Top e-commerce shipping solutions for Australian businesses

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Streamlined and cost-effective shipping has never been more crucial for e-commerce businesses in Australia.

With overseas giants tempting Aussie consumers to prioritise price over delivery speed and sustainability, you need a competitive edge.

The right shipping solution helps you streamline the fulfilment process, save on courier costs, and deliver a transparent delivery experience that customers reward with loyalty.

This guide gives you a quick rundown of the top e-commerce shipping platforms available in Australia.

Disclaimer:

We want to be up-front with you that we’ve put ourselves at the top of this list because we genuinely believe we’re the best e-commerce shipping solution for Aussie businesses. We’ve done our best to provide accurate information about all the other great e-commerce shipping solutions listed.

We encourage you to explore different options and reach out to our team for advice that’s responsive to your business and how you’re currently handling shipping.

7 leading e-commerce shipping solutions for Australian businesses

7 leading e-commerce shipping solutions for Australian businesses

Zappy

Started in NZ and serving Australia, Zappy brings over a decade of expertise in helping startups become e-commerce leaders.

With a simple dashboard and local support, Zappy has helped hundreds of businesses cut costs with shipping while delivering an outstanding customer experience.

You’ll love Zappy if you’re tired of negotiating directly with couriers who take forever to respond. It’s free to use with flexible billing to suit small, scaling, and large-scale e-commerce brands.

With Zappy, you skip the hassle of setting up individual courier accounts and access all major couriers in one easy-to-use platform.

With automated order imports, branded tracking and returns, plus in-depth analytics, you’re set to turn shipping into a competitive edge – not a drain on your margin.

Key Features:

  • All-in-one courier access: Compare multiple couriers and competitive rates in one place, no juggling accounts required.
  • Shipping consultation & cost optimisation: Get expert advice from a dedicated support team that understands the nuances of your business.
  • Customer service advocate: Zappy handles claims, enquiries, and follow-ups with couriers, so you get faster resolutions without the hassle.
  • IT & integration support: Seamlessly connect Zappy to your inventory and warehouse system with dedicated tech support. Integrates with all major platforms including Amazon, eBay, and Squarespace.
  • Custom courier options at checkout: Increase conversions by giving customers multiple delivery options right at checkout.
  • Automatic label printing & pickups: Print shipping labels with ease, and Zappy handles the pickup queue for you.
  • Branded tracking & returns: Keep customers updated while providing an end-to-end brand experience.
  • Actionable insights & reporting: Make informed decisions with in-depth shipping analytics.

Zappy is best for:

If you’re a small or scaling business owner, Zappy’s simplicity, e-commerce shipping integrations, and hands-on customer service make it your ideal e-commerce shipping partner.

Get started with Zappy

GoSweetSpot

GoSweetSpot is another leading shipping aggregator, connecting you to major couriers in one place.

GoSweetSpot is a great option for established e-commerce businesses. If you’re a startup needing more hands-on support, we recommend you go with Zappy.

Key Features:

Multi-courier access: Tap into multiple couriers, both domestic and international, for flexible shipping options.

Volume-based pricing: Discounts become accessible at higher volumes.

Analytics and tracking: Provides a full tracking dashboard.

GoSweetSpot is best for:

Mid-to-large businesses with the shipping volume to benefit from discounts and extensive tracking.

ShipStation

ShipStation connects your e-commerce store with popular couriers, offering automation tools for managing dispatch efficiently.

Unlike Zappy and GoSweetSpot, which are free to use, ShipStation operates on a tier-based pricing model and charges an annual fee in USD.

Key Features:

  • Platform integrations: Connects seamlessly with over 180 e-commerce and accounting platforms.
  • Automated workflows: Automate shipping processes to save time and reduce errors in large operations.
  • Advanced tracking: Offers comprehensive tracking options for businesses needing detailed logistics support.

ShipStation is best for:

Ideal for established e-commerce operations managing numerous shipments daily.

Australia Post

Australia Post has built a strong reputation across the country for quick, reliable delivery services, particularly in urban areas.

Their pricing structure is straightforward but can become costly for smaller businesses that manage lower volumes or frequently ship to rural locations.

Key Features:

  • Integration options: Integrate with Australia Post services to streamline your e-commerce workflow and automate shipping processes, reducing manual tasks.
  • Nationwide reach: Offers comprehensive service coverage across Australia, including remote areas, ensuring deliveries are made efficiently.
  • Easy returns: With options like branded returns portals, customers can easily create and pay for return labels, simplifying the returns process for businesses.
  • Multiple delivery options: Customers can choose from over 5,200 collection points, including Parcel Lockers and retail partners, enhancing convenience for deliveries.

Australia Post is best for:

A solid option for larger, well-established e-commerce businesses with high domestic shipping volumes.

However, smaller operators looking for flexible, low-cost solutions might find it more beneficial to consider options like Zappy, which allows you to access Australia Post and other domestic and international couriers at competitive rates

Couriers Please

Couriers Please is a leading franchised courier service in Australia, specialising in e-commerce and small parcel deliveries. Their services cater to businesses of all sizes, from those operating out of their garage to larger national enterprises.

Key Features:

  • E-commerce solutions: With a focus on e-commerce, Couriers Please offers a range of services designed to enhance the shipping experience, ensuring seamless delivery for both you and your customers.
  • API integrations: Connect your tech stack directly with Couriers Please for a faster, more scalable delivery experience.
  • Bulk upload options: Import multiple orders at once, saving you time and making it easier to manage your shipments.
  • Flexible delivery choices: With receiver delivery notifications and collection point options, you can offer your customers greater control over their deliveries.

Couriers Please is best for:

Ideal for e-commerce businesses looking for a reliable courier partner with the capacity to grow alongside their operations. With Zappy, you can access Couriers Please and compare competitive rates to other couriers without managing separate accounts.

Aramex

Aramex offers strong domestic and international shipping for businesses eyeing global growth. Like with any courier, setting up an Aramex account can be time-consuming, and their rates are competitive only with a regular, high-volume commitment.

Key Features:

  • International reach: Aramex is a great option if you’re shipping globally.
  • Account-based savings: Get better rates once you’re shipping at volume, but setup complexity can be a hurdle.
  • Reliable tracking: Quality tracking on both domestic and international shipments, though fees vary.

Aramex is best for:

E-commerce businesses handling bulk shipments overseas. However, smaller or growing businesses may find the account-based setup restrictive. With Zappy, you can access Aramex and other leading global and domestic couriers at competitive rates.

Shopify Shipping

For Shopify store owners, Shopify Shipping offers in-platform shipping support, so you can manage dispatch and track parcels without leaving the Shopify dashboard.

There are limitations with this if you’re shipping to rural areas. Since Shopify often can’t detect rural addresses upfront, you could end up covering higher rural shipping costs if a workaround isn't in place.

Key Features:

  • Integrated order management: Handle orders and dispatch in a few clicks, directly from Shopify.
  • Discounted shipping rates: Available for select couriers but aren’t as competitive outside the US.
  • Simple label printing: Print labels right within Shopify.

Shopify Shipping is best for:

If you’re on Shopify and want a basic setup, this may be enough to get you started.

However, for local and international shipping at the best rates, a more comprehensive e-commerce shipping solution that integrates with Shopify will work better.

Access cheaper e-commerce shipping and local support with Zappy

If you’re ready to make shipping easier and more cost-effective, Zappy’s got your back.

With all-in-one courier access, effortless functionality, and hands-on help for every step, we’re here to turn shipping into a real strength for your business.

Get started with Zappy today!

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