Australia Post Parcel Rates - Updated July 2023

johna by | January 6, 2023 | Reviews

tl;dr

For packages less than 500g it's cheapest to use your own packaging. This costs $10.60 for regular post anywhere in Australia. Alternatively, you may be able to fit your items in a small prepaid satchel for $10.90.

For over 500g but under 5kg, the cheapest options are usually the various sizes of prepaid satchels. These start at $10.90 for regular post anywhere in Australia.

However, tough bags are bigger than satchels for any of the If it Packs, it Posts rates, and it's sometimes cheaper to send in a Tough Bag than the next higher-rate satchel. For example, if your item doesn't fit in a small satchel it might fit in a Tough Bag small that costs $12.19 instead of a medium satchel that costs $14.80.

For parcels over 5kg, you'll need to use the online calculator.


The purpose of this page is to show all parcel options for parcels up to 5kg on one page so you can compare and work out the best and/or most economical way to send your parcel.

Use your own packaging


WeightRegularExpress
Up to 500g$10.60$14.10
500g to 1kg$14.50$18.50
1kg to 3kg$18.25$22.75
3kg to 5kg$21.95$29.95

Source: https://auspost.com.au/flat-rate-sending

If it Packs, it Posts


Australia Post offers certain packaging that falls into four flat-rate postage options. So if you buy their packaging, you pay a flat rate if your goods fit inside that packaging. The maximum weight is 5kg.

This system is a little complicated and confusing for anything other than the satchels, and I have found that some Australia Post staff do not know how to enter these on their computers and will accidentally overcharge you, so be aware. To qualify for these special rates you must purchase the right packaging. These are usually labeled "small", "medium" or "large" so they correspond with an "If it Packs, it Posts" price category. For example, if you purchase the smallest Tough Bag (code TB1) then you will pay more to post more than 500g than if you purchase a Tough Bag "Small" (which is actually larger than the smallest Tough Bag).

Flat Rates


SmallRegularExpress
Small$10.60$14.10
Medium$14.50$18.50
Large$18.25$22.75
Extra large$21.95$29.95

Source: https://auspost.com.au/flat-rate-sending

Packaging options


Satchel
Parcel Box
Padded Mailer
Padded Bag
Tough Bag
Mailing Tube

Small


TypeSizePrice*Total Regular*Total Express*
Satchel355x225mmN/A$10.90$14.40
Tough Bag261x369mm$1.59$12.19$15.69
Good value: these are almost the same size as the medium satchel but are cheaper
Padded Mailer240x340mm$1.79$12.39$15.89
Parcel Box220x160x70mm$2.29$12.89$16.39
Mailing Tube TU160x420mm$3.29$13.89$17.89

Medium


TypeSizePriceTotal Regular*Total Express*
Satchel390x270mmN/A$14.80$18.80
Tough Bag299x429mm$1.79$16.29$20.29
Good value: these are almost the same size as the large satchel but are cheaper
Padded Mailer265x380mm$2.19$16.69$20.69
Parcel Box240x190x120mm$2.69$17.19$21.19
Mailing Tube TU260x660mm$3.99$18.49$22.49

Large


TypeSizePriceTotal Regular*Total Express*
Satchel405x315mmN/A$18.65$23.15
Tough Bag405x435mm$1.99$20.24$24.74
Padded Mailer483x361mm$2.99$21.24$25.74
Parcel Box410x300x80mm$3.19$21.44$25.94
Parcel Box390x280x140mm$3.39$21.64$26.14
Wine Box, single BX10132x105x395mm$5.99$24.24$28.74
Wine box, twin240x105x395mm$8.49$26.74$31.24
Mailing Tube TU390x850mm$7.99$26.24$30.74

Extra large


TypeSizePriceTotal Regular*Total Express*
Satchel510x440mmN/A$22.45$30.45
Tough Bag400x659mm with 105mm gusset$2.39$24.34$32.34
Parcel Box440x277x168mm$3.89$25.84$33.84

*Packaging discounts are available if buying in bulk

Source: https://auspost.com.au/sending/send-within-australia/parcel-post, https://auspost.com.au/business/shipping/domestic-shipping/express-post, https://auspost.com.au/sending/satchels-and-packaging/view-all-packaging-options

Conclusion


If you are sending up to 500g it's most economical to use either a small satchel your own packaging as either option will cost $10.60.

For over 500g, the most economical choice is a satchel if your goods will fit inside. Otherwise Tough Bags are available in most of the size tiers and are not only the largest of the bags but also the cheapest option.

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