Postmarks

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
Temporary and permanent
Stamp show
CFCP Postmarks

Path to Paris: Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
Issue date: 24 June 2024

Norfolk Island Fishing
Issue date: 11 June 2024

Sky Country: The Seven Sisters
Issue date: 4 June 2024

Around Australia Flights – 100 Years
Issue date: 21 May 2024

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 40th Anniversary of Self-Determination
Issue date: 7 May 2024

Christmas Island Airport – 50 Years
Issue date: 23 April 2024

Anzac Day 2024: Picturing War
Issue date: 16 April 2024

Special Occasions 2024
Issue date: 3 April 2024

Marine Emblems
Issue date: 26 March 2024

Norfolk Island: 1974 Royal Visit
Issue date: 19 March 2024

The Shared Table
Issue date: 12 March 2024

Gert Selheim Travel Posters
Issue date: 27 February 2024

Australian Antarctic Territory Petrels
Issue date: 20 February 2024

Retro Audio
Issue date: 20 February 2024

Australian Ground Parrots
Issue date: 13 February 2024

Christmas Island Lunar New Year of the Dragon
Issue date: 29 January 2024

Nostalgic Fruit Tinned Labels
Issue date: 22 January 2024

Norfolk Island Humpback Whale
Issue date: 8 January 2024

First Day of Use: 29 January 2024
Post Office: Cabramatta NSW 2166
Type: Temporary pictorial
Text: CHINA TOWN Year of the Dragon
Pictorial Elements: Dragon festival head
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 29 January 2024
Post Office: Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Type: Temporary pictorial
Text: CHINA TOWN Year of the Dragon
Pictorial Elements: Dragon festival head
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 29 January 2024
Post Office: Haymarket NSW 3000
Type: Temporary pictorial
Text: CHINA TOWN Year of the Dragon
Pictorial Elements: Dragon festival head
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 January 2024
Post Office: Canterbury VIC 3126
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 January 2024
Post Office: Tarwin Lower VIC 3956
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 January 2024
Post Office: Fitzroy South VIC 3065
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 February 2024
Post Office: Hopetoun VIC 3396
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 February 2024
Post Office: Kyogle NSW 2474
Type: Permanent pictorial
Text: Gateway to the Rainforests
Pictorial Elements: Rainforest plantations
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 12 February 2024
Post Office: Chatswood NSW 2067
Type: Temporary pictorial
Text: Willoughby District Historical Soc 50th Aniv 1974-2024
Pictorial Elements: Historical Society building
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 March 2024
Post Office: Port Hedland WA 6721
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 18 March 2024
Post Office: Stanley TAS 7331
Type: Permanent pictorial
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: Sea cove near Stanley
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 18 March 2024
Post Office: Kingston SE SA 5275
Type: Permanent
Text: n/a
Pictorial Elements: n/a
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 18 March 2024
Post Office: Brisbane GPO QLD 4000
Type: Permanent pictorial
Text: Philatelic Centre Brisbane GPO
Sir Thomas Brisbane
Pictorial Elements: Head outline, Sir Thomas Brisbane
Size: 38mm diameter

First Day of Use: 01 April 2024
Post Office: Condamine QLD 4416
Type: Permanent pictorial
Text: Condamine bell
Pictorial Elements: Condamine bell outline
Size: 38mm diameter

First day of use: 10 March 2023
Show: Perth Stamp & Coin Show
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: Perth skyline

First day of use: 09 March 2023
Show: Perth Stamp & Coin Show
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: Perth skyline

First day of use: 08 March 2023
Show: Perth Stamp & Coin Show
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: Perth skyline

Previous year's 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.