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

Norfolk Island Morepork: Back from the Brink
Issue date: 21 June 2022

In Memoriam: HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh
Issue date: 14 June 2022

Megapodes of Australia
Issue date: 7 June 2022

Bush Seasonings
Issue date: 24 May 2022

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Historical Jukongs
Issue date: 17 May 2022

Aboriginal Fibre Art
Issue date: 3 May 2022

Centenary of the Country Women’s Association
Issue date: 26 April 2022

Postcards to the Front
Issue date: 12 April 2022

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022
Issue date: 5 April 2022

Australian Antarctic Territory Penguins
Issue date: 22 March 2022

Australian Legends of Filmmaking
Issue date: 15 March 2022

Sheepdog Trials: 150 Years
Issue date: 8 March 2022

Our Beautiful Continent
Issue date: 22 February 2022

Times to Cherish
Issue date: 8 February 2022

Buckle Up! 50 Years
Issue date: 25 January 2022

Norfolk Island: Historical Views
Issue date: 19 January 2022

Under Sail
Issue date: 11 January 2022

Christmas Island Year of the Tiger 2022
Issue date: 6 January 2022
Previous year's postmarks
The four types of postmarks

National First Day of Issue

Permanent Pictorial

Temporary

Individual location
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

Minisheets
