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

2023 First Day of Issue 26 Sept. 2023 Berwick VIC 3806 postmark

Australia's First Olympian: Edwin Flack
Issue date: 26 September 2023

2023 Cocos (Keeling) Isliands: White-breasted Waterhen postmark

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: White-breasted Waterhen
Issue date: 19 September 2023

2023 Queen Elizabeth II: In Memoriam postmark

Queen Elizabeth II: In Memoriam
Issue date: 19 September 2023

2023 Aussie Big Things postmark

Aussie Big Things
Issue date: 4 September 2023

2023 AAT: Antarctic Circumnavigation 250 Years postmark

AAT: Antarctic Circumnavigation 250 Years
Issue date: 22 August 2023

2023 Aussie Bird Count postmark

Aussie Bird Count
Issue date: 15 August 2023

2023 Norfolk Island Lookouts postmark

Norfolk Island Lookouts
Issue date: 25 July 2023

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 postmark

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Issue date: 11 July 2023

Previous year's 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.