Australia is home to 27 million people, of which over 5 million households shop online every month in 2023 creating a diverse consumer base reliant on couriers in Australia. The diverse consumer base of Australia and many budding startups make it necessary for business owners to pay extra attention to their shipping policy. eCommerce shipping typically involves receiving orders, picking and packing, printing shipping labels, shipping orders with carriers, and managing returns. eCommerce shipping solutions are the agents that provide, manage and streamline shipping. This involves the concerted efforts of shipping carriers, delivery companies, software tools, and shipping best practices.
The best way to guard against growing competition and offer an excellent delivery experience is to use excellent shipping solutions. This article gives a comprehensive guide for businesses to adopt the best eCommerce shipping solutions in Australia.Â
In this guide, we’re spilling the beans on everything you need to know. We’ll unravel the nitty-gritty of localisation in Australia, decode regulations, and crunch the numbers on logistics costs.
Best eCommerce Courier Companies in AustraliaÂ
Finding an outstanding courier and delivery company for your online business in Australia can be daunting.
Your courier service provider may be equipped to provide warehousing, packaging, scheduled delivery, and other services for your business. But which of these services you need and how much they cost can significantly influence your choice of logistics companies.
To understand the courier industry, read our Courier Services: A Complete Guide for 2023 blog post.
The need for eCommerce shipping solutions in AustraliaÂ
There are multiple reasons why you should consider investing in shipping solutions for Australia. The major ones are:
Rapidly Expanding Domestic Market
eCommerce shipping solutions are the need of the hour, considering the rapidly blooming B2C and B2B businesses across Australia. Marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Gumtree are significant sources of eCommerce transactions. Moreover, social media sales channels are gaining popularity among the masses.Â
These trends call for eCommerce delivery solutions like logistics partners and shipping software that can effectively manage sales across multiple channels.
Cross-Border Commerce
Australia has a significant portion of cross-border trade with multiple countries though the pandemic has slowed it since 2020. However, cross-border trade will undoubtedly pick up with the increasing trade relaxations. This is why eCommerce brands in Australia need international freight forwarders and couriers for efficient global shipping.
Shipping Needs
eCommerce shipping solutions effectively meet Australian consumers’ diverse shipping needs. For managing curbside pick-up and one-hour deliveries, a combination of shipping couriers, aggregators, and shipping software is necessary to keep up with customer demands and delivery needs.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an emerging business model in Australia where sellers sell products from third-party manufacturers and do not hold inventory with them. This form of eCommerce requires well-structured fulfillment software and logistical partners who can fulfill customer orders and help brands grow.
Omnichannel FulfillmentÂ
Australian consumers prefer to shop via multiple modes. One popular option is to present your online catalog with products available for in-store picking. Therefore, an effective shipping solution for Australia is using your retail stores as warehouses for easy and fast order fulfillment.Â
You can pair this method with automated order routing technology to send your orders to the nearest retail store.
List of Top 15 Essential Criteria to Choose the Best Courier Services Provider Company or Partner in Australia
You now know the best courier companies in Australia to choose from for your online store. But not all courier providers are made equal. We have devised a list of essential criteria that every ecommerce courier provider company should satisfy. See what they are below.
Serviceability
The first two things you want to ask your shipping service provider are, “Does it ship to all the locations that my customers are based in?” and “Can it handle my daily, weekly, or monthly order volumes?”.
Answering these two crucial questions tells you about the serviceability of your carrier company. Whether your business only delivers within Australia or elsewhere, figuring out your courier company’s serviceability is critical. Only then can you provide a smooth shipping service to your customers.
Limitations On Cargo Weight And Size
Every logistics service company has a different bandwidth for carrying out deliveries. Some logistics service companies are better equipped to handle smaller parcels like USPS, while others, like FedEx, UPS, etc., can deliver heavier orders.
Depending on your ecommerce business, you will either want to go with the former or the latter. Therefore, it’s essential to know your shipping service company’s limitations on shipping. Most shippers in Australia will have different shipping weight limitations for domestic and international orders.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rates for every courier service company in Australia are different. Shipping rates are further differentiated depending on many factors like delivery location, parcel size, special features, urgent delivery, etc. So it’s natural to gravitate towards the cheap courier service company with the lowest rates.
But the best way to figure out cost-efficient shipping is by weighing the shipping services on offer against the price charged. For example, suppose your courier company provides faster delivery but charges a little extra. Then that’s a good deal because of the customer satisfaction and returning customers it will bring to your business.Â
Delivery Speed
Delivery speed is something every ecommerce business should look at, given the rising consumer expectations. Today’s customers will not wait until 3-5 days for their order. However, in some cases, they will want it earlier. Therefore, the faster the delivery time, the better it is for your business.
If you are into the food business, then time-sensitive delivery is of the essence. It is crucial to understand the kinds of delivery service the courier company provides and how much they charge for special delivery.
Armed with a good courier service provider, you may be able to offer your customer ultra-fast delivery like Same/Next Day delivery, hyperlocal delivery, etc.
Hidden Costs And SLA Terms
Shipping is notorious for becoming hugely expensive in the end. This is because, in ecommerce shipping, costs keep on adding up till they become a massive number. The things that make shipping expensive are hidden costs and extra charges.
For example, your courier service company in Australia may charge extra for packaging or delivery to specific locations. But if you don’t talk to them before placing your orders, you will end up with a more enormous than expected bill amount.
Our advice? Always talk to your providers beforehand about how much everything costs. Breaking every shipping service down into its components should give you an approximate price for each.
We advise clearly stating SLA terms that dictate every part of the shipping process to cement your deal. The deliverables on the courier company’s part and what happens in a shipping accident.
Specialization
The need for specialization in shipping has increased with the entry of several different kinds of businesses into the ecommerce ecosystem. Many shipping companies like FedEx can provide supremely convenient temperature-sensitive transport for specialized products.
Some courier service providers in Australia can also offer other services like heavyweight shipping, bulk shipping, etc. That can come in handy for companies selling furniture, exercise equipment, heavy machinery, etc.
Specialization can also include shipping other products like lithium batteries and flammable products. Talking to your courier service provider about your particular requirements will help you choose the right one from the lot.
Security And Insurance
Merely getting orders from one place to another is insufficient if the received product is damaged. However, damages can and do happen in transit sometimes. What’s important is to have a plan for when such a thing happens.
Questions like who will be responsible for such damage, how the customer will be addressed, etc., can all be part of your insurance plan with the courier service provider. In this way, if a mishap occurs, all the parties will be prepared to take on the next course of action.Â
While insurance is a good thing to have, no matter the kind of courier service company you tie up within Australia. It still pays off to do a little background check and determine the type of security a courier service provider gives.
For instance, some courier service companies have trained staff who care about the shipping process, from storage, packing, loading, and unloading. A courier company that uses trained staff will be much better able to handle orders of varying sizes.
Delivery Mechanisms
Every customer wants to know how long it takes to deliver orders when shopping online. Given today’s heightened customer expectations, a longer delivery time is sure to put off customers. So naturally, an ecommerce entrepreneur should inquire about the kind of delivery services and times a courier service offers.
Nowadays, it’s common for courier service companies in Australia to provide Same/Next Day delivery along with curbside delivery, scheduled delivery, and on-demand delivery. Knowing the delivery services your courier company offers will help you plan your shipping better and give your customers a brilliant post-purchase experience.
Proof Of Delivery
Proof of Delivery is a digital document signed by the customer on successfully receiving their order. It helps ecommerce stores gauge their order fulfillment rates and take swift action on delayed orders or delivery exceptions.Â
Tying up with a courier service company that provides POD is beneficial in maintaining a transparent line of communication between all three parties – the seller, the shipping company, and the customer. It also reduces the paperwork and digitally stores all order delivery information for easy access.
RTO (%) In ECommerce
An RTO or Return to Origin happens when a courier company cannot deliver a shipment to the customer despite repeated attempts. In most cases, a courier delivery company in Australia will make three attempts to deliver an order before it is marked as an RTO, but it can vary.
The reason for an RTO can be anything from the customer’s unavailability at the time of delivery, wrong address, or even fake delivery attempts by a delivery agent.Â
A higher RTO percentage can be alarming because it can indicate a recurring shipping problem for the courier delivery company. Therefore, before selecting your logistics companies, ensure you know two things. First is how many delivery attempts they make before marking an order. And second is how to determine if delivery attempts are genuine.Â
Returns Management
Return management is when goods or orders travel back in the supply chain from the customer to the seller’s warehouse or a 3PL. Returns are an inevitable part of ecommerce shipping. Therefore an ecommerce company in Australia must figure out a way to streamline the returns process so that losses can be minimized.
A shipping provider company that offers returns management will address returns/refunds and exchanges quickly and deliver the order back to the warehouse to be incorporated into the exciting inventory without delay.
Stuck Shipments
Most ecommerce delivery service companies will have a few packages lying undelivered in their warehouse. While this is not necessarily a cause of concern, a higher number of stuck shipments should make your alarm bells ring. In most cases, a shipment remains undelivered because of some unsolvable issues or confusion.
But if the number is higher, it can indicate a pattern of mismanagement in the courier company. So before you select your carrier service company in Australia, check the skeletons in their closet, aka stuck shipments.
Technology
Technology has been the most significant contributor to the development of ecommerce shipping worldwide. With the advancement in blockchain, big data, and AI, ecommerce shipping mechanisms have improved.
Today online stores in Australia can offer their customers superior delivery service with route optimization, real-time GPS tracking, automatic order status updates, and much more.
However, without the help of technologically advanced software, logistics companies in Australia will not provide automated services to customers. When tying up with a logistics company, always find out the technology they use.
Additional Services
When looking for a reliable service, it pays to tie up with courier companies in Australia that also provide additional benefits. For example, some courier companies may offer cash on delivery, while others give out packaging boxes. Some may extend services like express courier delivery, international courier, on-site assembly, ironing, etc.
Depending on your type of industry, you may find some or all of these services suitable for your ecommerce company. It can also be an effective strategy to partner with companies having warehousing and 3PL features for a streamlined delivery process.
Past Performance Of Courier Company
This is an excellent criterion to judge your parcel delivery company by. If your logistics company in Australia has been repeatedly reviewed as one that does not provide quality shipping services, then steer clear of it. Most likely, the experience will be similar for you too.
Customer reviews or even asking previous clients about the courier service company is an excellent way to know about your selected courier company’s services.Â
Top eCommerce shipping companies in AustraliaÂ
Shipping companies are the carriers that take the load of delivering your products to your customers off your back. They must offer reliable services, fulfill on-time delivery commitments and give some leeway on shipping costs.
Here’s our list of the top Australian courier services that provide all the shipping services an ecommerce company can require.
Zoom2u
Zoom2u utilizes a state-of-the-art platform that enables customers to book and track their deliveries in real-time. This innovative approach has quickly earned the company a reputation as one of the leading courier services in Australia, with a loyal customer base that includes both small businesses and large corporations.
One of the key factors behind Zoom2u’s success is its focus on customer service. The company’s team of couriers are highly trained and experienced and are committed to ensuring that every delivery is completed on time and to the customer’s satisfaction. In addition, Zoom2u provides a range of flexible delivery options, including same-day and after-hours delivery, which allows customers to get their packages delivered when they need them.
Another key advantage of using Zoom2u is the company’s commitment to transparency. Customers can track their packages in real-time using the company’s online platform, which provides up-to-the-minute information on the status of their delivery. This level of visibility and control is highly valued by businesses that need to keep track of their shipments, and is a key reason why Zoom2u has become such a popular choice for companies across a range of industries.
In recent years, Zoom2u has continued to grow and expand its operations. The company has partnered with a range of businesses across Australia, including major retailers and e-commerce platforms, and has expanded its range of delivery services to include international shipping.
DTDCÂ
DTDC is a door-to-door international courier company based in Sydney, Australia, and is part of the larger DTDC chain. DTDC provides complete ecommerce solutions to businesses worldwide.
It is a leading global provider of logistics solutions with a broad range of freight services and domestic and international shipping. Their major highlight is offering overnight shipping and same-day delivery within two hours for prime cities like Melbourne and Perth.Â
It is one of the best courier companies to promptly provide premium service to e-commerce businesses across ten thousand locations. Coupled with this, DTDC offers import clearance at affordable rates and processes business and retail returns for Australian merchants.
DTDC can integrate directly with your warehouse management systems for easy order pickup and delivery. It also comes pre-integrated with ecommerce marketplaces and platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, eBay, etc.
DHLÂ
DHL Express is a global parcel delivery and logistics service company with extensive operations in Australia. It provides its services to both individual shippers and businesses. DHL can ship anything from documents to heavyweight shipments across 220 countries.
In addition, ecommerce businesses can use their air, land, and ocean freight services for cross-border or overseas delivery. In its ecommerce solutions, DHL Express offers full-fledged warehousing, pickups, and drop-off (PUDO), and contract logistics services.
DHL is a good fit for Australian businesses because of its various industrial uses, whether real estate or eCommerce. Moreover, they offer eCommerce retailers the benefit of cash on delivery shipping for countries like Vietnam and Malaysia.Â
UPSÂ
United Parcel Service is one of the prominent carrier service companies in Australia. It ships orders to 220+ countries worldwide. It specializes in shipping heavy or bulk shipments. UPS has a shipping rate calculator on its website, which allows businesses to estimate shipping costs.
It offers freight, express, and urgent deliveries. It can also deliver parcels on the same day or the next day. UPS couriers come with a tracking ID that can be used to check the real-time status of the order.
FedExÂ
FedEx is a popular supply chain management and courier service company in the world. It delivers parcels to and from Australia and offers fast delivery services to ecommerce businesses.
FedEx is most famous for its temperature-sensitive carrier transport and the ability to deliver dangerous or flammable objects. In addition, it provides customs clearance for the customers and sellers. FedEx also offers free packaging services and enables track and trace on all its parcels.Â
A wholesome package of personalized tools makes FedEx an eCommerce-friendly courier company for Australian retailers. From offering discounted shipping rates, and customs clearance to online billing, FedEx prioritizes optimizing the brand and customer relationship.Â
Couriers PleaseÂ
Couriers Please is a very well-known courier and postal company in Australia. It provides various pickup and drop-off services to eCommerce businesses in the country. Its flagship program is Ezysend. Businesses can conveniently send shipments or source products from suppliers in any part of the world.
It has also launched a new feature called POPStation or Pick Own Parcel Station. Customers can pick up their parcels from their nearest store at their convenience. In addition, if a courier is not delivered for any reason, customers or the sellers themselves can book the order for a redelivery attempt.
AramexÂ
Aramex is a global ecommerce shipping service company that has an Australia-wide network. Apart offers a range of choices for its standard shipping and delivery services. One can direct courier agents to leave the parcel at a safe place or obtain signatures from receivers.Â
Aramex also presents a broad selection of services to help brands straighten their shipping process. This includes warehousing, inventory management, packaging, bundling, kitting, and eco-friendly packaging options.
It offers parcel collection and returns services for businesses to receive shipments from suppliers and customers. Furthermore, it handles the holiday season by delivering on and around Christmas and scales up during that time to manage the deluge of orders.
Australia PostÂ
Australia Post is the national postal service of the country. It is headquartered in Melbourne. It efficiently makes delivery of small, medium, and large packages. Australia Post efficiently manages shipping, delivery, and returns for all business sizes.Â
Customers can track their orders, report lost or missing orders on their website, and even calculate shipping and postage rates. Stamps can be bought from Australia Post’s website, and postage is generated on their mobile app. Customers can swiftly choose any pickup location with a network of 2,900 Post Offices and parcel lockers.
Australia Post has various satchel options for domestic shipping, especially for eBay retailers. It also offers recycled bags, packaging for fragile items, and personal or branded packing materials.Â
StarTrackÂ
StarTrack is the first choice for ecommerce businesses in Australia regarding fast and cost-effective delivery. StarTrack mainly caters to the B2B and B2C sectors. It has special same-day metro and interstate delivery within 1 to 4 hours to major metropolitan areas of the country.Â
It tracks orders in real-time and sends automatic order status messages to customers’ SMS and Email. In addition, StarTrack Courier has the provision of sending Proof of Delivery upon successful delivery. It also sends shipping reports to online sellers regularly.
Along with the shipping carrier, StarTrack acts as a 3PL with multiple warehouses located in central cities and numerous modern depots. It presents Australian businesses with cross-border logistics, cross-docking, inventory management, freight forwarding, and other solutions.Â
Toll CourierÂ
The Toll Courier is a major freight and logistics company in Australia. It provides satchel, parcel, and pallet delivery within the country and worldwide. Toll Courier provides the options for same-day, next-day, and standard deliveries in its domestic shipping package. The services are cost-effective and cover major cities in Australia and New Zealand.Â
The company’s specialization lies in freight transport services and next-generational warehousing facilities. It offers maritime and port services like customs and quarantine clearances, procuring supplies, and connecting Australia to the Asia-Pacific.Â
Toll Courier supports supply chain consultancy services like audits, distribution network designs, demand forecasting, and cost analysis. Moreover, it works in diverse sectors like healthcare, construction, mining, automotive, electronics, and defense.Â
SendleÂ
Sendle is an Australian ecommerce shipping and carrier company that is perfect for carrying out the shipment load of small-sized businesses. Sendle is a brilliant option for online companies trying to cut out costs on logistics. It comes integrated with ecommerce tools and platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, etc.
Pack And Send
Pack and Send is a freight and parcel delivery company based out of New South Wales, Australia. Broadly, their services extend to order processing, courier deliveries, fulfillment, and distribution facilities. They best serve businesses in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, and Melbourne.Â
As for the delivery services, Pack and Send offers express delivery on the same day with online parcel tracking and air freight services for bulk cargo. Moreover, they extend paper mail delivery and travel baggage courier services.Â
Pack and Send also has dedicated eCommerce shipping services, like an automated self-service portal for shipping parcels and scheduling pickups. Moreover, they integrate with online stores to receive orders, track inventory data, and email customers with tracking information. They do not impose any fixed contract terms to allow retailers to have control.
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Crane Worldwide Logistics is a company consolidating the features of 3PL, logistics, and freight forwarding. They have several warehouses in the country, including Perth, Melbourne, Darwin, Brisbane, and Karratha. Their expertise lies in leveraging coastal benefits for Australian cargo and connecting the country with the global supply chain.
Their main range of services extends to air and ocean freight, cargo insurance, customs brokerage, eCommerce shipping, and rail freight. Their eCommerce shipping solutions include reliable shipment tracking, on-time delivery, express deliveries, and global customer support service.
Crane is well known for its scalable warehouse management. They offer multi-tenant warehouses located in key distribution markets, inventory management, picking allocation, and automatic alerts. Their logistics system reduces product aging, improves data visibility, and optimizes product procurement and shipping.
Austrans Logistics
Austrans Logistics is another shipping company dedicated to reducing logistics costs and optimizing delivery speed. The highlight of their services is delivering parcels within 24 hours in any country. They have also partnered with multiple domestic couriers to present overnight and next-day deliveries across Australia.Â
Along with this, Austrans ship bulk containers and small consignments in their sea freight program. They are also adept in air freight forwarding involving time-critical cargo and affordable shipping prices. Their freight service also includes single and multiple pallet deliveries.
Transdirect
Transdirect is a shipping company specializing in parcel deliveries for same-day and next-day shipments. They offer a range of satchels and parcels with multiple weights for domestic and international shipping. Their shipping charge starts from $6.32 for a 5kg satchel and can extend to $13.63 for international express air freight.Â
For domestic shipping, Transdirect is an excellent choice. They are partnered with leading Australian carriers like Toll, TNT, CouriersPlease, and Fastway Transit. With them, Transdirect offers fast and efficient local deliveries on the same day coupled with online tracking. They also have door-to-door pickup services for both urban and rural entrepreneurs.
MAERSK
MAERSK is an Australian supply chain and logistics company specializing in transportation and freight solutions. They offer a multimodal freight shipping program involving ocean, air, intercontinental, and LCL (Less than a container load). Apart from these, their strong suit lies in warehousing and distribution, 4PL logistics, cold chain, and eCommerce logistics. Â
Their eCommerce logistics include reliable international transit, volume bundling, complete visibility of cargo and shipments, and home deliveries. They also have dedicated fulfillment features like optimized stock management, packaging solutions, and online store integrations.
Final Words
In summation, we can only say that courier companies in Australia can help online businesses scale up their businesses enormously. But finding the right courier company to fit your unique business needs should take time and effort.
We hope this article has helped you understand how courier services companies can assist you in your ecommerce deliveries. We believe by looking carefully at all the key features a courier services company must have, you will be able to find the best courier services company in Australia for your business in no time!
FAQs
Which Is The Best Shipping Company In Australia?
A reliable courier company meets at least three criteria. One, they have an excellent on-time delivery record. Two, they offer full tracking and parcel visibility to inform customers of the delivery times. Three, they give affordable shipping rates. In this regard, Australia Post, Sendle, Couriers Please, and Start Track are excellent choices.
What Are The Best Last-Mile Carriers In Australia?
The trademark of the best last-mile carriers in Australia includes wide serviceability across the Australian coasts, on-time delivery rate, and affordable shipping rates. On top of these, it is good to look for carriers that offer green logistics solutions, carbon offsetting, and sustainable returns management.
Given these parameters, many national carriers qualify. you can consider Australia Post for its convenience and serviceability and TNT Express for freight and parcel shipping. Small businesses can consider locate2u for its many perks to boost SMB shipping. Similarly, Courier Please, StarTrack, and DHL are best for international and cross-border shipping.Â
How To Find Excellent ECommerce Shipping Software For An Australian Business?
Shipping software is an essential eCommerce solution that holds the capacity to micro-manage a brand’s entire shipping process. to find the best eCommerce shipping software, you should first consider if they are integrated with multi-carriers. This will remove your burden to onboard and integrate with every carrier you need and save months in your calendar.Â
In this case, multi-carrier software solutions like Locate2u, ShipStation, ClickPost, and Shippit. ClickPost also has an AI-driven carrier recommendation engine that automates the shipping process. Next, software solutions should ideally have avenues to manage inventory, track orders, print shipping labels, and notify customers to streamline the shipping process.
