Have you noticed that your local post office has been busier than usual?

If you recently found yourself making more trips to pick up parcels from your local AusPost, there's massive news on the horizon.

Australia Post revealed its bold new vision for the humble post office, and it's all about making life easier for the millions of Aussies nationwide.

Gone are the days when the post office was just a place to buy stamps or send a birthday card.

With the rise of online shopping, Australia Post is stepping up its game to accommodate customers better.

The national delivery service has launched 'next generation' post offices called Australia Post Parcels.

Australia Post has been a vital hub as online shopping has become prevalent among Aussies. Image Credit: Australia Post

These hubs are dedicated to collecting, sending, and even returning parcels, all with convenience.

These Australia Post Parcels hubs are different from the typical AusPost office.

Each hub can be accessed 24/7, with self-service kiosks and a wall of secure parcel lockers that can be opened using a code from the Australia Post app.

Do you need some stamps or boxes for your items?

Australia Post Parcels has a vending machine stocked with essential mailing items.

For seniors who may need a helping hand, Australia Post team members can assist customers on-site during extended trading hours.

The first Australia Post Parcels hubs opened their doors in Fitzroy in Melbourne and Waterloo in Sydney.

More Australia Post Parcels hubs should open their doors in other cities and states soon.

According to Josh Bannister, Australia Post's Executive General Manager of Retail, Brand and Marketing, it's about keeping up with the times.

'The number one reason why a customer visits a post office is to collect a parcel,' Mr Bannister explained.

'We're continuing to see the growth in parcel volumes, and this is really about moving with the customer and changing customer expectations to focus on a more seamless parcel experience.'

According to Australia Post's research, in 2024, about 9.8 million Aussie households have been shopping online.

This result was a 2.3 per cent jump from last year and a clear indicator that the country's shopping habits are changing fast.

While millennials and Gen Z have been leading the pack, more and more seniors are discovering the joys of online shopping, too.

Whether it's ordering gifts for the grandkids, stocking up on household essentials, or treating yourself to something special, the convenience of online shopping is hard to beat.

However, many Aussies ask: will regional areas be covered soon?

For now, these next-gen parcel hubs are being trialled in metro areas, with new locations planned for Chadstone, Melbourne, St Leonards, Sydney, and the Gold Coast.

Australia Post stated that they will closely monitor these sites' performances before considering a broader rollout in rural and regional areas.

What does this mean for you?

• No more missed deliveries: With 24/7 access, you can collect your parcels on your schedule.
• Faster, easier returns: Returning an item is as simple as dropping it off at a locker or kiosk—no paperwork, no fuss.
• Less waiting, more convenience: Extended hours and self-service options mean less time spent in queues.

While the post office has always been a cornerstone of many communities, these changes are proof that Australia's long-standing institutions can adapt to the digital age.

Key Takeaways

• Australia Post launched 'next generation' post offices dedicated to parcel collection and returns.
• These Australia Post Parcels offices include various services such as machines stocked with packaging essentials, round-the-clock services, and staff members assisting customers during extended trading hours.
• The move came after the rise of online shopping in Australia, with 9.8 million households relying on online shopping in 2024.
• While further dedicated parcel centres are planned for Melbourne, Sydney, and the Gold Coast, regional customers may have to wait for these new hubs to land in their respective areas.

What do you think of Australia Post's new hubs? Are you excited about these changes, or do you prefer the traditional post office experience? What would you like to see at your local post office in the future? We would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them with us in the comments below.

MORE NEWS: Rural town's mail service shuts down after decades of service. Is your town next?

 

[June E]

I’m really lucky as I have no problem with my parcels being delivered by really nice and helpful delivery people. But the other day I got a notification through an email and on the Australia post app to pick one up through a parcel locker. I’d never used one before but it was soooo easy. Plus I wasn’t tied to going when the post office was open.

All good if you can get there as those parcel lockers are usually on the outside of a building. But as someone said earlier if you don’t drive and public transport isn’t near where you live. What then ? I just read the main story again and I don’t think it mentions if deliveries will continue or not. I certainly hope they do.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I posted a parcel to my grandkids recently which goes to the Grafton PO in NSW. They live on a large property where the home is a long distance from the road so they get the normal notice when they need to pick up a parcel.
After several weeks the parcel hadn't turned up and then they got a 2nd and final notice to collect it.
My daughter in law told them she never got a first notice. The response was that AusPost don't leave first notices any more as you're supposed to keep track of them yourself, through tracking notices.
What complete BS if I pay to send a parcel, once I have paid for the service it is their responsibility to ensure that that service is provided.
The parcel had been sitting at the Grafton PO for over a week.
I queried this at the PO here in WA where I was told that was a load of.hogwash and tbe Grafton PO were only trying to cover their own arse for not advising them the parcel was there.
Great service Australia Post.

How very disappointing; one blaming the other. No such thing as 'customer service' as we all knew it ..
I should also have added ..... AP expecting you to monitor First Notices etc ..... yep, 'customer service', definitely a thing of the past!

 

[what]

It would be better if they actually delivered your parcels.

Money saving by Australia Post is all it is, good for them, not so good for elderly people. Ripping off the customers again with no thought to how elderly folk are going to get to the place and pick up the parcel. Get real Australia Post, you exist to receive and deliver mail.

 

[Josephine B]

I was disgusted at the Post office yesterday, when my card was deemed marginally too wide to fit through the envelop standard guage and I was asked to pay double for posting it.
All the PO worker had to do was to self stamp the envelop an easy option with date stamp near by.
I refused and posted same letter outside in red post box.
NO customer service at PO these days, just a money makeing machine of poor service.

I hear you, as I had the same issue when posting a card with the PO saying that the card was too big to fit through the receivers letterbox. I'd like to know how the lady AT THE PO BEHIND THE COUNTER knew that the receivers letterbox was smaller than my card as women aren't generally the PO delivers on motorbikes. My sons letterbox has a WIDE MOUTHED SLOT and is NOT one that has been sucking lemons.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I hear you, as I had the same issue when posting a card with the PO saying that the card was too big to fit through the receivers letterbox. I'd like to know how the lady AT THE PO BEHIND THE COUNTER knew that the receivers letterbox was smaller than my card as women aren't generally the PO delivers on motorbikes. My sons letterbox has a WIDE MOUTHED SLOT and is NOT one that has been sucking lemons.

It has to fit through the slot on PO measuring card which is the size of a standard letter box.
Letter boxes come in all different sizes
How can you expect them to know
everybody's letterbox size??
Hence the reason for their standard size.
It's been this way since the year dot.
I'm 78 and I can't remember a time when this wasn't the case.
A bigger parcel costs more than a smaller one. A bigger card or letter costs more than a smaller one.
I can't believe you didn't know that, what planet have you and icemaiden0909 been living on, lol.

 

[Colette 3799]

It's a problem isn't it? I keep seeing all these things I didn't even know I needed.
Thank goodness my ensuite snd very large walk in robe extension are to start soon, I can't fit another thing in my two wardrobes.
Lately I've been doing my enormous gsrden so I've been buying rolls and rolls
of weed mat, garden edging,garden ornaments, solar lights, garden shed. Etc etc
They keep telling me I'm their Premiec customer, lol.

Yes I’m one of their premium customers too lol. They try to make you feel special don’t they? I secretly think they are just trying to make me spend more money lol. I’m on to the halloween stuff atm. My son said he’s bringing my granddaughter for Halloween this year. It’s pretty big where we live and they get very few callers. I’m having to make a special effort so good ole TEMU to the rescue.

 

[Colette 3799]

It has to fit through the slot on PO measuring card which is the size of a standard letter box.
Letter boxes come in all different sizes
How can you expect them to know
everybody's letterbox size??
Hence the reason for their standard size.
It's been this way since the year dot.
I'm 78 and I can't remember a time when this wasn't the case.
A bigger parcel costs more than a smaller one. A bigger card or letter costs more than a smaller one.
I can't believe you didn't know that, what planet have you and icemaiden0909 been living on, lol.

I agree, but i could be wrong but I recon the size of their idea of a standard birthday card is quite small so if you buy a ‘normal’ size in the card shop it’s too big for their slot. I buy a book of stamps so I don’t have to keep going in to the PO and I’ve been sending what I consider regular cards but putting two stamps on just in case.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I agree, but i could be wrong but I recon the size of their idea of a standard birthday card is quite small so if you buy a ‘normal’ size in the card shop it’s too big for their slot. I buy a book of stamps so I don’t have to keep going in to the PO and I’ve been sending what I consider regular cards but putting two stamps on just in case.

I do the same if I think it's a bit too large.
Imagine sending someone a card and then they have to pay excess postage when they receive it. A bit embarrassing

 

[Morgans Orchard]

Mylittletibbles I have the same problem here in Hervey bay qld . Do not get first notice to tell me parcel is waiting nor was it delivered but get card in box when mail is delivered 2pm . Please pick up today as parcel being returned to sender in AM. 3weeks later …I did not know the parcel was coming it was gift not something I had bought on line . I have to get someone to take me out at all times (I’m blind) when I collected parcel and complained I was told “ Oh well you have got it now no problem “ like I was some little kid .The 2nd time it happened to me my son sent me a parcel and he had the tracking no and told me it was at the P.O. . I didn’t get card in letterbox nor parcel delivered . I went in and asked for parcel had to sign for it . 3 weeks later I get card in letterbox for parcel to be collected or it will be returned to sender in A M . In I went with card all innocent looking WHERE is my parcel ?? . 15 minutes waiting “ can you go and do some shopping and come back We’re having trouble locating it s been here so long waiting for collection. HELLO no one told me Nor was it delivered . 1 hour later no parcel . but they had found my signature where I had collected parcel . Me acting dumb again which at my age is not hard to do , standing waving ticket to collect but they can’t find out if I had 2 parcels or one . Today I got a free post card from the post office to send anywhere and to whom I want to . How Sweet ! My tongue is stuck to my cheek when I say that.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Mylittletibbles I have the same problem here in Hervey bay qld . Do not get first notice to tell me parcel is waiting nor was it delivered but get card in box when mail is delivered 2pm . Please pick up today as parcel being returned to sender in AM. 3weeks later …I did not know the parcel was coming it was gift not something I had bought on line . I have to get someone to take me out at all times (I’m blind) when I collected parcel and complained I was told “ Oh well you have got it now no problem “ like I was some little kid .The 2nd time it happened to me my son sent me a parcel and he had the tracking no and told me it was at the P.O. . I didn’t get card in letterbox nor parcel delivered . I went in and asked for parcel had to sign for it . 3 weeks later I get card in letterbox for parcel to be collected or it will be returned to sender in A M . In I went with card all innocent looking WHERE is my parcel ?? . 15 minutes waiting “ can you go and do some shopping and come back We’re having trouble locating it s been here so long waiting for collection. HELLO no one told me Nor was it delivered . 1 hour later no parcel . but they had found my signature where I had collected parcel . Me acting dumb again which at my age is not hard to do , standing waving ticket to collect but they can’t find out if I had 2 parcels or one . Today I got a free post card from the post office to send anywhere and to whom I want to . How Sweet ! My tongue is stuck to my cheek when I say that.

OMG. that's worse than my experience.
I'm thinking of lodging a complaint with Australia Post, would you like me to mention your experience to them as well.
I also got one of their cards. I don't want their damn card I just want the service I paid for.
The Post Master has apparently given my daughter in law first notice since then.
He probably doesn't want to receive the sharp end of her tongue again. She's a lovely girl. but she has a fiery Argentinian temper and my son said she went to town on them. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall.

 

[7777]

Australia Post need to make changes to the way their new way of collecting parcels are going to be done. The elderly should have the option of having their parcels delivered to their home primarily due to physical inability to attend these new post office centres. As for the younger generation, they will definately enjoy the conveniences that these new post office centres have to offer. The Minister in who is charge of Australia Post, should have an email sent to them, requesting that the elderly members of the public need home deliveries for their parcels, due to reasons of a disability, that makes it difficult to physically attend the new post office centres.

 

[marni]

I don’t want to
Pick up my parcel. I pay for delivery and would like it delivered, to the correct address. Is that too much to ask for?

 

[mylittletibbies]

I don’t want to
Pick up my parcel. I pay for delivery and would like it delivered, to the correct address. Is that too much to ask for?

Apparently!

 

[Towing]

Some POs need to improve their current services. I know some people who had their mail redirected and arranged it in advance. A week after the redirection started Aust Post was still putting letters and parcel cards in their letterbox. Lucky I checked their box even though I shouldn't have found anything in it. The reminder card was redirected and arrived before the parcel that had already been re-directed 3 days before .
Another PO, also in Metro area only, employs one person and the phone is out in a back room. If a customer is being served the phone isn't answered and goes through to a fax machine so you pay for a call for it.

 

[7777]

Some POs need to improve their current services. I know some people who had their mail redirected and arranged it in advance. A week after the redirection started Aust Post was still putting letters and parcel cards in their letterbox. Lucky I checked their box even though I shouldn't have found anything in it. The reminder card was redirected and arrived before the parcel that had already been re-directed 3 days before .
Another PO, also in Metro area only, employs one person and the phone is out in a back room. If a customer is being served the phone isn't answered and goes through to a fax machine so you pay for a call for it.

Dear member Towing, the call should not go to a fax, clearly understaffed. Try sending an email or give the General Post office a call and report this, it doesn't sound right to have to pay for a fax call. Good Karma to you always, God bless,