This article covers year-by-year releases of postage stamps issued by Australia Post from 2002 to 2018. From 2014 onwards, background information was provided behind the reasoning of issuing the stamp to the public. To mark special occasions, Australia Post occasionally releases unique and limited-time only postal stamp designs, and less frequently, specially designed postal products.
History of Australia Post stamps
Before the formation of Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901, each state of Australia issued separate postage stamps through colonial mail systems. After the federation in 1901, the mail systems merged and formed the Postmaster-General's Department (PMG), whose responsibilities included the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia. Until the mid-1920s, a policy prohibited Australia Post producing stamps based on commemorative occasions. It was on 9 May 1927, the opening of the first Parliament House in Canberra that marked the creation of Australia's first commemorative stamp. From then, commemorative stamps have been produced regularly to generate public interest, and to establish an environment for collectors. Although commemorative stamps are produced in reflection of historical anniversaries or significant events at the time, the public can suggest stamp subjects to Australia Post.
Stamp releases by year Under the Copyright law of Australia, Australia Post claims copyright ownership of Australian stamps for 50 years from publication. In 2014, Australia Post released technical and historical information on their stamp issues, on their official page. In this article, the stamps that are inside the tables are hyperlinked to their official page, where the original images can viewed from there.
2002 Birth of Albert Namatjira Australian Legends: Medical Scientists Golden Jubilee Winter Olympics Gold Medallists Motor Racing Lighthouses in Australia Flinders - Baudin Bicentenary: joint issue with France International: Panoramas of Australia I Nature of Australia - Desert Waterlilies: Joint issue with Thailand International: Panoramas of Australia II International Greetings Bush Tucker The Magic Rainforest (SCM2002) Champions of the Turf Christmas
2003 Celebration and Nation Australian Legends Fishing Australia Blooms - Australian Cultivars Australian Paintings Coronation - Golden Jubilee Art of Papunya Tula Genetics Nature of Australia - Rainforests 150th Anniversary Murray River Shipping Peace and Goodwill High Court Centenary Bugs and Butterflies (SCM2003) Rugby World Cup Active with Asthma Christmas
2004 Australian Legends: Dame Joan Sutherland Tasmania 1804-2004 Landmark Bridges Celebrate (16 March 2004) Renewable Energy Royal Tour Jubilee Nature of Australia: Rainforest Butterflies (4 May 2004) Australian Innovations Bon Voyage 150th Anniversary of the Eureka Stockade Boxing Kangaroo Australian Olympic Stamps 2004 Australian Gold Medallists Coastlines (6 September) Treasures from the Archives 150th Anniversary of Railways Cats and Dogs (SCM 2004) Australian Heroes of Grand Prix Racing Christmas
2005 Australian Open 1905–2005 (11 January 2005) Australian Legends: Fashion Designers Australian Parrots Sports Treasures Marking the Occasion World Heritage: Australia - UK joint issue Creatures of the Slime Centenary of Rotary International 150th Anniversary of the First Australian Coin Queen's Birthday Bush Wildlife Australian Wildflowers Australian Wine Australian Native Trees Treasures from the Archives Down on the Farm (SCM2005) Queen's Baton Relay PNC (28 October 2005) Christmas Island – Christmas 2005
2006 Australia Post Australian Legend 2006 – Barry Humphries Roses Australian Native Wildlife Australian Wildflowers Torino 2006 Winter Olympics – Dale Begg-Smith Australian Native Wildlife Queen's Birthday Greetings From Australia Lighthouses of the 20th Century Soccer in Australia Postie Kate Whales Down Under Extreme Sports Driving Through The Years Australian Rock Posters Dangerous Australians Fish of the Australian Antarctic Territory - Janet Matthews Cocos (Keeling) Islands – Coral Reefs Christmas Island – Heritage Buildings Christmas Island – Lunar New Year 2006
2007 January—March DateIssueStamp DesignsTechnical details16 January Australia Wins The Ashes 2006-07 Designer: Symone Lambert, AP Design Studio Denominations: 1 x 50c 1 x $1.85 (international) FDI Withdrawal Date: 31 July 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: None National Postmark: Perth GPO, Western Australia 600024 January Legends of Australian Horse Racing Designer: Jonathan Chong, AP Design Studio Denominations: 12 x 50c Designs: (two stamps of each legend) Scobie Breasley, George Moore, Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings, Bob Ingham, John Tapp. FDI Withdrawal Date: 31 December 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: None National Postmark: Flemington, Victoria 303113 February Australian Wildflowers Designer: Lynette Traynor, AP Design Studio Denominations: 4 x 50c Designs: Tasmanian Christmas Bell Phebalium wkitei Green Spider Flower Stuart's Desert Rose FDI Withdrawal Date: 13 March 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: None National Postmark: GPO Hobart, Tasmania 700020 February 12th FINA World Championships Designer: Lisa Christensen, AP Design Studio Denominations: 1 x 50c Designs: Melbourne 2007 Logo FDI Withdrawal Date: 13 March 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: None National Postmark: Melbourne GPO Victoria 30005 March Island Jewels - International Stamps Designer: Adam Crapp, AP Design Studio Denominations: 1 x 10c, 30c, $1.30, $1.95, $2.60, $3.85 Designs: Maria Island, Tasmania - 10c Rottnest Island, Western Australia - 30c Green Island, Queensland - $1.30 Fraser Island, Queensland - $1.95 Kangaroo Island, South Australia - $2.60 Lord Howe Island, NSW - $3.85 FDI Withdrawal Date: 30 April 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: None National Postmark: Beauty Point, Tasmania 72706 March Year of the Surf Lifesaver Designer: Andrew Hogg Design Denominations: 2 x 50c, 1 x $1.00, $2.00, $2.45 (Lenticular) Designs: Lifesaving Australia Pictures FDI Withdrawal Date: 30 September 2007 Printing Process: Lithography Special Feature: Lenticular frames National Postmark: Bondi Beach, New South Wales 2026
2007: April–June DateIssueStamp DesignsTechnical details3 April Signs of the Zodiac Designer: Beth McKinlay & Sally Piskuric, AP Design Studio Denominations: 12 x 50c Designs: Each stamp available as gummed, self-adhesive (roll) and in 10 x 50c self-adhesive booklets (one per design).Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper (gummed) and B/C 100 paper (self-adhesive booklets) Special Feature: None10 April Nostalgic Tourism Posters Designer: Phil Ellett, Creative Ethos, Melbourne Denominations: 1 x 50c, 1 x $1, 1 x $2, 1 x $2.45 Designs: At the Beach (50c), Fishing ($1), Horse Riding ($2), Winter Sport ($2.45) Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper Special Feature: None18 April Queen's Birthday Designer: Ern-Mei Lee, AP Design Studio Denominations: 1 x 50c Designs: Portrait Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint Special Feature: None1 May Historic Shipwrecks Designer: Sally Piskuric, AP Design Studio (from illustrations by Iain MacKellar) Denominations: 1 x 50c, 1 x $1, 1 x $2 Designs: Admella (50c), Loch Ard ($1), Dunbar ($2) Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper Special Feature: None8 May Country to Coast International Designer: Adam Crapp, AP Design Studio Denominations: 1 x $1.30, 1 x $1.95 Designs: Each design available as gummed, self-adhesive and self-adhesive with personalised tab.Rock Wallaby ($1.30), Sydney Harbour Bridge ($1.95) Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper (gummed) Special Feature: None15 May Circus: Under the Big Top Designer: Sharon Rodziewicz, AP Design StudioDenominations: 5 x 50c Designs: Each design available as gummed and in a $5 self-adhesive booklet (2 x each design).Burning Bicycle, Inside-out Man, Dental Trapeze, Banana Lady, Human Cannonball Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper (gummed) and B100 paper (self-adhesive booklets) Special Feature: None5 June Big Things Designer: Reg MombassaDenominations: 5 x 50c Designs: Each design available as gummed and in a $5 self-adhesive booklet (2 x each design).Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSWBig Lobster, Kingston, SABig Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSWBig Merino, Goulburn, NSWBig Pineapple, Nambour, QLD Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper (gummed) and B100 paper (self-adhesive booklets) Special Feature: None26 June Threatened Wildlife Designer: Ego Guiotto (illustrations); Simone Sakinofsky (typography)Denominations: 2 x 50c, 1 x $1.25, 1 x $1.30 Designs: Grey-headed Flying Fox (50c), Mountain Pygmy Possum (50c), Flatback Turtle ($1.25), Wandering Albatross ($1.30) Printing Process: Lithography by SEP Sprint on Tullis Russell paper Special Feature: None
Topics used for 2007 stamp designs Events 2007 Australian Open 2007 World Police and Fire Games 2007 Stawell Gift
People Rod Laver
Films Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2008 Love Blooms Australian Legends of Philanthropy Organ and Tissue Donation Centenary of Scouting in Australia Gorgeous Australia Gorgeous Australia World Youth Day 2008 Centenary of Rugby League Heavy Haulers Anzac Day – Lest We Forget Queen's Birthday Centenary of Rugby League Queen's Birthday Up, Up and Away Working Dogs Beijing 2008 Living Green 100 Years of Quarantine 150 Years of Australian Football Aviation Waterfalls Australia Tourist Precincts For Every Occasion Mega Fauna Christmas Favourite Australian Films
2009 Christmas Island Lunar New Year - Year of the Ox (8 January 2009) Australian Antarctic Territory: South Magnetic Pole 1909-2009 (8 January 2009) 2009 Australian Legends (22 January 2009) With Love (3 February 2009) Inventive Australia (19 February 2009) Australian Antarctic Territory: Poles and Glaciers (4 March 2009) Earth Hour (11 March 2009) Australia Post - 200 Years (25 March 2009) Indigenous Culture (1 April 2009) Queens Birthday (15 April 2009) Cocos (Keeling) Islands - 400 Years (21 April 2009) Not Just Desserts (15 May 2009) World Wildlife Fund: Dolphins of the Australian Coastline (26 May 2009) Queensland 150 Years (9 June 2009) Australia's Favourite Stamps (26 June 2009) Australian Bush Babies - International Stamps (1 July 2009) Australian Parks and Gardens (14 July 2009) Micro Monsters (28 July 2009) Species at Risk - Joint Territories (4 August 2009) Corrugated Landscapes (11 August 2009) Stargazing: The Southern Skies (25 August 2009) Australian Songbirds (9 September 2009) Classic Toys (25 September 2009) Lets Get Active! Stamp Collecting Month 2009 (6 October 2009) Australia Post - 200 Years (Part III) - Everyday People (13 October 2009) Christmas Island Christmas (2 November 2009) Merry Christmas (2 November 2009) Christmas 2009 (2 November 2009)
2010 Christmas Island Lunar New Year - Year of the Tiger (12 January 2010) Australian Legends (21 January 2010) 2010 Winter Olympic Games Vancouver (12–28 February 2010) A Bicentenary: Governor Lachlan Macquarie (16 February 2010) Australian Commonwealth Coinage 1910-2010 (23 February 2010) Centenary of Powered Flight (9 March 2010) Come to the Show (23 March 2010) Queens Birthday (6 April 2010) Kokoda (20 April 2010) Colonial Heritage: Empire (7 May 2010) Great Australian Railway Journeys (7 May 2010) Shanghai World Expo 2010 (18 May 2010) Australian World Heritage Sites (25 May 2010) Emergency Services (13 July 2010) Flowers of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (22 June 2010)