
Australian addresses are formatted similarly to American addresses, with the city, state, and postal code all appearing on one line. The address begins with the recipient's name, followed by the street address, including the apartment or building number and name of the street. The suburb or town, state or territory abbreviation, and postal code are written on the following line. Australian postcodes are four-digit codes that may cover multiple states or territories. When addressing mail to a PO Box, the PO Box number replaces the street address. It is important to use the correct format to ensure that mail sent to Australia arrives at its intended destination without delays or the risk of getting lost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipient's name | Full name in the middle of the envelope or box |
| Street address | House or building number and street name |
| Apartment number | Before the street number with a dash or slash |
| Suburb/town | Name of suburb or town |
| State | Abbreviation of state or territory |
| Postal code | Four-digit postal code |
| Country | "Australia" or country code (AU or AUS) |
| PO Box | PO Box number included for PO Box addresses |
| Military personnel | Addressed to the Australian Forces Post Office (AFPO) with name, rank, and unit number |
| Courier services | Include recipient's phone number |
| Font size | Height: 1.8mm-7mm; Width: 3mm-7mm |
| Font style | Fixed-width, e.g. Courier 12 |
| Punctuation | Avoid dashes, slashes, full stops, and commas |
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Recipient's name
When addressing mail to Australia, it is important to write the recipient's full name in the middle of the envelope or box. Their name should be written in dark ink and printed neatly on a single line. If you are addressing a letter to multiple people in the same household, you can include up to two people's full names. If they share a surname, write their first names followed by the shared surname. For example, "John and Jane Smith". If they do not share a surname, write out both of their full names.
If you are sending mail to military personnel in Australia, you must address it to the Australian Forces Post Office (AFPO). Write the name and rank of the recipient on the first line, then add AFPO and their unit number on the line below.
When addressing a business, write the company's name in the first line, followed by the recipient's name and their department on the second line.
The Australian postal service recommends using a fixed-width font such as Courier 12. The height of the characters should be between 1.8mm and 7mm, and the width should be between 0.3mm and 7mm. Punctuation should be avoided in the address, but it is accepted in the recipient's name.
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Street address
When writing an Australian address, the first line should include the full name of the recipient. If you are sending mail to a business, write the company's name in the first line, followed by the name of the recipient and their department on the second line. If you are sending mail to multiple recipients of the same family or business, write their names separately on different lines.
The second line should include the street address, which consists of the house or building number and the name of the street. If sending mail to an apartment, write the apartment number followed by a slash and then the building number. For example, 5/130 Sunnyside Lane.
On the third line, write the name of the suburb, town, or locality, followed by the state or territory abbreviation and the postal code. All of these items should be on the same line and in capital letters. The Australian state and territory abbreviations should be separated from the locality name by one or two spaces. The postal code is a four-digit code, with the first two digits often representing the state or territory.
If the recipient has a post office (PO) box, include the PO Box number on the third line. PO Boxes do not require a street address. However, if you are sending a parcel to a PO Box, the format is almost identical to a standard address, with the PO Box number included under the addressee and company name.
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City, state and postal code
When writing an Australian address, the city, state, and postal code should all appear together on the line after the street address. This format is similar to that of the US, with the state written in abbreviation form. For example, QLD is the abbreviation for Queensland.
If you are sending mail to a PO Box, the format is similar, but the PO Box number must be included, and a street address is not necessary. The PO Box number should be clearly printed under the addressee and company name (if applicable).
If you are sending mail to military personnel, you must address it to the Australian Forces Post Office (AFPO). Add the rank and name of the recipient on the first line, then add AFPO and their unit number on the line below.
Australian postcodes are four-digit codes, and the first two digits often indicate which state or territory the postcode belongs to. However, some postcodes cover multiple states or territories. For example, the postcode 0872 covers localities in Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
When writing the city, state, and postal code on the same line, separate the state abbreviation from the locality name with one or two spaces, and separate the postcode from the state abbreviation with one or two spaces. All of these details should be in capital letters.
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PO Box
A PO Box—short for post office box—is a great way to receive mail and parcels privately and securely. It's especially useful if you're often not at home to receive deliveries or if you prefer to keep your physical address private. Here are some key things to know about PO Boxes in Australia:
Obtaining a PO Box
To get a PO Box, you'll need to visit your local post office and fill out an application form. You'll be asked to provide some personal details, such as your name, physical address, and contact information. There may be a small fee for renting the PO Box, which can vary depending on the size of the box and the duration of your rental.
Choosing a PO Box Address
When selecting your PO Box address, you'll typically choose a post office near your home or work, or in an area that is convenient for you to collect mail. The address will consist of the name of the post office, the PO Box number, and the state and postcode. For example, a fictional address could be: "PO Box 12345, Sydney GPO NSW 2000".
Receiving Mail and Parcels
Once you've set up your PO Box, you can start using it right away. Anyone sending mail to your PO Box will address it to that specific post office, using your PO Box number. The post office staff will then securely store your mail and parcels in your assigned mailbox, which only you can access.
Collecting Your Mail
To collect your mail, simply visit the post office during their opening hours and access your mailbox using your unique key or access code. Some post offices may also offer a 24/7 access option for added convenience. Be sure to bring valid ID when collecting parcels or larger items.
Privacy and Security
One of the main benefits of a PO Box is the added privacy and security it offers. Your mail will be safe and secure, and only accessible by you or anyone else you authorise. This can be especially useful if you run a business from home or want to keep personal matters private.
By understanding how PO Boxes work in Australia, you can take advantage of this service to ensure the secure and convenient delivery of your mail and parcels.
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Country name
When writing an Australian address, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your mail reaches its destination without any issues. Here is a breakdown of the key elements to include when formatting an address for Australia:
Recipient's Name:
Start by writing the full name of the recipient in the centre of the envelope or box. If you are addressing a letter to a business, write the company's name first, followed by the name of the recipient and their department on the next line. Alternatively, if you are sending mail to military personnel, include their name, rank, and AFPO (Australian Forces Post Office) number in the first line.
Street Address:
On the line after the recipient's name, write the street address, including the house or building number and street name. If the recipient lives in an apartment, include the apartment number followed by a slash and then the building number, for example, "91/17 Jones St" or "5/130 Sunnyside Lane".
Suburb/Town, State/Territory, and Postal Code:
On the next line, write the name of the suburb or town, followed by the state or territory abbreviation and the postal code. Australian postcodes are four-digit codes, and you can look them up on the Australian Post website. Remember to write the state or territory abbreviation in capital letters, such as "QLD" for Queensland.
PO Box:
If the recipient has a post office box number, include it on the same line as the suburb/town, state/territory, and postal code. When writing an address for a PO Box, clearly print the PO Box number under the recipient's name, and a street address is not necessary.
For addresses outside of Australia, include one more line with the country name or its two- or three-digit country code, such as "AUSTRALIA" or "AUS".
Return Address:
Don't forget to include your return address in the upper left corner of the envelope or package.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mail is correctly addressed and successfully delivered to its intended destination in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The address lines should be left-aligned.
The height of the characters should be between 1.8mm and 7mm and the width should be between 0.3mm and 7mm.
Avoid punctuation like dashes, slashes, full stops, or commas in an Australian postal address. However, they are accepted in the recipient's name and to separate address elements.
Address it to the Australian Forces Post Office (AFPO). Add the name and rank of the person in the first line, then add AFPO and their unit number on the next line.
Write the recipient's full name in the middle of the envelope. On the next line, write the street address, including the house or building number and name of the street. If the recipient lives in an apartment, write the apartment number followed by a slash and then the building number. On the following line, write the suburb, state or territory abbreviation, and postal code.











































