To operate a Licensed Post Office successfully, you will need to be:

• A confident and capable business person
• Customer focused and have a desire to achieve
• Able to demonstrate a successful track record in running a small business
• Reliable and able to manage staff (if required)
• In good health and not afraid of working extended hours
• Registered for GST, with an Australian Business Number
• An australian citizen or eligible for citizenship
• Skilled in mathematics and analysis
• Without a criminal record within the current legal definitions of a recorded offence

If you are selected as an Australia Post Licensee, you will be given a minimum of 8 weeks training in the operation of your outlet, product advice, as well as a copy of our Licensed Post Office Manual and various other manuals/guides which detail our business systems and procedures.

We are seeking Licensees who share our enthusiasm for maximising the opportunity of servicing the needs of our customers.

What other business do you know that has our drawing power? the Australian postal service has been in existence for in excess of 185 years. There are few businesses which can match our knowledge of our customers and match the size of our network.

In many outlets, customers can purchase an array of stationery, gifts and business items as well as pay a vast array of bills. Australia Post's retail business generates increased foot traffic which will provide the opportunity to generate additional sales.

The manner in which the business is structured is left to the discretion of the Licensee, whether it be as a Company, Partnership, Trust or as a Sole Trader. Depending upon the business format chosen, it will be necessary, especially in the case of a Company, Trust or Partnership, to appoint a Manager approved by Australia Post.

The Manager will have direct contact with Australia Post and devote his of her full time to the active management and operation of the LPO.

To ensure the best possible service to our customers, LPO's are required to open during business hours that meet customer demands. As a minimum, the core times are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and in many instances, 9am to Noon Saturday. However, some Licensees may be required to operate beyond these hours depending on local circumstances.

All LPO’s offer the basic range of Australia Post products and services which include:

• Postage stamps and prepaid stationery
• Money orders
• Banking services
• Bill payment for third party agency principles eg: Telstra
• Mail acceptance and processing

Depending upon where a LPO is located, a Licensee may also be required to undertake mail processing and delivery work. Where this is the case, the Licensee is responsible for the receipt and processing of mail in preparation for delivery.

The type and extent of such work will vary from outlet to outlet. Australia Post’s local Area Manager will provide prospective Licensees with the necessary information relative to the outlet under consideration.

Australia Post has standards to which each LPO is required to confirm and has developed a range of quality fixtures and fittings to enable these standards to be reached across the retail network. Fixtures and fittings requirements will vary according to the type of outlet.

As part of the LPO arrangements, Australia Post provides a range of support activities including:

• Initial training during the set-up period and on-going mandatory training as required
• Regular information on products and services
• Area network meetings
• Appropriate technology support
• Standardised accounting systems to simplify the book-keeping process
• Support manuals detailing the operational and financial procedures for LPO’s
• Procedures for the resolution of disputes between Australia Post and Licensees that may arise
• Recipient created tax invoice to simplify tax reporting obligations

Further Advice and Assistance

Should you have any further questions, Australia Post’s local area manager or the team at P.O. Realty will be able to assist in this regard. In addition, the Small Business Development Corporation in each state may be of assistance.

OBTAINING A LICENCE

A licence to operate a Licensed Post Office can be obtained by:

• Buying an LPO from an existing Licensee or
• Responding to an Australia Post advertisement for a new outlet or a former corporate outlet
• The amount of the license fee is governed by market forces prevailing at any given time

In all cases, Australia Post must approve the prospective Licensee.

Please contact P.O. Realty for further information by phoning (07) 3341 1836.