Postal costs rise in Australia
29 August 2015 by News Desk
The cost of sending a standard letter in Australia could increase to $1 if a planned price rise is approved.
The Australia Post company has asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to approve a 30% rise in cost for standard letters that currently cost 70 cents. There could be higher charges for larger letters depending on their weight.
Price rises are not the only change. From January 4, 2016 Australia Post will also introduce a new two-speed letter delivery service with a new priority service. Standard letters are expected to take two days longer to arrive. The company also wants to increase the cost of sending large letters over 125g and up to 250g, from $2.10 to $3.
The planned increase will not affect the price of concession stamps (60 cents) or for Christmas cards (65 cents).
Australia Post, like many postal services worldwide, has struggled with falling usage and mail volumes over the past decade as more and more people use digital communications. Despite the planned price rises, the company says that the basic postage rate ‘remains affordable’.
