The Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026 provides one of the most comprehensive views of how Australian consumers are shopping online and where the industry is heading. For eCommerce businesses, it offers more than just data; it reveals the behavioural shifts, expectations, and emerging technologies that are actively shaping performance and growth. Understanding these insights is critical for aligning strategy with real customer behaviour rather than assumptions.
At its core, the report shows that eCommerce in Australia continues to scale rapidly, with total online spend reaching $82.6 billion in 2025, up 14% year-on-year, now making up 24% of total retail spending.
This growth is driven not only by increased adoption but by frequency of purchase, with Australians making more transactions even as basket sizes shrink. Shoppers are becoming more strategic, prioritising value and spreading purchases across multiple brands. This indicates a shift from high-value, infrequent purchases to more frequent, considered buying behaviour.
The report highlights that eCommerce participation has reached record levels, with 9.8 million households shopped online in 2025, that’s equivalent to 82% of all households. 41% of households shopped online at least fortnightly – that’s 117,000 more than in 2024. This level of adoption signals a mature market where online shopping is no longer optional but embedded in everyday life. For businesses, this means competition is no longer about entering the market but about differentiating within it.
Today’s shoppers are looking for value more than ever – driving conversion and growing cart size are critical. According to Shopify research, 52% of Australians abandoned their cart because the checkout process was too long or complicated, rising to 67%for higher spenders. And, 70% say poor delivery communication at checkout makes them less likely to complete a purchase.
Consumer expectations around delivery and convenience are also a central theme. The report shows that 69% of shoppers want more delivery options, with a growing proportion looking for Out of Hours collections, faster fulfilment, including same or next-day delivery for urgent purchases and fair return options. 43% are willing to pay extra for same-day or next-day deliveries. This reinforces the importance of logistics as a key part of the customer experience rather than a backend function.
Another defining metric is the role of AI in shaping shopping behaviour. The report shows that AI adoption has continued to surge, with 6 in 10 Australians now using AI, and 28% of Millennials use it every day. This signals a transition towards AI-driven discovery and decision-making, where recommendations, automation, and predictive commerce will increasingly influence how products are found and purchased.
The commercial implications of these insights are significant for eCommerce companies. Growth is no longer driven purely by acquisition but by retention, experience, and operational efficiency. As shoppers become more value-conscious and selective, brands must focus on delivering relevance, seamless experiences, and strong post-purchase engagement. The rise of marketplaces and AI-driven discovery further reinforces the need for structured product data, strong visibility strategies, and consistent brand presence across platforms.
The Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026 ultimately underscores a key shift in the industry: eCommerce is evolving from a growth phase into a maturity phase. Success is no longer defined by being online, but by how effectively businesses meet rising customer expectations around convenience, value, and personalisation.
