Australia Post reveals cut-off days for Christmas Day gifts

Queensland residents have been warned to not delay sending Christmas parcels ahead of the big day with Australia Post expecting a surge in volume.

Australia Post will extend deliveries to the weekends in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Australia Post has revealed the cut-off days to ensure parcels arrive before Christmas Day.

Last year the Australian postal services moved more than 100 million parcels to customers during November to December.

Customers are being urged to send their gifts as early as possible to ensure they arrive under the tree by the cut-off dates.

Deliveries will be extended into weekends from this Saturday in the lead up to the big day in Australia capital cities and select regions.

Weekend deliveries will remain in place up until Christmas, depending on volume.

Australia Post said parcels should be sent no later than Friday, December 20 to ensure they arrive before Christmas Day - which falls on a Wednesday.

Sending with Australia

Express post for items being sent to/from metro locations the cut-off date is December 23. For cards and letters in the same state December 16 and interstate December 13.

Queenslanders looking to send Parcel Post to/from metro locations across Australia the dates vary state to state:

December 20, 2024

Queensland to New South Wales

Queensland to Australian Capital Territory

Queensland to Victoria

Queensland to Queensland

Australia Post sent an estimated 100 million parcels throughout last November and December. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

December 19, 2024

Queensland to South Australia

December 18, 2024

Queensland to Tasmania

December 17, 2024

Queensland to Western Australia

December 13, 2024

Queensland to Northern Territory

Queenslanders sending parcels overseas

International sending cut-off dates vary depending on destination and the chosen delivery service.

The Australian Post website allows customers to search by country for the recommended cut-off dates.

Parcels sent after the dates will be delivered as quickly as possible but warns they may not arrive in time for Christmas.

“Items sent from South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory must travel interstate before departing Australia. You can factor this in by adding two business days for express items, and five business days for Standard and Economy items,” the website said.

All estimates are for sending between metro destinations - items sent to and from regional and rural locations will likely take longer.

Christmas Postage costs

Sending a Christmas card within Australia, the postage cost is 65c during November and December.

If you’re sending a Christmas card overseas, the postage cost is $34 anywhere in the world. Find our range of domestic and international Christmas stamps here.

Parcels up to 5kg are eligible for flat rate postage options to anywhere within Australia. using your own packaging, parcels are charged according to their actual weight or cubic weight equivalent, whichever is greater. Prices for parcels up to 5kg range from $10.95 for small Parcel Post, to $31.35 for extra large Express Post.

Originally published as Australia Post reveals cut-off days for Christmas Day gifts