Defence Online Business Shop
Place your order through the Defence Online Business Shop by selecting the correct business unit and account number when you start the process. Your order will then be automatically routed to our nearest fulfilment hub.
1Sending: Terms and conditions (PDF 396kB) apply. Parcels must be appropriately packed in either a prepaid satchel or a prepaid mailing box, or in a parcel with a paid postage label. Parcels must be under 16kg and no larger than 35 x 44 x 61cm in size. Letters and standard mail are not accepted. The Express Post guarantee does not apply to parcels sent using a Parcel Locker.
Fees and charges will apply to carriers other than Australia Post and StarTrack to lodge parcels under the Parcel Locker and Parcel Collect (Post Office) services. This cost may be passed on. Read our terms and conditions (PDF 396kB) for more details.
Collecting: Terms and conditions (PDF 396kB) apply. Collection time limits apply. Items must be lodged with Australia Post to be delivered into the Parcel Locker. You have 10 business days to collect your parcel once it has arrived at a Parcel Locker. Parcel Lockers accept parcels up to 16kg and no larger than 35cm x 44cm x 61cm in size. Letters and standard mail that can be delivered to your letterbox, including Express Post letters, will not be accepted.
Returning: 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.
2Track events will vary depending on the service used and how your item is lodged and delivered. For details visit auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/our-tracking-service.html
3Assessed postage rates
Assessed postage is determined by a parcel's size, weight and the distance to be travelled. For more information visit auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/size-and-weight-guidelines.html
4Cubing
Articles are weighed, measured and then are assessed by either their physical or cubic weight equivalent, whichever is greater. The formula for calculating a parcel's cubic weight is: (Length × Height × Width in cm) ÷ 4000 = Cubic weight in kg.