Australia Post & Shopify boost delivery for AUD $19.2bn market

Australia Post and Shopify have launched a new integration aimed at streamlining shipping for thousands of businesses across the country.

The integration allows Shopify merchants to book shipments, print labels, and track parcels through a single interface, removing the need to switch between multiple platforms. Tracking numbers for Australia Post deliveries are now automatically assigned, reducing the need for manual data entry.

According to Australia Post, approximately 40% of its 'My Post Business' customers already use Shopify, and this update is expected to directly benefit a significant portion of its business clientele. The move comes as online shopping in Australia continues to experience significant growth, with households reportedly spending AUD $19.2 billion online in the most recent quarter, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous year.

Gary Starr, Australia Post Executive General Manager Parcel, Post and eCommerce Services, said the partnership comes at an important time as the postal service intensifies its focus on the customer experience alongside the rapid growth of online shopping.

"As consumer expectations increase, we're focused on innovating and improving the systems our business customers rely on. We want to make the shipping process as seamless as possible for both merchants and consumers, from pick and pack to delivery," Mr Starr said.

Starr also highlighted the practical advantages for business customers using the newly integrated system.

"This partnership delivers exactly what Australian businesses have been asking for - a smarter, more efficient way to manage their shipping which will save them valuable time."

The new capability will also provide further benefits to consumers through Shopify's 'Shop' app, which is used internationally by hundreds of millions of shoppers to track deliveries and access post-purchase support. Australia Post stated that integration with the 'Shop' app should improve end-to-end visibility and convenience for recipients of parcels dispatched by local merchants using Shopify.

The Shopify integration is part of a broader effort by the company to extend its built-in fulfilment features, including expanded partnerships with international carriers and new tools such as bulk order processing for merchants. These measures are designed to help automate otherwise time-consuming operational tasks for business owners.

Shaun Broughton, Managing Director (APAC & Japan) at Shopify, described the integration as an important step for supporting the country's commerce community, especially smaller enterprises.

"We're thrilled to partner with Australia Post in this strategic collaboration which supports small and growing businesses - the backbone of the Australian economy," Broughton said. "Whether they're mature, just starting out or rapidly growing, Australian merchants now have built-in capabilities that make fulfillment simple at every stage of their journey."

Priya McPherson, founder of Melbourne-based fashion brand Sage Avenue, commented on the operational impact the integration is expected to have on her business. McPherson noted that the ability to manage shipping directly through Shopify would significantly cut down on time spent performing routine administrative tasks, freeing resources for other business activities.

Australia Post has a network of more than 4,000 post offices and an extended workforce exceeding 64,000, making it a central component of Australia's delivery and logistics ecosystem. The organisation reports delivering more than 2.3 billion items to over 12.7 million addresses in the most recent financial year, underscoring its broad reach among both businesses and households.

Shopify supports millions of businesses worldwide, and in Australia its merchant base continues to expand, especially with the surge in online sales. Its latest collaboration with Australia Post reflects ongoing efforts to address the evolving needs of online sellers, particularly as eCommerce becomes increasingly integral to the operations of both small and larger enterprises across the country.