AusPost announces major change to deliveries ahead of Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, Australia Post has announced a major change for customers.

Increased weekend deliveries, more staff, and free 24/7 collection have started for the busy Christmas period. Getty Images.

With Christmas just around the corner, Australia Post has announced it will start weekend deliveries in the lead-up to the festive season.

From Saturday November 18, temporary weekend deliveries will begin in all metro capital cities and a range of regional cities and towns around Australia.

The change comes just in time for the busy Christmas season, with more than 50 million parcels delivered in December last year.

Now avid Aussie spenders can shop to their heart’s content with Saturday and Sunday deliveries set to ensure presents arrive on time across the country.

Australia Post executive manager Gary Starr said weekend deliveries were all about bringing the cheer this Christmas.

Weekend deliveries start from Saturday, November 18, just in time for the Christmas rush. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve been preparing for another big sales and festive season, including recruiting thousands of additional team members, and giving customers more convenient delivery options,” he said.

“We delivered 52 million parcels last December and we’re expecting another huge peak season ahead, driven by the increasing popularity of cyber sales events.”

“As the sales events ramp up and online shopping surges in the lead up to Christmas, our temporary Saturday and Sunday service is just another way we are supporting our customers at the busiest time of the year.”

Mr Starr also said that free 24/7 collection will also sweeten the Christmas deal.

(Customer now have) the opportunity to collect missed deliveries from free 24/7 Australia Post Parcel Lockers instead of the Post Office,” he said.

As the mailrooms brace for a busy couple of months, customers are urged to send presents before December 18. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Weekend deliveries will remain in place up until Christmas depending on the volume of parcels between overseas and within Australia.

However, AusPost still recommended to get your parcels sent off by Monday, December 18 for most destinations within Australia or Thursday, December 21 by Express Post to guarantee they arrive on time.

People sending to or from Western Australia and Northern Territory are also recommended to allow for a few extra days to make it in time for Santa’s arrival by Christmas morning.

Originally published as AusPost announces major change to deliveries ahead of Christmas