# Australia Mail Tracking: Complete Guide

> Australia Post provides dependable mail and parcel delivery services nationwide, ensuring timely and secure shipments across regions.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/australia-post/
- **Carrier website**: http://auspost.com.au/
- **Region**: oceania
- **Last verified**: 2026-04-15

Australia Post is Australia's national postal service, established in 1809 and operating as a government business enterprise since 1989. Delivering to more than 12.4 million addresses across Australia's vast continent, Australia Post handles over 2 billion postal items annually through its network of over 4,000 post offices and licensed post offices. As Australia's largest retail network, Australia Post also serves as a logistics partner for thousands of e-commerce businesses. Track your items at auspost.com.au/track or call 13 76 78.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Australia Post tracking | Australia Post tracking numbers use the UPU S10 format ending in 'AU' (e.g., EE123456785AU). |
| Express Post guarantees next-day | Express Post guarantees next-day delivery within the Express Post network between capital cities. |
| MyPost lets you manage | MyPost lets you manage all parcels, set safe-drop preferences, and get delivery notifications. |
| International tracked items may | International tracked items may have fewer scan events once they leave Australia. |

## Australia Mail Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia Post Express / Parcel Post (domestic) | Varies; common format is 2 uppercase letters + 9 digits + 2 uppercase letters (13 characters total) | EH001478370AU | Domestic Express Mail Service parcels often start with 'EA', 'EB', 'EC', 'EE', 'EH'. Standard parcel labels may use a 27-digit barcode. |
| Australia Post International Tracked | 2 uppercase letters + 9 digits + 'AU' (13 characters, UPU S10) | RB123456789AU | UPU S10 format. Common service prefixes: RB (Registered), EB (Express Mail Service), CP (Parcel Post). |
| Australia Post MyPost Business / parcel barcode | 23-digit numeric or 2-digit + 3-letter + 18-digit | 33480100000002345678901234 | Longer barcode format used for bulk and ecommerce shipper labels. |

## How to Track a Australia Mail Package

1. **Find your tracking number on your receipt, shipping confirmation email, or label**: Find your tracking number on your receipt, shipping confirmation email, or label.
2. **Open https://auspost.com.au/track**: Go to https://auspost.com.au/track.
3. **Enter your tracking number and click 'Track.'**: Enter your tracking number and click 'Track.'
4. **View real-time status, scan events, and estimated delivery**: View real-time status, scan events, and estimated delivery.
5. **Create a free MyPost account to manage all deliveries, set safe-drop preferences, and receive notifications**: Create a free MyPost account to manage all deliveries, set safe-drop preferences, and receive notifications.

## Australia Mail Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Started / Processing | The sender has entered shipping information into Australia Post's online system. The item has been approved but not yet physically scanned. |  |
| Pending - no events yet | The item has not been scanned yet. The status should update within 24 hours once the sender drops off the item. |  |
| We've got it | Australia Post has received and scanned the item at a postal facility. |  |
| It's on its way | The item is moving through Australia Post's network toward the destination address. |  |
| In transit to next facility | The item is en route between Australia Post processing centres. |  |
| It's coming today | The item has been loaded for delivery and is expected to arrive today. An SMS notification may be sent to the recipient. |  |

## Australia Mail Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Express Post | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |
| Parcel Post | Everyday shipping | 2-6 days | Quote-based |
| Registered Post | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| MyPost Business | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| StarTrack Express | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |

## Australia Mail Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Express Post | 1 day | domestic | Next business day within Express Post delivery areas |
| Parcel Post | 2-6 days |  | 2-6 business days (metro to metro), longer to regional/remote areas |
| StarTrack Express | 1 day |  | Next business day (major cities) |
| International Express | 3-10 days |  | 3-10 business days (varies by destination) |
| International Economy Air |  |  | 10-30+ business days (varies by destination) |
| International Registered |  |  | Similar to Economy Air with tracking |

## Common Australia Mail Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tracking not updating | Technical issues or high volumes can cause Australia Post's system to show only recent notifications rather than all scan events. | Wait 24 hours for the status to update. Try the MyPost app which sometimes shows more granular updates than the website. | If no update after 5 business days, contact Australia Post on 13 13 18. |
| Tracking information unavailable for international items | Some incoming international services (e.g., economy airmail) do not include tracking. Australia Post only tracks items sent via tracked international services. | Confirm with the sender which service was used. If untracked, Australia Post has no visibility of the item until it arrives in Australia. | For lost international items, allow the full service delivery window (up to 8 weeks for economy) before lodging a missing item enquiry. |
| Parcel tracking history only retained 13 months | Australia Post's system purges tracking data after 13 months. | Download or save proof of delivery before the 13-month cutoff if you need it for records. | No escalation path after data is purged. |
| Item delivered to wrong address | Address errors on the label, or delivery to an alternate safe location without the recipient's knowledge. | Check with neighbours and building management. Review the tracking event details which note the delivery location. | If not located within 24 hours, contact Australia Post to initiate a missing parcel investigation. |

## Australia Mail Tracking FAQs

### How do I track an Australia Post parcel?

Go to auspost.com.au/track and enter your tracking number. You need a tracked service (Express Post, Parcel Post, Registered) -- ordinary letters cannot be tracked.

### What is MyPost?

MyPost is a free Australia Post account that lets you track all your deliveries in one place, set safe-drop preferences, redirect parcels, and book redeliveries.

### What does 'On Board for Delivery' mean?

Your parcel is with a postal worker on their delivery round and should arrive today.

### How do I rebook a missed Australia Post delivery?

Book a redelivery at auspost.com.au/receiving/redelivery or redirect to a Post Office or Parcel Locker. You can also authorise a safe drop online.

### What is an Australia Post Parcel Locker?

Parcel Lockers are 24/7 secure automated locker units at 500+ locations. Your parcel is delivered there and you collect with a unique access code.

### How long does Express Post take in Australia?

Express Post delivers next business day between major cities and suburbs within the Express Post network. Use the auspost.com.au delivery time calculator to check your route.

### How do I claim for a lost Australia Post parcel?

Lodge a claim at auspost.com.au/help/claims. For domestic items, claim within 30 days of the expected delivery date. For international, within 3 months.

### Does Australia Post deliver on Saturdays?

Yes, Australia Post delivers regular mail and parcels on Saturdays to most metropolitan addresses. Delivery hours and days vary for regional and remote areas.

### Why is my Australia Post tracking not updating?

Allow 24 hours after lodgement. Remote deliveries may show fewer scan events. If no update after 5 business days, call 13 76 78.

### Can I collect a parcel from an Australia Post office?

Yes. If a delivery attempt was unsuccessful, your parcel will be held at a nearby Post Office for 10 business days. Bring the notification card and photo ID.

## Get Help from Australia Mail

- **Hours**: Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM AEST, Sat 9 AM-5 PM AEST
- **Help**: http://auspost.com.au/

## About Australia Mail

Australia Post was established as the Postmaster-General's Department in 1901 following Australian Federation and became a government business enterprise in 1989 under the Australian Postal Corporation Act. The organisation operates through its mail, retail, and logistics divisions. Australia Post is one of Australia's largest employers, with over 50,000 employees and contractors. StarTrack, its premium express freight subsidiary, was fully acquired in 2012 and serves the business parcel sector.

## Sources

- [Australia Post official website](https://auspost.com.au/), Australia Post
- [Australia Post track your parcels](https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/track.html), Australia Post
- [Australia Post help and support](https://auspost.com.au/help-and-support), Australia Post
- [Australia Post tracking service info](https://auspost.com.au/receiving/tracking-service), Australia Post