World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Australia's regional post offices face an uncertain future as inquiry examines network
A Senate inquiry is examining Australia Post’s retail network and the role post offices play in delivering community services.
About 2,900 licensed post offices make up roughly two-thirds of the network, and many are in regional areas.
In Tarpeena, South Australia, the local post office closed in 2022, leaving residents to travel 20 kilometres to the nearest one.
Former customers say the closure removed a place where older people could meet others and receive a daily greeting.
Australia Post says 38 per cent of licensees are aged 60 or older, while declining foot traffic, rising costs and worker shortages add pressure.
The company says it is updating its licensing model and that parcel lockers and other services complement, rather than replace, post offices.
The inquiry is due to report this month, after which Australia Post says it will review and consider the committee’s findings.
A Senate inquiry is examining Australia Post’s retail network, including the role of licensed post offices in delivering community services.
Advocates say regional post offices are important community hubs, but aging licensees and changing needs threaten their future.
About two-thirds of Australia Post’s retail network consists of licensed post offices, with about 2,900 operating across the country.
Australia Post cites declining foot traffic, rising costs and worker shortages as challenges in regional areas.
In Tarpeena, South Australia, the local post office closed in 2022, leaving the nearest one 20 kilometres away.
- Who
- Australia Post and licensed post office operators are central to the inquiry. Advocates are calling for small-town post offices to be maintained.
- What
- A Senate inquiry is examining Australia Post’s retail network and the role of licensed post offices in delivering community services.
- When
- The inquiry is underway and is due to report back this month. The Tarpeena post office closed in 2022.
- Where
- Australia, with particular focus on regional and rural communities. Tarpeena is in South Australia’s south-east.
- Why
- The inquiry is examining the retail network as regional post offices face declining foot traffic, rising costs, worker shortages and aging licensees.
LPO Group and regional post office advocates
Australia Post
Community role
LPO Group and regional post office advocates
LPO Group says post offices are among the most important businesses in rural and regional towns, and losing them takes away a great deal from the community.
Australia Post
Australia Post says supporting communities is central to its work and rejects claims that it is abandoning them.
Service changes
LPO Group and regional post office advocates
LPO Group says services such as banking are being run down as the focus shifts to parcels.
Australia Post
Australia Post says self-service options such as parcel lockers complement post offices rather than replace them.
The licensed post office in Tarpeena, which operated from the Pines Hotel, closed, leaving the closest post office 20 kilometres away.
A Senate inquiry into Australia Post’s retail network was underway and was due to report back that month.
- Licensed post offices
- About 2,900 across Australia
- Share of retail network
- About two-thirds
- Tarpeena post office closure
- 2022
- Distance to nearest post office
- 20 kilometres
- LPO owners aged 60 or older
- 38 per cent
What people are saying
When you're in the rural and regional parts of Australia, that's one of the most important businesses in your town
Supporting communities is at the heart of what we do and Australia Post rejects claims it is abandoning communities.
From a mental health point of view, it wasn't good for a lot of older people in the community.
Sources
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