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If you’ve ever tracked a parcel and seen “out for delivery,” you might’ve wondered what it actually means. Understanding this update helps manage expectations, whether you're a business waiting on stock or a customer anticipating a delivery.
In this article, we’ll break down what “out for delivery” means in Australia, how the process works, and what to do if your parcel is delayed.
Book, manage, and track your shipments in real time with Couriers & Freight’s simple online tools.
Get a Quote NowOut for delivery” means your parcel has left the courier’s final local depot and is currently on the delivery vehicle, scheduled to arrive that same day. This is the last step before your parcel reaches your door.
Delivery times depend on the courier, your location, traffic, weather, and the number of stops on the driver’s route. In most cases across Australia, parcels marked “out for delivery” arrive within a few hours.
If it hasn’t arrived by early evening, check your tracking page for updates or contact the courier for an estimated delivery time.
After a parcel is scanned as “out for delivery,” the courier collects it from the local depot and loads it onto the delivery vehicle with other packages scheduled for that day. Drivers follow optimised routes based on delivery location, service level (e.g. express vs standard), and total parcel volume.
To save time and fuel, couriers use route optimisation tools. This means a parcel marked “out for delivery” at 8:00 am may not arrive until the afternoon, even in metro areas. Routes are optimised for efficiency, not necessarily the shortest distance to each delivery.
The exact timing depends on your place in the driver’s schedule, which can change due to traffic, weather, or high parcel volumes.
In most cases across Australia, parcels marked “out for delivery” arrive on the same day, usually within standard business hours. However, the timing can vary based on several factors:
If your parcel hasn’t arrived by around 5:00–6:00 pm, check your tracking page for updates. If it still hasn’t updated, contact the courier or seller for assistance.
Here’s how common couriers in Australia handle parcels marked “out for delivery”:
Prime orders often arrive within a few hours, usually before 5:00 pm in metro areas. Standard deliveries may take longer if weekend delivery isn’t available.
Parcels may arrive any time up to 7:00 pm. Deliveries to regional or outer suburban areas can take longer, particularly during busy periods such as public holidays or major sales events.
Deliveries typically occur within two to four hours after being scanned as out for delivery. Express and international services are prioritised and often completed earlier in the day.
Parcels are delivered by final-mile carriers like Australia Post or DPEX. The delivery time depends on the chosen shipping method and the local partner’s schedule.
Sellers use various couriers such as Sendle, CouriersPlease, and Australia Post. Delivery times vary depending on the courier, location, and shipping option selected.
Express services are generally delivered during business hours, while economy services often arrive later in the afternoon, depending on the route and parcel volume.
If your parcel hasn’t arrived by early evening, check the tracking page for new updates. Many couriers post delivery progress throughout the day. If there’s still no update after several hours, contact the courier or seller directly.
Lodge a support ticket or request an investigation if tracking hasn’t updated for more than 24 hours.
Tip: Set up SMS or app notifications to stay updated in real time and avoid missed deliveries.
“Out for delivery” means your parcel has left the local depot and is in the courier’s hands for same‑day delivery. Most items arrive without issues, but delays can happen due to factors like location, traffic, or high delivery volumes.
If your parcel hasn’t arrived by early evening, check the tracking page for updates or contact the courier directly.
For easier shipping and real‑time tracking, Couriers & Freight offers tools to book, manage, and track deliveries across Australia in one place.
Book, manage, and track your shipments in real time with Couriers & Freight’s simple online tools.
Get a Quote Now
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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