Retirement Support Payment Program commences at select facilities
A negotiated outcome delivering support, dignity and choice
Your Union is pleased to advise members that, following constructive and in-depth negotiations and considerations, we have reached agreement with Australia Post on the implementation of a Retirement Support Payment (RSP) — a one-off, voluntary payment being made available to eligible employees as part of Post’s ongoing operational transformation.
This is a Union-won outcome. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Australia Post and the CWU formalises the protections, conditions, and replacement commitments that underpin the program. It recognises the long-standing service of so many of our ageing members and ensures that any transition to retirement is accompanied by the support and dignity they deserve.
What is the RSP and why now?
Australia Post is undergoing significant change, with a major shift from letters to heavier and bulkier parcels. This has increased the physical demands on many frontline roles and changed the nature of daily work for processing, delivery and support staff. For some longer-serving members, the increased physical demand may prompt consideration of retirement and the RSP offers a $61,000 gross payment (pro-rata for part-timers) to help eligible them transition voluntarily into doing so.
This payment is taxable, will be treated as an Eligible Termination Payment (ETP), and does not attract superannuation contributions. The average payment after-tax will be around $50,000 net.
The program is not a redundancy or VRP — it is being offered to employees occupying roles that are not redundant and are required now, and well into the future. Employees electing to receive an RSP under this arrangement will be replaced.
Who is eligible?
To express interest in this current first round of the RSP program, you must:
- Be aged 65 or over at the time of your EOI,
- Have 10 or more years of continuous service with Australia Post,
- Be a permanent employee in an EA-covered operational role (Network Operations or Retail),
- Work at one of the five currently identified facilities:
- Sydney Parcel Facility (SPF)
- Sydney West Letters Facility (SWLF)
- Sydney Gateway Facility (SGF)
- Melbourne Parcel Facility (MPF)
- Melbourne Gateway Facility (MGF)
* Roles in technical services, engineering, administration, or apprenticeships are excluded. Employees already resigned, under current disciplinary investigation, or with unresolved workers comp claims (without clearance) are ineligible.
How does it work?
- Briefings are being delivered at the five trial sites from today, 21 May 2025.
- Eligible members will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via a simple online form. Support will be made available if needed.
- The EOI period closes 5:00pm AEST on 4 June 2025.
- Offers will be issued from 26 May, and successful applicants will have 14 calendar days to accept or decline.
- Most retirements will occur by 1 August 2025, with extensions to 19 September for critical skills (e.g. forklift drivers)
- Submitting an EOI is voluntary and non-binding. You’re not committing to anything until you accept a formal offer — you can still change your mind.
- Employees who accept the RSP are also entitled to up to $150 reimbursement for licensed financial advice, and six free retirement coaching sessions via EAP (Converge).
A commitment to replacement and security
The CWU has secured strong protections to ensure:
- No reduction in FTE staffing as a result of RSP initiated retirements,
- Replacements will be like-for-like wherever possible — and generally full-time, unless otherwise agreed,
- Recruitment will prioritise converting existing part-time, fixed-term or casual employees into permanent, full-time roles before external hiring,
- Internal transfer lists will not be used to fill vacancies created by the RSP program.
Australia Post has committed to bi-annual bulk recruitment campaigns to ensure backfilling occurs without disrupting operations or placing pressure on remaining staff.
What happens next?
This is the first phase of a three-year program. Additional facilities and classifications may be included in future rollouts, but it is unlikely to be repeated at the same site.
The CWU will be consulted in advance of each new rollout, and we will continue to hold Australia Post accountable to the terms of the MOU and the fair treatment of all members.
If you are not eligible or not interested, we still encourage all members to participate in the retirement education and superannuation sessions being offered on-site, and to discuss other available options with management if you’re considering future transitions. This includes flexible work arrangements or drawing down super while still working (where eligible).
Your Union fought for choice, fairness, and respect in this process — and we’ll keep fighting to ensure these principles are upheld at every workplace undergoing this significant change.
In the meantime, should you require any further information, please contact your local State Branch official.
