AUSTRALIA Post customers are set to again shoulder price increases, despite the postal giant’s rising profits.
The postal service is lifting the cost of domestic parcels, prepaid express post envelopes and satchels and some international letters, as well as mail redirection and holds.
Customers were hit with price rises on many of the services last year, months after the cost of a standard stamp was jacked up to $1.
The price increases come just weeks after it was revealed former chief executive Ahmed Fahour received almost $11 million in pay and perks in his final year.
The postal giant’s after-tax profit also rose to $95 million, compared with $36 million in 2016.
But an Australia Post spokeswoman blamed the price rises on increasing costs of delivery.
“For most products, this is the first price increase in over 12 months,” she said.
“We recognise that pricing changes are not easy for our customers and we have worked hard to keep prices unchanged on a large number of popular products, including on our parcel post satchels and seasonal domestic greeting card postage.”
From October 2, customers sending parcels within Australia will be slugged up to 35c more, depending on size.
Express post envelopes will rise from $6.10 to $6.40, while a single 500g satchel jumps from $10.85 to $11.35.
The cost of posting a letter to the US, UK and Europe will increase 5c to $3.
General mail direction for three months rises from $46.35 to $53.10, while two-week mail lifts from $30.85 to $35.30.
But the cost of stamps, posting Christmas cards within Australia and business mail remain unchanged.
Erin Turner, from consumer group Choice, said Australians often picked up on rising costs.
“Whether it’s big bank paying out huge bonuses and not delivering to customers or Australia Post increasing prices and paying huge amounts to executives, Australians are attuned to unfairness,” she said.
“That’s what every company needs to think about when they are considering price rises.
“It is reasonable to expect small price rises.
“However, large increases can really hurt some people. People who rely on postal services may not have access to online services and this might affect their budgets.”
monique.hore@news.com.au
