Post paralysis: Australia Post faces stampede of complaints over delivery fails!

In an age where online shopping has become a staple for many, the reliability of postal services is more crucial than ever.

For our members who have embraced the digital revolution, the convenience of having goods delivered to their doorstep is undeniable.

However, this convenience is only as good as the delivery service, and it seems that Australia Post has been falling short of expectations.


The frustration among Australia Post customers is palpable, with a growing number of complaints about delivery failures.

Imagine the disappointment of waiting at home for a parcel, only to find that the postie has missed you entirely.

This scenario has become all too common, as evidenced by the outcry on a social media complaints page, which has amassed over 23,000 members.


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Australia Post faced widespread criticism for delivery issues, with thousands expressing dissatisfaction on a social media complaints page. Credit: Shutterstock


The founder of this page, Stephen Shergold, echoed the sentiments of many when he described the lack of effort from some delivery drivers who are ‘not even coming to your door to let you know’ they were there.

‘If I order things online, if [they’re] sent to me via Australia Post, I always have to go to the post office (to collect),’ he claimed.


The tales of woe shared by customers were both bizarre and infuriating.

One customer recounted how they made eye contact and waved at a driver, who proceeded to take a photo of their letterbox and ‘still drove off’ without delivering the parcel.

Another customer was baffled by the excuse given for a non-delivery: a non-existent dog supposedly preventing the postie from making the drop.

‘The postie puts the “not able to be delivered reason” due to this non-existent dog,’ they shared.


Australia Post responded to these complaints, stating that their protocols for parcel deliveries are ‘stringent’.

A spokesperson stated, ‘Our drivers are required to knock three times and wait 30 seconds when delivering to households.’

Yet, customers' experiences suggested that these protocols were not always followed.

For those who have encountered such issues, it's important to know that formal complaints can be lodged with the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

This is a step that should not be taken lightly, as it can help to hold Australia Post accountable and potentially improve the service for everyone.


As frustrations mounted over Australia Post's delivery mishaps, customers became increasingly vocal about their grievances.

Reports of delivery failures and public displays of dissatisfaction, such as one customer's recent encounter with Australia Post's ‘locked gate’ excuse caught on camera, highlighted growing discontent with the postal service's operations.

These incidents underscore ongoing challenges faced by consumers relying on timely and reliable mail services.
Key Takeaways
  • Australia Post is receiving widespread criticism over delivery issues as thousands express their dissatisfaction on a social media complaints page.
  • Customers alleged that delivery drivers failed to attempt delivery, even when recipients were home to receive packages.
  • Some recipients reported being ignored by drivers, while others have had false non-delivery excuses made, such as claiming the presence of a non-existent dog.
  • Australia Post asserted that their delivery protocols are ‘stringent’, requiring drivers to knock three times and wait 30 seconds.
  • Dissatisfied customers can lodge formal complaints with the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Have you faced similar issues? How did you resolve them? We'd love to hear from you about your experiences with Australia Post or any other delivery services in the comments below.
 
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The deliveries do get left in my porch if it is a parcel but the postie never ever knocks nor rings the bell to let me know its here. I do, however get an email to tell me it's been delivered.
 
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But it takes 7-10 days for a letter to get from the western to the eastern shore. I suppose some bright Board of Directors and the CEO has decreed that all letters from Hobart have to go through the Melbourne sorting office.
You are not the only one with delayed mail. Letters posted in Grafton take over a week, sometimes even two weeks, to reach South Grafton. The reason is that mail posted in Grafton goes to the sorting office in Casino before coming back.
 
You are not the only one with delayed mail. Letters posted in Grafton take over a week, sometimes even two weeks, to reach South Grafton. The reason is that mail posted in Grafton goes to the sorting office in Casino before coming back.
Grafton area seems to be particularly bad
My son lives in Dilkoon, just out of Grafton. I quite often send him things by express Mail from here in WA. I find it takes anything from a week to 10 days to get there. If that's express what is normal -4 weeks maybe.
Many times I have received $5 credit to my Temu account, because of late delivery.
Tracking details have revealed they have been sitting at Aust Posts depot for 3 or 4 days waiting for them to deliver them.
On the other hand our local postie is great.
 
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No problems for me with Australia Post here. (Suburb in Western Sydney). For the last year I’ve had good Parcel delivery from Australia Post - very professional and courteous from the parcel van deliverer and postal motorbike. Their App lets you know when it’s coming and if it has been delivered with a photo where they left it if you were not home as well which is helpful. Any time that I’ve not been able to be here my parcel has been placed well so not visible from the street. I think there is more difficulty with other delivery services such as Amazon, some other services etc who just leave it - no ringing the doorbell etc.
 
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Our Postie is very good in his duties. When my wife recently received a new Credit card because the other was compromised, rather than put it into the letterbox (children on school holidays), he knocked on the front door & gave it to her in person. He is very diligent in where he places parcels so they cannot be seen from the road & all mail goes completely into each & every letterbox.

About 3 months ago l contacted his depot & advised them of the care he takes with mail. He thanked me a week later & stated he had received a $25 voucher because of my letter. Good deeds never go unnoticed. I do the same everytime l receive good service somewhere.
 
Our Postie is very good in his duties. When my wife recently received a new Credit card because the other was compromised, rather than put it into the letterbox (children on school holidays), he knocked on the front door & gave it to her in person. He is very diligent in where he places parcels so they cannot be seen from the road & all mail goes completely into each & every letterbox.

About 3 months ago l contacted his depot & advised them of the care he takes with mail. He thanked me a week later & stated he had received a $25 voucher because of my letter. Good deeds never go unnoticed. I do the same everytime l receive good service somewhere.
It's pity more people didn't follow your example.
Nowadays everybody is too busy whinging and complaining about every petty little thing to even bother to offer thanks for good service.
Good for you.
 
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No problems at all with our delivery people, they go above and beyond. And the staff at the post office are wonderful too.
 
Our Postie is very good in his duties. When my wife recently received a new Credit card because the other was compromised, rather than put it into the letterbox (children on school holidays), he knocked on the front door & gave it to her in person. He is very diligent in where he places parcels so they cannot be seen from the road & all mail goes completely into each & every letterbox.

About 3 months ago l contacted his depot & advised them of the care he takes with mail. He thanked me a week later & stated he had received a $25 voucher because of my letter. Good deeds never go unnoticed. I do the same everytime l receive good service somewhere.
That’s great, I should do the same with our guy.
 
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