Australia Post unveiled its first parcels post office in Canberra on Thursday, ahead of the year’s busiest shopping season.

The new, modern-format post office is designed to make sending, collecting and returning parcels faster, says Australia Post’s Josh Bannister.

Located in Vicars Street, Mitchell, he says the the new outlet is dedicated to parcel services with added  flexibility through 24/7 self-serve options and secure 24/7 free parcel lockers. 

“The number one reason a customer visits the post office is to collect a parcel, so we’re making it easier and quicker to collect and send parcels at a time that suits them, especially as we head into  the year’s busiest shopping season,” Mr Bannister said.  

Australia Post says more than 185,000 ACT households have shopped online in the past quarter and is the number one reason they visit post offices.

For parcels to arrive in time for Christmas, Australia Post recommends they’re sent before December 19 or, with express shipping, before December 23.