Comparing courier and parcel quotes in Australia

Courier and parcel quotes can look alike and still be priced on very different bases. This page explains, in general terms, how quotes are usually structured, how cubic (dimensional) weight and size limits work, what to give a courier when you ask for a quote, the dangerous goods rules for posting and air freight, how transit cover differs from consumer guarantees, what to know before signing a credit account or personal guarantee, and how to spot fake delivery texts, with links to official Australian sources.

This is a free, non-commercial reference page. It is general information, not legal, financial or tax advice, and it does not name, rank or recommend any courier, freight company or comparison service. Pricing structures described here are general descriptions only; every carrier sets its own rates, rules and terms. This page is not affiliated with any business or government body, and listing is not an endorsement. Check current details with the official websites linked below and with the written terms of any carrier you are considering.

The guide

How courier and parcel quotes are put together, how weight and size are measured, what to send when asking for a quote, dangerous goods, lost or damaged parcels, credit accounts and scam texts.

Per-parcel and per-consignment pricing

Quotes are commonly built in one of two ways. Per-parcel (or per-item) pricing charges each package separately, often by weight band or by the size of packaging used. Per-consignment pricing charges for a single booking from one sender to one receiver, which may contain several items, often as a base charge plus an amount for weight or volume. The same shipment can cost quite differently under each method, so when comparing two quotes, check which basis each one uses and what counts as one "item" or one "consignment".

Zones: metro, outer metro and regional

Most carriers divide Australia into zones, such as metropolitan, outer metropolitan, regional and remote areas, and price each route between zones differently. Zone maps are set by each carrier and are not standard across the industry, so a suburb treated as metro by one carrier may be outer metro or regional for another. Ask for the zone of both the pickup and the delivery postcode, and whether any delivery areas attract an extra charge or longer delivery time.

Fuel levies, surcharges and GST

A quoted base rate is often not the final price. Carriers may add a fuel levy or surcharge (often a percentage that can change over time), and extra charges for things such as residential delivery, tail-lift or two-person handling, oversized or non-conveyable items, re-delivery or remote areas. GST also matters: the ATO describes GST as a broad-based tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia. Ask whether each quote is shown including or excluding GST and surcharges, so you compare like with like.

Cubic (dimensional) weight

Carriers move space as well as weight, so many charge on whichever is greater: the actual weight or a "cubic weight" worked out from the parcel's dimensions. Australia Post's MyPost Business sending guide gives its formula as "Height (m) x length (m) x width (m) x 250 = cubic weight", and its size and weight guidelines say that for parcels in your own packaging "postage is based on the weight or cubic weight (whichever is greater)". Other carriers may use a different conversion factor, so ask each one what factor it applies and measure your packed parcel at its largest points.

Size and weight limits

Every service has maximum dimensions and weights. Australia Post's size and weight guidelines list a domestic parcel maximum of 22kg, 105cm in length and 0.25 cubic metres, and say some domestic services have their own restrictions. Courier and freight services set their own limits, and items over a limit may be refused or moved to a different (often dearer) service. Check the limits for the exact service quoted, not just the carrier.

What to give a courier when asking for a quote

An accurate quote depends on accurate details. Be ready to give: typical and maximum weights; packed dimensions (length, width and height); how many items you send per week or month; how often you need pickups and from what address; the main destination postcodes or zones; whether receivers are businesses or homes; any items that are fragile, liquid, long or heavy; whether anything could be dangerous goods; and the delivery speed and tracking or signature options you need. Ask for the quote in writing with every surcharge listed.

Dangerous and prohibited goods by post

Australia Post warns that "Many common items contain prohibited substances that may be explosive, flammable, radioactive or otherwise dangerous." Its dangerous and prohibited items guidance gives examples such as nail polish, paint, perfume, matches, aerosols, fireworks and some batteries, and sets specific conditions for lithium batteries. Couriers and freight companies also set their own lists of goods they will not carry. If you are unsure whether an item is dangerous goods, check before you book, and tell the carrier what it is when you ask for a quote.

Dangerous goods by air

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says dangerous goods are items or substances that are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment when transported by air, and that it is your responsibility to find out whether you have a dangerous good and to make sure it can be transported by air and is prepared correctly. CASA says you must declare all dangerous goods, that anyone who packs dangerous goods needs to have completed training, and that "Penalties can apply for incorrectly packaging, declaring and shipping dangerous goods, including fines and imprisonment." Express or overnight services may travel by air, so ask how your parcel will move.

Transit cover, insurance and consumer guarantees

Carriers may offer transit cover or insurance for an extra charge, often with limits, conditions and claim time frames set out in their terms. This is separate from the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law, which the ACCC says are automatic, cannot be taken away by a business, and include that services are provided with due care and skill. The ACCC says a business can be a consumer, for example where a purchase costs less than $100,000 including GST, but also lists services to transport or store business goods as not covered. An ACCC media release of 19 December 2023 says that since an October 2018 change, consumer guarantee rights apply to the transport of goods to recipients not carrying on a business. Read a carrier's terms and get advice if a claim is significant.

Who to complain to about a lost or damaged parcel

Start with the carrier, and keep the tracking number, photos, packaging and any complaint reference number. For Australia Post and registered private postal operators that are members of the scheme, the Postal Industry Ombudsman (run by the Commonwealth Ombudsman) can consider complaints; it says you must first give the operator a chance to resolve the issue, and that the operator has 10 business days to respond. For other carriers, state and territory consumer protection or fair trading agencies can give information about your rights and may help settle a dispute. The ACCC collects reports about consumer problems but says "We don't resolve individual complaints."

Business credit accounts and personal guarantees

Carriers often offer business accounts on credit terms. business.gov.au notes that "Credit is common in business-to-business transactions", and credit applications commonly include terms of trade and sometimes a personal or director's guarantee. ASIC's Moneysmart says a guarantor is responsible for paying back the entire loan if the borrower cannot, and that a home or car used as security could be repossessed. South Australia's Law Handbook advises anyone asked to sign a personal guarantee to "Obtain independent legal advice about the effect of the guarantee", and suggests options such as a cap on the amount or a time limit. Read the whole application before signing, and keep a copy.

Fake delivery texts and emails

Scamwatch warns that scammers send texts and emails pretending to be Australia Post and other couriers, often saying a parcel could not be delivered or that your details need updating, with a link that leads to a fake site. It says there is a good chance a message is a scam if it asks you to act immediately, make a payment, click a link or call a number in the message, or log on with your details. Do not click the link; check delivery status through the carrier's own app or website. If you have lost money, contact your bank straight away; IDCARE can help if your identity details were shared, and scams can be reported to Scamwatch.

Directory

Official Australian sources on parcel size and weight, dangerous goods, postal complaints, consumer rights, credit and guarantees, GST and scams, instead of a list of couriers. Each entry was checked against its own official website.

What is listed. Only government bodies, government business guidance and official complaint schemes whose page could be fetched and checked are included, and each link goes to that body's own page. The list is not complete and is in no particular order. No courier, freight or comparison businesses are listed.

Not an endorsement. Listing is not a recommendation. This page is not affiliated with any organisation below and does not review, rank or recommend any carrier or service.

Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement. Links are to official websites as published at the time of checking.

Questions to ask before you accept a quote

Plain questions worth putting to any courier or freight provider, and checking against their written quote and terms, before you book or open an account.

Is the price per parcel or per consignment?

The basis changes the total for multi-item shipments. Ask what counts as one item or one consignment and whether there is a minimum charge.

What cubic weight factor do you use, and what are the size and weight limits?

Light but bulky parcels may be charged on cubic weight. Ask for the conversion factor and the limits for the exact service quoted.

Which zones are my pickup and delivery postcodes in?

Zone maps differ between carriers. Check that your main destinations are priced as you expect and whether any attract extra charges.

What surcharges apply, and is the quote including or excluding GST?

Ask for the fuel levy and every other possible surcharge in writing, and whether each figure includes GST, so quotes can be compared on the same basis.

Can you carry my goods, and do any count as dangerous goods?

Describe the contents honestly. Ask whether the parcel will travel by road or air, as air freight has stricter dangerous goods rules enforced by CASA.

What transit cover is included, what does extra cover cost, and how are claims made?

Ask for limits, exclusions and claim time frames in writing, and keep in mind that consumer guarantees may also apply in some situations.

Does the credit account application include a personal or director's guarantee?

Read the full terms of trade before signing. Moneysmart and the Law Handbook both explain the risks, and independent legal advice is recommended.

How will you contact me about deliveries, and will you ever ask for payment by text?

Knowing a carrier's official channels makes it easier to spot fake delivery texts. Check deliveries only through the carrier's own app or website.

About this page

courierquotes.com.au is a free, non-commercial reference page published by Radiant Life Distributors Pty Ltd, Adelaide. It is general information, not legal, financial or tax advice, and it makes no claims about any carrier's prices or service. It does not name, rank or recommend any courier, freight company or comparison service, and it is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any organisation listed; listing is not an endorsement. Information was checked against official websites in November 2026; rates, rules and guidance change, so confirm current details with the organisations linked above and with each carrier's written terms.