Australia Post reads the address on each envelope
electronically using modern letter sorting technology. When address formats are
constructed in a uniform manner, these machines perform optimally. As a result,
it's critical to address your message appropriately and clearly. The following
advice will show you how to ensure that your letters are properly addressed.
Layout of the envelope
It's critical that the zones on the envelope, as shown below, are followed at all times.
The address should usually be stated in three lines:
1. The recipient's name should be on the first line.
2. The second to final line should include the street number
and name, as well as the number of a PO Box or locked bag, if appropriate.
3. The last line should include the delivery location's name
or post office, state or territory abbreviation, and postcode. This line should
be printed without punctuation or underlining in capital letters. On the bottom
line of international mail, the country name should be written in capital
letters.
If more information is needed, it should be placed above the
last two lines of the address. This includes details such as:
¢ the name of the firm or the property
¢ non-address data, such as Attention M/s.
Addressing hints in general
¢ Use the proper postcode; if you don't know it, don't
assume. The last item in the address should be the postcode.
¢ Use clear print - use dark ink, ideally black on white, to
print clearly. Inks that are red, yellow, or orange should be avoided.
¢ Keep the address lines parallel to the bottom of the
envelope when writing the address.
¢ Address lines should not be indented or staggered; they
should all start at the same point on the left side.
¢ Between the location name or delivery post office and the
state or territory abbreviation, leave one or two character spaces, and the
same amount of space between the state or territory abbreviation and the
postcode.
¢ Don't underline anything in the address; no words should
be highlighted.
¢ Include a return address - the sender's address should be
in the top left corner of the envelope or on the back flap. This ensures that
the mail can be returned if it is unable to be delivered.
Tips for addressing machines
¢ Make sure the type is legible. Ensure that the address
print characters do not touch or overlap. A fixed pitch type font, such as
Courier 12 point, 10 pitch, is recommended by Australia Post.
¢ Avoid italics, creative script, coarse dot matrix, and
typefaces that are too wide or too thin.
¢ Replace toner and ink cartridges that are running low.
¢ Window panel envelope addresses should be visible through
the window. Even if the content moves, no extra information should come through
the window alongside the location.
¢ Even if they are pre-printed on the envelope, do not
utilize postcode squares for machine-addressed letters.
Advice on how to address letters by hand
¢ Use pre-printed envelopes with the four postcode squares.
¢ Clearly print the four digits of the destination postcode
in the squares.
¢ Even if the foreign postal code fits into the squares, do
not utilize the squares on hand addressed envelopes for overseas addresses.
¢ On the bottom line, print the place name and state or
territorial abbreviation in capital letters.
