As a regular AusPost user, you might see, “Item processed at Facility” for several different days before your package gets to you.
What does this update mean? What can you do to necessitate the package to move faster than it currently does? For this and finer details, let’s get to it.
Item Processed At Facility Meaning Auspost
When Australia Post says, “Item processed at facility,” it means that they have processed it in one of the AusPost’s facilities and the package is on its way toward the recipient.
The processing centers include sorting facilities, distribution hubs, or even warehouses.
Since different processing processes happen in different Auspost facilities, the tracking page can show that a package has been processed in different facilities.
A great example is in the screenshot below where my package was processed in Melbourne North Vic and then two days later, it was processed at Brisbane Qld.
Why Is My AusPost Tracking Stuck On “Item Processed At Facility” Update? 4 Key Reasons
When the tracking page doesn’t show any newer update for days after telling you that your package was processed at a facility, there are many reasons explaining such a scenario.
Damaged Tracking Label
While your package might have been scanned properly after it left any of the processing facilities, the tracking label can end up getting damaged while it’s still in transit.
In that case, it means that Australia Post won’t be in a position to scan that item correctly, and they might be forced to take it back to the sorting facility for better processing.
All these moments need sufficient time to be sorted out and as such, it might take longer for the tracking page to get updated from “item processed at facility” to the relevant scan.
Damaged tracking labels are one of the main reasons why the AusPost tracking page doesn’t update as required.
Backlogs
Processing and delivering around 2.5 Billion packages, it’s easy for AusPost to get overwhelmed, especially during the peak holiday times when there are thousands of packages to get delivered to the rightful owners.
When the tracking page shows processed at a facility but then the package doesn’t move from there, it could be that there are volumes of packages before yours that have to get prioritized.
Before AusPost reaches yours, there won’t be any scan made, which is why there won’t be any update on the tracker.
The exact time it takes for the package to move in such a scenario depends on how overwhelmed AusPost is.
Partial Loss
Yes, packages might have been processed properly at any of the Australia Post facilities, but then end up getting partially lost in transit.
Such losses mostly happen with smaller packages where they get slightly attached to bigger ones for some time. When that happens, it means that the posties won’t scan them as fast as expected, making the tracking page stay stuck on the same update for long.
In such incidences, it might take longer than expected for such mishaps to be rectified. Australia Post has to retrieve such packages and scan them once more before you can get an update.
System Outage
System outages happen every other day, but lucky enough, they get sorted out faster than most recipients can notice.
However, some downtimes take longer to be sorted out, which makes the tracking page fail to work as expected.
When your package is stuck on “item processed at facility” due to a broken tracking system, there is no major cause for concern as the package is still moving as expected.
In fact, it shouldn’t surprise you when you get such a package when the tracking page still shows that your item has been processed.
We featured system outages as one of the leading reasons why your Australia Post tracking page isn’t working.
What Should I Do When AusPost Tracking Shows Item Processed At Facility For Long?
Contact The Sender
Whenever you face any issue with your delivery, we find letting the sender know about it is the best solution.
See, you are their client and they are supposed to ensure that you receive your item in the most seamless manner possible.
When you can’t track your package properly, they should file an investigation with Auspost and let you know what is happening.
Call AusPost
If, for whatever reason you don’t want to deal with the sender, you can call AusPost as they have screens to know more details about your package than you currently have.
The best time to call them is either 8:30 AM or 2 PM.
As you endeavor to call AusPost, we urge you to manage your expectations as they may either send you back to the sender to ask them to file an investigation, or not help you in the manner you wish to.
