1. Acquisition Mail Preparation Business Letter Services

2. Introduction Acquisition Mail is an Australia Post service for the delivery of addressed (non - personalised) bulk mail. It allows customers to geographically target addressed mail campaigns to residential addresses in specific postcodes, suburbs (localities) or Census Collection Districts (CCDs) for the purpose of acquiring them as customers. In this module This module introduces you to Australia Post’s requirements for Acquisition Mail preparation. Learning outcomes At the end of this module you will be able to: specify requirements for registration and access to the Acquisition Mail Data file specify Acquisition Mail article content, size, weight and type requirements identify the mandatory inscriptions for Acquisition Mail articles identify the mandatory correct addressing conditions for Acquisition Mail articles locate the correct pricing for Acquisition Mail articles

3. Acquisition Mail at a glance What qualifies for Acquisition Mail? To qualify: a minimum of 30,000 articles must be lodged in total a minimum saturation of 60% is required (ie at least 60% of the addresses supplied for your target area must be mailed to) the maximum number of progressive lodgements is three (3). These can be made over a maximum period of six (6) weeks, and must be made within 3 months of data supply date. the content of the article must be acquisition in nature, and more specifically meet the conditions of the Acquisition Mail service. Australia Post’s return address must be used on all articles. a PDF or physical sample of the intended article must be provided to Australia Post for approval prior to lodgement.

4. Acquisition Mail at a glance More information More detailed information is available in the Acquisition Mail fact sheet and Acquisition Mail service guide (8839559). Prices for Acquisition Mail can be found in the Post Charges booklet and at the Australia Post website (auspost.com.au). These guides are also available at any Australia Post outlet.

5. Acquisition Mail preparation Preparation overview To qualify for Acquisition Mail prices, customers need to meet the following Australia Post’s bulk mail preparation requirements.

6. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and the Acquisition Mail Data file Introduction You need to register to use the Acquisition Mail service before Australia Post can provide the file of deliverable address points for your target regions. To ensure eligibility for Acquisition Mail prices, you need to follow Australia Post’s requirements regarding registration and data use. Information about registration and the Acquisition Mail Data file includes: the registration process, including providing details of and target regions what is the Data file? how the Data file is compiled what type of addresses are included in the Data file conditions of use of the Acquisition Mail Data file

7. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions You need to register to use the Acquisition Mail service before Australia Post can provide the data file of deliverable address points for their targeted regions. The registration process is done online via auspost.com.au/acquisitionmail First time users of the online registration process will need to initially sign up when entering the site. A username and password will then be issued and must be used to login when returning to the site.

8. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions During the registration process you will be asked to provide details of your intended target regions: whether you would like to target at postcode, suburb or Census Collection District (CCD) level whether you would like to override the automatic exclusion of households with ‘No Advertising Material’ stickers or those on ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ list. You will then be asked to submit your nominated target regions. This means a list of the postcodes, suburbs or CCDs to be targeted. This can be done by either submitting a csv or txt file with the listings or by browsing and selecting from a list provided. You then have the option of going back and reviewing the target regions or proceeding by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the service. Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions you will immediately be provided with your Acquisition Mail Job ID number and within two business days Australia Post will email the address data file complete with pre-populated lodgement document/s. ‘Target region’: A list of the postcodes, suburbs or CCDs to be targeted by the Acquisition Mail campaign

9. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions What is the Acquisition Mail Data file? The Acquisition Mail Data file is a list of residential addresses from which addresses that match the customer’s target region criteria are extracted and provided to the customer for their mailing. There are approximately 8 million residential address points in the Acquisition Mail Data file. The file does not hold any personal or business names, or industry classification information. The number of address points may change due to ongoing updates to the Acquisition Mail Data file.

10. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions What type of addresses are included The Data file contains residential street addresses. Those identified home offices, are also included. Non- residential addresses are not included. ‘No Advertising Material’ and ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ addresses ‘ No Advertising Material’ and ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ address points are identified in the Data file and are excluded unless otherwise requested in the registration process.

11. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions What type of addresses are excluded The Acquisition Mail Data file does not include: PO Boxes locked bags private mail bags community bags addresses subject to road and counter delivery addresses in external territories addresses that have occupancy for less than 50% of the year, eg holiday homes.

12. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions Conditions of use Specific conditions apply to the use of data supplied in the Acquisition Mail Data file: non-personalised (no name included) addresses are supplied according to the selection parameters outlined in the ‘List Profile’ section of the registration. the data is supplied by Australia Post solely for the provision of the Acquisition Mail service, and remains the property of Australia Post. It must not be modified, copied, offered for sale, provided to any other person, or used for any other purpose than the specific Acquisition Mail service that relates to the registration. the data is supplied in one single quantity, and not in batches. the data must be used within three (3) months of the supply date. Customers failing to lodge their entire Acquisition Mail campaign within three months of Australia Post supplying the data file may be charged up to $0.10 per address provided.

13. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration target regions Conditions of use The data is supplied in ‘pipe’ (|) delimited format, which can be opened in standard spreadsheet or database software (eg MS Access, MS Excel). The data is supplied with these fields: Address 1 Address 2 Locality State Postcode No additional fields are supplied, and DPIDs must be appended using approved AMAS software – refer to the Advanced Module: Barcoding

14. Acquisition Mail preparation Registration and target regions Summary The key points covered in this section include: all campaigns must be registered. Addresses from the Acquisition Mail data file matching the customer’s target regions will be provided following registration. the data file contains approximately 8 million residential addresses ‘No Advertising Material’ and addresses on ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ list are excluded from the data file unless specifically requested during registration the Data file does not contain address points for rural and remote areas, PO Boxes, Roadside Mail Bags and similar address points. conditions apply to the use of the Acquisition Mail Data file

15. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Introduction To ensure Acquisition Mail articles can be delivered correctly, customers need to follow Australia Post’s bulk mail requirements regarding the article characteristics. The characteristics for Acquisition Mail articles include: content size and weight article type paper stock (including colour of articles and window face envelopes) plastic Wrapping sealing of articles flexibility window Panel envelopes

16. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Content requirements To qualify for the Acquisition Mail service articles: must have a core communication objective of obtaining customers or generating donations and/or sales of products, services, and/or memberships must not make reference to an intended recipient’s personal details must contain a ‘call to action’ must not be reliant on promoting a third parties’ products and services to supplement a communication which otherwise does not meet the above objective may contain variable images, content and copy, but must not contain any variable images, content and copy associated with an individual recipient or address or refer to a prior relationship with a recipient including, but not limited to transactional information must be from the same Advertiser must not be described as being “Private and Confidential” or words to that effect The service is not available for articles designed to provide broad brand knowledge or provide businesses or the public with community information or announcements including any government or business notices with an informative/educational communication objective. This includes past transactions that would indicate a prior or current relationship between the customer (or any organisation on whose behalf the customer is acting) and the intended recipient. ‘Call to action’ is defined as an avenue to respond to the mail piece, eg phone number, website, email, or physical address. Third party: One other than the principals involved in a transaction”

17. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Size and weight Acquisition Mail is available for Small, and Small Plus size categories. Acquisition Mail items can weigh up to 125gms. All articles in a lodgement must be the same size and weight. All articles in a lodgement must be the same size category and weight. Oblong: deviating from a square by being elongated in one direction. It is preferred that the length is at least 1.2 times the width. Articles with a length less than 1.2 times the width may be accepted subject to satisfactory test results – see ‘Testing’, later in this module.

18. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Type Acquisition Mail articles can be sent in envelopes or as postcards. Plastic-wrapped articles in Barcode Direct Trays are also accepted. Window faced envelopes One of the main requirements of panel envelopes is that they have good clear panels. However, even very clear panels can cause sorting difficulties if they reflect light to any great extent. The address area visible through the window panel must meet the reflectance requirements contained in Barcoding Specifications detailed in this module. Open window panels are not permitted. The recommended minimum size for window panels is 30mm high x 80mm wide. The entire address block, including barcode, must be clearly visible through the window panel, when the article is presented for lodgement at the lodgement facility.

19. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Paper stock Paper stock is an important consideration as it can affect the ability of high speed letter sorting equipment to process articles without damage. Paper must be without patterns or pronounced fibres, which may also interfere with mechanised sorting equipment. Articles must be made from a low gloss material with sufficient porosity that will register the imprint of a postmarking impression and permit ink to dry without smudging. Australia Post recommends that envelopes and cards comply with Australian Standards for the production of envelopes, Spec 4611 – 1999 (available at: http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/). For details refer to your paper supplier or envelope manufacturer or visit auspost.com.au/bulkmail Paper stock colour There are no restrictions on the article colour for envelopes, postcards or plastic wrapped articles and/or flysheets provided the background against which the barcode is printed meets the reflectance requirements contained at Barcoding Print Specifications - refer to the Advanced Module: Barcoding ‘Porosity’ describes the property of being porous; being able to absorb fluids.

20. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Plastic Wrapping Plastic wrapping of articles can provide an alternative to envelopes. If desired, artwork and delivery address details can be printed on a flysheet, which is visible through the plastic wrapping. Plastic wrapping is available for all articles provided they are lodged in Barcode Direct Trays. (See Acquisition Mail, Lodgement module.) Detailed information about plastic wrapping can be found in Advanced Module: Plastic Wrapping

21. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Plastic wrapping  Plastic wrapped Acquisition Mail articles are measured on the ‘total plastic size,’ not the size of the contents  The sealing seam (weld) must not intersect the address block or barcode either horizontally or vertically  Australia Post prefers the hem (overlapping plastic area) not to cover the address block or barcode  The maximum overhang (excess plastic wrap) is not to exceed 10mm.

22. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Sealing of articles Each article must be secured in a manner which would prevent entrapment of other postal articles. Any opening must not exceed 88mm. Each article must be secured in such a manner that the fastening is not likely to damage other postal articles nor injure persons handling it. Where fasteners are used, they must be appropriate to the thickness of the article, and the ends closed together. Staples and any metal fasteners are discouraged, as they are likely to cause injury to staff handling the articles. Any lodgement fastened with metal fasteners, which may cause injury, will not be accepted.

23. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Article flexibility Articles presented under the Acquisition Mail service must be reasonably flexible to ensure that they can be processed through high speed letter sorting equipment. Articles that are too rigid or stiff are ineligible for the Acquisition Mail service. Some examples of prohibited enclosures includes pencils, pens and compact disks enclosed in a hard case.

24. Acquisition Mail preparation Size, weight and type requirements Summary The key points covered in this section include: there are conditions governing the content of Acquisition Mail articles Acquisition Mail is available in Small, and Small Plus size categories articles can be sent in envelopes or as postcards, and can be plastic wrapped any opening on an article of more than 88mm must be appropriately sealed articles must be reasonably flexible. Articles that are too rigid or stiff are ineligible for the service

25. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Introduction Acquisition Mail items need to be barcoded. In order to follow a specialised processing stream, and to qualify for Acquisition Mail prices, Australia Post has mandatory address requirements for Acquisition Mail, including: Article Layout and zones Postage zone Return address zone Barcode and delivery address zone Barcode If these requirements are not met, Australia Post cannot process the lodgement as Acquisition Mail. Where applicable, non compliance will result in the application of PreSort Letter prices, full rate ordinary letter prices, or Clean Mail Service prices (if eligible), for the entire lodgement.

26. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Article layout and zones Acquisition Mail articles are made up of three printing zones. The following sections detail the dimensions of these zones, and specify the mandatory inscriptions to print within them.

27. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Postage zone The postage zone contains a postage paid imprint or a postage meter impression. An Off Peak indicator is also required. These should be prominent in this zone. Dimensions must be: no more than 90mm across from the top right hand corner of the article at least 40mm down from the top edge of the article.

28. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Postage zone Postage Paid Imprint All Acquisition Mail articles that are not metered must bear a Postage Paid imprint. The words POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA need to be printed in a rectangular box within the following dimensions: Maximum: 26 x 40mm (see illustration) Minimum: 19 x 25mm. Postage Meter Impression A postage meter may be used as a payment method for the Acquisition Mail service. The published Acquisition Mail price must be printed in the postage zone of each article. If a date is included in the meter impression it must be the date of lodgement. The mandatory Acquisition Mail return address details appearing in the postage zone as part of a postage meter impression are acceptable. For additional information on metering, refer to the Postage Meters and Franking Machines Conditions of use booklet (8833675).

29. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Postage zone Off Peak indicator All Acquisition Mail articles must bear an Off Peak indicator, located within the postage zone, to the left of the Postage Paid imprint or postage meter impression. The words OFF PEAK need to be printed in capital letters, centred in a rectangular box with the minimum dimensions of 19 x 25mm (see illustration). Personalised Imprints Australia Post may approve a personalised imprint design for the Postage Paid Imprint or Combined Off Peak indicator / Postage Paid imprint. The design must not have the appearance of a postage stamp and the words POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA must be prominent (see example illustrations). For approval please refer to the contact details at the front of this guide.

30. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Postage zone Colour of postage zone inscriptions Most coloured inks can be used, and dark colours such as black, dark blue and dark green are best. The exceptions are yellow, orange and red which can interfere with mail handling equipment. Red is reserved for postage meter impressions.

31. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Return address zone It is mandatory that the following Australia Post return address is shown on each Acquisition Mail article within a lodgement. GPO Box 1638 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 The return address must be printed on the address side of the article in the upper left-hand corner, no lower than 40mm from the top edge. Return address details appearing in the postage zone as part of a postage meter impression are acceptable. It is preferred that the return address be prefixed with “ If undeliverable, return to:”

32. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Barcode and delivery address zone Contains the barcode and address to which the article is to be delivered. Acquisition Mail is an addressed (non-personalised) delivery service. There are no names supplied with the address data. This means the recipient can be addressed with a salutation such as “To the Householder”, “The Home Owner”, “Reading Enthusiast” or this may be left blank. Barcode and address location The complete barcode and delivery address must be positioned in the barcode and delivery address zone of the article:  at least 15mm from the bottom edge of the article  no more than 100mm up from the bottom edge of the article  at least 10mm from the left and right edges of the article  outside of the postage zone.

33. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Address layout Correct addressing conditions ensure the Australia Post delivery system can recognise and interpret the delivery address. The delivery address is a mandatory inscription and therefore correct addressing conditions apply. Address labels may be used but must be straight and firmly affixed. If using window panel envelopes, the entire address block, including barcode, must be clearly visible through the window panel when the article is presented for lodgement at the lodgement facility. The address and barcode must be parallel to the long side of the article. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The address lines (excluding barcode placement) must be aligned left. AM Job Number – the number provided upon registration. Barcode Additional address information such as “To the Householder”, if included, must be placed above the last two lines of the address and not below, alongside or within these lines. Second last line – Must contain the delivery address information Bottom line – Must contain the locality and the postcode. Australia Post recommends that the state abbreviation is printed on the same line after the locality. Australia Post strongly recommends that this line is printed in CAPITALS. (Any application for variations to this format should be submitted and approved prior to lodgement)

34. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Address font s and colours Any font can be used for the delivery address as long as it is clearly readable, preferably in 12 point size, and it is strongly recommended that print characters do not overlap. shadowing Whilst attributes such as italics, bolding, shadowing or underlining are permitted, their use should be avoided. Dark inks such as black, dark blue and dark green are preferred. Red, orange and yellow inks must not be used.

35. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Acquisition Mail Job ID number This number, provided by Australia Post at the time of registration, must be printed either:  in the delivery address zone, aligned to the left above the barcode, or  above the return address in the top left hand corner. A reduced font size is acceptable, but must be legible. The minimum acceptable font size is 6 point.  

36. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Advertising postcards The following layout is recommended for advertising postcards, which are not intended to be enclosed in an envelope. It shows how to optimise a layout for a postcard to maximise the space available on the card for your advertising message. The whole of the space on the back (non-address) side of the postcard may be used for advertising.  move the barcode and delivery address below the postage zone, as far to the right as possible – no closer than 15mm from the right edge or bottom edge of the postcard, and no more than 100mm from the bottom edge of the postcard  rotate the return address vertically and print it in one line of text to the left of the postage zone – no closer than 85mm from the right edge of the postcard (alternatively it may be printed on the back)  the whole of the space on the left side of the postcard may be used for the advertising message  the areas below and to the right of the address can also be used for advertising or other printing providing it does not resemble an address  ensure that there is a barcode quiet zone clear of any printing around the barcode – at least 6mm to the left and right and 2mm above and below.

37. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Barcoding Articles need to be barcoded in order to follow a specialised processing stream and to qualify for Acquisition Mail prices. A barcode is a machine readable representation of information, usually printed as parallel lines, and improves the speed and accuracy of processing mail. For technical details relating to barcoding, including Australia Post’s Postal Address file (PAF) and specifications on printing a barcode, refer to the Acquisition Mail service guide, or the Advanced Module: Barcoding The barcode used by Australia Post is called a 4-state barcode and includes a Delivery Point Identifier (DPID) which is uniquely applied to Australian addresses.

38. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Barcoding Barcodes must conform to specified barcode requirements. Dark colours such as black, dark blue, and dark green are preferred. Red, orange and yellow inks must not be used. The barcode can be placed separately from the delivery address, so long as it remains in the Barcode and Delivery Address Zone. The address and barcode must be parallel to the long side of the article. The following important elements for barcoding Acquisition Mail articles are covered in this section : Obtaining the DPID Barcode Quiet Zone Customer appended information Barcode location Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) Creative design/advertising Unbarcoded Acquisition Mail

39. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Obtaining the DPID for each address A barcode is a machine readable representation of information, usually printed as parallel lines, and improves the speed and accuracy of processing mail. The barcode used by Australia Post is called a 4-state barcode and includes a Delivery Point Identifier (DPID) which is uniquely applied to Australian addresses. Australia Post maintains a comprehensive database of addresses called the Postal Address file (PAF), in which each address has a unique Delivery Point Identifier (DPID). Customers must use Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) certified software to obtain the correct DPID for each address. This DPID is then converted into a 4-state barcode and printed onto the article. It is read by Australia Post’s mail processing machines, ensuring the fastest most efficient processing available.

40. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Barcode clear zone Barcodes require a clear zone that must be kept blank (free of printing or other distractions) immediately above, below, and to the left and right of the barcode. This is to ensure that the barcode can be detected by the reader and processed correctly. There must be a clear zone (no printing) around the barcode of at least 6mm to the left and right and at least 2mm from the top and bottom. Non-address information such as campaign codes, sort plan number, etc. may be located above the bottom two lines of the address block provided the barcode clear zone is observed. There is no requirement for this information to be left aligned.

41. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Customer appended information in barcodes The standard customer barcode contains 37 bars, however customers have the opportunity to include their own information in 52 or 67 length 4-state barcodes. The information is encoded and included in the additional bars. For more information, see the Acquisition Mail service guide, or the Advanced Module: Barcoding. 52 length 4-state barcode 67 length 4-state barcode

42. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) The Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) is designed to improve the quality of addressing. AMAS is a software approval program that provides a standard by which to test and measure the quality of address matching software and its ability to correctly assign a unique Delivery Point Identifier (DPID) to each address record. To obtain AMAS approved software, a list of software vendors is available on the Australia Post website at auspost.com.au/amas

43. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Unbarcoded Acquisition Mail articles It is important to note that not all addresses provided may result in a barcode assignment. To reduce the incidence of multiple lodgements from the same source data, there is the option to lodge barcoded and unbarcoded Acquisition Mail together as a single lodgement using the same lodgement documentation. It is a requirement of the service that all addresses within the lodgement are presented to current AMAS software and a DPID assignment attempted. Customers may be requested to provide an Address Matching Processing Summary Report as evidence. There is no restriction on the quantity of unbarcoded articles that may be included as part of a lodgement, provided that the lodgement meets the minimum volume of 30,000 articles. Identical addressing conditions apply for barcoded and unbarcoded articles in a lodgement.

44. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Barcode Quality Program It is recommended that customers intending to lodge Acquisition Mail for the first time should submit sample letters to Australia Post for testing of barcode accuracy and readability. Australia Post provides the Barcode Quality Program (BQP) to both customers and suppliers to test the quality of barcodes prior to the print production stage. Information relating to the Barcode Quality Program is available on the Australia Post web-site at auspost.com.au/bqp

45. Acquisition Mail preparation Barcodes and correct addressing requirements Summary The key points covered in this section include: In order to follow a specialised processing stream, and to qualify for Acquisition Mail prices, Australia Post has mandatory address requirements for Acquisition Mail, including: Article Layout and zones Postage zone Return address zone Barcode and delivery address zone Acquisition Mail items need to be barcoded. Software approved by the Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) provides quality addressing and DPID assignment. Unbarcoded articles can also be lodged with the barcoded articles.

46. Acquisition Mail preparation Other Considerations Providing a sample of the intended Acquisition Mail article You must send the final version of the article as a PDF or physical sample to the Acquisition Mail Administrator to ensure that content is compliant. It is recommended that this is done prior to production, in case change is required. This can be emailed to: am@auspost.com.au or mailed to: Australia Post Attn AM Administrator Operations and Industry Relations GPO Box 1777 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 Within two working days you will receive an email to confirm receipt of the sample and advise if the article is compliant. Where an article is non-compliant the customer will need review and re-submit for approval.

47. Acquisition Mail preparation Other Considerations Prior to lodgement Acceptance staff at the lodgement facility will perform an inspection to determine if a lodgement satisfies the correct addressing conditions and barcodes are valid. If articles within a lodgement do not satisfy the Acquisition Mail conditions, customers have the option of: (a) withdrawing the lodgement, modifying and re-presenting it at a later date, or (b) lodging the articles at the appropriate postage rate according to the delivery service it falls under and accepting a data charge of up to $0.10 per address supplied. Note: Articles that do not qualify for Acquisition Mail prices, and are lodged in another service, will be despatched in accordance with the regular delivery transport schedules. Australia Post will do all it can to ensure that the lodgement meets the regular delivery timetables but this cannot be guaranteed because of the OFF PEAK indicator on the articles.

48. Acquisition Mail preparation Other Considerations After lodgement Where articles are accepted as Acquisition Mail at the time of lodgement but are subsequently found to be non- compliant with the terms and conditions of the service, Australia Post has the right to increase the charges so that the applicable delivery service postage rate is charged and charge up to $0.10 per address supplied. In this situation Australia Post will credit the Acquisition Mail charge on the customer’s Australia Post Charge Account and charge the applicable postage rate for the articles. Where a data charge is made, Australia Post will charge this directly to the customer’s Australia Post Charge Account supplied at time of registration. The customer will be advised by email of any potential charges being made.

49. Acquisition Mail preparation Other Considerations Testing If you are concerned that your articles may not satisfy all service requirements you can request a preliminary test prior to lodgement. Tests can be conducted on the following: shape window panel quality article colour, patterns or watermarks paper stock quality plastic wrapping flexibility barcode readability positioning of logos, advertising and other printing. Testing involves processing a sample of articles to determine if they are suitable for machine processing. Articles that pass the test will be accepted at the relevant price, provided that all other requirements have been met. Requests for testing should be directed to: bqp.help@auspost.com.au bqp.help@auspost.com.au Australia Post Business Letter Services GPO Box 1777 MELBOURNE VIC 3001

50. Acquisition Mail preparation Cost Prices for Acquisition Mail are available in the Acquisition Mail service guide and the Post Charges Guide (MS11) both of which are available on the Australia Post website (auspost.com.au). Acquisition Mail items are charged as “Same State” when they are to be delivered in the same state as they were lodged. Acquisition Mail items are charged as “Other State” when they are to be delivered to a different state to where they were lodged. Customers may only use an Australia Post Business Credit Account or a postage meter, for payment. Where a customer is having their mailing registered by a representative, (ie: mail house or agency) and does not have their own Australia Post Business Credit Account, they may organise to use the representative’s Business Credit Account number. Note: For payment using an Australia Post Business Credit Account customers will need to lodge their Acquisition Mail at the office at which they hold the account. Otherwise they will need to arrange with their account manager or Australia Post credit management for their account to be made available at the selected lodgement office.

51. Acquisition Mail preparation Summary The key points covered were: All campaigns must be registered. Address data will then be provided for the customer’s nominated target regions The Acquisition Mail Data file contains approximately 8 million residential addresses ‘No Advertising Material’ and addressed on ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ list are excluded from the customer’s list of addresses unless specifically requested during registration The Acquisition Mail Data file does not contain address points for rural and remote areas, PO Boxes, Roadside Mail Bags and similar address points. Conditions apply to the use of the Acquisition Mail Data file The content of the Acquisition Mail article must be acquisition in nature Acquisition Mail is available for Small and Small Plus size categories, and articles can weigh up to 125g Acquisition Mail articles can be either in envelopes or postcards, and they can also be plastic wrapped Paper stock must be without patterns or pronounced fibers which may interfere with mechanised sorting equipment, and be made from as low gloss material Continued….

52. Acquisition Mail preparation Summary, continued Plastic wrapped articles are measured on the total plastic size, not the size of the contents Mandatory inscriptions on the article are the Postage Paid or Postage Meter imprint, Off Peak indicator, mandatory Return Address and AM Job ID Number Correct addressing conditions apply to Acquisition Mail All elements of barcoding must be followed in the preparation of Acquisition Mail articles A sample of the intended Acquisition Mail article must be approved by Australia Post prior to lodgement.

53. You now need to complete a short assessment to check your understanding of the information covered in this module. This assessment consists of 10 multiple-choice questions and should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. To pass the assessment, you need to answer at least eight of these questions correctly. Attempt this assessment as many times as you need to. If you do not pass, it is recommended that you review this module again. Assessment

54. a.True b.False Assessment 1 Correct answer = B This statement is False. Acquisition Mail is an Australia Post service for the delivery of addressed (non-personalised) barcoded articles to residential addresses only within Australia True or false? “Acquisition Mail is an Australia Post service for the delivery of addressed (non- personalised) barcoded articles to residential and business addresses within Australia”

55. a.Correct addressing conditions include the use of fonts and the format of the address. b.The complete address must be positioned in the address zone of the Acquisition Mail article c.The barcode placement must be left justified d.The second last line must contain the delivery address information. e.It is recommended that the bottom line is printed in CAPITALS with no punctuation and no underlining Assessment 2 Correct answer = C The barcode is excluded from the requirement that address lines should be left justified. Mandatory correct addressing conditions apply to all articles in a Acquisition Mail lodgement. Please select the incorrect statement from the list below.

56. a.True b.False Assessment 3 Correct answer = A Plastic wrapped letters are measured on the total plastic size, not on the size of the contents. True or false? Plastic wrapped Acquisition Mail articles are measured on the total plastic size, not on the size of the contents.

57. a.True b.False Assessment 4 Correct answer = B No Advertising Material’ and addressed on ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ list are excluded from the customers Acquisition Mail address file unless specifically requested during registration True or false? Addresses with ‘No Advertising Material’ signage and those on ADMA’s ‘Do Not Mail’ list are automatically provided in the customer’s address file file.

58. a.Personalised to acknowledge an existing relationship with the recipient b.Obtaining customers and/or generating donations, sales of products, services and/or membership c.Informative or educational communications Assessment 5 Correct answer = B Acquisition Mail articles must have a core communication objective of obtaining customers and generating donations and/or sales of products, services, and/or memberships. What must the core communication objective of Acquisition Mail articles be, in order to qualify for the Acquisition Mail service

59. a.The 60% saturation rate has not been met and Australia Post has the right to increase the charges so that the applicable postage rate is charged, and charge up to $0.10 per address supplied b.The 60% saturation rate has not been met but no further action will be taken because lodgement has been made. c.The minimum volume requirement was not met, and Australia Post has the right to increase the charges so that the applicable postage rate is charged, and charge up to $0.10 per address supplied Assessment 6 Correct answer = A Only 40% saturation was achieved and the requirement is 60%. Where articles are accepted as Acquisition Mail at the time of lodgement but are subsequently found to be non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the service, Australia Post has the right to increase charges to the applicable service postage rate and charge up to $0.10 per address supplied Greg lodges his Acquisition Mail campaign in two separate lodgements of 20,000 each after receiving 100,000 address points for his nominated target regions. Which of these statements is true?

60. a.The Postal Address File (PAF) b.The barcodes are supplied with the customer’s address file c.Using Address matching Approval System (AMAS) certified software Assessment 7 Correct answer = C Customers must use Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) certified software to obtain the correct DPID for each address How does a customer access the DPID for an address point in order to barcode their article?

61. a.Small and Large b.Small and Small Plus c.Small, Medium and Large d.Small, Small Plus, Medium and Large Assessment 8 Correct answer = B Acquisition Mail is available for Small and Small Plus envelope categories. What size envelope categories is Acquisition Mail available for?

62. a.Postage Paid b.Postage Paid (or Meter impression) and Off Peak c.Meter impression Assessment 9 Correct answer = B Acquisition Mail articles require a Postage Paid imprint (or meter impression if articles are metered), and an Off Peak indicator within the Postage Zone. What imprints are required in the Postage Zone of an Acquisition Mail article?

63. a.This is not a requirement of the service b.In the delivery address zone, aligned to the left above the barcode c.Above the return address in the top left hand corner d.Either B or C Assessment 10 Correct answer = D The Acquisition Mail Job ID number can be printed in the delivery address zone, aligned to the left above the barcode, or above the return address in the top left hand corner. Where can the Acquisition Mail Job ID number be printed?