Australia Post: Postage delays expected during Stage 4 restrictions

Victoria’s tough new restrictions mean people expecting deliveries will experience delays with the industry facing several challenges. Here’s everything you need to know about postal services during the pandemic.

Australia Post customers can expect some delays in deliveries during Stage 4 restrictions.

Melburnians expecting deliveries under Victoria’s tough Stage 4 restrictions can expect delays, with reduced international flights and high parcel volumes.

Under the new laws, you can still shop online, with some major retailers offering click and collect services, and others delivery by post.

Post offices, mail centres and distribution centres will remain open with reduced staff, so it might take a bit longer for the goods to arrive.

Here’s how some mail services across Victoria are dealing with pandemic:

AUSTRALIA POST

Several Victorians have taken to Australia Post’s Facebook page saying they were angered by postage delays.

One customer wrote: “I posted a large parcel from Parkdale in Melbourne to Croydon also in Melbourne on July 29. I decided to use express post which cost $25.50. The parcel took six days to arrive at its destination.”

An Australia Post spokesman said the company was working hard to support communities across the country to deliver as safely and quickly as possible.

“Ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic mean there may be some delays as our business operates with additional safety measures to protect our people and customers, as well as reduced domestic and international flights, while processing unprecedented parcel volumes,” the spokesman said.

“To help us, we ask our customers to make sure their delivery details are correct, and to respect and adhere to social distancing requirements when interacting with our people,” he said.

The spokesman said the requirement for distribution facilities to be reduced by a third would have a significant impact on its ability to service both businesses who were increasingly relying on Australia Post to keep their businesses operating online, as well as the increasing number of Victorians who were awaiting important parcels while in lockdown at home.

Australia Post is working hard during the pandemic to sort out mail. Picture: Australia Post.

STAR TRACK

Star Track, whose parent company is Australia Post, said the businesses was adapting to the challenges the pandemic presented, with its normal practice of delivery being impacted.

The company said in a statement on its website delays had been caused by a reduction in airfreight capacity and passenger flights, which also carry parcels and a significant increase in parcels volumes, many which require manual sorting hygiene and social distancing requirements in its network.

The company said it was operating its processing and delivery services seven days a week as required to meet demand.

It has also repurposed and opened 16 new processing and delivery facilities and will hire more than 600 casual staff.

DHL

DHL has created a task force to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The company said in a statement on its website, each business unit had developed and internally communicated additional measures fitting distinctive country needs or division-specific requirements.

A spokeswoman told Leader as an essential service, DHL Express remained operational in Victoria and would continue to provide essential delivery services to the community.

“The safety of our customers and employees is paramount. All courier drivers have been trained on safety procedures and are wearing PPE in line with authority requirements,” the spokeswoman said.

“The temporary closure of all DHL Express customer receptions in Victoria, implemented on July 9, is in effect until further notice.

“Pick-up and delivery services to residential addresses and businesses that remain open are continuing in accordance with local authority measures.”

She said customers were encouraged to use its online shipment booking tool MyDHL+ to book a courier pick-up from a residence or place of business.

Receivers of shipments are encouraged to check and use the On Demand Delivery options activated for their delivery by the sender.

A DHL distribution centre. Picture: Toby Zerna

PACK & SEND

Pack & Send is still providing essential services of road, sea and airfreight.

In a statement on the company’s website, it said its Melbourne service centres were open to provide contactless sending and receiving services.

Some shipments may be subject to delays due to significant increase in parcel volumes and social distancing practices experienced by its carriers.

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