Australia Post Brings Back Weekend Deliveries as $6.7 Billion Black Friday Surge Looms Australia Post has reintroduced weekend deliveries across the country as it prepares for a record-breaking Christmas shopping season fuelled by billions in Black Friday spending. Starting this Saturday, parcels will be delivered seven days a week in all capital cities and select regional towns until Christmas, as the postal service braces for an anticipated $6.7 billion spending spree across the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period.
The Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan forecast the four-day shopping bonanza will mark a 5.5 per cent increase on last year, with Black Friday now eclipsing Boxing Day as Australia’s biggest retail event. Gary Starr, Australia Post’s Executive General Manager of Parcel, Post and eCommerce Services, said the organisation has recruited thousands of additional staff to handle the surge.
“With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, we’re expecting to see a significant spike in parcel volumes and online spending activity,” Mr Starr said. “Last year, we delivered nearly 100 million parcels during November and December, and we anticipate early Christmas shopping will drive another record-breaking year.”
To cope with demand, Australia Post has expanded its network of 24/7 self-service parcel lockers and opened several next-generation parcel-focused post offices in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT featuring round-the-clock collection options. Weekend deliveries will operate in regional centres including Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba, among dozens of other locations across all states and territories.
Shoppers are advised to send parcels by 20 December for most destinations within Australia, or by 23 December if using Express Post, to ensure delivery before Christmas Day. Parcels sent to or from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, or regional locations require additional time. Christmas cards sent interstate need to be posted by 13 December, while cards within the same state have until 16 December. Customers are encouraged to download the Australia Post app to track deliveries and receive legitimate notifications during the busy period.
