Express Shipping Australia: How to Deliver Fast & Keep Customers Smiling

It’s no secret that Australian ecommerce shoppers have a need for speed.

The IAB Purprofile Australian Ecommerce Report 2023 found that 27% of customers consider fast delivery a driver for shopping online. This is up from 21% in 2022. They also discovered that 36% of shoppers choose a brand based on quick delivery and returns.

Whether it’s the same day, the next day or a faster option than standard delivery, you can’t afford not to provide this service checkout. But how long does express shipping take?

In this article, we’ll explore the time it takes for parcels to arrive when one of these speedy delivery services is selected. Especially for customers living in regional and remote areas. We’ll even share some of Australia’s best express shipping options.

Let’s start!

What is Express Shipping?

Express delivery is a faster alternative to standard shipping.

In short, the parcel will arrive quicker than usual. However, you will need to pay extra for this courtesy. Courier companies take additional steps to ensure it is delivered as soon as possible.

The most common forms of express shipping are:

• Same Day Shipping: Delivered on the same day when the destination is nearby.
• Next-Day Shipping: Delivered the next day, depending on the recipient's location.
• Express Shipping: Delivered between three to five days, depending on where the recipient is.
• International Express Shipping: Delivered between five to ten days, depending on the distance to the recipient.

It’s important to note that some of these services are unavailable nationwide. For example, it’s not possible for a parcel in NSW to get delivered on the same day in WA.

The Significance of Express Shipping

If you look at your competitors, you’ll likely find that most offer express shipping at checkout. The reason why? Customers are demanding it.

The 2023 Inside Australia Online Shopping Report found that almost a third of shoppers expect deliveries to come faster than they did in 2019. Providing express shipping options satisfies this expectation.

If the option isn’t available at checkout, you risk customers abandoning their carts and choosing to shop with brands that provide this service.

How Fast is Express Shipping in Australia?

Depending on where the parcel is getting picked up from will determine how quickly it can be delivered.

You may be eligible for a same-day service if you’re within the same delivery zone. The recipient might get it the next day if it’s within the same state. For most other locations, your customers can expect their parcel to arrive within five business days.

However, this is not guaranteed. Express delivery can get delayed due to extreme weather events or logistical issues. For international express services, it can depend on how long it takes for the parcel to clear customs.

This is why many courier companies provide an estimated delivery range. It’s also why you should allow customers to track their shipments. They can stay up to date on all status updates and plan ahead if there are any delays.

Express Couriers in Australia

As there is a high demand for express delivery in Australia, you are spoiled for choice regarding couriers providing this service.

Allied Express

Australia’s largest independently owned courier company provides a range of speedy services across the country, especially in remote areas.

• Allied Road Express: Delivered within two working days for East Coast capital cities and up to nine days everywhere else.
• Allied Road Express B2B: Delivered within two working days for East Coast capital cities and up to nine days everywhere else. Only available when shipping to physical business addresses.

Bonds Couriers

With over 50 years of experience, Bonds has mastered same-day parcel deliveries.

• Bonds Express: The first available courier collects the packages and takes them directly to the recipient. Not available in all locations.

DHL

With a goal to be the logistics company for the world, DHL has grown from a team of five employees to an organisation servicing 220 countries globally.

• Interparcel Domestic 9 am, 12 pm and Express: Delivery to major cities by the end of the next working day. Up to four working days for all other locations.
• Interparcel Document Express: Documents up to 2 kg are delivered globally within four working days.
• Interparcel Express: Parcels are delivered worldwide within four working days. It may be longer for remote locations.
• Interparcel Import Express: Deliveries within six working days after collection. It can be longer for remote areas.

Direct Couriers

Since 1983, Direct Couriers has provided cost-effective and fast deliveries to customers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

• Direct Couriers Elite: The first available courier will pick up your package and drive directly to the recipient. This service can also be used for pallets.
• Direct Couriers Express: Estimated delivery is within two hours from when the package is ready. This service is also available for pallets.

FedEx

It’s one of the most recognisable courier companies in the world. In Australia, FedEx has merged with TNT to leverage one another's strengths as iconic delivery services.

• FedEx Import Priority: Delivery within one to four business days upon collection. It can be longer for remote locations.
• FedEx Import Priority Freight: Delivery within two to seven working days after collection. It’s sometimes longer for remote locations. Available for pallet services.
• FedEx Priority: Delivery worldwide within four working days. It can be longer for remote areas.
• FX Priority Freight: Worldwide delivery within seven working days. It may be longer for remote locations. Also available for pallets.

Hunter Express

This organisation employs over 400 staff and drivers and more than 1000 people within its contractor group. It allows them to deliver parcels fast throughout the country.

• Hunter Express Road: Up to two working days when the recipient is in the same area and nine working days everywhere else. Special consignments require an additional three days.
• Hunter Expres Road B2B: Up to two working days within your local area and nine working days everywhere else. Only available when delivering parcels to businesses.

StarTrack

As part of Australia Post, StarTrack utilises the national carrier’s network to deliver parcels throughout the country and overseas.

• StarTrack Express: Delivery within seven working days, depending on pickup and delivery locations.
• StarTrack National Premium: Delivery with capital cities and major centres the next working day. Up to two working days for remote locations.
• StarTrack Next Flight: Prioritised travel on the next available flight.
• StarTrack Premium: Delivery to capital cities and major centres the next working day. Up to two business days for remote areas.

TNT

Leveraging the expertise of FedEx, TNT now delivers parcels to over 220 countries and territories. In Europe alone, they made more than 55,000 road trips and over 700 flights a week.

• TNT 9 am Express: Next working day delivery by 9 am to most large cities and specific postcodes.
• TNT 10 am Express: Next working day delivery by 10 am to most large cities and specific postcodes.
• TNT 12 pm Express: Next working day delivery by 12 pm to most large cities and specific postcodes.
• TNT Overnight: Next working day delivery to all capital cities and metro areas. Up to two working days for regional and remote locations.
• TNT Road Express: Next working day delivery between large cities and up to seven business days everywhere else.
• TNT Road Express B2B: Next working day delivery between large cities and up to seven business days everywhere else. Only available for deliveries to business addresses.
• TNT Document Express: Delivery of documents up to 5 kg worldwide within four working days. It may be longer for remote areas.
• TNT Express: Delivery up to four working days after collection. It can be longer for remote destinations.
• TNT Express Freight: Up to seven working days after collection and longer for remote areas. Available for parcels up to 500 kg.
• TNT Import Express: Delivery within seven working days after collection. It can be longer for remote areas.
• TNT Import Express Freight: Delivery within seven working days after collection. It can be longer for remote areas. Available for parcels up to 500 kg.

UPS

Today, UPS is one of the most recognisable courier companies in the world. They are multi-award winners and pride themselves on their quick, efficient and cost-effective solutions.

• UPS Domestic Express: Available for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Delivery is within three working days.
• UPS Document Express: Documents up to 5 kg are delivered globally within four working days. It may be longer for remote areas.
• UPS Expedited: Delivery of parcels within three working days. It can be longer for remote locations.
• UPS Express: Parcels are delivered within four working days. It will be longer for remote areas.
• UPS Express Freight: International pallet delivery within seven working days. Longer for remote areas.
• UPS Express Saver: Delivery of parcels within four working days. Longer for remote locations.
• UPS Import Expedited: You can expect delivery within seven working days after collection. It will be longer for remote areas.
• UPS Import Express Freight: International pallet delivery from overseas to Australia within seven working days. Longer for remote areas.
• UPS Import Express Saver: Delivery within five working days after collection. It is longer for remote locations.

Post-Purchase Express Couriers

While a customer can receive a parcel on the same day, it doesn’t mean you should avoid providing an exceptional post-purchase experience.

Your shoppers still want to track their items so they can make themselves available to collect them. You can communicate with them via SMS notifications, send email updates or provide access to a tracking portal.

With Interparcel, you get access to a free Branded Tracking Portal. You can customise it to match your colour scheme and add your logo. There’s even a spot to upload banners showcasing upcoming promotions or exclusive offers.

Tips For Ensuring a Smooth Express Delivery

Courier companies can deliver parcels fast, but only with your help. You need to do your part if you want your package to arrive the same day, the next day or as soon as possible. Follow these tips to ensure that happens:

• Prepare the parcel: We recommend packing your items in a double-corrugated cardboard box. It’s solid and sturdy. Plus, it is perfect for conveyor belts, which process large volumes of parcels fast.
• Validate the shipping address: Customers sometimes get their place of residence wrong in the excitement of buying a new item. Fortunately, with Interparcel, you can get a quick confirmation it’s correct before you book your express delivery.
• Accurately measure the package: A package that displays incorrect measurements can delay an express delivery. Find out how to accurately get the dimensions in this blog post.
• Ensure it’s clearly labelled: Print your shipping labels directly from our platform and attach them to either the largest side of the parcel or on top of it. Make sure all the details can be clearly read.

If your parcel does get delayed, get in touchl with our team of shipping solution experts. They have direct access to our courier partners and can resolve issues faster.

Book an Express Delivery

If you want to satisfy your customer’s appetite for speedy delivery, then express shipping is worth adding to your checkout.

No matter where they are in the country or the world, services are available to get a package to them faster than traditional methods.

Interparcel offers a range of express delivery services from multiple trusted courier companies. Check out our user-friendly quote tool to discover all the options available.