The postie text that made thousands of Aussies jealous: Why this simple message has become a rare treat

When a simple text from an Australia Post delivery driver went viral on social media, it wasn't because of what was stolen or went wrong—it was because something actually went right.

In an era where delivery scams flood our phones daily, genuine communication from posties has become as rare as finding a decent parking spot at Westfield during Christmas shopping.

The text message was refreshingly straightforward: 'Hi mate, it's AusPost's delivery person. You got 3 parcels. Can I leave at your door?'

What should have been routine customer service instead sparked a wave of envy across Reddit, with thousands of Australians wondering why they'd never experienced such thoughtful communication from their own delivery drivers.

The reality behind the rarity

The surprise expressed by recipients isn't unfounded. Australia Post actively encourages customers to use their official app for delivery notifications and avoid responding to unexpected messages, primarily because research from May 2025 shows that 90 per cent of Australians have received scam texts or calls, with nearly three-quarters being targeted by fake parcel delivery scams.

This creates an unusual situation where genuine helpfulness from delivery drivers can seem almost suspicious simply because we've been conditioned to expect the worst when our phones ping with delivery-related messages.

Australia Post has made it clear they will never contact customers via call, text, or email asking for personal information, financial details, or payments. Yet the company also acknowledges that individual drivers may occasionally reach out when there's missing address information or other delivery complications.

When packages go missing: The growing concern

The enthusiasm for direct postie contact becomes more understandable when you consider the current state of package security in Australia. Recent research from February 2025 found that over one-third of Australians have fallen victim to parcel theft at some point, with most thefts occurring from Amazon (47 per cent), followed by eBay (21 per cent) and Temu (21 per cent).

The average value of a stolen parcel is $139, which might not sound enormous until you consider that many of us are ordering essential items online more frequently than ever before. For seniors on fixed incomes, losing a week's worth of groceries or medication to porch pirates can be both financially and emotionally devastating.

The timing makes package theft even more concerning. Black Friday and Christmas are identified as the highest risk periods for parcel theft, each accounting for 23 per cent of incidents. These are precisely the times when many older Australians are ordering gifts for grandchildren or taking advantage of sales to stretch their budgets further.

Why seniors appreciate the personal touch

Research into technology preferences among older Australians reveals why that simple postie text resonated so strongly. Studies show that seniors adopt technology they perceive as useful and requiring low effort commitment, and among mobile phone owners over 50, 92 per cent use the text messaging feature, often daily.

Older adults are more inclined to adopt technologies deemed useful, beneficial, and user-friendly, believing that personal benefits must outweigh the effort required to learn and operate new systems. A straightforward text asking permission before leaving packages ticks all these boxes—it's simple, helpful, and requires no new learning.

The technology divide: Apps vs. human contact

While Australia Post promotes their app as the safest way to track deliveries, there's a generational preference divide worth acknowledging. The AusPost app had 6.4 million active users in the 2024 financial year, with app users tracking deliveries four times more often than website users.

However, research indicates that as much as 70 per cent of older adults report needing support for using digital services. This suggests that while many seniors can and do use technology effectively, there's still significant appreciation for direct human communication when it comes to important deliveries.

The preference isn't necessarily about inability to use technology—it's about the reassurance that comes from human contact. When someone takes the time to personally check whether it's safe to leave your packages, it demonstrates a level of care that automated notifications simply can't match.

The official position: Security over service

Australia Post's cautious approach to driver-initiated contact makes sense from a security perspective. The company reported that Australians lost over $720,000 to parcel delivery scams between January and October 2023 alone, with these scam attempts becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.

The postal service has invested heavily in making their app a 'trusted channel' for delivery communication. App users express high confidence in Australia Post's security measures, with many turning to the app specifically because of its immunity to fraudulent notifications.

Yet individual drivers retain some discretion. As one delivery driver explained in the original Reddit thread: 'The only time I've messaged a customer was when I observed the room full of fluff, and the puppy destroyed its bed and pillow and filled the room, so I called the customer to let them know.'

Protecting yourself while hoping for humanity

The challenge for Australian seniors—and indeed all of us—is balancing our desire for personal service with the need to stay safe from increasingly sophisticated scams.

Despite the risks, only 38 per cent of Australians have security cameras or video doorbells installed, and almost half of those who've had packages stolen haven't reported it to authorities. This suggests many of us are still approaching package security with perhaps more optimism than the current climate warrants.

The human touch in an automated world

What made that Reddit postie text so special wasn't just its rarity—it was the glimpse it provided of how delivery service could work in an ideal world. A quick, courteous check before leaving packages shows respect for both the recipient's property and their presence in their own home.

As we navigate this new landscape where genuine helpfulness can seem suspicious, perhaps the solution isn't to eliminate human contact entirely, but to better educate everyone—drivers and recipients alike—about how to communicate safely and effectively.

The thousands of Australians who expressed envy over that simple text message weren't just wanting better delivery service—they were yearning for the kind of thoughtful human interaction that makes us feel valued as individuals rather than just another address on a route.

What's your experience been with delivery communication? Have you ever received a helpful text from a postie, or have you been mainly dealing with automated notifications and missed delivery cards? We'd love to hear about the memorable moments—both good and frustrating—that have shaped your relationship with package deliveries.