How much does Australia Post mail redirection cost?

For personal redirection within Australia, prices run from $40.50 for up to 1 month to $202.50 for up to 12 months (as of July 2026). Redirecting from overseas costs roughly double. Concession card holders get a discounted rate, from $24.30 up to $121.50.

How long does it take to activate?

Approval generally takes about 3 working days, and activation itself needs a further 7-10 business days on top of that -- lodge your redirection 2-3 weeks before you actually need it to start, not the week of your move.

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2-4 weeks before moving

Set up Australia Post mail redirection

Set this up before you move, not after -- it doesn't apply retroactively.

Set up mail redirection — Australia Post

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Australia Post's redirection service forwards your mail to your new address for a set period. It's a paid service, noticeably pricier than New Zealand's equivalent -- but cheap insurance against missed bills or important letters during the handover. Set it up online in advance; approval and activation together need real lead time, so don't leave it until moving week.

How to do it

Decide how long you need it for. Redirection runs from 1 month up to 12 months -- it's easy to underestimate how long mail keeps arriving at an old address, especially from organisations you update last.
Apply online well ahead of your move. Approval takes around 3 working days, and activation needs a further 7-10 business days on top of that -- lodge it 2-3 weeks before you actually need it to start, not the week of your move.
Check if you qualify for the concession rate. Concession card holders pay noticeably less than the standard rate -- worth checking before you pay full price.
Remember it only covers Australia Post mail, not courier deliveries from other carriers -- update your address directly with anyone you get regular parcels from.
Treat this as a safety net, not your main address-update strategy -- actively updating your address with myGov, your bank, and subscriptions still matters; redirection just covers what slips through in the meantime.

Common mistakes

Lodging it the week of the move and finding it hasn't activated by moving day.
Assuming it covers courier and parcel deliveries the same way it covers standard mail -- it doesn't.
Paying the standard rate without checking whether a concession discount applies.

Useful links

Redirect your mail (Australia Post) -- apply online; lodge at least 2-3 weeks ahead since it isn't instant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Australia Post mail redirection cost?: For personal redirection within Australia, prices run from $40.50 for up to 1 month to $202.50 for up to 12 months (as of July 2026). Redirecting from overseas costs roughly double. Concession card holders get a discounted rate, from $24.30 up to $121.50.
How long does it take to activate?: Approval generally takes about 3 working days, and activation itself needs a further 7-10 business days on top of that -- lodge your redirection 2-3 weeks before you actually need it to start, not the week of your move.