An Australia Post tracking number is the unique reference used to check a parcel’s delivery progress. Whether you have an AusPost tracking number from an online shopping order, a Post Office receipt or a prepaid parcel label, you need this reference to look up your shipment. But what does an Australia Post tracking number look like, and where can you find it?
The format can vary depending on the postal service used. Some references contain letters and numbers, while others use longer numeric or alphanumeric combinations. Below, you’ll find real format examples, common places to locate your number and practical steps to take if you can’t find it or your tracking search doesn’t recognise it.
What Does an Australia Post Tracking Number Look Like?
Australia Post uses tracking numbers, also called article IDs, to identify individual items in its delivery network. Their appearance depends on the product and how the sender created the shipping label.
There isn’t one fixed format that applies to every Australia Post parcel. A tracking reference may contain letters, digits or a combination of both. Some business and specialised mailing services also use longer article ID formats.
For example, Australia Post’s technical documentation for its domestic letter with tracking Imprint service provides this AP Article ID:
TMABC12312345678900405092
The same reference can be displayed in groups of five characters to make it easier to read:
TMABC 12312 34567 89004 05092
This is a specific example from a tracked domestic letter product, not a universal format for all parcels.
Australia Post Tracking Number Format Example
The example above contains 25 characters. Its structure is divided into several parts:
| Part | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed prefix | TM | Identifies the particular imprint format |
| Customer Reference ID | ABC123 | Identifies the customer |
| Sub Product | 12312 | Identifies the applicable product coding |
| Sequence Number | 345678901 | Identifies the individual article |
| Service Code | 00 | Service-related code in this illustrative breakdown |
| Check Digit | 2 | Final validation character |
The example is based on Australia Post’s documented domestic letter tracking imprint structure. Other services use different tracking reference formats, so you should not expect every number to follow these same components.
Important: Do not reject a tracking number simply because it doesn’t begin with TM or doesn’t contain 25 characters. Use the reference supplied with your particular shipment.
Where Can I Find My Australia Post Tracking Number?
The easiest place to find your Aus Post tracking number depends on whether you sent the parcel or are waiting to receive it.
If you posted an item yourself, start with your receipt or parcel label. If you’re the recipient, check the sender’s shipping notification and online order details.
Here are the most common places to look.
1. Check Your Post Office Receipt
If you lodged your parcel over the counter at an Australia Post Office, look at the receipt you received after payment.
For many tracked services, the tracking number or article ID is printed on the receipt. Look for a barcode and its associated reference, which may be labelled as an article ID or tracking number.
Keep this receipt until the parcel has been delivered. It can be useful if you need to check the shipment or follow up on a delivery problem.
2. Look at the Parcel Label or Barcode
If you used an Australia Post prepaid satchel or another tracked shipping label, the tracking reference may be printed near the barcode.
Check the following areas:
- The main shipping label attached to the parcel.
- The printed barcode and its associated characters.
- The removable tracking sticker supplied with some prepaid satchels.
Make sure you select the article or tracking reference rather than another number printed on the label.
3. Check Your Online Shopping Confirmation Email
If you’re waiting for an order from an Australian retailer or online marketplace, the seller may have included your Australia Post tracking number in the dispatch notification.
Search your email inbox for words such as:
- Your order has shipped.
- Your parcel is on its way.
- Shipping confirmation.
- Your delivery tracking details.
Open the original email and look for a tracking link or a reference labelled Tracking Number, Article ID or Shipment Tracking.
Some retailers also show the number in the order details section of their website or app.
4. Check Your Order Invoice
Some online sellers include the tracking reference on the invoice or shipping confirmation document.
Open your order invoice and look for a shipping or delivery section. The seller may display the Australia Post article ID separately from the order reference.
If you only see an order number, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have the correct parcel tracking number.
5. Look for Australia Post Track Advice Emails
Australia Post provides a free Track Advice service. When the sender supplies your email address with the shipment details, you may receive emails containing your tracking number and delivery progress.
Check your inbox, including spam and promotions folders, for Australia Post delivery notifications.
These emails can be particularly useful if you haven’t received the tracking reference directly from the retailer.
Australia Post Tracking Number vs Order Number: What’s the Difference?
An order number and a tracking number are not necessarily the same thing. This is a common source of confusion when checking an online purchase.
| Order number | Tracking number |
|---|---|
| Identifies your purchase with the retailer | Identifies an individual shipment |
| Created by the shopping website or seller | Assigned or generated through the shipping process |
| Used for invoices, returns and order enquiries | Used to check recorded parcel movements |
| May not work on Australia Post’s tracking page | Used for an Australia Post tracking lookup |
For example, an online store may send you an order confirmation containing an order reference before the parcel has been prepared for dispatch.
The actual AusPost tracking number may arrive in a separate shipping confirmation once the seller has created the shipping label.
If your order confirmation doesn’t contain a tracking reference, wait for the dispatch notification or contact the retailer.
Can You Track an Australia Post Parcel Without a Tracking Number?
In most cases, no. You need the correct tracking number or article ID to look up an individual shipment.
Australia Post cannot normally locate a parcel using only the recipient’s name, home address or phone number. Its tracking system relies on the unique reference assigned to the item.
If you’ve lost your number, try these options:
- Contact the sender: Ask the retailer or person who sent the parcel to provide the tracking reference again.
- Check your original receipt: If you were the sender, look for the Post Office receipt or shipping records.
- Search your emails: Look for dispatch notifications and Track Advice messages.
- Check your retailer account: Open your order history and look for shipment details.
If the sender cannot provide the number, you may need to ask them to investigate the shipment.
Why Is My Australia Post Tracking Number Not Working?
Sometimes, you enter the correct reference but the tracking page doesn’t recognise it. This doesn’t always mean the number is invalid.
Here are some common explanations.
The Parcel Has Not Been Scanned Yet
A sender may create a shipping label before physically handing over the parcel. In this situation, the tracking reference can exist even though no movement is recorded yet.
Australia Post advises that an unconfirmed tracking number may not be recognised because the item hasn’t been scanned into its system. Try checking again in 24 hours.
You Entered the Wrong Number
A small typing mistake can prevent a tracking search from working. Double-check letters, digits and any easily confused characters.
Copy the reference directly from your receipt or shipping email instead of typing it manually.
You Used an Order Reference Instead
Retailer order IDs and Australia Post article IDs serve different purposes. Make sure you’re using the shipment tracking reference rather than the store’s internal order number.
The Parcel Uses Another Delivery Company
Not every online order is delivered by Australia Post. Some retailers use private couriers or different postal operators.
Check your dispatch email or shipping label to confirm which carrier is handling your delivery.
The Number Belongs to a Different Shipment
If you have several recent orders, it’s possible to copy the wrong tracking reference. Compare the number in your email with the shipping details for the correct order.
How to Use Your Australia Post Tracking Number
Once you’ve found your reference, checking the parcel is straightforward.
- Visit our Australia Post tracking tool.
- Enter your tracking number in the search box.
- Select the Track Parcel option.
- Open the available tracking information to check the latest recorded shipment events.
You can start a basic tracking lookup without creating a MyPost account or logging in. If you need additional delivery management features, Australia Post also offers its own website, free MyPost account and official mobile app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many digits are in an Australia Post tracking number?
There isn’t a universal digit count for every Australia Post tracking number. Different services use different formats, including numeric and alphanumeric article IDs. Check the number provided on your shipping receipt, parcel label or dispatch notification.
Does an Australia Post tracking number contain letters?
Yes. Some Australia Post tracking references contain both letters and numbers. For example, its domestic letter with tracking Imprint documentation shows an article ID beginning with TM. Other services may use different formats.
Is an Australia Post article ID the same as a tracking number?
The terms are closely related. Australia Post uses article ID as a unique reference for an individual item, and this reference can be used to look up its tracking information. The exact format depends on the service.
Where can I find my AusPost tracking number if I am the receiver?
Check the shipping confirmation email, order invoice or retailer’s order details. You may also receive the reference through Australia Post’s Track Advice emails if the sender provided your email address with the shipment information.
Can I find my Australia Post tracking number using my address?
No. Your delivery address alone cannot be used for a normal individual parcel tracking search. You’ll need the tracking number or article ID supplied by the sender or shown on the shipping documents.
What should I do if I have lost my Australia Post tracking number?
First, check your receipt, shipping email, invoice and online order history. If you still cannot find it, contact the sender or retailer and ask them to resend the tracking details. Without the tracking reference, an individual item generally cannot be traced through the tracking tool.
Does an Australia Post tracking number expire?
A tracking reference is associated with a particular shipment, and its tracking information may not remain available indefinitely. The availability of older tracking records depends on Australia Post’s systems and applicable service arrangements. Check the official tracking service for an older parcel.
Can I track multiple Australia Post parcels with different tracking numbers?
Yes. Each parcel has its own tracking reference. You can check them individually using the tracking tool. A free MyPost account can also help you organise eligible deliveries in one place.
Find Your Australia Post Tracking Number and Check Your Parcel
Your tracking reference is the key to finding your parcel’s recorded delivery progress. Check your Post Office receipt, shipping label, order confirmation or sender notification to locate it. Once you have the correct number, use our Australia Post tracking tool to start your search and find the latest available delivery information.