Major shake-up coming! What Australia Post’s latest move means for you

The financial stability of essential services is something many Australians take for granted—until challenges arise that threaten their future.

One of the nation’s most recognisable institutions is now facing mounting financial pressure, raising questions about its long-term viability and the potential need for government intervention.

Here’s what’s unfolding behind the scenes.


Australia Post faced significant financial difficulties, with treasury budget documents revealing an $88.5 million pre-tax loss in the 2023–24 financial year.

It marked the second consecutive annual loss since 2014–15, highlighting ongoing financial instability.

Treasury stated in Budget papers that the decline reflected ‘the way in which digitisation of the global and national economy is changing how many people and businesses use postal and related services.’


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Australia Post reports massive financial loss. Image source: Shuttertock/Darla Nipot


In December 2024, the government announced a package of reforms to improve Australia Post’s productivity, prioritise parcel delivery, and strengthen financial sustainability.

Despite these efforts, authorities warned they might need to provide financial assistance to the postal service in the future.

Paul Graham, Australia Post’s chief executive, previously revealed that households would eventually receive letters only every third day.

‘As we see mail decline, we believe it's inevitable that we'll need to move to every third day and beyond,’ he said.

‘The time frame for that is unknown because it will depend on how quickly it declines but that will certainly be a topic we will be taking up with the government post the election.’


The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was assessing a proposal for a further 20-cent increase in letter delivery fees, though mail services were not expected to become profitable again.

Meanwhile, parcel deliveries had surged since the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by consumers seeking online bargains amid rising living costs.

Despite this growth, Australia Post faced increasing competition from global logistics companies, gig economy operators, and low-cost alternatives.

‘That's, you know, the thing that certainly keeps us awake at night,’ Graham said.

‘Competition is intensifying and our traditional revenue streams are shrinking.’


In a previous story, Australia Post signalled that price increases could be on the horizon for several services.

As the company grapples with financial losses and shifting consumer habits, higher costs may be unavoidable.

Read more to see what changes could be coming.

Key Takeaways
  • Australia Post reported an $88.5 million pre-tax loss for 2023–24, marking its second consecutive annual loss.
  • The government introduced reforms in December 2024 to boost productivity and focus on parcel delivery, but financial aid may still be needed.
  • CEO Paul Graham said letter deliveries would eventually shift to every third day due to declining mail volumes.
  • While parcel deliveries surged post-pandemic, Australia Post faced increasing competition from global and low-cost operators.

With Australia Post facing major changes, from fewer letter deliveries to increasing competition in parcel services, how do you think this will impact everyday Australians?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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I send birthday cards to my family and friends. The time the letter takes to arrive has decreased. I always allow extra time but there has been no need to.

I was speaking to my cousin in Sydney who works for a Barrister. They are now sending important documents through using priority mail with Australia Post as it is more reliable and cheaper than some of the couriers.

So although Australia Post has been criticised in the past, perhaps it is time that we gave them a second chance.

I love receiving birthday cards and christmas cards. It is much more personal than an email.

So help Australia Post, send a letter to your friend or relative interstate and keep it a viable enterprise.
 
I enjoy getting cards through Australia Post. I have good posties who also bring parcels to my door if they fit in their bikes. I prefer Australia Post over a lot of courier companies. I hope I keep getting my mail every 2nd day and sometimes every day.
 
Once again the Australia Government total stuffed up. When online buying & Emails first came out the Australian Government should have got on board, but NOOOOO, typical Aussie Post & Government Big Wigs thought nothing would ever change. Too late now to do anything as, as they say the horse has jumped the fence.
 
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Reactions: natalielocket
Maybe pay the posties permanent part-time and only do 2 deliveries a week (= 4 a fortnight) instead of 2 one week and 3 the other (= 5 a fortnight)
 
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Reactions: natalielocket
What the bloody hell do they expect? For the last six or seven years the service has gone down hill. And the mongrels delivering are making it even worse. Aus Post need to pick up their game if they want to stay competitive.
 
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Reactions: Sherril54
It is marvelous how "the old is new again".
Back in the 1950's when we lived on a farm in a rural area of the Mornington Peninsula. We were in an area then known as Mt Martha (Mornington Rural) only about 6 or 7 miles out of the town of Mornington.
Our mail delivery by the then PMG, was twice weekly.
I cannot remember which days exactly, but something like Monday & Thursday.
Now it seems that Australia Post will be reverting to something similar, 75 years later.
OK, different reasons, same outcome.
 
Some people / businesses had fax machines too. I know one very small family business that still uses their fax machine.
Does that mean the people they're dealing with have still got to keep a fax machine even though this family business are the only people that probably deal with them like that?🤔
 
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Reactions: Sherril54
Got to keep the post coming as I have to get important letters from the UK, as due to the content they can't be sent by email.

And we have birthday/Christmas cards sent to us by Moonpig which have to be delivered.
What is Moonpig freedy50? Must admit that I don’t know how to send digital cards either.
 
The Post Office is a service not a cash cow for the Government, as they have been using it as, Sucking money into consolidated revenue, it should have not been done. When there were big profits as there, were it should have been used for the future and paying the CEO what they did a few years ago, The Labor Party, were the ones that has destroyed the Post Office
 
Wont be long & we'll see Indian & other people/immigrants everywhere like RACV, servo's, supermarket delivery & aged care, etc (cheaper labour taking our jobs everywhere as they can afford to work for less if they're getting handouts or assistance that our own don't get?)
Crazy times
 
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Reactions: Wombat2u2004
With deliveries possibly going to every third day, and prices for delivery increases, Business clients and the next generations of clients are going to find other cheaper and more reliable ways to get a better service using contract delivery thus further crippling the Aus. Post service I don't think this is the way forward. If we want to KEEP Aus. Post alive we the consumer and clients MUST support it.
 

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