Advertisement

Major change to Australia Post delivery service

Australia Post has struggled to keep up with the increase in demand due to the coronavirus, which has resulted in the suspension of one of their services.

Due to the challenges, Australia Post has suspended their Express Post guarantee of next-day delivery due to the postal service being unable to commit to the timeframe.

Customers received an email explaining how the changes will impact them, while reiterating Australia Post is still dedicated to “deliver for our customers in these difficult times”.

“We are however, experiencing significant delivery delays in our network due to limited flights, social distancing requirements and a substantial increase in parcel volumes as more people shop online,” the email explains.

Picture of Australia Post delivery trucks and posties on motorbikes.
Australia Post has suspended its next-day guarantee on Express Post deliveries amid the coronavirus pandemic. Source: Australia Post

“Express Post is still available but parcels may not be delivered next business day every time.”

The suspension became effective on April 20, but the Australia Post website ensures the delivery service will remain to be the fastest way to receive mail, as they will be prioritised.

“The temporary removal of the Express Post guarantee is not intended to impact any rights that customers may have under the Australian Consumer Law,” the Australia Post website says.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen parcel deliveries increase by 80 per cent compared to this time last year and around 1.8 million parcels are being sent every day.

The sheer volume in packages being sent is just one of the challenges Australia Post has faced amid the health crisis.

Social distancing measures to keep staff safe at Australia Post facilities has meant items cannot be processed as quickly as usual.

Travel bans have resulted in a significant decrease to in the availability to passenger flights, which, along with dedicated overnight airfreight networks, carries parcels.

The suspension of the Express Post guarantee is not the only change Australia Post has made to manage the disruption.

Other temporary changes include letter delivery in metropolitan areas being every second day, removing the Priority Mail letter product and extending the required delivery time to five days for regular interstate letters.

Australia Post also announced 2000 motorbike posties would be trained to help deliver parcels to help keep up with the demand.

In the email addressing the suspension of Express Post delivery, Australia Post said there had been a number of questions about the handling of mail amid the crisis.

Picture of an Australia Post postman riding his motorbike, delivering mail along a suburban street
The coronavirus pandemic has greatly impacted Australia Post. Source: AAP

“The World Health Organisation and the Australian Department of Health have stated that the risk of contracting COVID-19 through handling of mail or parcels is extremely low,” the email said.

“Nevertheless, we’ve introduced health and safety protocols in our facilities that ensure that mail and parcels are handled safely and that human contact is minimised.

“Contactless parcel deliveries where a signature is no longer required is also reducing risks.”

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.