Australia Post (AusPost) has launched an automatic parcel locker service in time for the festive season.
A delivery failure at a customer address may seem like a crisis. But AusPost is solving this problem. A missed delivery parcel will be placed in a free 24/7 parcel locker within one kilometer of the customer’s address.
Customers will be notified via the AusPost app or SMS that their parcel has been placed in a secure locker. The package can be collected at a convenient time by the recipient. If the parcel is not collected within 48 hours, AusPost will take it to the nearest post office for collection.
The company has more than 700 parcel lockers nationwide. These are also situated at select train and petrol stations.
Collect missed deliveries
Head of e-commerce at AusPost Gary Starr says as the end of the year is busy for customers, the company has instituted this delivery option. “Collecting missed deliveries from nearby parcel lockers means customers who aren’t home for their delivery and can’t make it to the Post Office can still collect their parcels via our parcel locker network,” says Starr.
AusPost delivered 52 million parcels in December 2022. The company expects a busy festive season, driven by the growing popularity of cyber sales events. “Providing customers with enhanced flexibility, security, and convenience by offering a way for them to collect their parcels at a time that suits their schedule is just another way we are supporting them at this time,” says Starr.
Customers with a MyPost account or the AusPost app can already register to have their parcels delivered at no extra cost to any parcel lockers convenient to them instead of their home or workplace.
Ready for the festive season
AusPost also advises customers to give parcels the best chance of arriving on time, parcels should be sent by Monday, 18 December, for most destinations within Australia, or if sent via Express Post by Thursday, 21 December. Customers sending parcels to or from Western Australia and Northern Territory should allow a few extra days.
Last month, AusPost announced its readiness for the festive season with a new addition to its freight fleet. The A330-200P2F aircraft, christened Hercules, was transformed from a passenger aircraft to a freighter in September. It offers increased capacity and flexibility during the festive season rush.
Digitizing its delivery notifications
In September, an AusPost spokesperson confirmed to PerthNow that the digital notification system is being introduced for customers with an account for the service’s online portal, My Post. The new digital notifications would reduce paper waste, offering customers greater convenience, reliability, and flexibility in planning their parcel pickups while away from home.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
