We rarely send unsolicited or junk mail (>1%). We work with businesses, charities and other organisations who distribute newsletters, information and offers to their customer base; that is consumers who have already elected to receive such communication. Businesses need our services. With a 98% open rate, direct mail has proven to be the most effective tool for communicating with customers.
Yes, businesses do approach us for letterbox advertising because;
- Businesses need customers. They sell products that you use everyday. Products that are useful, that you probably wouldn’t know about unless they were advertised somewhere.
- All advertising (Yes, even one some people would refer to as ‘junk mail’) can help build a business and it’s brand.
- Seek exposure or to build awareness for a new product or service.
- To support an eMarketing or Social Media campaign.
We don’t judge; we provide a service that businesses rely on and view as important.
Unsolicited advertising material (or junk mail) is advertising material, for a commercial purpose, not addressed by name to an owner or occupier of the premises.
Common examples of unsolicited advertising material (UAM) include takeaway food vouchers, shop catalogues, magazines, leaflets from real estate agents, refrigerator magnets or letters advertising the services of a trades person, as well as letters addressed ‘to the householder’ or ‘to the occupier’.
There are exceptions that apply to the delivery of community newspapers.
Material that does not contain advertising content for a commercial purpose are not classed as UAM, and can therefore be placed in your letterbox. Common examples are political campaign material, letters from neighbourhood watch groups, correspondence advising of lost animals, local council newsletters and infringement notices (e.g. parking fine attached to a vehicle).
Community newspapers
Community newspapers are not initially classed as UAM, but they can be if you decide you do not wish to receive them and notify the publisher of your decision.
You must first contact the newspaper and say that you do not wish to receive delivery at your premises. Only after you do this (please keep a copy/record of your correspondence) will the newspaper be classed as UAM.
Now you can take further action if you continue to receive the newspaper, as it will then be classed as UAM.
Your rights under the law
You should not be receiving UAM if you have a clear sign on your mailbox, fence or other place for receiving mail that states ‘No Advertising Material’, ‘No Junk Mail’, ‘Australia Post Mail Only’ or words to that effect (Note, there are exceptions for newspapers).
Unsolicited advertising material must be placed securely into a mailbox (or similar receptacle for mail or newspapers) or under a door.
No document can be left on a vehicle, building or associated fixed structure without express permission from the registered owner or operator—unless it is for a reasonable purpose like a parking fine or leaving contact details after an accident.
If you would like to report a matter regarding the placing of a document on or in a vehicle, or on a building or fixed structure please call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Steps to take to reduce delivery of UAM
- Ensure your ‘No Junk Mail’ (or similar) sign is clearly visible.
- Contact the Distribution Standards Board (as part of the Australasian Catalogue Association) and lodge a complaint online or by calling 1800 676 136.
- Contact the individual business and request to be removed from their distribution list.
- Register your address as a ‘Do not Mail’ address with Australian Direct Marketers Association.
- Register your address at Australia Post unaddressed mail service ums@auspost.com.au.
If you have taken these steps and are still receiving items, you can make a report or complaint to the department (see below details).
The following actions can be taken (Queensland only):
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Unsolicited advertising material (UAM) is being left on the ground | If you haven’t already lodged a complaint with the Distribution Standards Board please contact them first. If you are still receiving UAM after lodging a complaint with the Distribution Standards Board, you can complete the department’s UAM reporting form* |
| I have a ‘No Junk Mail’ sign (or similar) but I am still receiving UAM | If you haven’t already lodged a complaint with the Distribution Standards Board please contact them first. If you are still receiving UAM after lodging a complaint with the Distribution Standards Board, you can complete the department’s UAM reporting form* |
| Newspapers are being left on the ground | It is not illegal for newspapers to be left on the ground at your premises. You can however, request that it no longer be delivered. |
| I don’t want to receive newspapers | Contact the newspaper in writing and request that the paper no longer be delivered to the premises. Retain a copy of your request. The newspaper is now UAM and can only be delivered to your mailbox (or similar). If you have a clearly visible sign saying ‘No Junk Mail’ (or similar) the newspaper now should not be delivered to the premises. You can now report the newspaper as UAM. |
*your address will be disclosed to the distributor and deliverer for the purpose of rectifying delivery of advertising material only, and is not used or disclosed for any other purpose.
Further information relating to the provisions can be obtained through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.