A postmark is an inked rubber stamp, with an imprint that indicates the date and place. A postal worker will press the postmark onto your letter to show the stamp has been used for postage. The date on the postmark records where and when the item enters the mail system.

Postmarks are just as unique and fascinating as stamps themselves. Take a look at some of our latest ones, and learn how to perfectly place postmark ink onto your collectable items.

Latest postmarks

First Day of Issue 22 April 2025. Kingston TAS 7050

AAT Aurora Australis
Issue date: 22 April 2025

First Day of Issue 15 April 2025. Canberra ACT 2601

Postcards from the Front
Issue date: 15 April 2025

First Day of Issue 8 April 2025. Victoria 3556

Raptors – Birds of Prey
Issue date: 8 April 2025

First Day of Issue 25 March 2025. Wollongong 2500

50 Years of Colour TV
Issue date: 25 March 2025

First Day of Issue 18 March 2025. Christmas Island WA 6798

Christmas Island Cultural Festivals
Issue date: 18 March 2025

First Day of Issue 11 March 2025. Nelson Bay NSW 2315

Living Seashells
Issue date: 11 March 2025

First Day of Issue 18 February 2025. Mount Barker SA 5251

Best Friends
Issue date: 18 February 2025

First Day of Issue 11 February 2025. Canberra ACT 2601

50th Anniversary of the Australian Honours System
Issue date: 11 February 2025

First Day of Issue 4 February 2025. Norfolk Island NSW 2899

Norfolk Island Second Penal Settlement 1825 – 1855
Issue date: 4 February 2025

First Day of Issue 21 January 2025. Geraldton WA 6530.

Native Orchids
Issue date: 21 January 2025

First Day of Issue 14 January 2025. Darwin NT 0800.

Ancient Lands
Issue date: 14 January 2025

First Day of Issue 7 January 2025. Christmas Island WA 6798.

Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Snake
Issue date: 7 January 2025

First Day of Issue 7 January 2025. Christmas Island WA 6798.

Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Snake
Issue date: 7 January 2025

Previous year's postmarks

2024 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2023 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2022 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2021 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2020 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks
2019 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2018 FDI, temporary and permanent postmarks 2017 First Day of Issue postmarks 2016 First Day of Issue postmarks 2015 First Day of Issue postmarks

The four types of postmarks

National First Day of Issue

Used to commemorate the release of a new stamp on a national level. The locality name is chosen for its link to the stamp issue.

Permanent Pictorial

Reflecting something distinctive to the locality, such as penguins for the town of Penguin in Tasmania or a lighthouse if one is prominent in the area.

Temporary 

These postmarks are used on either single days or consecutive days commemorating a special event.

Individual location

Postmarks associated with a historical or geographical reflection of the local area but not necessarily pictorial and can be used to cancel first day of issue stamps only.

Applying a postmark

If you need a postmark applied to your philatelic item, head to your local Post Office. Only authorised Australia Post staff can apply postmarks. Make sure you’re getting the right kind of postmark applied. You’ll want a national postmark on a first day cover, the correct commemorative postmark for a special occasion stamp, and so on.

Request that the postmark impression is applied with clarity and precision - no smudging! Black is the only colour ink that should be used. Catch the corner of the stamp - don’t cover up the stamp design. Refer to the images below as a guide.

Single stamp

Place the postmark on the left hand side.

Pair of stamps

Should be centrally postmarked at the base of the stamps.

Minisheets

Cancel all the stamps, ensuring at least one postmark also marks the envelope.

Multiple stamps or strips

Use the least number of postmarks to cancel the most number of stamps.