If you’re someone who still enjoys sending a handwritten letter, birthday card, or the occasional bill by post, brace yourself: the cost of popping something in the mail is about to go up.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just given the green light for Australia Post to increase the price of stamps, and the changes are set to kick in next month.
How much more will you pay?
The price of a standard stamp for a small letter will jump from $1.50 to $1.70—a rise of just over 13 per cent.
While that might sting for those of us who still value the art of letter writing, the ACCC points out that even with the increase, our stamps are still cheaper than the average in other developed countries.
For context, the average price of a single postage stamp in OECD countries is $1.93.
It’s not just the basic letter that’s affected. Sending a large letter up to 125g will now cost $3.40 (up from $3.00), and if your letter weighs between 125g and 250g, you’ll be paying $5.10 instead of $4.50.
What about concession stamps and greeting cards?
There’s a small silver lining for concession card holders and those who love to send a festive card at Christmas.
Concession stamps will remain at $3 for a pack of five, and seasonal greeting card stamps are staying put at 65c. So, if you’re eligible for concession stamps, you’ll still get a bit of a break.
Why the price hike?
You might be wondering why Australia Post is raising prices at a time when fewer and fewer people are sending letters.
According to the ACCC, Australia Post is actually losing money on its national letter service. In fact, the average household now receives just two letters a week—a far cry from the days when the postie’s bag was bursting at the seams.
ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey acknowledged the impact this could have, especially on vulnerable Australians.
She’s recommended that Australia Post increase the number of concession stamps each customer can buy (currently capped at 50 per year) to help soften the blow.
What about businesses?
While most of us might only send the odd letter, many businesses still rely on the post for official documents, bills, and notices.
The ACCC has urged Australia Post to work closely with these customers, ensuring they’re kept in the loop about price changes and given plenty of notice.
Transparent communication is key, especially for organisations that have no choice but to use the mail.
Is this a done deal?
Not quite. While the ACCC has approved the price hike, the final decision rests with Communications Minister Anika Wells.
Her office has said the government is ‘giving the matter due consideration’, so there’s still a slim chance the increase could be knocked back—but don’t hold your breath.
The bigger picture: Is the letter dying?
Let’s face it: the way we communicate has changed dramatically. With emails, texts, and instant messaging, the humble letter is becoming a rare beast.
Australia Post’s own data shows that letter volumes are plummeting, and the service is struggling to cover its costs. This price rise is just the latest sign of the times.
But for many older Australians, the post remains a lifeline—whether it’s for keeping in touch with loved ones, receiving important documents, or simply enjoying the ritual of sending and receiving mail.
The challenge for Australia Post is to balance the books without leaving these customers behind.
What can you do?
If you’re a concession card holder, make sure you’re taking advantage of the discounted stamps—and keep an eye out for any changes to the annual cap.
If you’re a business, stay in touch with Australia Post about upcoming changes and look for ways to streamline your mailing processes.
And if you’re just a lover of snail mail, maybe it’s time to stock up on stamps before the price goes up!
We want to hear from you!
Will this price rise change how often you send letters? Do you think Australia Post is justified in raising prices, or should the government step in to keep costs down? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going!
Also read: Are Australian homeowners paying too much to sell? ACCC investigates
There’s no real saving if you purchase lots of stamps at the current price, as you’ll need to purchase stamps for the difference once the prices have been approved & have commenced.
There used to be a ‘grace’ period of around a month after the new prices started, and then any mail that was under stamped would see the sender receiving a ‘card’ with a ‘charge’ (the difference) and fee for the under payment. I know, as I used to write a lot of them out.
Amazing. Australia Post can find money to dot “talking post boxes” around Eastern Australia, but can’t waive one year’s worth of price hikes. Absolutely infuriating.
I used to win film tickets that came by mail, but after it went past about $1.20, they just email them to me.
I’m still waiting for the promised (over 90 times) $275 decrease in power bills by the government, to reinvest in continuing stamp collecting.