To ensure parcels arrive in time for Santa Paws’ annual visit, Australia Post said Aussies should have their parcels sent or ordered by Monday 13 December.
That deadline is for parcels sent within Australia using standard post. Express Post shipments should be sent by the following Monday, 20 December.
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
Record parcel volumes
Given ongoing travel restrictions and high rates of online shopping, Australia Post is anticipating its busiest ever Christmas season in 2021.
It said record volumes of parcels have already been sent through its postal services, even before the busy Christmas shopping season gets into full swing.
“We encourage people to make a note of these important delivery dates, because although we’ll deliver items sent after these dates as quickly as we can, they may not arrive until after Christmas,” said Gary Starr, Australia Post executive general manager, business and government.
“We’re seeing record parcel volumes with more than 5.9 million households shopping online a month – that’s more than half of all Australian households.”
According to Mr Starr, parcel volumes have remained high throughout October, with no indication of a pre-Christmas slump.
“That is why we’ve planned ahead with extra air freight capacity, weekend deliveries and recruitment of thousands of new team members to ramp up our delivery services, parcel sorting and customer care, and we’ll be delivering right up until Christmas Eve.”
Over 4,000 casual staff are being recruited to meet the expected strain on the postal system.
Christmas deliveries cut-off even earlier in west, north
The shipping deadlines outlined above are a guide for sending within and between most major Australian cities.
However, Australia Post has said that some destinations will demand even more time to ensure arrival before Christmas Day.
Parcels sent to or from Western Australia or the Northern Territory should be sent no later than Wednesday 8 December via standard post, or Wednesday 15 December for Express Post.
Earlier shipping dates are also recommended for some regional areas.
Letters and cards should be mailed by Monday 20 December for recipients in the same state, or Thursday 16 December for interstate.
International service updates are available via the Australia Post website. International services especially have seen substantial delays due to COVID disruptions and reduced air freight.
