Shipping remains the challenge that makes or breaks regional e-commerce. You can have great products and a beautiful website, but if your shipping costs too much or takes too long, customers buy elsewhere.

I’ve updated my assessment of shipping options for regional Victorian online sellers based on 2025 pricing and service levels.

The Major Carriers

Australia Post

Still the default for most regional sellers, but 2025 brought both improvements and frustrations.

Positives:

• Parcel Post is genuinely reliable for most destinations
• Express Post now available from more regional locations
• eParcel contracts available for smaller volume shippers
• Parcel lockers expanding in regional towns

Negatives:

• Pricing increased again this year
• Regional to regional shipping can be slow
• Express Post cutoff times are earlier than metropolitan
• Customer service remains challenging

Best for: Standard shipping where speed isn’t critical, small parcels, national coverage.

Sendle

The carbon-neutral courier that’s positioned itself as the small business alternative.

Positives:

• Simple flat-rate pricing
• Good integration with major e-commerce platforms
• Pick-up from your address included
• Carbon neutral appeals to some customers

Negatives:

• Delivery times slightly longer than competitors
• Rural delivery coverage has gaps
• Tracking less detailed than some alternatives

Best for: Businesses prioritising simplicity and sustainability messaging.

Aramex (formerly Fastway)

Network of franchisees providing courier services.

Positives:

• Competitive pricing for regular shippers
• Local franchisees sometimes provide better regional service
• Flexible pickup arrangements

Negatives:

• Service quality varies by franchisee
• Tracking can be inconsistent
• Some regional areas poorly served

Best for: Regular shippers who find a good local franchisee.

StarTrack

Australia Post’s business courier arm.

Positives:

• Strong network for B2B shipping
• Reliable for larger parcels
• Good tracking systems

Negatives:

• Not cost-effective for small parcels
• Minimum volumes for best pricing
• Consumer delivery can be less flexible

Best for: B2B shipping and larger parcels.

Aggregator Platforms

Services that aggregate multiple carriers and let you choose per-shipment.

Shippit

Positives:

• Access to multiple carriers through one platform
• Automated carrier selection based on rules
• Good integration with major e-commerce platforms
• Competitive rates through aggregated volume

Negatives:

• Platform fee adds to costs
• Another system to manage
• Carrier performance still varies

ShipStation

Positives:

• Powerful order management features
• Multi-carrier support
• Good reporting and analytics

Negatives:

• US-based, some features less relevant for Australia
• Learning curve
• Monthly subscription regardless of volume

Regional-Specific Options

Local Courier Networks

Some regional areas have local courier services that operate between nearby towns.

Worth investigating for regional-to-regional shipping. Often competitive for same-day or next-day delivery within their service area.

Bus Freight

Counterintuitive but practical: many regional bus services carry freight between towns. Fast, relatively cheap, reliable schedules.

Best for: Time-sensitive items between towns on bus routes.

Freight for Larger Items

For furniture, equipment, and other large items, traditional freight companies often serve regional areas better than parcel couriers.

TNT (now FedEx), Toll, and regional freight operators should be considered for anything that won’t fit in a satchel.

Pricing Strategies

How regional sellers manage shipping costs:

Free shipping thresholds: “Free shipping on orders over $100” encourages larger orders while limiting your exposure.

Flat rate by zone: Simple pricing customers understand, though you’ll lose margin on some shipments.

Real-time rates: Pass actual shipping costs to customers. Most accurate but can surprise customers at checkout.

Built-in shipping: Factor average shipping cost into product prices and offer “free shipping.” Simpler for customers but requires careful pricing.

Recommendations

For most regional sellers: Start with Australia Post eParcel or Sendle. Both are reliable, reasonably priced, and integrate with common e-commerce platforms.

As you grow: Consider aggregator platforms to access better rates and multiple carrier options.

For urgent or premium shipping: Maintain relationships with multiple carriers. No single carrier is best for every shipment.

Always: Test your own shipping. Send yourself packages via different carriers to understand real delivery times and service quality.

Shipping is rarely a competitive advantage for regional sellers—the goal is to make it neutral. Reliable, reasonably priced shipping that doesn’t give customers a reason to buy elsewhere.

For regional businesses looking to optimise their e-commerce operations including shipping strategies, an AI consultancy can help evaluate options for your specific situation.