AUSTRALIAN
POSTAGE
RATES

Compiled by Allan Oliver

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This document is fully protected by copyright.

No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise without the prior permission of the author

Requests for such permission should be sent to

The standard copyright notice above protects my rights as the compiler and the presentation of the information given in the following pages.

The data presented in the following pages has been taken from various sources and I hereby give permission for this version to be used by collectors either as a computer file viewed on their own system or as a printed version, provided that, in both cases, the file remains in its full and unaltered state.

I would also request that any additional information to expand the listings be sent to my email address as given above, so that the updated information can be made available to collectors in a revised version

In addition to the postage rates, I have also included some other snippets of information that may be useful from the postal history viewpoint. I must stress however that Australian postal history is way outside my normal area of interest, and as such there may be major errors or omissions in the text.

When checking a cover for the rates, the reader should use the date of posting as shown by the cancellation as a starting point, and from there, work backwards to see when the rate and/or additional charges applied came into force.

ALLAN

1809

The first Postmaster of New South Wales, an ex-convict, Isaac Nichols, took the post in this year operating from his home in George Street, Sydney. His main job was to take charge of letters and parcels arriving by ship, to avoid the chaos of people rushing onto the ships as soon as they arrived at Sydney's wharves.

1825- Postal Act

The Postal Act of 1825 allowed the governor to fix postage rates and appoint Postmasters outside Sydney, enabling the first organized postal service.

1838

A regular Sydney-Melbourne overland service started

1849

Uniform postal rates were established by agreement between the colonies.

1853

The Concord or ‘Yankee’ style coach, made famous by the likes of Cobb and Co, John Gill, and Crane and Roberts, are used for carrying mail on their passenger routes.

1856

Monthly steamship sea mail to the United Kingdom established

1857

Money orders sold in Victorian Post Offices.

Postal and telegraph service combined in Victoria.

1859

Alise Barney, Postmistress at Brisbane General Post Office (GPO), became the most senior postal official following the creation of the colony of Queensland in that year.

1865

Traveling Post Offices (TPO) attached to trains were introduced in Victoria. They allowed mail to be sorted in transit, speeding up delivery to country areas. TPO’s commenced in the other Australian colonies during the 1870s. The last TPO was withdrawn in August 1985.

1 July 1867

Melbourne GPO opened on this date

1871

Savings bank facilities offered at post offices in New South Wales.

1874

Sydney GPO opened.

1875

Postcards first issued for sale in Australia.

21 August 1883

The Wodonga-Albury rail link was completed on 14 June and, from this date; mail could be transported between Melbourne and Sydney by rail.

1891

Bicycles first used by postmen in Warwick, Queensland

The separate colonies joined the Universal Postal Union

Hobart Post Office, Tasmania – circa 1900

1 January 1901

The six self-governing Australian colonies that formed the Commonwealth of Australia. These were New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland

1 March 1901

The colonial mail systems were merged into the Postmaster General's Department. This body was responsible for telegraph and domestic telephone operations as well as postal mail.

July 1902

Postage due stamps issued

The General Post Office, Sydney - 1905

1910

First use of motorized transport by a contractor for mail delivery between Isisford and Ilfracombe in Western Queensland.

1911

Introduction of the payment of the old-age pension at post offices

1 May 1911

Postage rates become standard between states

1914

Pilot, Maurice Guillaux, carried Australia’s first domestic airmail between Melbourne and Sydney – thought to be one of the longest airmail flights in the world and the first between two cities.

1919

First overseas air mail was carried between England and Australia. A regular service was not established until 1934.

1924

The last Cobb and Co road mail service was discontinued.

1930

World’s first, large-scale mechanized mail sorting system was introduced in Australia, and operational in the Sydney GPO.

Motorbikes became part of the PMG’s transport system. They were used by telegraph messengers to deliver telegrams and to clear telephone coin boxes

1934

A regular airmail service established

1935

First airmail flight between Adelaide and Darwin piloted by John Chapman and Bruce Cowan.

1939

Postal articles handled totaled 1.1 billion in this year.

1939 – 1945

Large scale recruitment of women to sort and deliver mail in place of men who had enlisted in the armed services during the Second World War.

1958

Three-wheel ‘Mailster’ vehicles were used to deliver letters and parcels; however, motorbikes were not used to deliver letters until 1971.

October 1958

The Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies announced that the Government accepted the principals of decimalization. If re-elected, he would implement the conversion of Australia's imperial system to the decimal system

1959

After Robert Menzies re-election a Decimal Currency Committee was appointed in 1959 and a report was presented to the Government in 1960

1959

Domestic letter rate – 5d up to 1 ounce

4d per additional ounce

1960

After Robert Menzies re-election a Decimal Currency Committee was appointed in 1959 and a report was presented to the Government in 1960. Advantages of the change were considered to be worth the considerable cost of the conversion. The Government set 14 February 1966 as the target date for the introduction of Decimal Currency. This date became known as C-Day

1961

Postal articles handled totaled more than 2 billion over the year.

14 February 1964

Domestic letter rate – 4c up to 1 ounce

3c per additional ounce

1965

The Redfern Mail Exchange, the largest mechanized mail center in the Southern Hemisphere, opened in Sydney.

4 February 1966

UK forces airmail concession

6c per ounce

12 February 1966

All pre-decimal stamps withdrawn from sale at Post Offices but they still remain valid for use on mail

14 February 1966

Special delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

1 to 3 articles – 12c each

4 to 6 articles – 8c each

7 or more articles – 5c each

Aerogramme rate – 9c

Registration fee

20c in addition to the normal postage

Certified mail fee

5c in addition to normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

8c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 7c per ½ ounce

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Note – This was a slight increase of the pre-decimal rate of 6d per ½ ounce

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 10c per ½ ounce

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 15c per ½ ounce

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 20c per ½ ounce

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

Note – This was a direct conversion of the pre-decimal 2/- rate

At this time some of the former zone 5 countries were included in this class

1 September 1966

Underpaid articles service fee – Postage Due

16c plus the deficient postage

Meter impression showing the old currency

These were credited for postal use on a 1 to 1 basis

4d impression accepted as 4c postage

Dated 5 October 1966

1967

The world's first large-scale mechanical mail sorting system was introduced in Australia (according to Australia Post), and operational in the Sydney GPO in this year. This coincided with the introduction of the current system of 4-digit Postcodes in Australia

1 October 1967

Domestic letter rate – 5c up to 1 ounce

4c per additional ounce

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service

Next day delivery between Capitols

Double the domestic or standard rate

Aerogramme rate – 10c

4c cover up rated by a 1c meter impression dated 12 October 1967

Paying the single rate in effect from 1 October 1967

14 February 1968

This is the last day on which pre-decimal stamps can officially be used on mail

30 September 1968

Special delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

1 to 3 articles – 20c each

4 to 6 articles –

7 or more articles –

1 October 1968

Registration fee

25c in addition to the normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

10c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 10c per ½ ounce

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 15c per ½ ounce

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 20c per ½ ounce

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 25c per ½ ounce

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1969

‘Post Office Preferred’ envelope specification details were announced.

1 July 1970

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service renamed Priority Paid

Next day delivery between Capitols

Double the domestic or standard rate

Note – Both at the beginning of the service and later when the service was expanded to cover new areas, some articles sent through the normal postal services were selected by Australia Post to be put through the Priority Paid system instead. These items are paid at the normal rate but rubber stamped “Priority Paid – Test Article” or similar.

Certified mail fee

10c in addition to normal postage

1 October 1970

Domestic letter rate – 6c up to 1 ounce

6c per additional ounce

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

25c per article

50c per parcel

Overseas express delivery fee

25c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Registration fee

30c in addition to the normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

15c in addition to normal postage

1971

Surface air lifter rates introduced

No details available at this time

Motorbikes used to deliver letters

14 February 1971

This is the last date that pre-decimal stamps can be exchanged at the post offices. At this date all pre-decimal stamps were demonetised

1 October 1971

Domestic letter rate – 7c up to 1 ounce

7c per additional ounce

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

40c per article

60c per parcel

Aerogramme rate – 12c

Overseas express delivery fee

40c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Registration fee

50c in addition to the normal postage

Certified mail fee

15c in addition to normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

25c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 12c per ½ ounce

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 20c per ½ ounce

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 25c per ½ ounce

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 30c per ½ ounce

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1 October 1973

Domestic letter rate – 7c up to 20 grams

7c per additional 20 grams

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

50c per article

70c per parcel

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service renamed Priority Paid

Next day delivery between Capitols

20c per 20 grams

See also the note under 1 July 1970

Aerogramme rate – 14c

Overseas express delivery fee

50c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Registration fee

75c in addition to the normal postage

Certified mail fee

25c in addition to normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

30c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 10c per ½ ounce

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 15c per 10 grams

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 25c 10 grams

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1974

International Priority Paid mail service to the United Kingdom and USA introduced.

1 October 1974

Domestic letter rate – 10c up to 20 grams

10c per additional 20 grams

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

25c per article up to 500 grams

50c per article over 500 grams

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service renamed Priority Paid

Next day delivery between Capitols

30c per 20 grams

See also the note under 1 July 1970

Aerogramme rate – 20c

Overseas express delivery fee

65c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Registration fee

$1 in addition to the normal postage

Certified mail fee

30c in addition to normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

40c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 15c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 15c per 20 grams or part of

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 20c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams at 20c per 20 grams or part of

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 25c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 25c per additional 20 grams or part of

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 30c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 30c per additional 20 grams or part of

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1 July 1975

On this date separate government commissions were created to undertake the operational responsibilities of the PMG. One of these was the Australian Postal Commission trading as Australia Post.

1 September 1975

Domestic letter rate – 18c up to 20 grams

18c per additional 20 grams

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service renamed Priority Paid

Next day delivery between Capitols

25c flat rate plus any applicable airmail rates

See also the note under 1 July 1970

Aerogramme rate – 25c

Overseas express delivery fee

90c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Surface air lifted rate

$1 plus 80c per 250 grams

Registration fee

$2 in addition to the normal postage

Certified mail fee

50c in addition to normal postage

Acknowledgement of delivery fee

50c in addition to normal postage

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 25c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 25c per 20 grams or part of

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 30c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams at 30c per 20 grams or part of

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 35c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 35c per additional 20 grams or part of

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 40c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 40c per additional 20 grams or part of

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1 November 1975

Reduced domestic rate for Christmas cards posted between 1 November and the 31 December

15c

1 November 1976

Reduced domestic rate for Christmas cards posted between 1 November and the 31 December

15c

1 October 1977

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

90c per article up to 500 grams

$1-20c per article over 500 grams

1 November 1977

Reduced domestic rate for Christmas cards posted between 1 November and the 31 December

15c

1 January 1978

Messenger delivery fee – charged per article in addition to the standard / domestic rate of postage

$1-50c per article

1 July 1978

Domestic letter rate – 20c up to 20 grams

20c per additional 20 grams

Special despatch / Special Despatch Delivery service renamed Priority Paid

Next day delivery between Capitols

30c flat rate plus any applicable airmail rates

See also the note under 1 July 1970

Aerogramme rate – 30c

Overseas express delivery fee

$1-35c in addition to the usual airmail rate

Zone 1 airmail letter rate – 30c per 10 grams

Plus 10c per additional 10 grams or part of

Zone 1 = Countries nearest Australia. Those known to be included are New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (after independence)

Zone 2 airmail letter rate – 35c per 10 grams

Plus 15c for each additional 10 grams or part of

Zone 2 = Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia

Zone 3 airmail letter rate – 40c per 10 grams

Over 50 grams charged 10c per additional 10 grams or part of

Zone 3 = more distant Asian and Pacific Island countries.

India, Japan, Philippines, China and Hong Kong

Zone 4 airmail letter rate – 50c per 10 grams

Plus 30c per additional 10 grams or part of

Zone 4 = Canada and the United States of America

Also some Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia

1 November 1978

Reduced domestic rate for Christmas cards posted between 1 November and the 31 December