Couriers Please vs Border Express: The Other Australian Logistics Power Couple
If StarTrack and Australia Post are the established power couple of Australian logistics, then Couriers Please and Border Express are the scrappy challengers that just merged families. Now under common ownership through FMH Group, these two carriers offer complementary services that—when used strategically—can provide a compelling alternative to the Australia Post ecosystem.
This article examines their ownership structure, reliability profiles, and when to choose each carrier for your logistics operations.
The Corporate Story: From Rivals to Siblings
The FMH Group Formation
The relationship between Couriers Please and Border Express is a recent development, born from Singapore Post’s aggressive expansion into the Australian market.
Timeline of Key Events:
- 1981: Border Express founded in Albury-Wodonga with just four staff members
- 1983: Couriers Please established as a franchise courier network
- 2020: Singapore Post (SingPost) invested in Freight Management Holdings (FMH Group)
- November 2023: FMH Group announced conditional agreement to acquire Border Express for A$210 million
- March 1, 2024: Border Express acquisition completed
- June 27, 2024: Couriers Please and FMH Group merger completed
- December 2024: SingPost announced sale of FMH Group to Pacific Equity Partners for A$1.02 billion enterprise value
- March 27, 2025: Pacific Equity Partners acquisition completed
Current Ownership Structure
FMH Group is now owned by Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), one of Australasia’s largest private equity firms with A$12 billion in assets under management. The group also includes private investors Damian Degenhardt (founder of efm Logistics) and Paul Little (former Managing Director of Toll Holdings).
The FMH Group portfolio now comprises:
- Couriers Please — Franchise parcel delivery network
- Border Express — B2B pallet and bulk freight
- efm Logistics — 4PL services
- Flip — Logistics technology platform
- Logistics Holdings Australia — Including GKR Transport, Niche Logistics, and Formby Logistics
- BagTrans and Spectrum Logistics — Specialty transport services
This structure places FMH Group among Australia’s top five logistics companies by revenue, with estimated annual revenue exceeding A$1.3 billion.
Brand Independence
Importantly, both Couriers Please and Border Express retain their own brand identities. Unlike the StarTrack/Australia Post “red and blue” split, these are genuinely different operations that happen to share a parent company. This means:
- Separate franchise networks (Couriers Please)
- Separate fleet operations (Border Express)
- Different technology platforms
- Distinct service models and pricing structures
Couriers Please: The Metro Franchise Specialist
Network Structure
Couriers Please operates as Australia’s fastest-growing franchised courier network, with a model similar to Aramex (formerly Fastway). Key characteristics:
- 800+ franchise territories across Australia
- 1,200+ couriers serving retail and business customers
- 18 depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Wollongong, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Central Coast, Newcastle, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong
- 5-Star FRANData rating for franchise operations
Service Focus
Couriers Please excels in metro-to-metro parcel delivery, particularly:
- eCommerce fulfilment — Small parcels, satchels, and cartons
- B2C residential delivery — Consumer-facing last mile
- Same-day metro options — Capital city express services
- Economy interstate — Budget-conscious lane selection
As CEO Richard Thame stated: “Our strong metro fleet will help us continue capitalising on the growth of eCommerce in capital cities, while our expanding regional footprint will provide a better service for the many Australians that have moved to regional areas.”
Franchise Model: The Double-Edged Sword
The franchise model creates both strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
- Local drivers who know their territories
- Entrepreneurial motivation for customer service
- Flexible capacity during peak periods
- Lower fixed costs enable competitive pricing
Weaknesses:
- Variable service quality between territories
- Limited control over individual franchisee behaviour
- Driver turnover affects consistency
- Some franchisees prioritise pickup revenue over delivery quality
As one OzBargain user noted: “Each of the couriers listed above are franchises. So each area will be different - some good, some bad. Depends on the drivers of each area.”
Border Express: The B2B Freight Workhorse
Company Profile
Border Express began in Albury-Wodonga in 1981 and has grown into a national pallet and bulk freight operator. The company now employs approximately 1,700 staff and contractors with presence across every state and territory.
Service Focus
Border Express specialises in B2B logistics:
- Bulk Express — Mass distribution pallet freight for business-to-business operations
- Parcel Express — B2B parcel delivery services
- Warehousing — Strategically located warehouse network
- Linehaul — Interstate road freight for retailers and wholesalers
As the company describes: “From a pallet to a skid, we are committed to delivering 100% of freight with safety at the forefront.”
Key Capabilities
Pallet Delivery: Border Express offers end-to-end pallet delivery that minimises costs and manual handling. Whether moving a full trailer load or a single pallet, they leverage their logistics network for nationwide delivery.
Major Retailer Focus: The company positions itself as a partner for large retailers, FMCG brands, and corporate clients requiring bulk logistics movements. Their B2B fulfilment expertise includes wholesale-to-retail distribution with palletised products for large-scale operations.
Technology: Border Express offers real-time tracking with nationwide “sign on glass” coverage, providing visibility from dispatch to delivery.
Customer Experience: The Unfiltered Reality
Couriers Please Reviews
The customer feedback for Couriers Please is challenging reading.
ProductReview.com.au: The company has mixed reviews with significant complaints about service quality.
ComplaintsBoard: Average rating of 1 star from 251 reviews, with the majority of customers dissatisfied.
Sitejabber: 1.3 stars from 138 reviews.
Common Complaints:
Fake Delivery Attempts: From a March 2025 review: “They send you no notification when onboard for delivery, then you receive an SMS stating attempted delivery failed. LIES! Two of us were in our apartment until one and a half hours AFTER the alleged attempt. No one even buzzed the intercom.”
Lost Parcels: “Worst customer service ever. Will lose your parcels/deliver them to someone else then ignore any attempts of trying to make contact with them. Out of the 4 times I’ve had deliveries go through Couriers Please, I’ve only ever had one successful delivery.”
Customer Service Issues: “Extraordinarily bad customer service. If you have a question, you can only ‘communicate’ with an AI bot despite the bot noting that email is an option.”
Fraudulent Signatures: One customer reported going to a Couriers Please depot and “was advised it was signed for fraudulently in my name.”
The Insider Perspective: Perhaps most concerning, an August 2024 employee review stated: “Typical day involves not delivering packages and leaving them at the nearest pickup point. It’s easier and more cost effective that way. Parcel pickups and 80% of the job and where the money is made. Management’s directives not mine.”
Positive Couriers Please Experiences
Not all feedback is negative. From OzBargain discussions:
“Couriers Please is actually improving. Used them under protest as the AP costs were getting out of hand and have been very impressed with the quality of their service of late.”
“CP at my place is awesome. If it comes from Amazon, it always gets delivered by 8am. Unlike AusPost, gets to my area around 12pm to 3pm.”
This variability underscores the franchise model reality: your experience depends entirely on your local franchisee.
Border Express Reviews
Border Express fares slightly better but still faces criticism.
ProductReview.com.au: 1.4 out of 5 stars from 340 reviews.
Common Complaints:
Delivery Delays: Customers report parcels arriving at destinations like Melbourne Airport and then sitting for up to 2 weeks with no resolution.
Routing Errors: “One delivery that was supposed to go from NSW to SA within about 5 days ended up in WA after over 2 weeks.”
Communication Issues: “Difficult to communicate with… tracking does not correspond with dates given in emails.”
Damage: Some shipments arrive “poorly packaged, unstable on 2 broken pallets, smashed vanity top, 2 forklift tyne wide holes in the vanity base.”
Positive Border Express Experiences
From ProductReview.com.au:
“Previously a long-suffering TOLL customer… could not be happier with all aspects of our Border Express account.”
“Every bill has been what we expected or lower. Real good service.”
One customer reported an appliance purchased from suburban Sydney on Thursday was delivered to remote regional Victoria by the following Monday.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Service Model Comparison
| Factor | Couriers Please | Border Express |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | B2C parcels, eCommerce | B2B pallet freight |
| Network model | Franchise (800+ territories) | Company-operated fleet |
| Typical parcel size | Satchels, small cartons (0-30kg) | Pallets, bulk freight (30kg+) |
| Best for | Metro-to-metro consumer delivery | Interstate B2B, retail distribution |
| Pickup service | Yes (franchise-dependent) | Yes (scheduled) |
| Tracking | Basic | Sign-on-glass nationwide |
Reliability Comparison
| Factor | Couriers Please | Border Express |
|---|---|---|
| Review score (ProductReview) | ~1.0-1.3 stars | 1.4 stars |
| First-attempt delivery | Highly variable by franchise | More consistent |
| Customer service | AI bot, limited human access | Phone/email available |
| Damage rates | Lower (smaller parcels) | Higher (pallet handling) |
| On-time performance | Variable | Generally reliable for B2B |
Pricing Comparison
| Factor | Couriers Please | Border Express |
|---|---|---|
| Metro satchels | Very competitive | Not applicable |
| Interstate parcels | Economy pricing | Premium B2B rates |
| Pallet freight | Not applicable | Competitive for bulk |
| Surcharges | Minimal | Standard freight surcharges |
| Contract pricing | Available | Account-based negotiation |
When to Choose Each Carrier
Choose Couriers Please When:
- Metro-to-metro small parcels: Their franchise network is optimized for capital city satchel delivery
- eCommerce B2C fulfilment: Consumer deliveries where cost matters more than premium tracking
- Budget-conscious shipping: Economy lanes where Couriers Please provides some of the lowest shipping rates
- Your local franchise is reliable: Test first, then commit volume if performance is consistent
- Pickup is important: Franchisees are incentivized to collect parcels
Choose Border Express When:
- B2B pallet deliveries: Their core competency is mass distribution to business addresses
- Wholesale/retail distribution: Multi-pallet consignments to retail chains
- Interstate bulk freight: Road linehaul across state borders
- You need accountability: Company-operated fleet with consistent standards
- FMCG and retail: Their network is designed for recurring business freight
Consider Both (Multi-Carrier Strategy):
The FMH Group ownership creates potential for integrated solutions:
- Consumer orders under 5kg: Route through Couriers Please
- B2B orders or pallets: Route through Border Express
- High-value metro urgent: Consider premium alternatives
- Regional/remote: Evaluate Australia Post for network reach
How They Compare to StarTrack/Australia Post
Structural Parallels
| Comparison | StarTrack/AusPost | Couriers Please/Border Express |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | Australia Post (Government-owned) | FMH Group (PEP-owned) |
| Consumer brand | Australia Post | Couriers Please |
| B2B brand | StarTrack | Border Express |
| Network reach | National (including remote) | National (metro-focused) |
| PO Box/Locker access | Exclusive | Not available |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes (Express Post) | No |
Key Differences
Ownership Model: StarTrack/AusPost are government-owned with community service obligations. FMH Group is private equity-owned, focused on commercial returns.
Network Reach: Australia Post has unmatched remote/regional penetration. Couriers Please/Border Express are stronger in metro corridors but weaker in remote areas.
Service Consistency: Australia Post maintains more consistent (if sometimes slower) service standards. Franchise models like Couriers Please have higher variance.
B2B Specialisation: Both StarTrack and Border Express target business freight, but StarTrack benefits from Australia Post’s air freight network while Border Express is road-focused.
The Integration Opportunity
Current State
Despite common ownership since mid-2024, Couriers Please and Border Express retain separate operations. However, FMH Group’s strategy emphasizes:
- Economies of scale through shared infrastructure
- Technology integration via the Flip platform
- Cross-selling between consumer and B2B services
- Operational optimization across the portfolio
What This Means for Shippers
- Single relationship potential: One account manager for both parcel and freight needs
- Technology synergies: Expect improved tracking and integration options
- Network sharing: Border Express linehaul may enhance Couriers Please regional reach
- Pricing leverage: Combined volume may unlock better rates
Private Equity Implications
With Pacific Equity Partners now in control, expect:
- Focus on profitability and operational efficiency
- Potential for further consolidation or acquisitions
- Investment in technology and automation
- Eventual exit (typically 5-7 years for PE ownership)
Practical Recommendations
For eCommerce Businesses
- Test your local Couriers Please franchise: Send 10-20 test parcels before committing volume
- Monitor delivery success rates: Track first-attempt delivery by postcode
- Have a backup carrier: Franchise variability means you need alternatives
- Use for metro economy lanes: Best value is Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane corridors
For B2B/Wholesale Operations
- Consider Border Express for pallet freight: Competitive with Toll and TNT for interstate pallets
- Negotiate account rates: Volume commitments unlock better pricing
- Request dedicated account management: Essential for ongoing freight relationships
- Verify multi-box scanning: Some reports of incomplete manifesting for multi-carton shipments
For Multi-Channel Retailers
- Segment by order profile: Consumer orders through Couriers Please, wholesale through Border Express
- Build routing rules: Automate carrier selection based on weight, destination, and customer type
- Leverage FMH relationship: Ask about integrated pricing across both brands
- Maintain Australia Post for reach: Neither FMH carrier matches AusPost remote coverage
Conclusion
Couriers Please and Border Express represent a credible alternative to the StarTrack/Australia Post duopoly—but with important caveats.
Couriers Please offers competitive metro parcel rates through its franchise network, but service quality varies dramatically by territory. It’s best suited for cost-conscious shippers willing to monitor performance and switch lanes when franchisees underperform.
Border Express provides solid B2B pallet and bulk freight services, with better consistency than its consumer-focused sibling. It competes effectively with Toll and other road freight operators for business-to-business distribution.
Together under FMH Group, they offer the potential for integrated logistics solutions—but the integration is still maturing. The recent transition to Pacific Equity Partners ownership suggests continued investment in the platform, though private equity timelines mean eventual ownership changes are likely.
For shippers, the key is understanding each carrier’s strengths:
- Metro B2C parcels: Test Couriers Please, monitor closely
- Interstate B2B pallets: Border Express is a strong contender
- Remote/regional: Neither matches Australia Post’s reach
- Premium express: Consider StarTrack or dedicated express carriers
The logistics landscape continues to consolidate, and the FMH Group portfolio represents one of the more interesting challengers to Australia’s postal incumbents. Whether that translates to reliability improvements remains to be seen—but the pieces are now in place for meaningful competition.
Sources
- FMH Group - Border Express Acquisition Announcement
- Couriers Please and FMH Group Merger Completion
- Parcel and Postal Technology International - FMH Group Acquires Border Express
- Prime Mover Magazine - Border Express Acquisition Complete
- Singapore Post - FMH Divestment Announcement
- Pacific Equity Partners - FMH Group Acquisition
- Business News Australia - PEP Buys FMH for $776m
- Tegral - Border Express/CouriersPlease Top-5 Status
- Border Express Official Website
- Border Express - Bulk Freight Services
- Border Express - B2B Fulfillment Guide
- Couriers Please - Franchise Opportunities
- Couriers Please - New Depot Expansion
- Border Express Reviews - ProductReview.com.au
- Couriers Please Reviews - ComplaintsBoard
- Couriers Please Reviews - Sitejabber
- Couriers Please Reviews - Trustpilot
- Couriers Please Employee Reviews - Indeed
- OzBargain - Courier Comparison Discussions
- OzBargain - Couriers Please Discussion
- Easyship - Sendle Alternatives Australia
- Couriers and Freight - Interstate Pallet Shipping
- ShipBob - StarTrack vs Auspost