Australians are having more and more stuff shipped, according to two new indicators that show the importance of logistics to the economy.

Parcel shipping generated AU$9.2 Billion in revenue last year, according to the just-out Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index.  That's an increase of 6.2 percent over 2016.  The eCommerce revolution also contributed to Australia's 8 percent parcel volume growth from 778 million in 2016 to 841 million parcels last year.

The sector is expected to expand even more.

"Over the next year, we expect businesses will be undergoing a digital transformation of their mailing and shipping workflow, improving their efficiency and inbound and outbound tracking capabilities," said Stephen Darracott, ANZ Country Manager for Pitney Bowes.  "The Australiana and New Zealand market is gearing for an exponential growth as we're also seeing more and more eCommerce companies looking to the shipping industry with a value proposition."

ECommerce is also a prime driver behind Australia Post's good fortune; the company announced a full-year profit after tax of AU$134 Million.  That's up 41 percent from fiscal year 2017.

Domestic business to consumer parcel deliveries were up 10 percent in that time, while international deliveries increased 19 percent.  Coupled with a range of efficiency measures across operational and support functions, and Australia Post was more than able to offset the decline in traditional letter delivery.

"As Australia's most trusted delivery partner, facilitating 82 percent of the nations eCommerce, we are uniquely placed to take advantage of a number of growth opportunities.  This includes serving our business & government customers better, rejuvenating the role of the post office in the community, focusing on the significant international opportunities, and creating and simplifying our products that people value and trust," said Australia Post's Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Christine Holgate.  "To build world-class experience we are investing in capacity and efficiency in major processing parcel facilities and across our delivery network, with over $300 Million of investment in fiscal year 2018 and $500 Million forecast in fiscal year 2019."