Post Offices and Mail

Australia Post provides a broad range of services, which, in addition to the usual services provided in most countries, also includes a number of unique services. Australia Post sells stationery and office products, it also operates the country's largest over-the-counter bill payment service and 20% of consumer bills are paid at Post Shops.

Post boxes in Australia are red with a white stripe and most look like litter bins! In major towns and metropolitan areas there are mail deliveries once a day Monday to Friday (no 2nd post or post on a Saturday), there are no weekend deliveries anywhere in Australia. In rural areas the delivery may be just once or twice a week.

Opening a post office box when you first arrive in Australia is a good idea, just for the first 6 weeks or so. That way you can be sure that you are getting all your post as securely and fast as possible (and it's not going via a landlord first) and you have an address to quote for opening a bank account, getting a tax file number etc. The approximate cost for 3 months is $35 and you can do this at any post office but try to pick one as close to the area in which you are first living.

Most post offices are open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

For more information see www.auspost.com.au