Australia Post is one of the nation’s most trusted and valued public institutions.

A national postal service has existed since Federation in 1901, when the Post-Master General’s Department was established. The PGD operated for three-quarters of a century, keeping Australians connected throughout our country and across the world until its replacement in 1975 by the Australian Postal Commission.

Today, Australia Post operates three core business areas: letters and associated services; parcels and logistics; and retail merchandise and agency services.

As with all postal services, Australia Post’s revenues have been under pressure since the advent and wide adoption of digital communications. While offset by the rise in parcel delivery through online shopping, and effective innovations to its products and services over the last decade, Australia Post is still faced by significant operational pressures. Government should consider expanding, rather than contracting, the services provided by Australia Post, both in the interests of its customers and to strengthen the revenue base and viability of the enterprise.