Is Australia Post Open Tomorrow? Must Read!!
Sending and receiving mail is an essential service for both personal and business needs. But what happens when there is a holiday and you need to access postal services? With various retail outlets, delivery schedules, and online options, it can get confusing to figure out what to expect from Australia Post during public holidays and weekends.
Is Australia Post open on weekends and public holidays? While delivery and access to post offices and postal services are limited on weekends and holidays, mail and parcels will still be transported and delivered when regular operations resume. Certain outlets and self-service options also remain available.
In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Australia Post hours and services during holiday closures and weekends. You’ll learn about delivery changes, open locations, sending tips and more. Read on to have all your questions answered!
What are the Standard Operating Hours for Australia Post?
To understand how public holidays and weekends impact postal services, it helps to first establish what the regular operating times are.
On normal business days Monday through Friday, Australia Post retail outlets are open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Hours can vary by location, with some larger corporate stores having extended times beginning as early as 8:30 AM and ending at 5:30 or 6 PM.
You can search for opening hours of your local post office by suburb and street address on the official website. This will provide up-to-date timings for that particular store.
When it comes to mail delivery and collection on regular business days, you can expect the following:
- Regular letter mail delivered by your local postie anytime between 7 AM and 6 PM
- Express Post items delivered by 3 PM
- Parcel deliveries through the day until evening
- Business and priority packages by 12 PM
- Post office box mail clearance by 5 PM
- Weekday collection from red street post boxes by 4 PM or 5 PM
So in summary, besides weekends and public holidays, standard postal services across retail, delivery and collection functions from Monday to Friday during business hours.
Is Australia Post Open on Weekends for Mail Delivery?
The first variation to standard operations happens on Saturdays and Sundays.
While most Australia Post retail outlets remain closed over weekends, you can still find some larger stores open for limited hours on Saturdays typically from 9 AM to 12 PM. The exceptions are smaller licensed post offices which usually do not open.
Use the online [[Find a Post Office]] tool and select Saturday hours to check timings for your nearest retail store.
In terms of mail delivery and street collection on weekends:
- There is no regular letter delivery on Saturdays or Sundays
- Priority and courier packages may have weekend delivery in some metro areas
- Express Post deliveries happen only on Saturdays until 12 PM
- Red street post boxes have their final clearance by 12 PM Saturdays
So in a nutshell – no local postie visits over the weekends, only certain parcel deliveries take place based on shipping type, while selected stores may open for limited hours on Saturdays along with last collection from street boxes by noon.
How Do Public Holidays Impact Australia Post Services?
Public holiday closures can vary across different states and territories due to regional variances. So the impact on post offices and delivery depends on where you are located in Australia.
However, there are some general changes that happen across the board during national public holiday periods:
Retail Outlets and Store Hours
The majority of Australia Post stores remain closed on [[Public Holiday]]s whether it is the smaller licensed ones or larger corporate outlets.
There are some exceptions where major shopping center branches may open for restricted hours. For e.g. those located within Stockland malls have opened between 10 AM and 4 PM during past holidays.
Use the online Post Office Finder tool and toggle on Public Holidays to check for updated trading times of your nearest location.
Mail and Parcel Deliveries
Regular mail delivery services through your local postie do not operate on national public holiday.
Similarly, red street postal boxes are not cleared on these public holidays – so avoid depositing letters on these days since collection only happens once operations are back on schedule.
However, certain courier and priority shipping packages guaranteed for specific delivery dates will still get transported and delivered even during the holiday. But with limited staff, do expect some delays.
If the holiday falls on a Friday or early in the week, items already in transit within the postal network will be cleared and delivered on the next working day when regular operations resume.
Parcel Lockers and Post Office Boxes
24/7 self-service [[Parcel Locker]] locations will generally remain accessible even on public holiday to deposit or collect your mail and packages.
Although some sites within shopping centers may be blocked off during center closures on the public holiday.
Post office box lobbies also stay open on these holidays allowing access to your locked mail around the clock. Just look for the post office box entrance door typically near the retail storefront that is open 24 hours a day.
Online Postal Services
Australia Post digital services remain fully available for things like purchasing postage stamps, [[Find a Post Office]], parcel tracking, submitting mail redirections etc.
So citizens and businesses can complete postal transactions, lodge delivery changes, send digital mail and do more online without disruptions during holidays.
In summary – things like regular letterbox delivery, outlet trading hours and street collection get postponed till after the public holiday. While existing mail items work their way through the network to eventually reach addresses. And self-service options provide alternatives for posting or collecting parcels and accessing post boxes.
What Retail Outlets and Services Stay Open on Holidays?
While many post offices shut down on public holidays, there are some locations across Australia Post’s network that continue operating for citizens in need of postal services.
These include company operated retail stores within Westfield, Stockland and Queen Street shopping centers that open for limited trading. In past years stores in these malls have opened anywhere between 10 AM and 4 PM on public holidays.
Selected licensed post offices run by third-party providers may also opt to open doors across the holiday period.
You can locate and confirm holiday openings for your nearest retail outlet using the online [[Find a Post Office]] tool and toggling on public holiday hours.
Services available at stores during holiday openings generally include:
- Sending letter and parcel post with various options
- Collecting mail packages from locked post office boxes
- Purchasing postage stamps and packaging supplies
- Lodging mail redirections and PO Box rental applications
- Applying for or claiming insurance and financial services
- Passport photo booths for electronic renewals
- Stationery, cards, shipping supplies and gift packaging
So while outlets remain limited, you can still access common postal services by finding extended trading hours. Some third parties also offer similar alternatives like APO mailboxes and mailing centers open during the holidays in metro areas.
Where Can I Find My Nearest Open Post Office or Parcel Locker?
To locate open postal outlets and 24/7 self-serviceoptions closest to your address on public holidays or weekends:
1. Use the Australia Post mobile app or website – Enter your address and use filters to check for nearby:
- Retail stores open or nearby on a public holiday or Saturday
- Parcel lockers and secure locations to collect your packages
- Post office box lobbies accessible 24/7
2. Call 13 76 78 for phone assistance – Talk with a customer service representative to find locations open during the holiday period near you.
3. Check recent public holiday announcements – Australia Post will publish up-to-date notifications on extended retail trading hours and impacted delivery schedules around upcoming 2024 holidays on their site.
So by using the digital tools, helplines or checking latest notices – you can conveniently find accessible postal outlets and alternatives to meet your needs even when standard operations are limited nationally.
Will My Mail and Parcels Still Arrive and Be Delivered?
Wondering what happens to items already on their way during public holiday shutdowns?
Even with closures and limited staffing, existing letters and parcels within Australia Post’s transportation network will continue being sorted and processed internally.
Any mail items out for delivery during the holiday will then be transported the next working day when regular operations come back online for your local postcode.
So you can expect letterbox mail, courier shipments and post office box packages to arrive within 1 to 2 days after the public holiday in metro areas or up to 3 to 5 days for rural addresses.
Your local posties also work hard to clear any backlogs from the holiday period as soon as possible after coming back from their well-deserved long weekend!
What Are Some Tips for Sending Mail Around Holiday Periods?
If you need to post letterbox mail, ship parcels or access other Australia Post services around upcoming 2024 public holidays – here are handy tips to ensure timely delivery:
- Avoid regular mail near holidays – Postal delays are common around public holidays. Send greetings cards, invitations etc. well in advance
- Choose priority options – Express Post, courier or premium services have guaranteed delivery dates even during holiday periods
- Look for extended retail hours – Select stores in shopping centers open for some hours – use the online finder tool
- Find 24/7 self-service – Deposit pre-paid parcels in secure lockers or access post office boxes from always open lobbies
- Go online for digital postage – Buy stamps, lodge redirects, track items and more using Australia Post’s website and app
- Check statuses after holidays – Mail and parcels resume 1-2 days after public holidays – confirm latest updates
- Get festive supplies early – Shop ahead for things like greeting cards, gift packaging and postage needs before closures
By planning and using Australia Post delivery upgrades, open outlets and digital services – you can minimize public holiday impacts for your regular postal tasks.
When Are the Upcoming Holiday Closures for Australia Post in 2024?
While local state public holidays vary across Australia, these are the major national public holiday closures coming up in 2024:
- Good Friday – Friday, April 7
- Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 9
- Easter Monday – Monday, April 10
- Anzac Day – Tuesday, April 25
- Queen’s Birthday – Monday, June 12
- Christmas Day – Monday, December 25
- Boxing Day – Tuesday, December 26
So across most states, you can expect disruption to regular postal services on the above national public holiday dates for 2024.
Check this guide well in advance of any upcoming holiday weekends to understand Australia Post operating changes. And plan your shipping, collection or retail outlet needs accordingly.
What If I Need to Access Postal Services Urgently While Closed?
If you urgently need to post something or collect mail when standard Australia Post services are limited over public holidays or weekends – here are a few options:
- Find extended retail hours using the online store finder for outlets open on the public holiday
- Use 24/7 self-service from parcel lockers or post office box locations
- Choose premium delivery like Express Post or same day courier services
- Consider private outlets such as mailboxes, postal agents or mailing centers that are open
- Submit requests digitally through Australia Post’s website and mobile app
- Call customer service on 13 76 78 for additional alternatives and assistance
While public holiday closures cannot be avoided, you can still access essential postal services through the above facilities when required.
Key Takeaways: Is Australia Post Open on Holidays and Weekends
- Retail store hours get limited over weekends and public holidays
- Regular letter delivery does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays
- Priority and courier packages may still get delivered during holiday periods
- Selected post offices in shopping malls open for limited hours
- 24/7 parcel lockers and PO box lobbies remain accessible
- Existing mail works through the postal network to get delivered 1-2 days after
- Avoid sending regular mail near holidays to prevent delays
- Use premium delivery upgrades, extended outlets and digital services
So while certain facilities like local letterbox delivery get postponed – alternatives are available for Australians requiring access to postal services over public holiday and weekend closures.
