How to send a letter to Australia

How to address and send post to another country — the address layout, postage, delivery times and what you can and can’t send.

Australia

Sending post to Australia
Full name on envelopeRequired
Delivery timeApprox 7–14 business days worldwide (varies by route).
PostageInternational Standard, Express, Tracked, Registered.
Postcode4-digit postcodes; state abbreviations include NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA,…

✉️ Addressing the envelope

Address layout
Full Name
Street Number + Street Name
SUBURB STATE POSTCODE
AUSTRALIA
Example
Taylor Nguyen
12 Example St
PERTH WA 6000
AUSTRALIA
More examples
PO Box:
Alex Smith
PO Box 123
SYDNEY NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
Full name
Required
Full given + family name required on most shipments.
Postcode
4-digit postcodes; state abbreviations include NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT.
Language
English; use block capitals for suburb/state; diacritics accepted.

📮 Sending

Postage methods
International Standard, Express, Tracked, Registered.
Delivery times
Approx 7–14 business days worldwide (varies by route).

⏱️ How long letters take to reach Australia

From anywhere
about 3 weeks (1,016 letters)
Within Australia
about 9 days (104 letters)
From USA
about 3 weeks (240 letters)
From United Kingdom
about 2 weeks (161 letters)
From Germany
about 3 weeks (68 letters)
From Canada
about 3 weeks (50 letters)
From France
about 2 weeks (33 letters)

Based on letters our members logged and marked as received over the last two years, using the quicker letters on each route. A letter may arrive sooner: members don’t always mark a letter as received as soon as it arrives.

🛃 Customs and restrictions

Customs
CN22/CN23 for goods; describe contents clearly.
Restrictions
Batteries, aerosols, flammables and many perishables restricted.

💡 Tips

Write AUSTRALIA in capitals; add a return address on back flap.
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