Christmas delivery cut-off dates 2026: Australia Post and Aramex

For Christmas 2026, Australia Post's headline metro lodgement dates are Monday 21 December for Parcel Post and Wednesday 23 December for Express Post. Aramex Sydney's dates vary by destination and service, from Tuesday 24 November for some regional parcels to Monday 21 December for Priority parcels on selected routes. The last date that applies to an order depends on where it starts, where it is going and the service you use.

These are recommended sending dates, not delivery guarantees. The dates below reflect Australia Post's published 2026 guidance and the Aramex Sydney guide supplied to Ricemill. Plan to hand parcels over earlier where you can, especially for regional and overseas addresses.

Australia Post and StarTrack Christmas lodgement dates 2026

For parcels sent between most metropolitan locations, these are the headline dates for delivery by Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026:

These dates are a quick guide. The actual date can be earlier or later for a particular origin and destination. Australia Post's 2026 Christmas lodgement tables give the relevant state-to-state dates for Parcel Post and StarTrack, including routes involving Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Check the lane before setting a customer-facing deadline.

The dates apply to metro items collected by an Australia Post truck or van and taken directly to a processing facility. For Parcel Post and Express Post lodged over the counter, lodge by 2.30 pm on the applicable date. Allow extra time for addresses outside metro areas.

Australia Post lists international dates separately by destination and service on the same Christmas lodgement page. Customs delays and overseas postal disruptions can affect arrival, so send international parcels as early as possible.

Aramex Sydney international Christmas cut-off dates 2026

The following Aramex international dates apply to parcels sent from Sydney. Check with Aramex if you dispatch from another depot.

Aramex Sydney domestic Christmas cut-off dates 2026

For parcels sent from Sydney, Aramex's dates vary by destination and by whether you use National or Priority service.

All dates in the Aramex domestic table are in 2026. Aramex says these are guides for the best chance of delivery by Wednesday 23 December, not guaranteed delivery dates. Country deliveries outside its network may be handled by third-party agents and take longer. For updates or dates from another depot, check Aramex Christmas key dates or contact your local Aramex team.

An em dash means the Sydney guide did not provide a Priority date for that destination group.

Set your store's Christmas shipping message early

Work backwards from your own picking, packing and carrier handover times. A customer's order deadline needs to be earlier than the carrier's lodgement date if your team needs time to prepare the parcel. Consider separate messages for metro, regional and international orders, and make any express or priority option clear at checkout.

Even after a recommended cut-off, carriers will keep moving parcels as quickly as possible. Arrival before Christmas may no longer be likely. A clear store notice helps customers choose with the right expectations and gives your fulfilment team a practical dispatch plan.

If you process orders through Ricemill | Fulfilment, group shipments by carrier, service and destination before printing labels so your team can prioritise the earliest lodgement dates.