Australia Post has announced it will invest an extra A$34m (US$24m) as part of a new agreement with Community Licensed Post Offices (LPOs) to provide upgraded technology and increased payments to support the growth in parcels and financial services.
The agreement also includes an increase to the safety net minimum payment to protect the smallest and most vulnerable Community Post Offices in regional and rural Australia.
The new payments follow a thorough independent payment review and consultation with licensee representative groups to better reflect the changing nature of Australia Post business conducted in 2,800+ LPOs.
Australia Post Group chief executive officer and managing director Christine Holgate said the new payment scheme is an important milestone in improving the way the post pays its valued licensee partners: “I believe Licensed Post Office partners play an essential role in protecting and building the prosperity of communities across Australia, particularly in regional and rural Australia. This critical investment also acknowledges the importance of these hardworking small business owners to the future of Australia Post.”
The benefits of the new payment rates will be applied retrospectively to licensees from January 1, 2019.