Stamp price increase approved as Australia Post says letter volumes are at 1930s levels

The change comes as letter volumes fall to levels not seen since the late 1930s, with Australia Post arguing it needs higher prices to keep the letters service sustainable. Camera Icon Australia Post plans to increase the basic postage rate from $1.70 to $1.85 from September 1, 2026. Camera Icon Australia Post said letter volumes hade fallen to levels not seen since the late 1930s. Australia Post said in a statement the “ongoing decline in letter volumes has now reached levels not seen in Australia since the late 1930s”. “Today, fewer than 3 per cent of letters are sent by consumers, with the majority mailed by businesses and government agencies,” Australia Post said.