While expecting a package to be delivered, it won’t be too much to ask when you expect to be in the know at each step of the delivery.
The problem is when you face issues such as Australia Post tracking not updating as expected. In such moments, you aren’t sure if your package was lost on the way, whether it will make it to you when you least expect it, or if it was stolen.
If you are going through a tracking page that doesn’t update as expected of it, don’t worry too much as you aren’t alone.
What are the reasons why the status doesn’t change? Is there anything you could do to necessitate better information? Let’s see.
Why Is The Australia Post Tracking Not Updating? 5 Key Reasons
The Package Hasn’t Been Scanned Just Yet
If your package was moving flawlessly and it reached a point where it didn’t, it could be because it didn’t get the relevant scan.
The reason why you see any package update is because there was the latest scan on it to show you in what process of the delivery journey it currently is.
Some of the reasons why a package can take longer to get the relevant scan are that more packages are awaiting to be scanned before yours, or the automatic scanner on the parcel sorting machine developed a problem.
In some instances, too, some AusPost posties decide not to scan some packages so that they could save time, especially during the holiday season. In such moments, packages end up showing up even when the tracking page shows that the packages are stuck somewhere.
When the tracking page doesn’t update, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the package isn’t moving or won’t arrive on time.
System Outage
Tracking system outages keep on happening, and one of the leading reasons why the AusPost tracking doesn’t update could be because the tracking system having problems.
In fact, we featured this as one of the reasons why the AusPost tracking doesn’t work as expected.
Tracking system outages can take a relatively long period to be sorted out depending on what happened in the first place. For instance, issues to do with power interruptions get sorted out fast. Tracking device malfunctions may take longer to be addressed, which means your package status might not change for several days.
The great thing is that when tracking isn’t updating due to a system outage, the package is still moving toward the destination and will reach the recipient in good time.
Operational Delays
Some operational delays such as bad weather are beyond Australia Post’s control, and when they happen, more time has to be given before scans can be done.
See, there won’t be anyone available to scan your package amid inclement weather. In these moments when there is no scan made, the tracking page won’t show anything new for you.
In other moments such as peak holiday times, AusPost struggles so much with backlogs, making things slower than usual.
If your package was last in line amid huge volumes, the staff will get to it later on, making the tracking page stay stuck on one update for several days.
Ongoing Customs Clearance
Depending on how many packages are awaiting customs clearance, it might take several days before there is any movement for your package.
When the previous scan was made in the customs office and takes several days without the tracking page getting updated, know that the package is still undergoing clearance.
The reason why there is no update at this point is that the clearance is still in process, and once it’s over, you will get notified.
The Package Got Partially Lost In Transit
While Australia Post has little to no instances of having lost packages completely, partial loss still happens.
By partial loss, we mean that the packages get misplaced while on the way, but the posties end up seeing them later on.
When the tracking is stuck on a specific update, it could be because it was misplaced, and AusPost is trying to retrieve it.
There won’t be any update for you in such a scenario until Australia Post finds the package and scans it once more.
What Do I Do When Facing Australia Post Tracking Not Updating?
Let The Sender Know
Since you don’t know the right status of your package when it doesn’t update for several days, it’s crucial to let the sender know.
When you tell them, they should get in touch with Australia Post to see what can be done about your package.
Remember, Australia Post has more screens to know more about your package than us – the standard users.
Again, the sender is responsible for ensuring that you receive your package on time, and with proper updates showing where the parcel is.
We find contacting the sender to follow up with AusPost about your package that isn’t updating to be the easiest fix for you.
Use Third-party Tracking Sites
If Australia Post tracking doesn’t update the status of your item as you expect it to, we recommend re-tracking using Third-party sites such as 17Track and Parcelsapp. These will give you a better overview of where your item is.
