USO - Australia
In a new series of articles, we’re looking at how other countries have adapted their Universal Service over time. It comes after Ofcom presented options for reform of the Universal Service. In the third in the series, we look at Australia.
Australia has begun a shift towards ending daily deliveries as its postal service looks to grow parcels.
From March 2023, Australia Post phased out daily letter deliveries at six trial locations - Hornsby and Nepean in New South Wales, Brendale in Queensland, Camden Park in South Australia, Butler in Western Australia and Cranbourne in Victoria. The Australian Government has said there are plans to expand the new delivery model nationwide.
Letter deliveries will now be spaced out, occurring every second or third day, while parcels will be delivered five days a week.
Letter delivery in Australia has steadily declined, with the average household receiving just 2.2 addressed letters per week, compared to 8.5 in 2008. Australians are expected to receive less than one letter each week by 2032. Australia Post delivered half a billion parcels in its last financial year, or roughly 20 per person.
Its CEO, Paul Graham, said: ‘As eCommerce continues to boom and fewer and fewer Australians send letters, the changes to letters frequency will free up our posties to also focus on parcels and packages.’
Australia’s Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, said: any changes to delivery ‘must ensure that a high-quality and sustainable letter and parcel service is maintained’.
Have your say
Email rmcommunications@royalmail.com with your own views and questions on our own Universal Service or use #USO anywhere on Workplace.
Catch up on others in this series:
