Australia Post eParcel vs Courier Services for Shopify

When running a successful Shopify store in Australia, choosing the right shipping option is crucial. It doesn’t just determine how fast your products reach your customers; it directly impacts your store’s profit margins, delivery reliability, and overall customer satisfaction.

Many Australian Shopify sellers find themselves weighing Australia Post eParcel against various other courier services when fulfilling local and international orders. Each option has its strengths and potential drawbacks, and selecting the best fit can make all the difference in staying competitive and profitable.

This guide breaks down how Australia Post eParcel stacks up against popular courier shipping services, helping you decide which shipping method aligns best with your store.

In This Article:

• Delivery Speed
• Coverage and Reach
• Pricing and Discounts
• Shopify Integration
• Customer Trust
• Australia Post eParcel vs Courier Services: Comparison
• Conclusion
• FAQ’s

Delivery Speed

How fast your orders arrive affects customer trust and repeat purchases. Here’s how Australia Post eParcel and other courier services compare:

Australia Post eParcel:

• Delivers within 2–6 business days Australia-wide, covering metro and regional areas reliably.
• Cost-effective for routine Shopify orders where standard shipping is acceptable.
  

Courier Services (TNT Australia, Sendle, FedEx):

• Provide faster options like same-day or guaranteed next-day delivery in major cities.
• FedEx stands out for time-critical international shipping with express customs clearance.
• A smart choice for urgent, fragile, or premium products where speed drives customer loyalty.

Coverage and Reach

Where your shipping partner can deliver directly impacts how many customers you can reach and how reliable your delivery promise is. Here’s how Australia Post eParcel and other courier services compare:

Australia Post eParcel:

• Delivers Australia-wide, covering metro, regional, and remote areas reliably.
• Can reach PO boxes, parcel lockers, and community mailrooms, ideal for rural and residential customers.
• Best suited for Shopify stores needing broad national coverage and reliable tracking for high order volumes.
  

Courier Services (Sendle, TNT Australia, FedEx):

• Strong metro-to-metro coverage with faster transit in major cities.
• Sendle offers affordable door-to-door service, mainly for suburban and urban areas; limited remote and no PO box deliveries.
• TNT Australia specializes in fast, time-definite shipping for heavy or high-priority parcels between business hubs.
• FedEx provides unmatched international reach and tracking, but does not support domestic shipping within Australia.
• Overall, other courier services are best for stores focusing on fast, urban shipping and global orders rather than nationwide residential coverage.

Pricing and Discounts

Shipping costs can eat into your margins fast, so getting the best rates is crucial so you are aware as these costs affect your shipping.

Australia Post eParcel

• Offers custom discounted contract rates for merchants shipping over 2000 packages a year, helping large volume Shopify stores reduce per parcel costs.
• Predictable pricing for standard parcel sizes makes it easy to set shipping rates at checkout.
• Extra services like insurance and tracking are included or easy to add for clear cost control.
  

Courier Services (Sendle, TNT Australia, FedEx)

• Flexible pricing: Sendle provides low flat courier rates for small to mid-sized stores, while TNT and FedEx have variable rates for urgent or heavy parcels.
• Express services generally cost more than standard eParcel but deliver speed and premium handling.
  

Managing All The Rates:

• Through the  PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app, Shopify sellers can view and compare rates from Australia Post eParcel, Sendle, TNT Australia, FedEx, and other couriers in one place. This helps you choose the most cost-effective option for each shipment, regardless of parcel size or destination.

Shopify Integration

Connecting your shipping carriers to Shopify shouldn’t be complicated and with the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app, it isn’t. This Shipping app lets you integrate Australia Post eParcel, Sendle, TNT Australia, and FedEx seamlessly into your Shopify store, giving you complete control over rates, labels, and tracking in one place.

Here’s how it works:

• To get started, first install and set up the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app on your Shopify store.

• After this is done, head over to the app’s landing page, locate the ☰ icon (hamburger menu) at the top left corner. Then go to Settings>Carriers>”+” search for the carrier that you want to add, input all the details, and click on “Connect and Save”.

• As soon as you add the carrier in the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app, the live rates for that carrier will be automatically displayed at your Shopify checkout.

• So as soon as a customer checks out with those live rates, the order will automatically appear in the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app, where you will get an option to generate label for that order.

• As soon as you click on ‘Generate Label’ in the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app, the shipping label for that order will be created instantly.

Customer Trust

Your customers’ trust often depends on how reliably and securely their orders arrive. Here’s how Australia Post eParcel and other courier services help build that confidence:

Australia Post eParcel

• A familiar, trusted name in Australia for standard deliveries.
• Customers appreciate consistent tracking and reliable delivery to homes, P.O. boxes, and parcel lockers.
• Strong reputation for handling everyday parcels securely.
  

Courier Services (Sendle, TNT Australia, FedEx)

• Helps boost your store’s reputation for fast, premium delivery, especially for express or time-sensitive orders.
• Sendle’s carbon-neutral promise appeals to eco-conscious shoppers.
• TNT Australia and FedEx add confidence for high-value or international orders with detailed tracking and priority handling.

Australia Post eParcel vs Courier Services: Comparison

Conclusion

Australia Post eParcel is great for reliable, budget-friendly shipping nationwide, including PO boxes and remote addresses. Couriers like Sendle, TNT Australia, and FedEx work best when you need faster delivery, special handling, or global reach. Combining both through the PH Multicarrier shipping label app gives your Shopify store the best mix of cost savings, speed, and customer satisfaction.

FAQ’s

1. Which courier is best for shipping from Australia?

For domestic shipping within Australia, Australia Post eParcel is reliable and cost-effective. For international shipping from Australia, FedEx is the best option for speed and tracking.

2. Can I use both Australia Post eParcel as well as other courier services on my Shopify store?

Yes, and it’s often the smartest strategy. Using both lets you offer customers the best mix of cost, speed, and coverage. The easiest way to manage multiple carriers is with the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app.

3. Which is cheaper: Australia Post eParcel or other courier services?

For standard domestic deliveries, eParcel’s contract rates often provide the most cost-effective option, especially if you ship large volumes. Other couriers may charge more for express or bulky items, but can deliver faster and handle special requirements. 

4. Can I print shipping labels for multiple carriers from Shopify?

Yes, PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label makes it simple to print labels for Australia Post, Sendle, TNT Australia, FedEx, and more directly from your Shopify dashboard.