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The Australian Postal Corporation (trading as Australia Post) is a government business enterprise owned by the Commonwealth of Australia. It operates under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989. Australia Post is independent of government funding, achieves a substantial profit from its activities, and pays a full range of taxes and charges. In 1999-2000, Australia Post paid $327m in taxes and government charges ($328m in 1998-99).

Australia Post offers letter and parcel delivery services within Australia and internationally. It also provides a range of related services including electronic bulk mail handling, advertising mail, bill payment, money order and banking services, express delivery services and philatelic products and services.

Australia Post's legal obligations require it to:

• provide Australians with a universal letter service;

• carry standard letters within Australia at a uniform price;

• ensure that the letter service meets the social, industrial and commercial needs of the community;

• perform its functions according to sound business practice; and

• perform its functions consistent with the Commonwealth's general policies.

24.6 AUSTRALIAN POSTAL CORPORATION, Consolidated Financial Statement
	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
$ MILLION
Revenue	3,124	3,300	3,449	3,743
Expenditure	2,781	2,924	3,074	3,317
Operating profit before income tax	353	335	373	392
Dividends	220	215	149	156
Total taxes and government charges(a)	308	295	328	327
Cost of Universal Service Obligation(b)	67	71	70	79
Total assets(c)	2,589	2,736	2,854	3,037
PER CENT
Return on assets(d)	14.6	12.8	13.8	14.0
(a) Includes sales tax and customs duty, payroll tax, local government taxes and charges, federal excise duty, and fringe benefits tax. (b) The Universal Service Obligation ensures that all Australians have reasonable access to the letter service; this includes the delivery of standard letters by ordinary post at a uniform price even when the delivery cost is higher. (c) At 30 June of the financial years shown. (d) Operating profit before net interest and income tax divided by average total assets. Source: Australian Postal Corporation.

24.7 AUSTRALIAN POSTAL CORPORATION, Mail Delivery Network and Post Outlets
	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
	no.	no.	no.	no.
Households receiving mail	7,387,216	7,348,319	7,668,143	7,922,702
Businesses receiving mail	822,949	822,412	838,009	856,598
Total delivery points	8,130,498	8,170,731	8,506,152	8,779,300
Corporate outlets and licensed post offices	3,934	3,922	3,903	3,887
Source: Australian Postal Corporation.

24.8 AUSTRALIAN POSTAL CORPORATION, Total Postal Articles Handled
	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
	million	million	million	million	million
Posted in Australia for delivery in Australia	3,734	3,888	4,046	4,194	4,461
Posted in Australia for delivery overseas	159	157	165	172	193
Posted overseas for delivery in Australia	155	160	161	164	169
Total articles through mail network	4,047	4,206	4,372	4,530	4,823
Source: Australian Postal Corporation.