Used by 700,000+ people
Free Australia Post 4-State barcode generator.
Australia Post's sorters read this code on bulk letters. Enter the 8-digit Delivery Point Identifier (DPID) and download the barcode.
How to create an Australia Post 4-State barcode
-
01
Get the DPID
Approved address-matching software (AMAS) adds DPIDs to your address list; enter one, such as
12345678. -
02
Size the bars
Turn off Show human-readable text, which shortens the bars. Set Resolution (dpi) 300 and Module width 6 Pixel: 0.51 mm bars, 5.7 mm full bars.
-
03
Leave the quiet zone
The image has no margin: keep 6 mm clear at the sides, 2 mm above and below.
What is the Australia Post 4-State Customer Barcode?
The Australia Post 4-State Customer Barcode encodes the DPID, the 8-digit number of one letterbox, PO Box or other delivery point. On bulk letters, it lets sorting machines sort to the address, not the postcode.
Required for discounted bulk letters
Australia Post's December 2024 fact sheet requires the barcode for discounted rates on PreSort Letters, Charity Mail, Promo Post and Reply Paid; it is optional for Print Post.
Print it 15–100 mm from the bottom edge, outside the cancelling and metering zone; above the address is the preferred spot. Sorters also read it through envelope windows.
Error correction and print tolerances
Twelve Reed-Solomon bars resist faulty printing, smudging and too much window reflectance, recovering up to two misread 3-bar symbols or up to four missing.
Major size errors can still invalidate it; the minimum gap matters most. Bars are 0.4–0.6 mm wide, gaps 0.4–0.7 mm, at 22–25 bars per inch.
Standard format online, all three in TBarCode
Online, the Standard Customer Barcode is free as GIF, PNG or JPG; SVG and higher print resolution come with a plan. One DPID needs no account; mailing lists need a data sheet and a free sign-in.
TBarCode SDK and TFORMer Server add Customer Barcodes 2 and 3, with your own data. TBarCode API returns images by URL.
Australia Post 4-State at a glance
- Specification
- Customer Barcoding Technical Specifications (Australia Post, 2012)
- Formats
- 37, 52 or 67 bars (format codes 11, 59, 62)
- Error correction
- 12 Reed-Solomon bars
- Full bar height
- 4.2–5.8 mm
- Quiet zone
- 6 mm at the sides, 2 mm above and below
How the 37 bars are built
| Bars | Field | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2, 36–37 | Start and stop bars | Bar values 1, 3 |
| 3–6 | Format control code | 11 |
| 7–22 | DPID | 12345678 |
| 23 | Filler bar | Bar value 3 |
| 24–35 | Reed-Solomon parity | 26, 44, 19, 15 |
Other postal codes
UK postcode in digits and capitals, with a check character.
Dutch postcode: digits and letters, no check digit.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about Australia Post 4-State.
What is a DPID?
What do format control codes 11, 59 and 62 mean?
Can I create a Reply Paid barcode?
Where does the human-readable text go?
More resources
Overview Linear Bar Code Symbologies (2/2)
Discover the world of linear barcode symbologies! Explore their unique characteristics and find the perfect fit for your needs. More information can be found…
ProductTBarCode SDK
The developer package for Windows: .NET, OCX and DLL components generate and print 100+ barcode symbologies from your applications.
ProductTFORMer Server
Your ERP sends the data – labels and forms print around the clock, unattended.
ProductTBarCode API
Request a barcode by URL and get an image back – no installation, no platform lock-in, the same engine behind every TEC-IT product.