Technology & the Future

Australia Post is recognised as one of the world’s top postal enterprises. We provide a benchmark for quality standards and practices in postal services. We are constantly seeking to improve by introducing better, more efficient technologies, recognising

You are here : Education Home > Secondary Students > Fact File > Technology & the Future


	Fact File

	Writing Letters

	Stamps & Stamp Collecting

	Other Resources

	Technology & the Future
	New Network \| Post into the future \| More Information \|

Australia Post is recognised as one of the world’s top postal enterprises. We provide a benchmark for quality standards and practices in postal services.

We are constantly seeking to improve by introducing better, more efficient technologies, recognising and rewarding our staff so they provide the best possible service, and by continually looking for ways to develop and offer new products and services.

New Network

Since Australia Post became a Corporation in 1989, it has revolutionised its mail processing technology. This has meant smarter technology, a more centralised network and most recently automated mail processing centres and the use of barcodes.

Pictured: Dandenong Letters Centre and the Hallam Valley Wetlands, Melbourne Victoria

Every postal address in Australia has its own barcode. Each barcode is an 8-digit number which corresponds to the address. Business customers can barcode their mail themselves as pictured below, or Australia Post will print it on during processing. It appears as a thin, iridescent orange line on the bottom of each envelope. Look out for it on your mail.

Barcoding means mail can be sorted more quickly, and with a greater degree of accuracy.

The new mail-handling equipment is a series of amazing machines. Click each one in the list below to find out what it does and see what it looks like.

Multi-Line Optical Character Reader

Tray Management Systems

Video Coding machine

Barcode Sorting machine

Spectrum 10 machines

Post into the future

Almost everything we do today relies on technology. This is especially true in the area of communication technology, including the use of computers, mobile phones and the Internet.

In 1960, Australia Post handled 50% of the three billion message transactions that took place that year.

Today, mail accounts for less than 16% of the over 30 billion messages sent. But although our share has decreased, the total number of letters has increased by 170% over this period.

The largest change has been the increase of mail between businesses and households. Financial mail, home shopping and direct mail are adding to this growth of mail.

Post is constantly working on new technologies and regularly introduces improved ways of delivering products and services that meet the business and social needs of Australia.

More Information

To learn more about Australia Post's communication technologies and future trends check out the Australia Post Fact File and the Annual Report available for order in the Order Resources section.