Australia Post strengthens regional and rural support
Australia Post has moved to strengthen its vital regional and rural store network by announcing a package of initiatives that includes increased payments to post office operators and wider access to point-of-sale technology enabling customers to access more services. Australia Post announced it will roll out new retail superstores in regional and rural areas in the next five years, bringing the total in these areas to 50.
Eleven superstores are already open (3 in Queensland, 2 in New South Wales, 2 in Victoria, 2 in South Australia, one in Western Australia and one in Tasmania) and later this year new superstores will open in Bendigo (VIC) and Alice Springs (NT).
Furthermore the increased payments and point-of-sale technology, part of a sustainability package for Australia Post licensees, is the latest in a series of initiatives being implemented that together will contribute an additional $40m, on top of around $320 million already paid annually, towards the viability of Licensed Post Offices (LPOs) across the country.
Australia Post Managing Director and CEO Ahmed Fahour said the initiatives emphasised Australia Post’s commitment to maintaining its unparalleled network of over 4400 outlets and ensuring access to those who most use and rely on their post office, including regional and rural communities.
“While letter volumes decline, we are committed to not only keeping our post offices open and vital to the communities they serve but also growing their relevance by evolving them from a reliance on letters through increasing the trusted products and services they offer.”
The rural sustainability package will support the viability of LPOs and Community Postal Agencies (CPAs) by:
- Offering connection to Australia Post’s electronic point of sale system (EPOS) for 432 LPOs that currently use manual processes. This will allow these stores to offer customers additional services such as payment by credit card or EFTPOS and banking services
- Increasing the minimum guaranteed annual payment for LPOs and introducing a minimum payment for CPAs
- Increasing payments for providing working space to mail and parcel contractors
- Increasing payments for representing Australia Post to the local community
- Removing the EPOS transaction shortfall fee
While the package applies to all post office licensees, rural and regional operators will benefit most.
The package follows other initiatives such as additional scanning payments for trackable articles, a 16.7 per cent ($25m) increase in payments related to the increase in the basic postage rate and the new services and payments for the MyPost Account.
Christine Corbett, Executive General Manager Retail Services and Consumer, said that LPOs were not only a vital part of Australia Post’s business but their role in connecting communities could not be understated.
“Across the country, Licensed Post Offices allow us to fulfil our commitment to provide an accessible service to all Australians.
“Our partnership with Licensees is absolutely vital and therefore we are taking action to grow revenue for LPOs and help maintain their viability.
“For over 200 years Australia Post has played a pivotal role, particularly in smaller and more isolated communities, where usage of Australia Post services and advocacy for the brand are highest. Even now, as we face some of the biggest challenges in Australia Post’s history, our focus has not wavered from helping communities connect and expand their reach toward new opportunities and greater prosperity,” she added.
In a recent survey commissioned by Australia Post, 84 per cent of respondents stated that Australia Post and in particular its Post Office network, is essential to meeting the needs of their community.
Mr Fahour said the package reflected Australia Post’s commitment to responding to the community, supporting important stakeholders and investing resources where they would most benefit customers.
“As Australia Post evolves to meet both the challenges and opportunities that the digital revolution is presenting we will continue to talk to our customers and our community so we can best meet their needs.
“Today we have also launched a new national conversation website. This will further build on this commitment by listening to community feedback as part of an ongoing conversation on the future of Australia Post,” said Mr Fahour.
