Australia Post Bulk Mail Costs and Requirements
Are you looking to save costs on your direct mail marketing campaigns? The best way to manage your budget is to get the lowest postage rates possible. You can do so by conducting bulk mailing campaigns. Plus, Australia Post offers incredible discounts to businesses mailing more than 300 items at once.
Bulk mailing allows companies to connect with more people and expand their reach by mailing in large quantities. Also, it helps them avail discounted postal rates and save campaign costs.
This blog talks about Australia Post bulk mail rates to help you get an idea of bulk mailing. It also discusses the various bulk mail options that Australia Post provides to businesses to aid their mailing efforts.
Let’s dive in!
What is Bulk Mail?
Bulk mail services offer the most cost-effective way for companies to advertise themselves and reach out to their prospects. Plus, they are flexible, and you can tailor them to meet your marketing needs.
But, how does bulk mail pricing work?
Firstly, mailers need to prepare and lodge their mail items according to the bulk mail guidelines. In exchange, mailers get attractive discounts and launch their direct mail campaigns at affordable rates.
To qualify for bulk postage rates, you need to perform some tasks that Australia Post generally does. These tasks include:
- Sorting mail
- Printing barcodes
- Stacking articles in mail trays
- Lodging, etc.
Bulk Mail Sizes
The cost of bulk mailing depends on the size of your items. Australia Post categorizes articles into three categories: small, small plus, and large.
Here’s a guide to help you understand these size categories in-depth:
| Small | Small Plus | Large | |
| Minimum size | 88 mm x 138 mm* | 88 mm x 138 mm* | – |
| Maximum size | 130 mm x 240 mm | 162 mm x 240 mm | 260 mm x 360 mm |
| Maximum thickness | 5 mm | 5 mm | 20 mm |
| Envelope sizes (examples) | DL: 110 mm x 220 mm
DLX: 120 mm x 235 mm DLE: 114 mm x 225 mm C6: 114 mm x 162 mm |
C5: 162 mm x 229 mm | B6/ C4: 125 mm × 324 mm
B4: 250 × 353 mm C4: 229 mm x 324 mm |
*The minimum dimensions also vary, depending on the item’s shape and the ratio of length and width. Reply Mail items should measure at least 90 mm x 145 mm.
Bulk Mail Options And Rates
There are more than ten Australia Post bulk mailing options available for you. They all have different features and pricing.
Find below the bulk mail types in Australia:
Print Post
Print Post allows mailers to send addressed, periodical publications like newsletters, magazines, and catalogues. They may also send promotional and personalised supplements along with your items.
Mostly, publications and other organisations distributing newsletters or magazines in large numbers use Print Post.
However, the publication should be distributed a minimum of two times every year and must have a fixed title.
Print Post is an ideal option for companies sending out Small and Large-sized items. The weight range is between 125 g and 1 kg. If you need to send something weighing more than 1 kg, you should use parcel services.
You should send at least 100 items per mailing to become eligible to use Print Post bulk mail-out. Other qualification requirements include sorting mail and printing barcodes.
The bulk postage rates in Australia range between $0.900 to $6.515, depending on whether you select Regular or Priority mailing.
PreSort Letters
PreSort Letters is a convenient way to send sorted, barcoded, and machine-addressed items. You can send articles of any weight up to 500 g.
Using barcodes and sorting items make this bulk mailing option affordable for mailers.
Again, you can choose if you want Regular or Priority delivery. But, remember that Priority mailing can increase your Australia Post bulk mail postage rates.
Also, you need to send at least 300 items to qualify for sending PreSort Letters.
PreSort postage rates range between $0.995 to $4.370.
Please note: You cannot send promotional letters under this option.
Promo Post
You may use the Promo Post mailing service if you want to send promotional PreSort Letters.
However, you need to sort and lodge at least 4,0000 barcoded items to become eligible. Also, the weight limit is restricted to only 250 g.
There’s another catch while sending Promo Post- Your items are sent through Regular mailing by default as Priority delivery is unavailable for this service.
Promo Post is the most convenient way to send promotional items like offers and invitations that cannot be sent via PreSort Letters. Also, you can enjoy low postage rates starting at only $0.705.
Remember that these rates can rise to $2.985 if you don’t use barcodes.
Charity Mail
Direct mail is a significant channel for charities to gain donations. Hence, the cost of bulk postage for these organisations is even lower than the others.
The Charity Mail service enables approved charities to send PreSort Letters at very reasonable rates. They can send small and large-sized articles to their existing and potential donors by paying as little as $0.565 per piece.
Charities should file an application with Australia Post to become eligible for using this service. Moreover, they need to send at least 300 barcoded and sorted items in every mailing to qualify.
The good news is that you need to print barcodes for only 300 items out of all the items you send under your campaign. This concept applies to all the bulk mailing options provided by Australia Post.
If they select Regular delivery, the rates range from $0.565 to $2.985. For Priority mailing, the costs start at $0.695 and increase to $1.390. Same-state deliveries typically cost lower than interstate deliveries.
Clean Mail
Tired of sorting and barcoding your articles? Try Australia Post’s Clean Mail service. It allows you to send bulk mail without undertaking these extra steps but still offers low prices.
It is the perfect option for those companies that want to send bulk mail but don’t have the required equipment for sorting and barcoding. You need to send at least 300 machine-addressed items to use Clean Mail.
So, how much does it cost to send bulk mail under this option? Find the rates below:
| Size and Weight | Priority Delivery | Regular Delivery |
| Small | $1.390 | $1.085 |
| Small Plus | $2.100 | $1.715 |
Acquisition Mail
Acquisition Mail is a bulk mail service allowing you to send non-personalised, addressed articles within the country.
It enables you to target specific geographical regions of any state and launch your campaigns at those places. This way, you can reach out to every resident or business in certain postcodes, suburbs, Statistical Areas, etc., and widen your lead base.
Find below some more features of Acquisition Mail:
- There is no minimum mailing volume to qualify for Acquisition mail, and the rates vary, depending on your campaign size.
- Typically, the postage ranges from $0.960 to $1.715 only.
- If your mailing quantity is lower than 300 items, you may not conduct sorting and barcoding. Otherwise, Australia Post needs you to complete these tasks to become eligible.
- Only Regular delivery is available for Acquisition Mail.
Imprint or Metered Mail
Imprint or Metered Mail is a mail service that allows mailers to send articles without worrying about sorting and barcoding. There are no minimum volume requirements.
But, you would need a postage meter to print postage details on your items and prepay the charges.
Alternatively, you can use postal imprints to pay for your postage.
Imprint or metered mail lets you mail small and large articles up to 500 g. And, you get the choice to select between Regular and Priority delivery.
If your articles don’t fit in these weight restrictions, you can use Australia Post’s parcel services that allow you to send flats up to 50 kg. Australia Post bulk parcel rates range between $9.30 to $26.20, depending on whether you select Parcel Post or Express Post.
Find below the rates to send Metered or Imprint Mail:
| Size | Priority Mailing | Regular Mailing |
| Small letters- up to 250 g | $1.590 | $1.090 |
| Large letters- up to 125 g | $2.680 | $2.180 |
| Large letters- 126 g to 250 g | $3.770 | $3.270 |
| Large letters- 251 g to 500 g | $5.950 | $5.450 |
Undoubtedly, Imprint or Metered Mail is the easiest bulk mail option available for mailers.
Reply Paid
Reply Paid is for businesses that want to make it easy for recipients to respond to their mail. They can attach an additional card or envelope with their items for customers to send back using this option.
You can send both small and large mail pieces under Reply Paid via Regular or Priority delivery.
There are no minimum or maximum volume restrictions, and you can send your items without sorting. However, you still need to print barcodes during your mail preparation.
Mailers must apply for a Reply Paid permit and pay an annual fee of $117.50. Postage prices start at $0.750 and go up to $5.850. But, you need to only pay for the items you receive back.
You may use the Reply Paid bulk mailing option domestically and internationally.
Unaddressed Mail
As the name suggests, Unaddressed Mail is for companies that wish to send out items like leaflets, catalogues, flyers, etc., without a mailing address.
Also, there is no name or personalised information printed on Unaddressed Mail items.
It is an ideal option for you only when you want to promote your brand in specific geographical areas.
For example, if you own a bookstore, you can send promotional items to everyone living in your neighbourhood (without knowing their name or address).
But, you need to target at least one whole suburb, postcode, local government area, or postal round. Make sure to book your mailing at least ten days in advance.
The price ranges between $0.215 to $0.653, depending on the type of service you select.
Domestic Letter With Tracking Imprint
Want to send trackable items? If yes, this option can help you send and track the delivery of large mail volumes.
You can track individual items online and provide recipients with email and SMS tracking notifications.
Not only that, but you also get a $100 compensation in case of any loss or damage.
There is no minimum mailing cap per lodgement, but you need to send at least 10,000 items per year to get these benefits.
Also, you need to complete sorting and barcoding for these pieces. The 2D barcodes help track the items as it travels through the Australia Post system right up to the delivery point.
Pricing depends on the number of items you are mailing and the destination.
Registered Post Imprint
If you want to get proof of delivery, you should select the Registered Post Imprint service. Australia Post does not deliver your items unless the recipients sign for them.
Thus, this option offers peace of mind to mailers and secures their mailing activities.
Apart from Signature on Delivery, other features include:
- $100 compensation cover
- Access to delivery status and report
- Email and SMS tracking notifications for recipients
You may send articles of any size under this mailing service. Registered Post costs start at $4.775 and rise to $7.445 if you select Regular delivery. Priority mailing rates range between $5.020 to $7.945.
Other bulk mailing options include Sample Post (for sending samples) and Competition Mail (for running competitions).
You may also use Full Rate-Mail for sending items that are not addressed, sorted, or barcoded. It is the most expensive bulk mailing option provided by Australia Post.
Payment Options
Australia Post offers several payment methods for mailers, and they are:
- Approved cheque
- Bank drafts or cheque
- Debit and credit card
- Australia Post account (mainly to use imprints)
- Postage meter
Please note that you can use only one payment option per lodgement.
Conclusion
Bulk mail costs include several more expenses like design, copywriting, mailing lists, and printing. But, you can still conduct successful direct mail campaigns under your budget with proper planning and a direct mail API like PostGrid to assist you.
Our direct mail services offer all-inclusive rates covering everything from design to postage. Plus, our features like address verification, per-piece tracking, and 2-business day SLA makes our API even more helpful.
Want to manage your bulk mail pricing and automate the entire process? Sign up now to get on board!
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