A Comprehensive Guide to Australia Post Letter Costs

Whether you’re running a small business or just sending more than the average amount of letters, it’s worth keeping up to date on the cost of standard postage Australia-wide. The difference between one letter option and another might not seem like much at the time, but the more frequently you send letters, the faster postal service costs add up.

As Australia’s national postal service, Australia Post provides access to the biggest postage network across Australia, with post offices located everywhere, from major cities to rural towns. It’s easy to see why many individuals and businesses alike rely on Australia Post for their postage needs.

However, getting your letters where they need to be on time while staying on budget is a little more complicated than simply asking, ‘How much to post a letter in Australia?’

Australia Post offers a range of service options based on speed, size and budget. But which ones should you be choosing? Your letter is urgent, but should you go for priority or express? Should you use a prepaid envelope or stick with stamps? And just how much is a postage stamp in Australia? With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Interparcel is here to help.

This guide covers the cost to mail a letter depending on the different services provided by Australia Post, and will help you make the most appropriate choice.

The Factors Influencing Your Postage Rates

Australia Post offers a range of different postage services. The size and weight of your letter or parcel will determine the postage amount you need to pay.

1. Australia Post’s Letter Service Types

Regular

The regular letter service includes small and large letters and usually takes 3-7 business days to arrive at their location, depending on where it is.

Priority

The priority letter service also includes small and large letters and generally takes 2-4 business days to arrive at their location.

Express

Express, Australia Post’s fastest letter-sending service, generally takes 1-3+ business days. Express Post's next business day delivery guarantee covers most capital cities and some major centres across Australia. Express service also automatically includes tracking and up to $100 compensation for loss or damage. To check next business day guarantee eligibility, enter the postcodes you’re sending to and from in the Australia Post Postage Calculator.

Registered Post

Registered post letters are perfect if shipping a special item, such as essential documents. Registered post includes a unique identification number that can be tracked and proof of posting if you send your letter from a post office. Registered post requires a signature upon delivery, ensuring your letter arrives safely at its destination. Compensation is given up to $100 for loss or damage, increasing to $5000 if you choose Extra Cover.

2. Weight and Dimensions

Postage costs for letters are determined by size, thickness and weight. Visit Australia Post’s letter size and weight guide to confirm if your item can be sent as a letter. Letter sizes and weights should fit into one of two groups:

Small Letters or Postcards

• up to 130mm x 240mm
• up to 5mm thick
• up to 250g
• Australia Post recommends that your letters be at least 88mm x 138mm to avoid getting lost or trapped in machinery.

Large Letters

• up to 260mm x 360mm
• up to 20mm thick
• up to 125g, 250g or 500g

If your letter exceeds the maximum weight or size, Australia Post will consider it a parcel, even if your delivery is packaged inside a letter.

An Overview of Australia Post Letter Services

There are many reasons for sending letters, from casual greeting cards to urgent legal documents, so it is natural that different items require different delivery services. This is why Australia Post offers a variety of different service choices, available for different prices.

Regular Letters

Your standard letter service. If you’re simply wondering, ‘How much does it cost to mail a letter?’ Then a regular letter is Australia Post’s most affordable, non-urgent mailing option. Perfect for everyday letters that don’t need to arrive by a set date. When sending regular letters, your primary concern needs to be working out the cost based on the size of your letter.

For regular Australia post letters, you can expect same-state delivery in 2-4 business days, and interstate delivery in 3-6 business days. This may take longer in peak periods.

Regular Letter Costs

• Small Letter or Postcard (up to 250g, dimensions up to 130mm x 240mm x 5mm) — $1.50
• Large Letter - Up to 125g (dimensions up to 260mm x 360mm x 20mm) — $3.00 (requires two $1.50 stamps)
• Large Letter - Up to 250g (dimensions up to 260mm x 360mm x 20mm) — $4.50 (requires three $1.50 stamps)
• Large Letter - Up to 500g (dimensions up to 260mm x 360mm x 20mm) — $7.50 (requires five $1.50 stamps)

Priority Letters

Australia Post’s priority letter service offers faster delivery than regular letters. It is suitable for punctual letters that must arrive before a specific date, such as a last-minute birthday card or an important bill. For priority letters, same-state delivery should arrive in 1-2 business days, while interstate delivery can take up to 4.

Priority Letter Costs

Priority service costs an additional $0.70 on top of regular letter rates.

• Small Letter (up to 250g) — $1.50 + $0.70 = $2.20
• Large Letter - 125g — $3.00 + $0.70 = $3.70
• Large Letter - 250g — $4.50 + $0.70 = $5.20
• Large Letter - 500g — $7.50 + $0.70 = $8.20

Express Post Letters

Express post is Australia Post's fastest option for sending letters. This means even quicker shipping than priority and next-business-day delivery between most major metro areas.

Express Post Letter Costs

• DL Envelope (up to 110mm x 220mm x 20mm) — $8.85 per envelope
• C5 Envelope (up to 162mm x 229mm x 20mm) — $9.15 per envelope
• B4 Envelope (up to 250mm x 353mm x 20mm) — $10.85 per envelope

Registered Post Letters

Registered post is the best postal method if you require enhanced security. It provides proof of posting and requires a signature upon delivery.

Registered Post Letter Costs

• DL Registered Post Prepaid Envelope (250g, 130mm x 240mm x 5mm) — $6.75
• B4 Registered Post Prepaid Envelope (500g, 250mm x 353mm x 20mm) — $8.80
• Registered Post Label (add-on for tracking) — $5.25

If you use prepaid envelopes regularly, you can save with a discount when buying in bulk.

Sending A Letter Internationally

No matter where you’re shipping in Australia, domestic letter postage rates remain the same based on the regular, priority, express, and registered options we have provided above.

However, international postage has a different pricing structure. Letter prices sometimes vary not only in size and weight but also on the country to which they are being sent.

Letters sent overseas can only contain printed material with no commercial value - otherwise, they must be declared a parcel. If your letter is larger than the maximum size and weight, it will also be considered a parcel.

Both parcels and Express International letters will require customs forms to be filled out.

Like national letters, international letters fit into either a small or large size category and adhere to the same measurement and weight requirements.

International Letter Costs

Prepaid Envelopes / Postcards

• International Prepaid Postcards — Available for $2.85 to 220+ locations
• International Aerogrammes — Available for $3.15 to 220+ locations
• Air Mail Prepaid — Available for $4.30
• International Post Registered — Available as a small envelope for $20.50 and large for $31.85
• International Express — Prices vary from $30.90 to $56.35, depending on location.

Using Your Own Envelope

If you plan to send a letter internationally using your own envelope, the cost can change depending on the location you’re sending to. You will need to use the Australia Post Shipping Calculator to determine how much it will cost.

Read on to learn how to use stamps and for a step-by-step guide to the Australia Post Shipping Calculator.

Paying With Stamps

When sending a letter, you may pay using a prepaid envelope, at a post office, or with postage stamps.

Stamps have different values, so while a standard postage rate stamp is $1.50, the cost of a stamp in Australia will vary depending on the value. The most common stamp values are $1.50, $3.00, and $4.50.

When using domestic stamps to pay for international mail, you must increase the amount by 10 per cent to pay GST. Alternatively, a range of special international stamps are available, which are GST-free.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Australia Post Letter Costs

The Australia Post Postage Calculator is a handy tool you can use to figure out the cost of sending a letter or parcel, as well as its estimated delivery time. The Postage Calculator works whether you’re sending interstate or internationally.

1. Visit Australia Post's Postage Calculator.
2. Using the bar at the top of the page, select whether you are shipping Within Australia or Overseas.
3. In the From section, type in your postcode.
4. In the To section, type the postcode of your destination. If you are shipping overseas, you can simply type in the country.
5. Click the red Go button, and you will be taken to a new page.
6. Switch from Parcels to Letters at the top of the page.
7. You will now be able to see the different postage options available, as well as the delivery estimates and lowest available prices.
8. You can click on a letter service to expand it. This will show you the different letter options available for each service, their prices and other options.
9. Select your optimal service based on the factors shown.
• For example, if you are sending a letter that weighs 300g, you will need a large letter (500g).
• Or, if you need your letter delivered within a few days, you may need to choose express post.
• Remember that the delivery estimate will change depending on your locations, so if you’re sending multiple letters, input new information for each one.
• Express post includes tracking and can be upgraded with a signature on delivery or extra cover, so if you’re shipping something important, this may be the choice for you.
10. Once you’ve found your chosen service, you’re ready to go. You can either pay and print at home or pay at your local Australia Post - the price will remain the same.

Tips to Save Money When Mailing Letters with Australia Post

Mailing letters can add up, but Australia Post offers ways to save. Whether you’re an individual or a business, explore discounts, specialised accounts, and bulk options to cut costs. Here’s how!

• Use a MyPost Business Account
  Discounts are available for frequent mailers through the use of a MyPost Business Account. You don’t need to be a business owner to get one. Apply for a MyPost Business account here.
• Use a MyPost Concession Account
  If you’re a concession card holder, you may be eligible for a free MyPost concession account, with which you can get discount stamps and other benefits. Find out more here.
• Buy Prepaid Envelopes in Bulk
  When purchasing bulk prepaid envelopes via Australia Post, you can get a discount. This is an excellent option for those who ship a lot of registered or express letters.
• Mail Services for Businesses
  Australia Post offers a range of additional mail services for domestic businesses, such as full rate mail, charity mail, promo post and clean mail. Choosing one of these options allows you to save on costs and optimise your shipping when sending letters in bulk.
• Make sure you are correctly following the Australia Post guidelines
  Avoid unnecessary costs by ensuring that your letter is the correct size and you are using the right amount of stamps. Do not reuse stamps that have already been used. Failing to follow these guidelines can result in a fine or a refusal of delivery, costing you more in the long run.

Addressing Your Letter Correctly

Whether it’s your first time sending a letter or your thousandth, it always pays to refresh on letter layouts. Using the correct layout ensures that your letters reach their correct destination with minimal delay.

Make Sure You Follow the Correct Envelope Zones

Australia Post uses advanced letter sorting technology to read addresses electronically, so it is important that when filling out an envelope, you include the required information in their specified zones.

1. Put the address of your letter’s destination in the ‘address zone’ in the centre of your envelope.
2. Address information should take up three or four lines and form a block of information with minimal line spacing.
   • Line 1 needs to contain the recipient's name, which can be an individual or a business. If the name of both a business and an individual is required, the business name should be used in line 1, and the recipient’s name will move to line 2.
   • Line 2 contains the destination’s street number and name or the Post Office Box/Locked Bag number.
   • Line 3 needs to state the locality or suburb, state and postcode. If shipping internationally, you must also include the country, which should be written in capitals.
3. A return to sender address should be included in the top left-hand corner ‘service zone’, or the back side of the envelope.

Tips to avoid delays and ensure your letters are delivered correctly:

• Write addresses as simply as possible - avoid using punctuation where you can.
• Print your writing and ensure that words and letters are spaced out for easy readability.
• If people have difficulty reading your handwriting, you can print the information and glue it to the envelope.
• If you make a mistake, don’t try to fix it. Start again with a new letter.
• Avoid using pens of unconventional colours - stick to blue or black.
• Double-check all details before sending your letter.

Mailing During Peak Seasons

Peak Season Delays

During peak seasons, such as around Christmas, Australia Post often works at high capacity, which can lead to delays. To ensure your letters arrive on time, post them a few days earlier than usual, or choose priority or express delivery.

Discounted Cards

The cost to post a card in Australia changes in November and December. Australia Post offers a special discounted service for Christmas and holiday celebration cards - just $0.65 for a small card and $1.30 for a large one.

• This discount is for the sending of cards only.
• All cards must be sealed in an envelope.

Start Saving on Shipping

Australia Post offers a wide range of different letter services, perfect for both frequent and occasional senders.

By carefully considering your sending needs, you can save time and money while ensuring that your letter is delivered to its destination on time.

The world of shipping may seem complicated, but for those willing to invest a little time in exploring shipping solutions, a wealth of savings and optimisations are available.

If you’d like to learn more, visit Interparcel or get in touch today for personalised advice on your mailing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions