Australia
How to Write an Australian Address Correctly
Write an Australian address in the right order: unit, street, suburb, state and four-digit postcode, with rural and PO Box variations explained.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
Australian addresses follow the pattern most readers will recognise: specific details first, broad ones last. English is the language used for postal addresses, so there are no transliteration issues, but there are several conventions around units, rural properties and abbreviations that are worth following.
The standard order
- Recipient name, and company name if relevant
- Unit, level or building name
- Street number and street name, including the street type (Street, Road, Avenue)
- Suburb or locality
- State or territory abbreviation
- Four-digit postcode
The last line carries suburb, state and postcode together. Australia Post's guidance has long favoured printing the suburb in capitals with no punctuation, which helps automated sorting, but ordinary mixed case is perfectly understood by people and couriers.
State and territory abbreviations
The standard short forms are NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT and ACT. They are written in capitals, usually without full stops.
Units, levels and buildings
A flat or unit is normally written ahead of the street number. Two styles are both common: "Unit 4, 25 Example Street" and "4/25 Example Street". Where a building has levels or a name, those go on their own line above the street line. For large commercial buildings, include the level and suite, such as "Level 3, Suite 301".
Rural and non-street addresses
Many rural properties are addressed with a road name and number, or a lot number. Mail may be delivered to a roadside box, a PO Box, a Locked Bag or a similar service, and these are not the same as a delivery address for a courier. A PO Box address contains the box number, the post office locality, state and postcode, and parcels carried by couriers typically cannot be delivered to it. Always give a physical street address for courier deliveries and, if necessary, include a note about the access point.
Formatted example
The values below are placeholders:
Jane Example
Unit 4, 25 Example Street
EXAMPLETOWN NSW 2000
Australia
When the delivery point is hard to find, a UPCS code (AU-XXXX-XXXX) can be added as an extra line or in a notes field. It does not replace the postcode, and it is not an official address element; it simply points to the exact spot on a map. Learn more about the postcode in Australia postcode format explained, or see how to find the postcode when you only know the suburb.
Language and presentation tips
- Write the country name last for international mail.
- Avoid putting the postcode before the state.
- Keep punctuation minimal: commas are optional, line breaks are preferred.
- Spell out the street type consistently, or use the standard abbreviation, but do not mix both.
Back to the Australia overview.
Frequently asked questions
In what order do the parts of an Australian address go?
Recipient, then unit or building details, street number and street name, then suburb, state or territory and postcode. The suburb, state and postcode are usually placed together on the last line.
How do I write a unit or apartment number in Australia?
Put the unit number before the street number, commonly written as Unit 4, 25 Example Street or 4/25 Example Street.