Postal Services Act 2012 · Updated to 1 May 2020 · Part X · Consumer Protection
53. Circumstances in which a postal article may be opened
Feedback & supportSubject to regulations made under this Act, a licensee may open a postal article in the following circumstances:
to secure the contents or to ascertain the condition of the contents of damaged postal articles;
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to determine the addressee or sender of an undeliverable postal article in accordance with the rules made by the
Commission;
if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that there is a physical danger to persons or property;
if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that there is a health risk to persons;
if it has the consent of the addressee or sender to do so;
by an order of court; or
as required by the relevant authorities or any other written law.
An employee of a licensee who has been authorized by the licensee in writing may open postal articles in the circumstances under subsection (1) and in the presence of another employee who has been similarly authorized.
licensee
“licensee” means a company incorporated under the *Companies act 1965 that has been granted a licence under this Act to provide postal services;
The contents of an opened postal article may be inspected no further than is warranted in the circumstances under subsection (1).
postal article
“postal article” means a letter, a package, a parcel, a wrapper or a container that can be collected, transmitted and delivered through the postal network of a licensee;