If your business tends to ship items around the same weight and size, often choosing flat rate shipping can save you money over time. There’s no need to calculate shipping for each order. As long as a package falls under a certain weight and can fit within the flat-rate package, it will ship for the same price. And, when you choose Australia Post, most domestic packages reach their destination in about two days – so there’s really no need to add more of a rush to your shipping unless a customer requests it.
What is Flat Rate Shipping?
Flat rate shipping is when the cost of the shipping is based on the size of the box. The price is the same regardless of the destination or the weight of the item as long as it is under the maximum weight for the size of the box being used. As long as the item fits in the box and is under the designated weight it will stay at the same rate.
Australia Post Flat Rate Shipping
Australia Post provides four different sized options to choose from that can best suit the shipping needs for your business. You are able to pick from Parcel Post and Express Post.
1. Small – Up to 500g
Parcel Post postage – $9.15 plus packaging
Express Post postage – $12.15 plus packaging
For the small option there are nine different packaging options you can choose from (six postage not included and three postage included) depending on the size of your item.
Postage not included:
- Small satchel 10 pack – $2.50
- Mailing Tube 50 pack – $75.50 – 60 x 420mm
- Padded Mailer 100 pack – $86.40 – 240 x340mm
- Parcel Box 20 pack – $26.17 – 220 x 70mm
- Recycled Padded Bag 100 pack $86.80 – 236 x 329mm
- Tough Bag 100 pack – $54.90 – 261 x369m
Postage included:
- Express Post Platinum Small Satchel 10 pack – $169.90
- Express Post Small Satchel 10 pack -$120.90
- Parcel Post Small 10 pack -$91.65
2. Medium – 500g to 1kg
Parcel Post – $12.50 plus packaging
Express Post – $16.00 plus packaging
The medium option gives you seven different packaging options with postage not included and two options with postage included.
Postage not included:
- Flat Rate Medium Satchel 10 pack – $2.50
- Mailing Tube 25 pack – $55.25 – 60 x 660mm
- Padded Mailer 100 pack – $99.20 – 265 x 380mm
- Parcel Box 20 pack – $33.48 – 240 x 190 x 120mm
- Recycled Padded Bag 100 pack – $105.00 – 380 x 270mm
- Rigid Mailer A3 40 pack – $96.72 – 295 x 420mm
- Tough Bag 100 pack – $61.00 – 299 x 429mm
Postage included:
- Parcel Post Medium Satchel 10 Pack – $124.30
- Express Post Medium Satchel 10 Pack – $158.45
3. Large – 1kg to 3kg
Parcel Post – $15.75 plus packaging
Express Post – $19.75 plus packaging
The large option allows up to 3kg and offers larger packaging options to choose from. There are nine options without shipping included and three that include shipping.
Postage not included:
- Flat Rate Large Satchel 10 pack – $3.50
- Mailing Tubes 16 pack – $72.16 – 90 x 850mm
- Padded Mailer 60 pack – 82.20 – 483 x 361mm
- Parcel Box 20 pack – $36.20 – 390 x 280 x 140mm
- Recycled Padded Bag 50 pack – $73.45 – 353 x 469mm
- Tough Bag 100 pack – $84.24 – 405 x 435mm
- Wine Box – Single – 10 pack – $30.77 – 132 x 395mm
- Wine Box – Twin – 10 pack – 240 x 105 x 395mm
- Parcel Box BX24 20 pack – $34.00 – 410 x 300 x 80mm
Postage included:
- Express Post Large Satchel 10 pack – $195.95
- Express Post Platinum Large Satchel 10 pack – $230.90
- Parcel Post Large Satchel 10 pack – $157.00
4. Extra Large – 3kg to 5kg
Parcel Post – $18.95 plus packaging
Express Post – $25.95 plus packaging
The extra-large option is definitely for those eCommerce businesses that send out heavy packages regularly. There are three packaging options not including postage and two including postage to choose from.
Postage not included:
- Flat Rate Extra Large Satchel 10 pack – $4.50
- Parcel Box 20 pack – $45.43 – 440 x 277 x 168mm
- Tough Bag 60 pack – $75.95 – 400 x 659mm with 105mm gusset
Postage included:
- Express Post Extra Large Satchel 10 pack – $257.40
- Parcel Post Extra Large Satchel 10 pack – $185.15
When Should you choose a Flat Rate for my eCommerce Business?
Any business that sends out packages can benefit from using flat rate shipping. Not only will you always know what you will be paying but it is more convenient to not have to weigh your parcel before it is sent. If you are looking for a cost-effective and easier way to ship, Flat-Rate Shipping could be perfect for your business.
You can streamline your shipping process even further by partnering with Australia Post certified application or plugins from PluginHive and increase your customer satisfaction by offering estimated shipping costs at checkout, live delivery tracking, and more – right from your store. With PluginHive solutions, you can Integrate Australia Post’s APIs with your eCommerce to benefit from many added web services and more.
Interested in finding out how PluginHive can integrate Australia Post shipping services right into your Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or other commerce-based web platforms? Reach out for a conversation with our customer support team.
