Letterbox drops: what they cost and how to run one
The flyer in the letterbox still works for local businesses, if it goes to the right streets. Here is what it costs, from the two kinds of distributor, and how to plan one.
By the Desk editorLast checked 3 October 20262 min read
The short answer
Private distributors charge about $85 to $195 per 1,000 homes to deliver (shared drops cheapest, solo GPS-tracked drops dearest), plus printing. Australia Post's Unaddressed Mail charges per item, from 40.5 cents for a small flyer up to 50 g in the same state, plus a $140 booking fee for up to 5,000. Every reputable distributor skips "No Junk Mail" letterboxes.
What it costs
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared walker drop, Sydney | From $85 per 1,000 (10,000 to 30,000), excluding GST | Your flyer goes in with a few others; print and drop from $125 per 1,000 |
| Solo, GPS-tracked drop, Melbourne | $140 to $195 per 1,000 homes | Your flyer alone; minimum 1,000 homes |
| Australia Post Unaddressed Mail | 40.5c per small item up to 50 g (same state), plus a $140 booking fee up to 5,000 items | Delivered by the postie with the mail |
So 5,000 homes costs roughly $475 to $975 through a walker (at $95 to $195 per 1,000), or about $2,165 through Australia Post's standard service ($2,025 for the flyers plus the booking fee), before printing.
Planning the drop
- Pick the streets, not the postcode. The homes near a current job, your shop, or your best customers. A tight drop costs more per thousand and wastes less.
- One offer, one action. A reason to act now and one way to respond: a phone number, a QR code to a booking page, or "bring this flyer in".
- Track it. A unique offer code or a dedicated phone number tells you what the drop brought in.
- Time it. Avoid school holidays for family services; book before a season (air conditioning in spring, heating in autumn).
The No Junk Mail rule
Australia Post does not deliver unaddressed advertising to letterboxes that carry a "No Advertising Material" notice, and walker distributors that sign the Distribution Standards Board (DSB) Code of Practice exclude "No Junk Mail" letterboxes. Ask any distributor whether they are a DSB signatory.
Common questions
How much does a letterbox drop cost per 1,000?
About $85 to $195 per 1,000 homes for delivery from private distributors in the prices we checked, plus printing.
Is Australia Post cheaper than a walker?
Usually not for a small flyer: 40.5 cents an item is $405 per 1,000 before the booking fee. Walkers are cheaper; Australia Post reaches every delivery point the postie serves.
Do letterbox drops still work?
For local services and shops, yes, when targeted at nearby streets with one clear offer. Track responses with a code to know for sure.
Sources
- Australia Post, Unaddressed Mail (standard service prices and booking fees)
- Gibson Promotions, Letterbox distribution Sydney pricing guide (from $85 per 1,000, excluding GST)
- Services Victoria, Letterbox distribution Melbourne (from $140 to $195 per 1,000 homes, solo and GPS-tracked)
- Letterbox Distributors, How much does a letterbox drop cost (shared distribution; DSB Code of Practice)