How to Set Up Shopify Shipping Notification Emails with Australia Post Tracking URLs

If you’re using the SellerDash: AusPost Shipping app, you already have the hard part handled and are generating labels and pushing tracking numbers back into Shopify. You can use this information to notify your customers their item is due for dispatch, who it will be delivered by and the tracking number. 

Clear, timely shipping notifications reduce support tickets, increase trust, and improve repeat purchase rates. Here’s how to set them up properly, and do it without blowing your budget.

What Are Transactional Messages?

Transactional messages are automated emails or SMS’ triggered by a customer action. They are not promotional, they are sent because something happened.

Examples:

• Order confirmation

• Shipping confirmation

• Tracking updates

• Delivery confirmation

• Refund confirmation

Promotional emails, on the other hand, are marketing-driven:

• Sales announcements

• Product launches

• Discount offers

• Newsletters

The key difference? Transactional emails are operational. Promotional emails are optional. That distinction matters, especially when it comes to compliance and deliverability.

Types of transactional emails and/or SMS (and when to send them)

For eCommerce brands shipping with Australia Post, the most important ones are:

1. Order confirmation typically sent by the Shopify store

When: Immediately after checkout

Why: Confirms payment and order details.

2. Shipping confirmation typically sent by the Shopify store

When: After the order is fulfilled

Why: Includes tracking details and estimated delivery time.

3. Tracking updates typically sent by the carrier eg Australia Post

When: Upon carrier status changes

Why: Gives customers more accurate delivery timeframes.

4. Delivery confirmation updates typically sent by the carrier eg Australia Post

When: Once marked delivered

Why: Reduces “Where is my order?” emails and theft disputes.

Sending transactional emails on a budget

If you’re using Shopify, your first 10,000 emails per month are free through Shopify Messages. For most Australian eCommerce businesses, that’s more than enough to cover transactional messaging and an expensive third-party platform is not required.

Where to find transactional emails in Shopify To edit customer notifications in Shopify, navigate to Settings → Notifications → Customer Notifications. 

Here you can view all your Customer notifications templates. 

How Shopify knows when to send an email or SMS

Shopify sends transactional emails based on order status changes.

For example:

• When an order is created → Order Confirmation is triggered

• When an order is fully paid for → Invoice is triggered

• When an order is marked “Fulfilled” → Shipping Confirmation is triggered

You can also use Shopify Flow to create custom conditions.

For example:

• Send a different email if order value > $200

• Trigger a notification only when express shipping is selected

• Send internal alerts for specific SKUs

Shopify Flow allows you to trigger actions when an order meets specific conditions, without manual work.

How this works with SellerDash: AusPost Shipping App

After you print a shipping label in SellerDash:

• The app retrieves the Australia Post tracking number.

• When you press the green Fulfill button (or bulk fulfill in a batch), SellerDash uploads the tracking number back to the Shopify order.

• The order status changes to Fulfilled.

That status change is what triggers Shopify’s default Shipping Confirmation email.

If you’re using SellerDash correctly, this process is automatic. No copy-paste, no manual tracking updates, and no missed notifications.

What your shipping confirmation email should include

It is recommended you review the default template before using it and include your branding, tone of voice and: 

• Confirmation the order has been packed and dispatched

• Confirmation of who is shipping the order, eg Australia Post

• The tracking number with a link

• Estimated delivery timeframe (if known)

A simple example:

"Good news, your order is on its way.

Your order has been packed and is now being delivered by Australia Post. You can track the status of your shipment by clicking on this link: [order tracking url].”

Tracking updates

Once items are manifested or scanned by Australia Post they will send tracking updates to every customer with more accurate delivery timeframes.

What you must know before sending transactional emails

Just because transactional emails aren’t promotional doesn’t mean you can ignore compliance. You need to understand:

• Anti-spam laws in your region

• Anti-spam laws in the countries you sell to

• Data privacy regulations

In Australia, that includes the Spam Act.

In the US, CAN-SPAM.

In Europe, GDPR.

Transactional emails are generally permitted without marketing consent, BUT adding promotional content inside them can change their classification.

Best practice summary

If you’re using SellerDash: AusPost Shipping app, this would be the best practice process:

• Create and print your label

• Press Fulfill

• Shopify automatically trigger the Shipping Confirmation email

• Rely on Australia Post to send follow-up tracking updates once scanned

Do this well and you’ll reduce support load, improve trust, and increase repeat purchases, all without adding complexity to your workflow or expensive third parties.