Australia Post is to make Post Office boxes available to homeless and other disadvantaged people in Sydney free of charge following a successful trial.
Executive General Manager, Community & Consumer with Australia Post, Nicole Sheffield announced that the service was now available across eight city Post Offices to eligible people via a letter of introduction from a recognised agency, such as the St Vincent de Paul Society.
“The initiative is part of Australia Post’s ongoing effort to help disadvantaged members of the community,” Ms Sheffield said.
“We are so pleased to offer this PO Box service to people who need our help the most.”
She said the service aimed to help people in special circumstances re-establish connections with family and friends, government and financial services, and accommodation.
“It offers a safe and secure place to have mail sent to without fear of it being lost, stolen or withheld,” she said.
“It’s so important that everyone in our community has the opportunity to feel connected.”
Senior Operations Manager with the St Vincent de Paul Society, Brett Macklin said the initiative offered people the dignity of a fixed postal address and the opportunity to gain more control over their lives.
Ms Sheffield said eligible customers can apply in store, and those with access to email can also opt into Australia Post’s Mail2Day service, which will notify them when mail is delivered to their PO Box.
She said the eight participating post offices were Australia Square, Darlinghurst, Haymarket, Potts Point, QVB, Royal Exchange, Strawberry Hills and World Square.
