Australia Post has raised the price of a basic stamp from $1.70 to $1.85 from 1 September, as the postal service continues to grapple with declining letter volumes and rising delivery costs. Larger letters will also become more expensive, adding to cost-of-living pressures for households and businesses that still rely on mail. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved the increase, noting that even with higher prices, Australia Post is unlikely to fully cover the cost of running its letter service.

Letters weighing up to 125g will rise from $3.40 to $3.70, while those up to 250g will increase from $5.10 to $5.55, though concession and greeting card stamps remain unchanged. ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said businesses would bear the brunt of the hike and likely pass costs on to consumers, as Australians send letters at levels not seen since the 1930s, with volumes forecast to keep falling by about 10 per cent annually. A basic stamp, which cost 70 cents in 2014 and $1.10 in early 2023, could reach $2.25 by 2028, though that further rise has not yet been approved.