Postal Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1962L00106 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1962. No. 106.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1961.*

I, The Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of, Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961.

Dated this twenty-third day of November, 1962.

DALLAS BROOKS

Administrator

By His Excellencys Command,

Postmaster-General.

 

Amendments of the Postal Regulations.

Parts.

1. Regulation 2 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the words—

Part XIIIa.—Certified Mail (Regulations 176a-176g).”

and inserting in their stead the words—

Part XIIIa.—Certified Mail (Regulations 176a-176f).”.

Late fees.

2. Regulation 7 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (2.) and (3.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-regulation:—

(2.) The late fee on—

(a) a registered postal article (including a parcel) tendered at a post office, after the time appointed for the putting into that post office of registered articles for transmission by a particular mail closing between nine oclock in the morning on a day and before five oclock in the afternoon of that day, for transmission by that mail and accepted for transmission by that mail; or

(b) an unregistered parcel posted at a post office at which parcels are accepted for transmission by a particular mail after the ordinary closing time of that mail,

is a fee equal to twice the amount of the fee ascertained in accordance with the last preceding sub-regulation..

Postage not payable in cash, except in certain cases.

3. Regulation 58 of the Postal Regulations is repealed.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 26th November, 1962.

† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 3, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, Nos. 53, 70, 80 and 95; 1936, Nos. 50 and 113; 1937, Nos. 13, 35, 37 and 48; 1938, Nos. 2, 55, 94 and 100; 1939, Nos. 44, 57 and 66; 1940, Nos. 1 and 232; 1942, Nos. 5, 313, 439 and 554; 1943, Nos. 57, 94, 122, 237 and 286; 1944, No. 145; 1945, No. 194; 1946, Nos. 131 and 149; 1947, Nos. 91 and 114; 1948, No. 62; 1949, Nos. 23, 30, 38 and 106; 1950, Nos. 49 and 93; 1951, Nos. 22 and 72; 1952, No. 38; 1953, No. 81; 1954, No. 52; 1955, No. 28; 1956, Nos. 31 and 67; 1957, No. 38; 1959, Nos. 7, 21, 26, 63 and 85; and 1960, Nos. 75 and 103.

5230/62.—Price 3d.       10/5.10.1962.


4. Regulations 62 and 62a of the Postal Regulations are repealed and the following regulation is inserted in their stead:—

Goods for use by the blind conveyed by post without charge.

62.—(1.) For the purposes of section 8 of the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1959, postal articles containing—

(a) aids for the teaching of Braille to the blind;

(b) plates for embossing literature for the blind;

(c) special paper intended solely for the use of the blind; and

(d) any form of speech recording for the use of the blind, are prescribed.

(2.) Braille and Moon postal articles and postal articles referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall be conveyed by post without charge if—

(a) the postal article is sent by or addressed to a blind person or an institution or organization that is recognized by the Postmaster-General as an institution or organization which serves the blind;

(b) the envelope, package or wrapper containing the postal article is not sealed against inspection; and

(c) the words Materials for the use of the Blind and the name and address of the sender appear on the outside of the envelope, package or wrapper containing the postal article..

Delivery by mailman.

5. Regulation 85 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words a mile and inserting in their stead the words three-quarters of a mile.

6. Regulations 101 of the Postal Regulations is amended—

Inquiries respecting postal articles.

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (3.);

(b) by omitting paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-regulation (4.) and inserting in their stead the following word and paragraph:—

and (b) the official receipt issued to the sender in respect of the postal article is furnished with the request.; and

(c) by omitting sub-regulations (5.) and (6.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-regulation:—

(5.) Where the inquiry relates to a postal article transmitted as certified mail, the inquiry concerning the postal article shall not be undertaken unless the request is made in writing within twelve months after the date of posting of the article and the request sets out sufficient information relating to the article and its posting to enable it to be identified..

7. Regulation 123b of the Postal Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Services at Philatelic Sections.

123b.—(1.) Envelopes specially designed for philatelic purposes may be supplied by Philatelic Sections upon payment of the prescribed charge.

(2) Upon the request of a person accompanied by payment of the prescribed charge, an officer of a Philatelic Section shall address an envelope specially designed for philatelic purposes in accordance with instructions given by that person.


(3.) Upon the request of a person accompanied by payment of the prescribed charge, an officer of a Philatelic Section shall—

(a) affix postage stamps of specific values or specific new issues purchased by that person to a fully addressed envelope specially designed for philatelic purposes; and

(b) postmark the envelope and impress it with cachet or such other marks as are appropriate for placing the envelope in ordinary postal circulation.

(4.) The prescribed charges for the purposes of this regulation are—

(a) for the supply by a Philatelic Section of each envelope specially designed for philatelic purposes—Threepence;

(b) for the addressing by an officer of a Philatelic Section of an envelope specially designed for philatelic purposes in accordance with this regulation—Threepence;

(c) for the affixing by an officer of a Philatelic Section of postage stamps in accordance with the last preceding sub-regulation to an envelope specially designed for philatelic purposes, in addition to the value of the stamps affixed—

(i) for less than five stamps—Threepence; and

(ii) for five or more stamps—Sixpence..

Service by mailman.

8. Regulation 141 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the figure and word 1 mile and inserting in their stead the words three-quarters of a mile.

Service by private messenger.

9. Regulation 142 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraphs (a) and (c) the figure and word 1 mile (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words three-quarters of a mile.

Preparation of articles for registered post.

10. Regulation 162 of the Postal Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulations (3.) and (4.); and

(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (5.) the words with a strong adhesive.

Fees and compensation in respect of articles other than C.O.D. parcels.

11. Regulation 163 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the proviso.

Compensation payable for loss, damage or rifling of registered postal articles.

12.—(1.) Regulation 165 of the Postal Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (2.) the words three months and inserting in their stead the words twelve months;

(b) by adding at the end of paragraph (f) of sub-regulation (2.) the word or;

(c) by omitting from paragraph (g) of sub-regulation (2.) the word or (last occurring);

(d) by omitting paragraph (h) of sub-regulation (2.); and

(e) by omitting from sub-regulation (3.) all the words before the word containing and inserting in their stead the words Where damage occurs to the contents of a postal article.


(2.) The amendment made by paragraph (a) of the last preceding sub-regulation applies to and in relation to a registered postal article or a cash-on-delivery parcel—

(a) posted on or after the commencement of these Regulations; or

(b) posted on or after the first day of April, 1962, and before the commencement of these Regulations.

Inquiry as to delivery of certified mail.

13. Regulation 176g of the Postal Regulations is repealed.

Postage on parcels must be prepaid.

14. Regulation 187 of the Postal Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

(1.) Except in cases where the Postmaster-General has, under regulation 60 of these Regulations, authorized the payment of the postage payable on a parcel by a person other than the sender of the parcel, the postage on a parcel shall be fully prepaid—

(a) by means of adhesive postage stamps affixed either on the cover of the parcel close to the address or on a label affixed to the parcel;

(b) by means of franking machine impressions made in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations relating to the use of franking machines; or

(c) by payment in cash at the post office at which the parcel is handed in.; and

(b) by omitting sub-regulation (5.).

Prohibited articles.

15. Regulation 199 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the words alcoholic beverages (other than bona fide samples each of which does not exceed 6 ounces in weight),.

 

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1962 No. 106, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, aim to revise and update various regulations concerning postal services in Australia. Enacted by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations seek to streamline postal operations and address issues such as late fees, the conveyance of goods for the blind, and the handling of certified mail. The amendments also introduce changes in the delivery distances for mailmen and private messengers, update charges for philatelic services, and modify compensation rules for lost or damaged registered postal articles. This legislative instrument reflects an effort to modernise postal regulations, ensuring they remain effective and relevant in the context of evolving postal practices and needs.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1962 No. 106, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, encompasses various amendments to the Postal Regulations concerning postal services, fees, and procedures. The regulations apply to individuals and entities sending or receiving postal articles, including both registered and unregistered mail, parcels, and certified mail. The regulations govern conduct and transactions related to the postage, late fees, and delivery of postal articles across the Commonwealth of Australia. Notably, the amendments include changes to late fees for registered articles and unregistered parcels, modifications to the conditions under which postage is not payable in cash, and specific provisions for the free conveyance of goods for use by the blind. The regulations also adjust distances for mailman delivery and private messenger services, and provide updated procedures for registered postal articles and inquiries about certified mail. Additionally, the regulations affect philatelic services and the compensation payable for loss, damage, or rifling of registered postal articles. The application of these regulations extends throughout the Commonwealth, with specific modifications to the prescribed charges and distances for certain services. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations as needed.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 make several key amendments to the Postal Regulations. Firstly, Regulation 2 has been amended to adjust the Certified Mail section by omitting Regulation 176g (Reg. 1). Secondly, Regulation 7 has been modified to update the late fee for registered postal articles and unregistered parcels posted after the designated closing time (Reg. 2). Thirdly, Regulation 58, which previously dealt with postage payment methods, has been repealed (Reg. 3). Additionally, the new Regulation 62 specifies that certain aids for the blind are to be conveyed by post without charge, provided certain conditions are met (Reg. 4). Furthermore, the distance within which mail delivery by a mailman is provided has been adjusted from a mile to three-quarters of a mile in Regulations 85 and 141 (Regs. 5 and 8). The requirements for inquiries regarding postal articles have also been revised in Regulation 101, especially concerning certified mail (Reg. 6). Philatelic services have been updated in Regulation 123b to specify charges for various services (Reg. 7). Moreover, the preparation of articles for registered post has been streamlined by omitting certain sub-regulations in Regulation 162 (Reg. 10). Compensation provisions for registered postal articles and cash-on-delivery parcels have been extended to twelve months in Regulation 165 (Reg. 12). Lastly, Regulation 187 now mandates that postage on parcels must be prepaid, except in cases authorized by the Postmaster-General (Reg. 14). These Regulations impose several obligations on the parties they govern. Firstly, they require that late fees be charged for registered postal articles and unregistered parcels posted after the designated closing time (Reg. 2). Secondly, they mandate that certain goods for use by the blind be conveyed without charge, subject to specific conditions being met (Reg. 4). Thirdly, they stipulate that postage on parcels must be prepaid unless authorized otherwise by the Postmaster-General (Reg. 14). Furthermore, they require that inquiries regarding postal articles, especially certified mail, be made within specific timeframes and in writing, with sufficient information to identify the article (Reg. 6). Philatelic services are subject to specific charges, which must be paid to avail of these services (Reg. 7). The Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for breaches. However, given their nature, breaches of these postal regulations could potentially lead to administrative actions, fines, or other penalties as outlined in the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 or subsequent legislation. For example, failure to pay late fees as specified could result in the application of additional charges or denial of service. Non-compliance with the conditions for free conveyance of goods for the blind could lead to the imposition of postage fees. Failure to prepaid postage on parcels, except in authorized cases, could result in non-delivery or additional charges.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.