2024 Holiday Schedule for Australia: The Dates & Delivery Deadlines You Should Know

For eCommerce merchants, the festive period is a whirlwind of activity, filled with opportunities to capture customer excitement and boost sales. It’s a time of planning strategic Christmas promotions, launching attention-grabbing pop-up campaigns, and ensuring inventory is fully stocked to meet rising demand. However, this surge in activity also brings its share of challenges, as the pressure to provide a seamless customer experience intensifies. Amid all the efforts to make the season memorable for shoppers, nothing can derail the festive spirit faster than delayed or missed delivery deadlines.

To help every shipment reach customers on time this busy peak season, we've prepared our annual Christmas cut-off dates for shipping, in an easy-to-view table. This blog details the final Australia shipping deadlines for parcels you want to be delivered by Christmas morning, with all the top couriers.

We understand that a lot of merchants are preparing all year round for Christmas, as let's face it – though it's the most wonderful time of the year, it's also the most hectic! However, you can be prepared this festive Season with our handy shipping cutoff dates guide, so everyone can receive their Christmas gifts in time for Christmas day.

2024 Last Posting Dates for Australia Post

Ensuring your customers receive their orders in time for Christmas is crucial, especially when navigating potential Australia Post delays. Once your holiday shipping rates and methods are set up on your site, it’s equally important to communicate the final posting dates for Australia to your customers. Clear communication ensures they place their orders on time.

Posting deadlines can vary depending on the courier you choose, so it’s essential to highlight the specific dates applicable for Australia this Christmas. Additionally, any changes to your shipping process—whether related to timing or costs—should be clearly outlined in your shipping policy to maintain transparency and avoid confusion.

Related: What’s The Cheapest Way to Ship to Australia

Let’s take a look at the 2024 Australia Post Holidays and Delivery Deadlines:

Australia Day: Friday, January 26, 2024

Australia Day is a national public holiday, and all postal operations, including regular mail and parcel deliveries, will be paused. To ensure timely deliveries and avoid delays, it’s important to plan ahead and send shipments well in advance of the holiday.

Valentine’s Day: Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Valentine’s Day is a special occasion, and Australia Post will operate as usual to ensure smooth delivery of gifts, cards, and parcels. To guarantee arrival by February 14, aim to ship by February 10 or 11. Sending early helps ensure your loved ones receive their surprises on time.

Good Friday: Friday, March 29, 2024

Good Friday is a significant public holiday when all postal services are paused to observe the day. To ensure your parcels reach their destination on time and avoid disruptions, it's crucial to plan ahead.

• Send shipments by Wednesday, March 27, to ensure delivery before Good Friday.
• Plan early to maintain smooth operations and avoid delays for your recipients.

Easter Monday: Monday, April 1, 2024

Easter Monday is observed as a national holiday, during which all postal and parcel delivery services are suspended. To ensure your shipments reach their destination without delays, it’s crucial to plan ahead and dispatch them well in advance. This proactive approach helps avoid disruptions, keeping your operations running smoothly and ensuring your recipients receive their items on time despite the holiday closure.

Anzac Day: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Anzac Day, a significant national holiday in Australia, will result in the suspension of all postal services, including mail and parcel deliveries. As a day of remembrance and observance, there will be no postal operations or courier activities on this date. To avoid any disruptions and ensure your shipments arrive on time, it’s essential to plan ahead and send parcels well in advance. Early preparation is key to maintaining seamless delivery schedules and honoring customer commitments despite the holiday closures.

Labor Day: Monday, September 2, 2024

Labor Day, observed as a federal holiday, marks a day of rest and recognition for workers, with all postal operations, including mail and parcel deliveries, temporarily suspended. To ensure your shipments reach their destinations on time and avoid any disruptions, it’s recommended to send items by Friday, August 30. Planning ahead and scheduling deliveries early will help maintain smooth operations and uphold customer satisfaction during this important holiday.

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2024

Thanksgiving Day will see normal business operations for postal services, ensuring that mail and parcel deliveries proceed as scheduled. However, with the holiday season in full swing and increased shipping volumes, it’s essential to plan ahead. 

• Dispatch Deadlines: Send parcels by November 26 to guarantee timely delivery and avoid delays.
• Avoid holiday delays: Plan ahead to mitigate potential disruptions caused by the holiday rush.
• Enhance customer satisfaction: Early preparation ensures smooth deliveries, keeping customers happy during the festive season.

Black Friday: Friday, November 29, 2024

Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, will operate with normal postal services. However, the surge in shipping demand requires careful planning to ensure timely deliveries.

Dispatch Deadlines: Aim to send parcels by November 26 or 27 to avoid delays caused by high shipping volumes.

• Proactive Planning: Plan shipments early to maintain smooth operations during the busy Black Friday period.
• Customer Satisfaction: Ensure timely deliveries to meet customer expectations and maintain trust.

Cyber Monday: Monday, December 2, 2024

Cyber Monday operates as a regular business day, but the surge in online orders makes timely dispatch crucial. To meet delivery expectations and avoid delays, ensure packages are sent by December 1. Early shipping not only aligns with increased shipping activity but also helps maintain customer satisfaction during this peak shopping period.

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Australia; all Australia Post locations will be closed with no deliveries on this day. To manage the high volume of shipments leading up to Christmas:

Australia Post Christmas Deadlines 2024

AusPost Domestic Christmas Delivery Deadlines

Australia Post International Deliveries

Shipping internationally for Christmas? To ensure your packages arrive before December 25, 2024, it’s crucial to plan ahead and meet the recommended Australia Post deadlines. By adhering to these cut-off dates, you can avoid delays and ensure your international parcels reach their destinations in time for the festive celebrations.

Sendle Domestic Cutoff Dates for Christmas 2024

Sendle International Cutoff Dates for Christmas 2024

Aramex Domestic Christmas Post to Australia Cutoff Dates 2024

Boxing Day: Thursday, December 26, 2024

Boxing Day is a significant public holiday in Australia, celebrated the day after Christmas. On this day, all Australia Post locations will be closed, and there will be no mail or parcel deliveries. To avoid any potential delays during this busy holiday period, it is essential to prepare and dispatch your shipments well in advance. Consider sending your items before Christmas to ensure they reach their destination on time.

New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, December 31, 2024

On New Year’s Eve, Australia Post will operate with partial services from 7 PM to midnight. This limited operational window allows for some last-minute shipping needs as the year comes to a close. To ensure that your items are delivered on or before January 1, 2025, it is advisable to ship them by December 30. Planning ahead will help you avoid any last-minute rush and ensure that your packages arrive on time for the New Year celebrations.

Use the 2024 Australian Holiday Schedule to Ensure Your Holiday Orders Are Delivered On Time

Avoid the hassle of last-minute shipping by encouraging your customers to place their orders early—maybe even sweeten the deal with some festive discounts! Remember, even domestic deliveries may face delays during the holiday rush. Planning ahead ensures your shoppers won’t be left waiting for their packages to arrive in time for Christmas.

At Easyship, we’re committed to simplifying your holiday shipping, ensuring you can deliver a seamless, highly reliable experience to your customers. Take advantage of our powerful features and exclusive discounts:

• Global Fulfillment Support: Access Easyship’s network of fulfillment centers to store inventory closer to your customers. Reduce shipping costs and delivery times, especially during peak seasons.
• Tax and Duty Calculation: No surprises at checkout! Easyship calculates taxes and duties for international shipments, ensuring a smooth delivery experience for international customs clearance.
• Branded Shipment Tracking: Keep your customers updated this holiday season with branded tracking emails and automated notifications, ensuring they stay informed about their package status and delivery location at all times.‍
• Free Shipping Rate Calculator: Compare rates from hundreds of carriers and diverse shipping solutions to identify the most affordable, fastest, and reliable options tailored to every shipment.