An Australian postal code, also known as a postcode, is typically represented as a 4-digit number. Each postcode designates a specific geographic area for efficient mail sorting and delivery.

Australia has neraly 3,333 postcodes. They cover big cities and faraway places. Like Sydney CBD with postcode 2000. Or Darwin in the Northern Territory with postcode 0800. Each postcode helps mail go where it needs to.

Components of an Australian Postcode

  • State or Territory Code: The first digit(s) of the postcode represent the state or territory. For example:
    • NSW: New South Wales (Postcodes starting with 1 or 2)
    • VIC: Victoria (Postcodes starting with 3)
    • QLD: Queensland (Postcodes starting with 4)
    • WA: Western Australia (Postcodes starting with 6)
    • SA: South Australia (Postcodes starting with 5)
    • TAS: Tasmania (Postcodes starting with 7)
    • ACT: Australian Capital Territory (Postcodes starting with 02)
    • NT: Northern Territory (Postcodes starting with 08)
    • JBT: Jervis Bay Territory (Postcodes starting with 25)
    • Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island: (Postcodes starting with 6798 or 6799)
  • Locality Code: The following digits in the postcode indicate the specific locality or region within the state or territory.

For example, in the postcode "2000":

  • "2" indicates New South Wales.
  • "000" represents the specific area or locality within New South Wales, in this case, the Sydney CBD.

So, the full postcode "2000" refers to the central business district (CBD) of Sydney in New South Wales.

The Allocation of the Postcodes In Australia

State or Territory Flag Capital Postcodes
Australian Capital Territory Canberra
  • 0200-0299 [*]
  • 2600-2618
  • 2900-2920
New South Wales Sydney
  • 1000-1999 [*]
  • 2000-2599
  • 2619-2899
  • 2921-2999
Northern Territory Darwin
  • 0800-0899
  • 0900-0999 [*]
Queensland Brisbane
  • 4000-4999
  • 9000-9999 [*]
South Australia Adelaide
  • 5000-5799
  • 5800-5999 [*]
Tasmania Hobart
  • 7000-7799
  • 7800-7999 [*]
Victoria Melbourne
  • 3000-3999
  • 8000-8999 [*]
Western Australia Perth
  • 6000-6797
  • 6800-6999 [*]

[*] Only PO Boxes and LVRs