Australians have set a new record for online spending, with $20.7 billion spent between July and September, according to Australia Post’s latest Quarterly eCommerce Report.
The 15 per cent year-on-year increase marks a strong start to the financial year and signals another intense peak season for the national delivery network.
More than 8.1 million households shopped online during the quarter, up 2.7 per cent from last year. Online Marketplaces led spending at $4.6 billion, followed by Food and Liquor ($4.2 billion) and Fashion ($2.7 billion). Lifestyle categories such as Books, Consumer Electronics, and Hobbies posted the highest growth, with some rising more than 40 per cent.
With half of all shoppers planning to buy during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Australia Post is preparing for what General Manager Enterprise and Government, Chelsea O’Reilly, describes as its biggest delivery season on record.
“We’ve significantly bolstered operations, hiring thousands of additional team members, investing in our delivery network and infrastructure, and rolling out a new fleet of electric delivery vehicles to get parcels to customers faster than ever,” O’Reilly says.
The organisation now operates more than 1,000 Parcel Locker banks nationwide and continues to expand collection and tracking options through the Australia Post app. These efforts reflect the changing expectations of online consumers, particularly younger shoppers seeking deliveries within three days.
New South Wales residents recorded the highest online spend, followed by Victoria and Queensland. Hoppers Crossing in Victoria topped the list of shopping postcodes, alongside Toowoomba and Mackay in Queensland.
With key sending dates now announced, Australia Post is urging customers to plan ahead and post early to ensure timely delivery during what’s expected to be Australia’s busiest peak season yet.
