Australia Post will temporarily pause its Parcel Post collections from eCommerce retailers in NSW, the ACT and Victoria as it tries to get on top of record eCommerce volumes.
The pause will begin on 7am Saturday 04 September and will go until 7am Tuesday 07 September.
The move comes as the postal service contends with Christmas peak period-like parcel volumes, as millions of Aussies shop online during lockdown.
Adding to the delays is 500 of Australia Post's staff in necessary self-isolation, as well as flight restrictions and temporary facility closures.
Retailers such as The Iconic have told customers that their deliveries could be delayed up to a week after their original delivery date.
"As the situation evolves, with much of it beyond our control, we are unfortunately unable to advise an exact date by which you will receive your parcel," the eTailer said in emails to customers.
"We know this is far from what you expect from us, and we thank you for your understanding during the current conditions under which we are all living and operating," The Iconic said.
The news of the pause comes in the same week Australia Post revealed its record FY21 results, posting a 10.3% increase in group revenue to $8.27 billion, driven by eCommerce growth.
Parcels and Services revenue grew 17.7% to $6.48 billion, on the back of a 27.1% increase in Australia Post branded parcels, and StarTrack volumes up 12.1 per cent.
The organisation also reported an 87.7% lift in group profit before tax of $100.7 million.
"The strength of eCommerce – up 31.8% as Australians took to online shopping in record numbers – has supported our results, as did the temporary regulatory changes which allowed us to meet the significant parcel demand and ongoing mail delivery," Australia Post acting group CEO and MD Rodney Boys said of the result.
"We have accelerated our investment program with $450 million invested last year in our delivery network, including in processing facilities, our last mile delivery fleet, electric vehicles and expanding our Parcel Lockers footprint, increasing delivery options for consumers and further significant projects to be completed in the year ahead.
"This strong result rests with the hard work of our people, who have continued to deliver everyday through the challenges of a pandemic and numerous lockdowns," he said.
This weekend's pause will only impact the standard Parcel Post service, with Express Post, Premium, Startrack Express and letters to remain unchanged across the network.
There will be no impact on Post Offices, which will remain open for all usual business including collecting carded parcels.
Items lodged at Post Offices and Standard Post Boxes will also continue to be collected for processing, and collections in all other States remain the same.
Deliveries will continue across the weekend and parcel processing will also continue.