From NSW
Within NSW: Tue 22 Dec. To ACT, Vic, Qld, SA and Tas: Mon 21 Dec. To WA: Fri 18 Dec. To NT: Wed 16 Dec.
Australia Post Christmas cut-off dates 2026 for online stores
Australia Post's last recommended sending dates for Christmas 2026 are Tuesday 22 December for Parcel Post within the same state (metro), Monday 21 December between most states, and earlier for Western Australia and the Northern Territory: as early as Monday 14 December. Express Post runs to Wednesday 23 December between most states. For online stores, your own 'order by' date is earlier still, because you need time to pack. Below are the dates by state, New Zealand, how to set your order-by dates and what to tell customers.
Updated 18 October 2026
Parcel Post cut-off dates by sending state (metro)
These are Australia Post's last recommended dates for Parcel Post sent to and from metro areas for the best chance of arriving by Christmas Day 2026. Over-the-counter Parcel Post must be lodged by 2.30pm. Allow extra time outside metro areas. Source: Australia Post's Christmas page (auspost.com.au/christmas), checked October 2026; the dates can change, so check it before you publish yours.
From ACT
Within ACT: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, Vic, Qld, SA and Tas: Mon 21 Dec. To WA: Fri 18 Dec. To NT: Wed 16 Dec.
From Victoria
Within Vic: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT, Qld, SA and Tas: Mon 21 Dec. To WA: Fri 18 Dec. To NT: Wed 16 Dec.
From Queensland
Within Qld: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT, Vic and SA: Mon 21 Dec. To Tas: Fri 18 Dec. To WA: Thu 17 Dec. To NT: Mon 14 Dec.
From South Australia
Within SA: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT, Vic, Qld and Tas: Mon 21 Dec. To WA: Fri 18 Dec. To NT: Thu 17 Dec.
From Western Australia
Within WA: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT, Vic and SA: Fri 18 Dec. To Qld: Thu 17 Dec. To Tas: Wed 16 Dec. To NT: Mon 14 Dec.
From Tasmania
Within Tas: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT, Vic and SA: Mon 21 Dec. To Qld: Fri 18 Dec. To WA: Wed 16 Dec. To NT: Mon 14 Dec.
From the Northern Territory
Within NT: Tue 22 Dec. To NSW, ACT and Vic: Wed 16 Dec. To Qld, SA and WA: Thu 17 Dec. To Tas: Mon 14 Dec.
Express Post and New Zealand
- Express Post (metro): Wed 23 December 2026 within the same state and between NSW, ACT, Vic, Qld, SA and Tas; Tue 22 December 2026 for WA and the NT (check your exact route). Over-the-counter Express Post must be lodged by 2.30pm.
- To New Zealand from Australia: International Courier and Express by Tue 15 December 2026, Standard by Wed 9 December 2026, Economy Air by Wed 2 December 2026.
- Using another courier (StarTrack, Sendle, Aramex, CouriersPlease)? Check their own Christmas dates; they differ from Australia Post.
- Shipping from New Zealand? Check NZ Post's Christmas dates for your routes.
How to set your store's 'order by' dates
- Find the Australia Post date for each route you ship most (for example Vic to NSW, Vic to WA).
- Subtract your packing time. If you ship the next business day, an Australia Post date of Fri 18 Dec means your customers must order by Thu 17 Dec.
- Allow extra for regional customers and for your own busy days. Many shops add one more day of buffer in the last week.
- Pick a simple message: one date for 'most of Australia' and an earlier one for WA, NT and New Zealand.
- Set an express option and an 'order by' date for it too, so late shoppers can still buy.
Tell customers before they ask
- Add a banner to your site: 'Order by [date] for Christmas delivery (WA, NT and NZ: [date])'.
- Put the dates on product pages, your shipping policy and your FAQ.
- Add them to your Instagram, Messenger and email auto replies.
- Email your list a week before the cut-off and again two days before.
- After the cut-off, say clearly that new orders may arrive after Christmas, and suggest gift cards.
Templates you can copy
Site banner
🎄 Order by [Mon 21 Dec] for Christmas delivery. WA, NT and NZ: order by [date]. Express available until [date].
Reply to 'will it arrive by Christmas?'
Hi [Name]! If you order by [date] with standard shipping, it should arrive before Christmas (WA and NT by [date]). Express is available until [date] if you need more time.
After the cut-off
Thanks for your message! Our Christmas cut-off has passed, so new orders may arrive after 25 December. A digital gift card arrives instantly: [link]
The 'will it arrive by Christmas?' rush
From late November, 'will it get here in time?' and 'where is my order?' messages pile up in comments under your ads, DMs and email, often right when you are busiest packing. Clear dates on your site cut most of them. For the rest, Paperflower puts every comment, DM and email in one list, puts buying questions first and drafts each reply from your shipping policy and the customer's Shopify order, so answers are right and fast. See our guides to WISMO, shipping policy templates and Gmail auto replies.
How Paperflower is different
Comments are a sales channel, not a chore
Most tools treat comments as noise. Paperflower reads every one, spots buying questions like “do you ship to NZ?” and makes sure they get answered before the customer moves on.
Buying Intent and Opportunity Score
Every conversation gets a score so the people ready to buy come first. You see who to reply to now, and who can wait.
Shopify context in every draft
Order status, shipping and product details are pulled in automatically, so drafts are right the first time and private order details never go out in public.
You stay in control
AI drafts are on and auto-send is off by default. Complaints are escalated to you. Refunds and cancellations always need a human.
Simple pricing
Paperflower starts free with 100 customer interactions a month, no card needed: every message in one list, and you write the replies. AI sorting, reply drafts and spam hiding come with Standard, which is A$47 a month for 3,000 customer interactions, with a 7-day free trial. Human replies are always free. See all plans.
Built for AU and NZ brands
Local time zones, local shipping questions, and support from people who know the market.
Frequently asked questions
For Parcel Post between metro areas it is Tue 22 December within the same state and Mon 21 December between most states, with earlier dates for routes to or from WA and the NT (as early as Mon 14 Dec). Express Post runs to Wed 23 December for most routes. Check auspost.com.au/christmas for your exact route.
From Australia: International Courier and Express by Tue 15 December 2026, Standard by Wed 9 December 2026 and Economy Air by Wed 2 December 2026.
Take Australia Post's date for your main routes and subtract your packing time, plus a day of buffer. If Australia Post's date is Mon 21 Dec and you ship next business day, ask customers to order by Thu 17 or Fri 18 Dec.
They are for metro locations. Australia Post advises allowing extra time for parcels sent to or from regional areas.
Not unless you turn that on. By default it drafts a reply and you approve it. You can switch on auto-send for simple, safe questions once you trust the drafts.
Instagram, Facebook and TikTok comments and DMs, support email through Gmail or Google Workspace, and Shopify for order details.
Yes. The Free plan is the basics: 100 customer interactions a month in one list, no card needed, and you write each reply. Standard adds AI sorting, reply drafts and spam hiding, and comes with a 7-day free trial. You can cancel any time. Compare plans.
Start Paperflower free
Connect Instagram, Facebook, email and Shopify in a few minutes. On Standard, AI sorts every message and drafts every reply, you stay in control, and nothing is sent without your say-so unless you switch that on. Free puts every message in one list for you to answer.