Charity Mail Delivered with a Stamp Price Hike!
14 May 2002 at 1:05 pm
Australia Post’s long-awaited Not for Profit postage concession deal called ‘Charity Mail’ has finally been delivered –at the same time that it announces the price of general postage is also about to go up!
Pro Bono Australia revealed earlier Australia Post’s plans to introduce a new Charity Mail service due originally in March but delays meant the details were not available until now.
Australia Post will introduce the new pricing structure from July 1.
Australia Post’s National Spokesperson, Gary Highland says that previously there were content restrictions to discounts offered to PreSort charity mail, but now advertising and promotional material, greeting cards, newsletters, and even statements and invoices will be eligible.
Charity Mail will apply only to charities that have “Endorsement as an Income Tax Exempt Charity” (ITEC) from the Australian Tax Office.
Highland says Australia Post recognises that mail is the most important medium for charities to acquire donors and it helps make the connection between those in need and people who care.
He says Charity Mail acknowledges the significant contributions charities make to the community.
Charity Mail rates will only apply to mailings of more than 300 barcoded PreSort small letters.
To be eligible for discounts, ITEC-approved charities must register with Australia Post.
Registration forms will be available at Australia Post outlets from mid-May. Charities must provide a copy of the letter from the Tax Office attesting to their ITEC endorsement with the form.
Australia Post will be mailing an information pack on Charity Mail to organisations throughout Australia this month (May).
The charity rates will vary from state to state and for mailing within each state.
Charity Mail will now apply only to ‘small’ business size envelopes and organisations will not have to have the material pre-approved by AP.
Australia Post says it is estimated that 87% of mail from charitable organisations is in the ‘small’ letter postings.
Details of Charity Mail comes at the same time that Australia Post has applied to the ACCC for an increase in the basic postage stamp to 50 cents from January 2003.
The Federal Government has already said that because of AP’s dominant position in the market, the impact of the proposed increase on bulk mailers will need to be closely scrutinised by the ACCC.
The application to the ACCC includes an “across the board” increase to Pre Sort rates of 2.2 cents per item.
Australia Post has provided PBA with a number of Charity Mail information packs before general distribution. Tell us your ‘postal’ story via e-mail to probono@probonoaustralia.com.au.
