How to cancel Australia Post mail redirection from new zealand: your complete legal guide
Why you might need to cancel Australia Post services
Circumstances change. You may have returned to New Zealand permanently, no longer need parcels held at an Australian address, or discovered the service no longer suits your situation. Australia Post does not charge cancellation fees for redirections and hold services, but the process requires you to act through specific channels, and timing matters. Understanding your options-and your legal protections-ensures you cancel effectively and recover any unused funds. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate postal service cancellations across borders with confidence and clarity.
Common reasons for cancelling mail redirection
You might cancel mail redirection if you have relocated back to New Zealand permanently and no longer require Australian mail forwarded to you. Hold services end when you no longer need parcels kept at an Australian post office while you are away. Some people cancel after their initial contract period to avoid automatic renewal or to consolidate addresses. Others discover they have been charged for months they did not actively use the service and decide to stop before further charges accumulate. Recognising these triggers helps you act before unnecessary charges mount.
What cancelling actually means
Cancelling mail redirection stops Australia Post from forwarding your Australian mail to your redirected address. Cancelling a hold service means parcels no longer remain reserved at that post office. Your MyPost account itself does not delete when you cancel individual services, and your transaction history remains accessible for future reference. This distinction matters because you may want to keep your account active while simply ending the specific service you no longer need. Yafee recommends understanding this nuance before you proceed, as it affects which services you retain and which you terminate.
Your legal position and consumer protections
As a New Zealand resident, you enjoy protections under both New Zealand and Australian consumer law frameworks, depending on how Australia Post classifies your service relationship.
New zealand consumer guarantees act protections
New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 requires that services be provided with reasonable care and skill, and within a reasonable timeframe. If Australia Post fails to process your cancellation request within a reasonable period-typically 14 to 30 days for administrative tasks-or if they continue charging you after you have requested cancellation, you have grounds to dispute those charges with the Commerce Commission. The Act applies to services supplied in New Zealand or from New Zealand to overseas providers, which covers your transaction with Australia Post. Furthermore, Australia Post must not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct when processing your cancellation or refund request.
Your right to cancel and refund timeline
For mail redirection services purchased from New Zealand, you may cancel at any time without penalty. Unused months (excluding the first month paid) may be refunded, though this is not automatic. You must request the refund explicitly and provide proof of cancellation. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, you have stronger grounds for a full refund under consumer law's distance selling protections. Keep all confirmation emails, reference numbers, and cancellation receipts as evidence of your cancellation request date. This documentation becomes essential if Australia Post disputes your refund claim or continues charging you after cancellation.
Your legal position: summary
You have the right to: cancel your mail redirection or hold service at any time without penalty; receive a refund of unused service fees within a reasonable timeframe (typically 30 days); expect Australia Post to process your cancellation request within 14 to 30 days; and escalate disputes to the Commerce Commission if Australia Post refuses to refund or continues charging you after cancellation. The burden falls on Australia Post to prove you received and accepted the service during the period they charge you.
Three methods to cancel Australia Post from new zealand
Three main channels exist for cancelling your Australia Post services from outside Australia, each with different timelines, documentation trails, and success rates.
Method 1: cancel online through MyPost
The quickest and most documented option is using your MyPost account directly. This method creates an instant digital record and usually stops services within one working day.
- Visit mypost.com.au and sign in with your email address and password
- If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot password" link and follow the reset process to your registered email address
- Ensure you use the same email address you registered the mail redirection service under
- Navigate to the "Mail redirection" or "Hold mail" section from your account dashboard
- This appears under "My services" or "Manage services"
- The exact label depends on your account type and which services you have active
- Select the active redirection or hold service you wish to cancel
- You can cancel one service while keeping others active if you have multiple services running
- Click "Cancel service" or "End redirection" and confirm your decision
- Australia Post will ask you why you are cancelling; this feedback is optional but helps document your intent
- Screenshot or download your cancellation confirmation and note the reference number
- This reference number is your proof of cancellation and is essential for disputing any future charges
- Save the confirmation email to a folder you can access later
- Wait 1 to 3 working days for the service to stop processing
- Mail redirection can take up to three days to fully cease, depending on Australia Post's processing schedule
Method 2: cancel by telephone
If you prefer to speak to a representative or encounter difficulties logging into MyPost, calling Australia Post is a viable second option. This method allows you to ask questions in real time, but creates less written evidence of your cancellation intent.
- Call Australia Post's customer service line from New Zealand: +61 13 13 18
- Calls from New Zealand are treated as international calls and may incur charges on your phone plan
- Call during Australian business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Australian Eastern Time) to reach a representative quickly
- Provide your MyPost account details when prompted
- Have your email address, name, and date of birth ready
- The representative may also ask for your Australian address associated with the redirection
- Clearly state you wish to cancel your mail redirection or hold service effective immediately
- Specify the exact service: "mail redirection to [your New Zealand address]" or "hold mail service"
- Ask the representative for a cancellation reference number and note it down
- This reference proves you made the request on this specific date
- If they do not offer one, ask explicitly: "Can you provide me with a reference number for this cancellation?"
- Request they email you a written confirmation of the cancellation
- Some representatives will send this; others may decline but must acknowledge your request
- If they refuse, follow up with a written confirmation email yourself (see Method 3)
Method 3: submit a written cancellation form
If you do not have internet access, prefer a formal written record, or encounter issues with the online or telephone methods, you can submit the official "Alter or Cancel" form. This method is slower but creates the strongest legal documentation.
- Contact Australia Post to request the "Alter or Cancel" form
- Phone +61 13 13 18 and ask them to email the form to your address, or
- Visit an Australia Post office if you are travelling to Australia, or
- Ask someone in Australia to collect the form on your behalf from a local post office
- Complete the form with your full details
- Enter your name, date of birth, MyPost account email, and the Australian address associated with your redirection
- In the "reason for change" field, write clearly: "Request to cancel mail redirection service"
- Sign and date the form
- Submit the completed form to an Australia Post office in person or by mail
- If posting, send to the address listed on the form (typically the local post office managing your redirection)
- Use registered mail or a tracked service so you have proof of delivery
- Keep the receipt showing the date you mailed the form
- Allow 5 to 10 working days for Australia Post to process the form
- Processing times are longer for postal submissions than for online or phone cancellations
- Contact Australia Post after 10 days if you do not receive confirmation
- Request written confirmation of cancellation once processed
- Phone Australia Post with your form submission date and reference number
- Ask them to email you confirmation that the service has ended
Refunds and unused service credits
Australia Post does not refund unused months automatically, so you must claim refunds explicitly within a reasonable timeframe.
How to claim an unused service refund
Once you have cancelled, contact Australia Post's refund team and request a refund of unused service fees. You must submit this request within 90 days of cancellation to maximise your chances of approval. Provide your cancellation reference number, the date of cancellation, and the dates your service was active. Calculate the number of unused days remaining in your paid period and multiply this by your daily service cost. For example, if you paid for 12 months at NZD $120 (approximately NZD $10 per month) and cancelled after 3 months, you are entitled to a refund of approximately NZD $90. Australia Post typically processes refunds within 14 to 30 days of approval. If they refuse your refund without explanation, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Refund timeline and process
After cancellation, monitor your MyPost account for any refund confirmation. You should receive notification by email within 14 days of your cancellation if Australia Post has approved a refund. If no refund appears within 30 days, send a formal written request to Australia Post's customer service team, referencing your cancellation reference number and citing the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Yafee advises keeping all emails and payment records until the refund clears to your bank account, which may take an additional 5 to 10 working days.
Pricing and cost comparison
Understanding Australia Post's fees helps you calculate your refund entitlement and decide whether cancellation is financially worthwhile.
| Service type |
Duration |
Cost (NZD) |
Cancellation fee |
Refund eligible |
| Mail redirection |
3 months |
$45 |
None |
Yes (unused portion) |
| Mail redirection |
12 months |
$120 |
None |
Yes (unused portion) |
| Hold mail service |
Per week |
$7-$12 |
None |
Yes (unused weeks) |
| Mail hold plus parcel hold |
Per week |
$15-$20 |
None |
Yes (unused weeks) |
| Premium redirection (express) |
12 months |
$180 |
None |
Yes (unused portion) |
No Australia Post service charges a cancellation fee, so your only financial risk is losing the unused portion if you do not claim it. Yafee strongly recommends claiming your refund as soon as cancellation is confirmed, because Australia Post may not flag it automatically.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation does not end instantly across all Australia Post systems, so expect a short transition period during which your account winds down.
Mail delivery during the cancellation window
After you cancel online or by phone, mail redirection typically stops within 1 to 3 working days. During this window, some mail may still be redirected to your New Zealand address if it was in Australia Post's system before your cancellation processed. Once the cancellation takes effect, any mail addressed to your Australian address will either be returned to the sender or held at the original Australian post office. Consequently, you should notify your Australian contacts of your New Zealand address before cancelling to avoid lost mail.
Your MyPost account after cancellation
Cancelling a service does not delete your MyPost account. Your account remains active, your transaction history remains visible, and you can reactivate services in future if needed. This separation is intentional: Australia Post preserves your account history for dispute resolution and refund verification. If you wish to delete your MyPost account entirely, you must submit a separate account closure request after all services are cancelled. Yafee advises keeping your account active for at least 90 days after cancellation to allow time for refund processing.
Charges after cancellation
Monitor your bank or credit card statements for 30 days after cancellation to ensure Australia Post does not continue charging you. If you see charges appearing after your cancellation date, contact Australia Post immediately with your cancellation reference number and request a reversal. If they refuse, file a dispute through your bank or credit card issuer, referencing the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and your cancellation confirmation. Your bank will typically reverse unauthorised charges within 14 to 21 days if you have documented evidence of your cancellation request.
Common mistakes when cancelling Australia Post
Cancelling is straightforward once you know the pitfalls, so avoid these common missteps to protect your refund and ensure a clean break.
Not saving your cancellation reference number
Your cancellation reference is your proof that you requested cancellation on a specific date. If you lose this number and Australia Post continues charging you, you lose leverage in a dispute. Immediately screenshot or download your cancellation confirmation email and save it to a folder titled "Australia Post Cancellation" on your computer or cloud storage. If you cancelled by phone, ask the representative to email you a confirmation with the reference number; if they refuse, send yourself an email immediately documenting the date, time, and representative's name.
Cancelling without checking your balance
Before cancelling, log into MyPost and confirm how much credit or pre-paid balance remains on your account. If you have unused months, note the number so you can calculate your refund entitlement. Some consumers cancel and then forget they paid for services, missing out on refunds worth NZD $30 to $90. Yafee recommends taking a screenshot of your account balance before you cancel so you have evidence of the unused credit.
Not following up on your refund
Australia Post does not refund unused service fees automatically or without a prompt. If you cancel in June but do not request a refund until October, you may face questions about the delay. Submit your refund request within 14 days of cancellation while your intent is fresh and the transaction is recent. Include your cancellation reference number, the date of cancellation, and a calculation of the unused portion in your refund request email.
Assuming online cancellation is final
Online cancellation through MyPost is fast but sometimes encounters technical glitches. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of cancelling online, log back in and verify the service status. If it still shows active, submit a phone or written cancellation as a backup to ensure the service truly ends. Redundancy protects you if the first cancellation did not process correctly.
Cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to track your cancellation steps and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
| Action |
Completed |
Date |
Reference/evidence |
| Confirmed MyPost account balance and unused months |
☐ |
__/__ |
Screenshot saved |
| Submitted cancellation (online, phone, or form) |
☐ |
__/__ |
Reference number: _____ |
| Saved cancellation confirmation email |
☐ |
__/__ |
Folder: Australia Post / Cancellation |
| Submitted refund request (with reference and calculation) |
☐ |
__/__ |
Email sent to: [email protected] |
| Checked bank statement for any post-cancellation charges |
☐ |
__/__ |
No unauthorised charges |
| Received refund confirmation or credit |
☐ |
__/__ |
Amount refunded: NZD $_____ |
When to escalate to the commerce commission
If Australia Post refuses to process your cancellation or denies your refund claim without valid reason, escalate your complaint to New Zealand's Commerce Commission.
Filing a complaint with the commerce commission
The Commerce Commission enforces the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and investigates breaches of consumer law. You can file a complaint online at www.consumerprotection.govt.nz if Australia Post has: continued charging you after cancellation; refused to refund unused service fees within 30 days; failed to process your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe (14 to 30 days); or misled you about cancellation terms or refund eligibility. Provide your MyPost account email, cancellation reference number, refund request documentation, and evidence of your communications with Australia Post. The Commission will contact Australia Post on your behalf and attempt to resolve the dispute within 30 to 60 days.
Your next steps: cancel with confidence
Cancelling Australia Post from New Zealand is straightforward once you understand the legal framework and follow the right method. Start by logging into MyPost and saving your account balance as proof of your unused credit. Choose the fastest method for your situation-online cancellation for speed, phone for real-time answers, or written form for maximum documentation. Within 14 days, submit a formal refund request with your cancellation reference number and calculation of unused months. Monitor your bank statement for 30 days to ensure no unauthorised charges appear. If Australia Post refuses to refund or continues charging you, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your evidence. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel postal services, redirection plans, and hold services across borders with confidence, and you now have the tools and legal backing to do the same. For further guidance on your specific situation, contact Australia Post's customer service team at +61 13 13 18 or visit mypost.com.au today.
Contact Australia Post to cancel
Use these contact channels to submit your cancellation request or follow up on your refund.
Online cancellation: www.mypost.com.au (login required)
Phone cancellation: +61 13 13 18 (calls from New Zealand may incur international charges)
Written form submission: Contact Australia Post to request the "Alter or Cancel" form, or ask a contact in Australia to collect it from a local post office. Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form (typically the post office managing your redirection).
Refund enquiry: Email Australia Post's customer service team with your cancellation reference number, cancellation date, and refund calculation. Include your MyPost account email address so they can verify your account details.
Complaints: If Australia Post refuses to refund or continues charging after cancellation, file a complaint with the New Zealand Commerce Commission at www.consumerprotection.govt.nz. Provide your cancellation reference, refund request documentation, and evidence of all communications with Australia Post.