The parcel has ATL. The customer wants it left. But you're standing at the front of the property and there's literally nowhere to put it. No porch, no covered area, no letterbox big enough, no side gate, and the front door opens directly onto the footpath. Rain's coming in. The parcel is visible from the street. What do you do? This is one of the most common dilemmas delivery drivers face — and the wrong call can cost you.
ATL Doesn't Mean Leave It Anywhere
Authority to Leave means the customer has consented to their parcel being left without a signature. It does not mean you can leave it anywhere. ATL comes with an implied expectation that you'll leave it in a safe, secure, and reasonably sheltered location. If no such location exists, ATL doesn't override your judgement. For more on how delivery instructions work, see Australia Post parcel delivery information.
If a parcel is stolen or damaged because you left it in an exposed, visible, or unsuitable location, the ATL instruction won't fully protect you. The investigation will ask whether a reasonable person would have considered that location "safe." A parcel sitting on a wet footpath in full view of the street is not safe by anyone's definition.
Options Before You Card It
Check around the property. Walk the perimeter if you can. Is there a side gate? A carport? A meter box nook? A garden shed with an overhang? Experienced drivers develop an eye for spots that aren't obvious from the front. Behind a wheelie bin, under a bench seat, inside a screen door — all better than the open doorstep.
Ask a neighbour. If there's a neighbour home, you can ask if they'll accept the parcel on the customer's behalf. This is a judgement call — some companies allow it, others don't. If you do leave it with a neighbour, note it clearly in your delivery scan and leave a card at the original address.
Call the customer. If you have their number, a quick call can solve everything. They might have a specific hiding spot you can't see, or they might tell you to leave it with a neighbour, or they might be 5 minutes away.
Use a parcel bag. Some companies provide weatherproof parcel bags for situations like this. If yours does, use one. It doesn't solve the security problem but it handles the weather damage risk.
When to Card It
If there's genuinely nowhere safe — no cover, no concealment, no neighbour, no customer answer — card it. Leave a "sorry we missed you" card with clear instructions for redelivery or collection. Scan it with the appropriate code.
Yes, this adds a failed delivery to your stats. But a failed delivery is a minor inconvenience. A stolen or damaged parcel is a complaint, an investigation, and potentially a strike on your record. The maths is simple: card it and move on. Your stats will survive one missed stop. Your record might not survive a negligent delivery.