Proposed increase to basic postage rate
Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), proposing an increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR) of $0.20 for small letters, from $1.50 to $1.70, and to the prices for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable – to take effect from July 2025.
Also proposed is an increase to small priority letters of $0.50 from $2.20 to $2.70.
Australia Post’s Executive General Manager Gary Starr said there is no change proposed to the price of concession stamps, at $3.00 for a booklet of five stamps, or to seasonal greetings card stamps, at $0.65 for a small letter.
Proposed increase to business letter service pricing
There are also proposed changes to the pricing of business letter services which, if the BPR proposal is approved, would also take effect from July 2025.
The table below, prepared by Australia Post, shows the proposed range of increases for business letter services across size and weight for regular and priority timetables.
“Priority is proposed to increase above regular prices to help cover the higher costs and greater losses associated with providing this faster service,” Mr Starr said.
In addition to the proposed letter price increases, there will also be a new fee and product changes due to take effect in 2025 Australia Post advised.
From 3 March 2025, a Letters Lodgement Correction Fee (LLCF) will be applied to any mail lodgements without a mailing statement, incorrectly completed lodgement documentation or incorrectly presented articles.
This fee will be $27.50 (inc GST) per lodgement for missing or incorrect documentation and $55.00 (inc GST) per hour (or part thereof) for incorrect mail presentation. While Australia Post says only a small percentage of lodgements are likely to attract the fee, it is needed to cover operational costs directly incurred to correct the lodgement.
“This will help ensure we can continue delivering mail efficiently and sustainably,” Mr Starr said.
C4 envelopes will also be discontinued from 1 July 2025 as Australia Post continues to simplify its range of products and services.
The ACCC will now consider Australia Post’s draft notification.
More detail on these proposed price changes is available at auspost.com.au/disruptions-and-updates/pricing-updates.
This article appeared on Back Country Bulletin on 29 November 2024.
