When the camera catches what posties don't want you to see... How do you react?

The humble doorbell camera has become Australia's newest workplace supervisor–and it’s catching behaviour that’s making homeowners see red and postal workers squirm.

A Perth resident recently caught his Australia Post delivery driver red-handed, literally tossing packages at his front door like he was bowling for strikes.

But what happened next reveals something deeper about the changing landscape of deliveries, worker pressures, and our rights when things go wrong.

The doorbell camera footage shows the driver in a hi-vis jumper casually tossing a parcel at the front door, where it hit the wall with a sharp thud.

But this wasn’t a one-off incident – it was the final straw for a homeowner who’d been dealing with careless deliveries repeatedly.

The homeowner’s compassionate response–not wanting to cost someone their job–struck a chord with thousands who viewed the viral footage.

But similar incidents are occurring across Sydney suburbs, with three residents in one week recording parcels being thrown at their homes, suggesting this isn’t just one postie having a bad day.

With over 100,000 estimated users nationally, doorbell cameras are fundamentally changing how Australians monitor deliveries.

Many find them useful for checking who’s at the door and confirming package arrivals, with footage especially valuable for concerns about theft or property damage.

But there’s a flip side. Research shows homeowners increasingly use cameras to surveil and even harass delivery workers, often adopting ‘boss behaviour’–monitoring, instructing, and punishing drivers through recordings.

This creates a complex dynamic, as many delivery workers are gig contractors who already lack benefits and job security–now facing constant monitoring from customers with cameras.

If your parcels arrive damaged, you’re not powerless. Most Australia Post services come with up to $100 compensation for loss or damage, and you may also be entitled to a postage refund.

Claims, however, are assessed case by case and must be lodged within 30 days.

Importantly, Australia Post recently paid about $2.9 million in compensation after the ACCC found they had wrongly denied claims from business customers between 2018 and 2022. This shows the system can work, if you know your rights.

Before we criticise too harshly, it’s worth noting the pressures posties face. Australia Post’s new delivery model has enlarged beats, with drivers carrying more and heavier parcels.

Workplace injury rates have risen to 23.5 per million hours worked.

Employee reviews describe 'minimum 10-hour days, no help once on the road, supervisors who only care about themselves,' painting a picture of workers under enormous strain.

Despite these issues, Australia Post reported a decrease in parcel complaints in 2023. Still, consumer frustration is high–on product review sites, Australia Post averages just 1.7 out of 5 stars from more than 15,000 reviews, with delivery complaints dominating.

The good news is that complaints can be resolved. Australia Post aims to fix issues at first contact, or within 10 business days if escalation is needed.

If unsatisfied, customers can take their case to the Postal Industry Ombudsman.

The rise of doorbell cameras has given us unprecedented insight into deliveries–both good and bad. We’ve seen careless moments like Perth, but also acts of kindness, such as a Queensland postie bringing in a customer’s laundry to protect it from rain.

Around 90% of complaints are resolved by postal operators without the Ombudsman needing to step in, showing that when customers use the proper process, issues usually get fixed.

The key is accountability without vilifying workers who are already under pressure. Doorbell cameras can help, but they should be combined with understanding – and proper complaints channels – for positive change.

Read more: This postman’s unexpected act left a Queensland woman stunned—would yours do the same?

What’s your experience with delivery services in your area? Have you noticed changes since doorbell cameras became common, and have you ever claimed compensation for damaged packages? Share your story in the comments below.