Stamp collecting

Definitive stamps

Definitive stamps have commonly used values (e.g. 70 cents), so they stay in circulation for a long time. These stamps are mostly used for posting standard letters.

Commemorative stamps

Commemorative stamps celebrate social or historical events of national importance.

Thematic stamps

These stamps have a common theme, such as animals, flowers, cars, dinosaurs, space travel or fairy tales. Stamp collections based on a particular theme will usually include stamps issued in different years by various countries.

Personalised stamps

Personalised stamps allow a photograph to be printed on the tab of a currently valid postage stamp and can feature photos of family members, friends or favourite pets.

Legend stamps

Australia Post once had a rule that no living person (except the Queen and members of her family) could be shown on stamps in their own right. In 1997 the first "Australian Legends" stamps were issued honouring Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's most famous cricketer.

Instant stamps

During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games the world's first instant stamps were produced for every Australian athlete or team that won a gold medal. They were available for purchase the day after the gold medal was presented.

First day covers

These are available on the first day that new stamps are issued. They have a picture on the envelope and a special postmark that relates to the stamp issue.

Miniature sheets

These are small sheets of stamps, often designed so that the stamps form part of a larger picture.

Maxicards

These are picture postcards with one stamp and a special first day of issue postmark.

Souvenir stamp sheets

Special stamp sheets that are produced for a variety of reasons and events: charities, football teams, concerts and even movies.

Stamp packs

These are folders containing a new set of stamps in mint condition. Information about the stamps is printed on the pack.

Sheetlets

Small sheets usually with ten stamps that can be of the same or different designs.