Australia Post advertises 4,000 new jobs including 1,000 delivery drivers as customers buy record amounts online while stuck in lockdown

Australia Post is hiring more than 4,000 new staff as locked-down consumers buy online in unprecedented numbers.

The national mail carrier is so flat out delivering parcels during the pandemic that every day is like Christmas - which is also coming up fast.

One thousand of the jobs that need to be filled are delivery drivers.

Australia Post needs to fill more than 4,000 roles nationwide leading into Christmas (stock image)

'Our posties and drivers have been out there since March last year often delivering on most days like it's Christmas,' executive general manager Nicole Sheffield said.

'We know that Australians are relying on us more than ever and will continue to in the coming months, which is why we are putting some key measures in place to be ready for our biggest Christmas ever.'

Australia Post predicts close to 500,000 parcels will be delivered before the end of 2021.

Up to 3,500 positions in delivery need to be filled urgently, including 350 in regional areas.

About 1,000 of those delivery roles will be drivers, plus 2,100 staff to assist in sorting mountains of parcels.

Customer support roles will also be available in Victoria and Queensland.

Australia Post expects close to 500,000 parcels will be delivered before the end of the year (pictured, a postman on his route in Brisbane)

Despite difficulties due to Covid-19 safety requirements, Australia Post said the vast majority of parcels are still being delivered on time.

Fewer passengers on domestic flights due to state border closures has also reduced air freight capacity.

'We have introduced a series of measures to keep our people and customers safe, so while it means there might be some slight delays, Australians should know we are working harder than ever to keep delivering their parcels safely,' Ms Sheffield said.