One of the most common tracking statuses while expecting a package from Australia Post is, “In Transit To Next Facility.”
What could this update mean? Is there anything I could do about it?
Let’s get started right away.
What Does The AusPost “In Transit To Next Facility” Status Mean?
This Australia Post tracking status means your package is going to another sorting center for further processing.
When AusPost updates this status, the package is already on a moving vehicle toward the next Australia Post sorting center.
Why Is My Australia Post Package Stuck On, “In Transit To Next Facility” For Days?
While the meaning oscillates between the package being in a delivery vehicle, the package might stay stuck on that status for several days.
Below are the reasons why an AusPost package has been stuck on this tracking update for several days:
The Package Wasn’t Scanned
Whenever you see an update on the tracking page, it means that your package has been scanned.
Now, one of the leading reasons why your package might stay stuck on a single update such as “In transit to next facility” for several days is because it didn’t receive any other scan, or there was a technical hitch on the tracking page which failed to capture the new update.
Due to a missed scan, we have seen packages ending up getting delivered when the tracking status was stuck on a single update for days or weeks.
Long Distance Between The Sorting Facilities
Depending on the distance between an AusPost facility to the other, it could take several hours or days for packages to reach there.
In other moments, such vehicles find the next facilities already backed up, which means that they have to keep going until they find a freer facility to handle your package.
In our blog post about what “Transferred” means in Australia Post, we mentioned that Australia Post might keep transferring packages between facilities until they get one where there is space to sort it faster.
So, sometimes, AusPost uses “Transferred” between “In Transit to Next Facility” to show you that the package kept on getting transferred to different facilities over long distances.
Transit Delays
Transit delays such as inclement weather happen all the time, and to keep the delivery staff and packages safe, AusPost has to wait until the skies are clear to keep going.
Another example is when a vehicle gets involved in an accident. Depending on the severity, the scene has to be processed and packages get unloaded and loaded into another vehicle.
Again, it will all depend on the availability of a rescue vehicle in such a scenario. If the available vehicles are backed up with packages, it will take several days before everything falls in place.
In all such circumstances, severe transit delays make the tracking status stay stuck on, “In transit to next facility” for several days.
Backlogs
During peak times such as Black Friday, Cyber Mondays, and Holiday shopping frenzies, the AusPost is mostly affected by backlogs.
In such scenarios, packages might have to stay “In transit to next facility” until they find a freer sorting center.
The problem is that it might take longer than just a couple of days to find one, which means there won’t be any other relevant scan for your package in this case.
The Package Was Temporarily Lost
It happens a lot where packages end up getting temporarily lost while under the “In transit” update.
One of the classic examples of how this happens is when after the package gets to the said “next facility” it gets lost on the conveyor, especially for smaller packages.
By the time Australia Post can retrieve such a package, it could take several days, and as you can guess, the package will still be stuck on “In Transit To Next Facility.”
What Does “In Transit To Next Facility In Welshpool, WA” Mean?
This AusPost tracking status means your package is going to Welshpool, Western Australia for further sorting and routing to your destination address. Under most circumstances, packages going to Adelaide get this specific status.
What Does “In Transit To Next Facility In Sydney West, NSW” Mean?
When Australia Post says that your package is in transit to the next facility in Sydney West, NSW, it means that that parcel is going for sorting and routing at the sorting facility in Greater Western Sydney.
What Do I Do When My Package Is Stuck On, “In Transit To Next Facility?”
We recommend that you contact the sender when the tracking status is stuck on this update for several days past the guaranteed delivery date. That way, you can agree with them to send you a replacement package or a refund.
We don’t recommend contacting AusPost from the recipient’s side as they will most likely not help you. See, they are only contracted with the sender and not you.
