Tag: Australia Post

The 45c stamp will be cancelled on January 13 when the cost of a basic stamp rises to 50c.

Australia Post spokesman Petros Kosmopoulos said it was the first time in 11 years the basic postage rate had increased.

“The 45c rate has not changed since January 1992, and during this period the consumer price index has risen by 30% ,” Mr Kosmopoulos said.

New mail redirection barcoding may help the postie find your new address faster but it won’t save Australia Post a lot of money just yet.

As of this month, people moving house or forwarding their mail while on holidays should receive their letters in less time, thanks to a barcode label on all redirected mail.

The system, an extension of Australia Post’s $550 million FuturePost investment in barcoding for bulk mail three years ago, will ensure mail that needs redirecting will take priority over other mail in the system.

That is because mail sorting, geared for the barcode (comprised of derivations of four bars with a distinct name, value and barcode symbol), will recognise a redirected item and push it ahead of the queue.

THE Howard Government is preparing to deregulate some Australia Post services and has admitted some of its functions already are being performed illegally by private contractors.

Communications Minister Richard Alston will introduce legislation in the new year opening parts of Australia Post’s reserved service to foreign competition.

Industry sources said yesterday the changes could open the floodgates to many players — but they would need to already own existing networks to make it pay.

Australia Post sees no reason why postal reform legislation should cause a revenue slump