SHOPIFY · AUSTRALIA POST · CHECKOUT
Australia Post rates in Shopify without the Advanced plan
Live Australia Post rates from any app need a Shopify feature called third-party carrier-calculated shipping. Advanced and Plus include it. On Grow you can get it with annual billing or a monthly add-on. On Basic you can't, but you can still charge accurate postage.
Checked November 2026. Shopify changes plans and prices, so confirm with Shopify before you upgrade.
Why your Australia Post app shows no rates
Shopify only asks an outside app for shipping prices at checkout if your store has third-party carrier-calculated shipping turned on. Without it, the app can be installed and set up correctly and your customers still only see the flat rates in your shipping settings. That's why "my shipping app isn't showing at checkout" is such a common question. It's usually your Shopify plan, not the app.
This applies to every app that quotes live rates: Australia Post apps, multi-carrier apps and TrkShp alike. Shopify's own built-in carrier rates don't cover Australia Post.
Which plans include it
| Shopify plan | Carrier-calculated shipping |
|---|---|
| Basic (and Starter) | Not available |
| Grow (was "Shopify") | Included with annual billing, or a monthly add-on through Shopify Support |
| Advanced | Included |
| Plus | Included |
Shopify doesn't publish the add-on price. Merchants commonly report about US$20 a month. Ask Shopify Support for the current price before you decide. If you're on Grow and paying monthly, compare the add-on with the saving from switching to annual billing.
How to check your store
In Shopify admin, open Settings → Shipping and delivery, choose a shipping profile and add a rate to your Australia zone. If your store has carrier-calculated shipping, you can choose to use a carrier or app to calculate rates. If you only see flat-rate options, you don't have it yet.
TrkShp also checks when you first open the app. If carrier-calculated shipping is missing, it tells you in plain steps what to change, so you're not left wondering why checkout shows nothing.
Is it worth paying for?
Live rates matter most when your parcels vary a lot in weight and size, or you ship plenty to WA, NT and remote postcodes. In those cases one flat rate either overcharges city customers, who then abandon the cart, or undercharges far-away ones, which eats your margin.
A rough test: work out how much you lose a month on orders where postage cost more than you charged. If it's more than the add-on, live rates pay for themselves. Our guide to your true shipping cost per order shows how to count the real cost, including packaging and handling.
If you stay on Basic: price postage with real numbers
You can't show live rates, but you can get close with Shopify's own rate settings.
- Use satchel prices for flat rates. Australia Post prepaid satchels cost the same anywhere in Australia. If most of your orders fit a satchel, a flat rate at the satchel price is close to exact. Compare satchel and box prices for your parcels with our free satchel vs box checker.
- Add weight-based rates for bigger orders. Shopify lets you set rates by order weight within a zone. Check a few real Australia Post prices for each weight band and set each rate at the dearer end, so heavier orders don't lose money.
- Price remote areas separately. If your settings allow a separate zone or rate for WA, NT or Tasmania, use it. Otherwise lean your rates towards those costs.
- Set a free shipping threshold on purpose. Our free shipping threshold calculator works out the order value where free shipping still leaves you a profit.
- Re-check after price changes. Australia Post usually changes prices once a year. Update your rates each time it does.
Frequently asked questions
Can I show live Australia Post rates on the Shopify Basic plan?
Not through an app. Live rates from an app need Shopify's third-party carrier-calculated shipping, and Shopify doesn't offer it on Basic. You can still set flat or weight-based rates by zone based on real Australia Post prices.
Which Shopify plans include carrier-calculated shipping?
Advanced and Plus include it. On Grow (the plan that used to be called Shopify) it's included with annual billing, or you can add it for a monthly fee by contacting Shopify Support. Plans and prices change, so confirm with Shopify before you switch.
How much is the carrier-calculated shipping add-on?
Shopify doesn't publish the fee in its Help Center. Merchants have commonly reported about US$20 a month on monthly billing. Ask Shopify Support for the current price on your plan.
How do I know if my store already has it?
When you add a rate to a shipping zone, stores that have it can choose to use a carrier or app to calculate rates. Shipping apps that need it, including TrkShp, also check this for you when you first open them.
Is flat-rate shipping good enough for an Australian store?
Often, yes. Australia Post prepaid satchels have one price anywhere in Australia, so if most orders fit a satchel, a flat rate matches your postage closely. It's less accurate for heavy or bulky items and remote postcodes.