On 12 November 2024, Australia Post provided the ACCC with a public draft price notification. The notification proposed to increase the price of reserved ordinary letters delivered at the regular timetable by 13% from mid-2025.
Australia Post’s proposal includes an increase of the rate for ordinary small letters delivered at the regular timetable by 20 cents, from $1.50 to $1.70. It also includes price increases at the same rate (13%) for the delivery of ordinary large letters up to 250 grams.
Australia Post is also proposing to increase the prices of a range of its other reserved letter services, including the price of priority labels by 30 cents, from $0.70 to $1.00. Combined with the proposed regular stamp price increase, priority ordinary small letters are proposed to increase by 50 cents, from $2.20 to $2.70.
Australia Post is not proposing to increase the price of concession stamps ($3.00 for 5) or seasonal greeting card stamps (65 cents each).
Under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, the ACCC is required to assess Australia Post’s price notification. The ACCC does not have the power to approve a proposed price. Instead, we can decide to object or to not object to a proposed stamp price increase. We must notify Australia Post of our decision, and Australia Post may only then raise prices if the Minister for Communications does not disapprove of the increase.
On 22 November 2024, the ACCC published a survey seeking views from interested parties on the proposed price increase. The survey closed on 22 December 2024.