Apartment blocks are the time killers of courier work. You drive up, there's no parking, you find a spot two streets away, walk back to the building, the intercom doesn't work, you buzz six units before someone lets you in, the lift takes three minutes, and by the time you've delivered one parcel you've burned 10 minutes on a single stop. Multiply that across a run with 20 apartment deliveries and you're an hour behind before lunch. Here's how experienced drivers handle apartments without losing their minds — or their schedule.
Before You Arrive
Group your apartment stops. If you have multiple parcels for the same building — or buildings on the same block — deliver them all at once. Don't visit the same apartment complex three separate times because the stops are scattered through your manifest. Reorganise your route so apartment clusters are done together.
Check for delivery instructions. Many apartment residents leave specific instructions: "leave with concierge," "parcel locker code 4521," "buzz unit 3 for access." Read these before you arrive. According to Australia Post apartment delivery information, apartment residents can set delivery preferences that make your job significantly easier — if you check for them.
Load apartment parcels together. When loading your van in the morning, keep all apartment deliveries in the same section or crate. Being able to grab four parcels for the same building in one go saves you from digging through the van at each stop.
Getting Inside
Concierge / reception: Many larger apartment buildings have a concierge or reception desk. This is the fastest option — hand all parcels for the building to the concierge in one go. They'll distribute them. Always get a signature or scan confirmation from the concierge.
Parcel lockers: An increasing number of apartment buildings have parcel lockers in the lobby or mail room. If the building has them and you have access, use them. Scan, place, close, done. No need to go upstairs at all.
Intercom systems: If there's no concierge and no locker, you're buzzing. Call the specific unit first. If no answer, try the building manager's unit (usually marked on the intercom). Some buildings have a tradesperson or delivery button that provides lobby access during business hours.
Tailgating: Sometimes a resident will hold the door or you'll catch the door as someone leaves. This is a grey area — some buildings prohibit it for security reasons. Use your judgement, but don't prop doors open or bypass security systems. If you can't get legitimate access, card it.
Inside the Building
Use the lift wisely. If you have parcels for multiple floors, start from the top and work down. This way you're only waiting for the lift once. Deliver the top-floor parcel, take the stairs down one or two floors for the next ones, and walk down to the lobby.
Unit numbering: Apartment numbering isn't always logical. Unit 401 isn't necessarily on floor 4 — some buildings use different numbering systems. If you're confused, check the building directory in the lobby or ask the concierge. Don't wander floor to floor guessing — it wastes time and looks suspicious on security cameras.
Fire stairs: Learn where the fire stairs are. For delivering across 2–3 adjacent floors, stairs are faster than waiting for a slow lift. Just make sure the stair doors don't lock behind you — some buildings have one-way fire doors that won't let you back onto the floor.
When You Can't Get In
If you can't access the building — no intercom answer, no concierge, no access code — card it. Leave the card in the building's mail area if accessible, or at the main entrance. Don't leave parcels in the foyer of an unsecured building — they'll disappear.
For buildings you deliver to regularly, build a cheat sheet: access codes, concierge hours, which intercom buttons work, where the parcel lockers are, and the best place to park. This local knowledge turns a 10-minute nightmare into a 2-minute stop.
Pro tip: If you deliver to the same apartments daily, introduce yourself to the concierge by name. A good relationship with building staff means they'll hold doors for you, accept parcels on behalf of residents, and tip you off about access changes. That five-second "thanks mate, see you tomorrow" builds goodwill that saves you minutes every single day.