What’s the Cheapest Parcel Delivery Service in Australia? 5 Couriers Compared

Sep 29, 2025
What’s the Cheapest Parcel Delivery Service in Australia? 5 Couriers Compared

Australia’s courier, express, and parcel market is projected to be worth USD 11.75 billion in 2025. With so many parcels on the move, it’s no surprise that finding the cheapest parcel delivery in Australia can feel overwhelming. 

Costs shift depending on weight, size, and speed. A 5 kg box from Melbourne to Brisbane might cost $15 one day and $22 the next. 

For small business owners and online sellers, those differences add up quickly. In this guide, we compare five of the most affordable couriers in Australia and show you when each is the best choice, so you can avoid overpaying.

Cheapest Parcel Delivery in Australia

The easiest way to find the cheapest parcel delivery in Australia is by comparing providers through Couriers & Freight. The platform lets you check rates from multiple couriers in seconds. 

That means no hidden fees and no wasted time hunting through different websites. Whether you’re posting a small e-commerce order or sending a gift to family, Couriers & Freight makes it simple to get the lowest rate.

Here are the top 5 parcel couriers:

  • Couriers & Freight: Instantly compares couriers and finds the lowest rate overall
  • Australia Post: Reliable nationwide coverage, best for small parcels up to 5kg
  • Sendle: Flat-rate, carbon-neutral shipping ideal for e-commerce businesses
  • Interparcel: Discounted express and international delivery options
  • Pack & Send: Flexible service for bulky, fragile, or unusual shipments

Cheapest Parcel Delivery Services in Australia

1. Couriers & Freight (Best Overall for Cheap Delivery)

Alt text: Couriers & Freight Homepage

Couriers & Freight is the best choice for the cheapest parcel delivery in Australia. Instead of checking five different courier websites, you can compare rates from multiple carriers in seconds, book the cheapest one, and print your shipping label straight away. Everything’s tracked in the same dashboard, so you know exactly where your parcel is. Whether it’s a customer order heading to Brisbane or a birthday gift going interstate.

Parcel Express

Need to get something delivered quickly without paying premium rates? Domestic Parcel Express works well for everyday parcels, such as sending a box of books to a customer or replacing stock in another city. It’s fast, affordable, and reliable, the “standard express” option most people turn to.

Off-Peak Parcels

The cheapest choice when speed isn’t an issue. Ideal for things like sample packs or seasonal stock where delivery in a few extra days doesn’t matter. You still get tracking, just at a slower pace, and you’ll save money in the process.

Overnight Parcel Express

For shipments that can’t wait until the end of the week. If you’re sending a laptop to an office in Sydney today, it will arrive tomorrow. It’s comparable to Australia Post’s Express Post, but often cheaper and easier to manage through Couriers & Freight. Guaranteed next-day delivery across Australia.

Time Definite Parcel

Delivery guaranteed by a set time, such as 9 am, 10 am, or 12 pm. Think of sending a signed contract that needs to be on a client’s desk by the morning, or product samples for a same-day presentation.

Time-Critical / Next Flight Parcel Express

The fastest option for urgent needs. Couriers send your parcel on the next available flight. It’s what you use if a legal document has to be in another city within hours, or if a medical shipment can’t wait until tomorrow. It’s the fastest way to move something across the country.

From the cheapest off-peak option to urgent next-flight deliveries, Couriers & Freight gives you the freedom to choose based on urgency and budget. Compare quotes today and book your next parcel in minutes. No hidden fees, just the lowest rates available.

Find the Cheapest Parcel Delivery in Australia

Compare top couriers in seconds and book the lowest rate with Couriers & Freight.

Get a Quote Now

2. Australia Post (Most Trusted & Widely Used)

Alt text: Australia Post Homepage

Australia Post is the country’s most trusted parcel delivery service. With post offices, parcel lockers, and PO boxes across the country, it’s often the easiest option if you’re sending smaller parcels. It isn’t always the cheapest, but it’s reliable for everyday deliveries, especially if your parcel weighs under 5 kg.

Example parcel rates:

For a small box of clothing headed from Melbourne to Perth, the 5 kg rate is often the simplest choice. For heavier items, prices climb quickly, and that’s where alternatives can be cheaper.

One advantage is that you can still book Australia Post directly through Couriers & Freight. That means you get the convenience of AusPost’s wide network, but with the added ability to compare prices and avoid overpaying.

3. Sendle (Carbon-Neutral, Budget-Friendly for Small Parcels)

Alt text: Sendle Homepage

Sendle has built its reputation on two things: flat-rate pricing and carbon-neutral delivery. That combination makes it appealing for small e-commerce stores that ship lightweight parcels regularly. Instead of guessing costs, you know upfront what you’ll pay.

Example price point:

Small metro parcel: from about $5.30

This makes Sendle practical if you’re sending something like a book, a phone case, or a t-shirt within the same city. The simplicity works well for businesses that want predictable costs when posting dozens of small orders a week.

But the savings shrink once parcels get heavier or go to regional areas. A 10 kg carton going from Sydney to rural Queensland can cost noticeably more than other couriers.

So while Sendle is strong for small, metro-based deliveries, it isn’t always the cheapest for larger parcels or interstate runs. For those, Couriers & Freight usually finds a better deal by comparing across multiple carriers.

4. Interparcel (Discounted Rates Across Multiple Couriers)

Alt text: Interparcel Homepage

Interparcel works by giving customers access to discounted rates from major carriers like TNT, FedEx, DHL, and UPS. Instead of going to each courier directly, you can book through Interparcel at a lower price.

It’s useful for international shipments or urgent express deliveries. For example, sending a 2 kg parcel to New Zealand can cost less through Interparcel than booking directly with DHL or FedEx. The same goes for fast turnaround domestic parcels that need to get across the country quickly.

The trade-off is that Interparcel is more about discounts than service variety. If you’re sending heavier or unusual items, options can be limited. But for businesses that ship overseas or want cheaper access to premium carriers, it’s a practical way to save on costs.

5. Pack & Send (Flexible, but Higher Costs for Extras)

Alt text: Pack & Send Homepage

Pack & Send is best known for handling the parcels that other couriers might reject. Their service centres across Australia let customers drop off bulky, fragile, or unusual items. Anything from a framed artwork to a large piece of equipment. That flexibility makes them a strong option for shipments that need extra care.

They also offer international delivery and packaging support, which helps if you’re sending high-value or delicate items overseas. For example, a custom guitar shipped to Europe can be packaged and dispatched directly from a Pack & Send centre with insurance included.

The downside is cost. While the service is convenient, standard parcels usually come out more expensive compared to other providers. If you’re just sending a 5 kg box of clothes within Australia, you’ll often find a cheaper option through Couriers & Freight or Australia Post.

Why Book with Couriers & Freight?

Checking courier websites one by one is time-consuming and often confusing. Couriers & Freight cuts that process down to a few clicks. You can compare prices instantly, choose the cheapest option, book the service, print labels, and track deliveries from the same dashboard.

For businesses, it saves hours each week. If you’re running an online store, Couriers & Freight also integrates with e-commerce platforms, so orders flow straight through to shipping without extra admin.

Why choose Couriers & Freight?

  • Compare quotes instantly from Australia Post and other major couriers
  • Access discounted rates not available when booking direct
  • Book online and print labels immediately
  • Track every shipment in one dashboard
  • Integration with e-commerce platforms for faster and automated shipping

Find the Cheapest Parcel Delivery in Australia

Compare top couriers in seconds and book the lowest rate with Couriers & Freight.

Get a Quote Now
robert lynch headshot

Robert Lynch

Founder of Australia’s largest outside hire company Couriers & Freight, Robert Lynch is a seasoned business leader in the shipping industry with over 20 years of experience. His expertise spans from outside hire, taxi truck, and last-mile services to freight management, freight forwarding and warehousing. 

Robert has also incorporated technology into his business through custom software to enhance growth and efficiency. Robert is a valuable resource for business owners looking to improve their logistics operations.

Connect with Robert Lynch on LinkedIn.

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MHP

No Surcharge*

$16.50

$14

$15.50

$0

$15.50

$14.75

$0

$0

$0

$0

MHP Large Item

No Surcharge*

$16.50

$75

$62

$62

$60.10

$14.75

$0

$0

$0

$0

Residential Pickup

No Surcharge*

$6

$0

$9

--

$9

$10.60

$0

$0

$0

$38.50

Reidential pick up 30-99kgs

No Surcharge*

$63

$0

$9

$0

$9

$74.15

$20

Won't carry

Won't carry

$38.50

Residential pick up 100kgs+

No Surcharge*

$198

$0

$9

$0

$9

$158.87

$50

Won't carry

Won't carry

$38.50

Residential Delivery up to 29kgs

No Surcharge*

$6

$0

$9

--

$9.00

$10.60

$0

$0

$0

$38.50

Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs

No Surcharge*

$63

$0

$9

$0

$9

$74.15

$20

Won't carry

Won't carry

$38.50

Residential Delivery 100kgs+

No Surcharge*

$198

$0

$9

--

$9

$158.57

$50

Won't carry

Won't carry

$38.50

Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$45

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$85

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$120

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$250

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$45

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$85

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$120

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne

No Surcharge*

$250

$50-$250

$88

$88

$88

$44.07

$120

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight

No Surcharge*

$16.50

$75

$70

$70

$70

$14.75

$0

Won't carry

Won't carry

$0

Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54

No Surcharge*

--

$0

$0

$0

$0

$5.40

$10

$15

Won't carry

$0

Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85

No Surcharge*

$17

$20

$0

$0

$0

$11.93

$10

$15

Won't carry

$0

Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20

No Surcharge*

$37

$40

$0

$0

$0

$11.93

$10

Won't carry

Won't carry

$0

Pallet Surcharge

No Surcharge*

--

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Won't carry

Won't carry

$0

Hand Unload Fee Carton

No Surcharge*

--

$0

$70

$70

$70

$47

$0

Won't carry

Won't carry

$61.50

Western Australia Regional Surcharge

No Surcharge*

%10

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed

**Prices correct of 16th September 2024

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