Postmarks

All about 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 first day of issue postmarks

AAT: RSV Aurora Australis 30 Years postmark

Issue: AAT: RSV Aurora Australis 30 Years
Issue date: 25 September 2018

Fair Dinkum Aussie Alphabet part 4 postmark

Issue: Fair Dinkum Aussie Alphabet part 4
Issue date: 18 September 2018

Issue: Norfolk Island Cruise Ships
Issue date: 18 September 2018

Issue: Vintage Motorcycles
Issue date: 4 September 2018

The Art of John Gerrard Keulements postmark

Issue: The Art of John Gerrard Keulements
Issue date: 28 August 2018

Children's Bush Classics

Reef Safari: Stamp Collecting Month 2018

Norfolk Island Crystal Pool

Frogs

The Birth of HRH Prince Louis of Cambridge

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Basket Weaving

Art in Nature

Finches of Australia II

Silo Art

First Cricket Tour: 150 Years

Cloudscapes

Norfolk Island Wrasses

Queen's Birthday 2018

A Century of Service: War Memorials

AAT: Crabeater Seals

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Finches of Australia

Vintage Jam Labels

Norfolk Island Golf

Banksias

With Love

Australian Legends 2018

Convict Past

Christmas Island Year of the Dog 2018

Previous year's postmarks

2017 First Day of Issue postmarks 2016 First Day of Issue postmarks 2015 First Day of Issue postmarks

Latest temporary and permanent postmarks

First day of use: 17 November 2018
Post Office: Orange East, NSW 2800
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: Stamp & Coin Fair Orange East 2800 Orange
Pictorial elements: State of NSW with arrow and dot
Size: 36mm

First day of use: 1 November 2018
Post Office: Broome, WA 6725
Type: Permanent pictorial
Postmark text: Broome WA 6725
Pictorial elements: Diver with pearl
Size: 33mm

First day of use: 1 November 2018
Post Office: Bribie Island, Queensland 4570
Type: State FDI postmark
Postmark text: Bribie Is. QLD 4507 Frist Day of Issue
Pictorial elements: Boat on water with pier in background
Size: 35mm

First day of use: 20 September 2018
Post Office: Roma, Queensland 4455
Type: Permanent pictorial
Postmark text: Roma QLD 4455 postmark
Pictorial elements: Bottle tree
Size: 32mm

First day of use: 23 August 2018
Post Office: Maroochydore, Queensland 4558
Type: Permanent pictorial
Postmark text: Maroochydore QLD 4558
Pictorial elements: Boats on the water with sun, & cliffs
Size: 38mm

First day of use: 16 July 2018
Post Office: Altona PO, Victoria 3018
Type: Temporary pictorial postmark, fixed date
Postmark text: St Mary’s School Altona VIC 3018 90th Anniversary
Pictorial elements: St Mary’s School logo
Size: 32mm

First day of use: 2 July 2018
Post Office: RAAF Tindal
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: RAAF Tindal NT 0853
Pictorial elements: F18 Hornet
Size: 32mm diameter

First day of use: 6 May 2018
Post Office: Rockhampton LPO, Queensland 4700
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: Rockhampton QLD 4700
Pictorial elements: Bull and ribbon/banner
Size: 36mm

First day of use: 4 May 2018
Post Office: Townsville Post Office, Queensland 4810
Type: Temporary pictorial postmark, moveable date
Postmark text: Lions Clubs International 66th Multiple District 201 Convention Townsville QLD 4810
Pictorial elements: Lions Cloub logo
Size: 38mm

First day of use: 16 April 2018
Post Office: Bendigo Central, Bendigo, Victoria 3550
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: Bendigo Central, Bendigo VIC 3550
Pictorial elements: Gold Mine Tram
Size: tba

First day of use: 9 April 2018
Post Office: Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 4217
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Pictorial elements: GC, water & girl in bikini
Size: 38mm

First day of use: 2 April 2018
Post Office: Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Type: Permanent pictorial with rolling date
Postmark text: Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Pictorial elements: Beach sign (adapted)
Size: 38 x 22mm diameter

Latest stamp show postmarks

2018 Macau stamp exhibition day 1 postmark

First day of use: 21 September 2018
Show: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Macau 21 September 2018
Pictorial elements: Koala in tree and Australia Post logo

2018 Macau stamp exhibition day 2 postmark

First day of use: 22 September 2018
Show: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Macau 22 September 2018
Pictorial elements: Koala in tree and Australia Post logo

2018 Macau stamp exhibition day 3 postmark

First day of use: 23 September 2018
Show: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition
Type: Stamp Show temporary postmark
Postmark text: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition Macau 23 September 2018
Pictorial elements: Koala in tree and Australia Post logo

2018 Macau stamp exhibition day 4 postmark

The four types of postmarks

Most Post Offices have a standard postmark with the name of the Post Office, postcode and date, but there are also four postmark types exclusively produced for specific stamp releases or events.

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.