Free Postage for Christmas Goodwill Care Packages

A number of community-based organisations and community members have expressed a wish to send care packages to Australian service men and women serving on overseas operations at Christmas.

In response to this generosity, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has established special mailing addresses.

If you would like to support service men and women this way, you are able to send parcels through Australia Post provided they meet the following guidelines:

• For postal security reasons, you will need to present a photographic identification.
• You can post parcels weighing up to a cubed weight of two kilograms in a ‘BM’-sized Australia Post carton free of charge.
• If your parcel exceeds this limit, you will need to pay the full cost.
• Articles must be packed in durable packaging, which is suitably secured, to withstand a large volume of weight and handling.
• Postal address numbers will be active from 7 November until 9 December 2011 and packages will be distributed throughout the operational areas.
• Care package items most appreciated include uniquely Australian treats such as lollies, magazines, books and DVDs.
• Some items must not be sent, including cigarettes, alcohol, perfumery products and pornography.

More information about Christmas Care Packages including postage and restrictions.

Please address your parcel to one of the following:

Middle East
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 60
Middle East Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

East Timor
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 61
East Timor Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Solomon Islands
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 62
Solomon Islands Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Visit www.defence.gov.au/people/message_to_troops.htm for information on sending general letters and emails to the troops.

When sending mail when your family member is deployed, read the Australia Post General Advice to Overseas Defence Addresses at http://auspost.com.au/personal/defence-mail.html

Ask ADF members for their PMKEYS number and overseas mailing address before they deploy. Next of Kin can also call the National Welfare Coordination Centre on 1800 801 026 while the member is deployed.