Early days
- 1809: The first official postal service begins in Sydney, New South Wales, under the control of the colonial government.
- 1849: The first prepaid postage stamp, known as the "Sydney View," is issued in New South Wales.
- 1855: The separate colonies of Australia begin issuing their own stamps, reflecting the decentralized nature of the postal system.
The 1900s
- 1901: Following Federation, the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia takes control of postal services.
- 1911: The iconic Kangaroo and Map series of postage stamps, featuring Australia's distinctive fauna, is introduced.
- 1930: Uniform postage rates are established across Australia, streamlining the postal system.
Recent history
- 1975: Australia Post is established as a government-owned corporation, unifying postal services nationally.
- 1980s: The introduction of postcode zones and improved sorting technology enhances mail efficiency.
- 2008: Australia Post adapts to the digital age, introducing services like parcel tracking and online postage.
- 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, online shipping purchases increases by 76 per cent. As a result, Australia Post is put under major strain, with posties reportedly delivering between 150 to 170 small parcels a day.
- Present: Australia Post continues to evolve, embracing digital solutions while maintaining a robust physical mail network.