Are you trying to send a letter or parcel overseas to someone in Australia? Sending mail across international borders can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge and preparation, your items can safely arrive at their destination quickly and easily.

Sending a letter to Australia requires a few extra steps that may not be necessary in other international mailings. In this blog post, we’ll provide all the information you need for sending letters and parcels to Australia from anywhere in the world.

Australian Address Format

When it comes to writing an address in Australia, there are a few basic principles to keep in mind. Some of the most important elements include the following:

• Depending on the type of address, the resident’s name and/or company name should be listed first, followed by the street or PO Box number if applicable. An additional identifying element such as apartment number may also be included.
• The suburb/city should follow this information, typically with a two-letter state/territory abbreviation before it and a postcode afterwards. Examples of this would be “John Smith, 32 Smith Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065” or “XYZ Corporation Pty Ltd, PO Box 5050, Southbank TAS 7004”. It’s important to remember that formatting addresses correctly is more likely to ensure they reach their intended recipient quickly and accurately.
• The address format in Australia is broken down as follows: the name of the recipient, followed by their street address including house number and street name, suburb or town, postcode and state.

Australia State Abbreviations

Because each state has its own unique postcode, a two-character abbreviation for each is used. When addressing items to a location in Australia, using this method greatly improves delivery times and accuracy.

Take a look at the below for a comprehensive list of Australian state and territory abbreviations:

Prohibited Items in Australia

Australia takes great care in safeguarding their natural environment from potential diseases and pests from other regions. As such, they restrict the imports of products and packaging materials that may not cause issues elsewhere.

The following items are completely prohibited from being sent to Australia and will be confiscated if found by customs officials:

• Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances – This includes any type of substance that has a psychoactive effect or is capable of producing addiction. This includes drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD, etc.
• Firearms & Parts – Any type of gun or ammunition is strictly forbidden from entering Australia. This also applies to any type of parts related to firearms as well as replica guns (even toys).
• Animal Products – Any type of animal product is prohibited from entering Australia due to fears over disease transmission and other health hazards such as bacteria and parasites. This includes meat, dairy products, eggs, honey, fur, feathers, etc.
• Fruits & Vegetables – Most fruits and vegetables are not allowed into the country due to concerns over potential invasive species. However, certain types may be allowed with prior approval from the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS).
• Perishable Items – Any type of perishable item such as food or flowers is not allowed into Australia because it can easily spoil or become contaminated during transit.

The following items are restricted from being sent to Australia but may be allowed under certain conditions:     

• Alcoholic Beverages – Alcoholic beverages are generally not allowed into the country without prior approval from AQIS, but may be allowed for personal consumption if accompanied by a valid import permit.
• Tobacco Products – Tobacco products are generally not allowed into the country without prior approval from AQIS, but may be allowed for personal use if accompanied by a valid import permit.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medicines – Most pharmaceuticals and medicines are not allowed into the country without prior approval from AQIS, but may be permitted for personal use if accompanied by a valid import permit.

Conclusion

By following the above, you should have no problem sending a letter successfully to Australia. Be sure to double-check your forms are filled out correctly with all relevant details adhering to Australian post regulations and guidelines; and also, that any items being shipped meet the requirements for prohibited or restricted items as stipulated.

Don’t forget, you can also use e-Snail to easily send a real letter online to anywhere in the world.