Postal concessions for the Blind

About the program

The Postal Concessions for the Blind (PCB) program provides free postal for eligible items, through Australia Post. This program is for people who are blind or vision impaired, and organisations whose primary purpose is to service the needs of the blind and vision impaired.

Eligible items

Eligible items include:

• correspondence, documents or literature written completely in embossed characters as used by the blind, such as Braille or Moon
• aids for the teaching of Braille
• devices for accessing literature, or producing or displaying tactile information, including software for the translation to/from Braille or Moon
• plates for embossing literature for the blind
• special paper intended solely for the blind, on the condition that any communication on the paper is wholly in Braille or Moon
• any form of speech recording for use by the blind
• large print products.

Eligible items can be sent using domestic mail, international surface mail and international airmail.

Individuals using the program

You can send eligible items under PCB if you are blind or vision impaired. You can also use PCB if you are not blind or visually impaired but are sending an eligible item to someone who is.

To send an eligible item using PCB:

1. Make sure the delivery or return address is written on the outside of your item.
2. Attach an ‘Articles for the Blind’ label (available at Australia Post upon request) or write the words ‘Materials for Use of the Blind’ on your item.
3. Post your item at Australia Post.

Organisations using the program

If you are an organisation whose primary purpose is to service the needs of the blind and vision impaired, and/or are regularly sending or receiving eligible items, we encourage you to become an eligible participant.

The steps for organisations are:

1. Submit your application form if you are not already an approved organisation. If your application is successful, your organisation will be notified via email and will be issued with a PCB sub-account number and contract mailing statement.
2. Once your organisation is approved, make sure the delivery or return address is written on the outside of your item. 
3. Attach an ‘Articles for the Blind’ label (available at Australia Post upon request) or write the words ‘Materials for Use of the Blind’ on your item. The PCB sub-account number must be quoted when lodging articles at your nominated Lodgement Centre or Post Office.
4. Post the item at Australia Post.

Please note that PCB is not available if you are an Australian Government agency.

Visit the Australia Post website for more information about delivery for the vision impaired(Opens in a new tab/window).