Members have raised serious concerns regarding the sun‑protection claims of the uniform polo shirts issued to posties. Following discussions held this afternoon between your Union’s leadership team and Australia Post management, interim arrangements have been agreed while further information is sought from the manufacturer.
Key Issue: Sun Protection Concerns
Members have questioned whether the SPF 50‑rated polo shirts included in the new uniform provide the level of UV protection claimed. Serious doubts about the accuracy of these claims have been raised by members working outdoors.
In response, Australia Post has confirmed:
- Employees may continue to wear the old uniform until at least 30 March 2026.
This transition period formed part of the initial rollout, but Australia Post has advised it may be extended if required to ensure uniforms are safe, suitable, and meet quality expectations.
- A formal review of the SPF 50 polo shirt will begin immediately.
Australia Post has acknowledged the concerns and is seeking additional detail from the manufacturer regarding the shirt’s protective qualities.
Broader Concerns About Garment Quality
In addition to the UV‑protection issue, members across multiple occupational groups have raised concerns about the quality, durability, fit, and functionality of various uniform items.
These broader issues have been formally raised with Australia Post by your Union’s leadership team, who has emphasised that the problems reported are network‑wide and nationwide, not isolated.
As a direct result of these collective complaints and further discussions with National Secretary Shane Murphy this afternoon, Australia Post has committed to reviewing the entire new uniform program to ensure all garments meet appropriate standards for safety, comfort, and performance.
Our Strong Recommendation to Members
Given the seriousness of the concerns raised, we strongly recommend that members revert to wearing the old uniform wherever possible.
If you work in an outdoor role and no longer have your old garments, we advise wearing alternative suitable sun‑safe clothing until the review is complete.
These arrangements have been agreed to at the highest national level and a commitment has been made to ensure this outcome is also communicated across the network internally by Australia Post, as soon as possible.
We will continue to work with Australia Post throughout both the polo‑shirt review and the broader uniform review now underway. Members will be updated on this matter, and our efforts regarding holding Australia Post to account for the safety of our members working in the heat, generally, as these matters progress.
In the meantime, if you require any further information, please contact Branch Assistant Secretaries Cameron Bird, Peter Chaloner, Barry McVee or Nick Towsend, or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Lisa Bahls, Nick Bentley, Chris Gleeson, Phil Kessey, TK Ly, Robbie McLauchlan, Kyle Murphy, Liam Murphy, Peter O’Connell, Brett O’Neill, Peter Psomas, Giselle Saba, Clinton Thomas, Kerry Turner or Dennis Williams on (02) 9893 7822 when calling from NSW or the ACT, (07) 3255 0440 from QLD, (08) 9227 9911 from WA or (08) 8443 7389 from SA or the NT.
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