The label says "42 Smith Street" — but Smith Street has 42A, 42B, and 42C, and there's no unit number on the parcel. Or the suburb is there but the street number is missing. Or the street name exists in two different suburbs on your run. Incomplete addresses are one of the most common daily frustrations for delivery drivers, and they lead to more misdeliveries, failed attempts, and wasted time than almost any other issue.
Common Incomplete Address Problems
Missing unit or apartment number: The most common issue. "42 Smith Street" for an apartment block with 20 units. You can't deliver to a building — you need a specific unit. According to Australia Post addressing guidelines, addresses should include the unit or lot number before the street number for multi-dwelling properties.
Missing street number: "Smith Street, Springfield" — but no house number. This makes delivery impossible without further information.
Abbreviated or misspelled streets: "Smth St" instead of "Smith Street" or "Sturt" instead of "Stuart." Your GPS may not recognise the abbreviation, or it may take you to the wrong street entirely.
Wrong suburb / postcode mismatch: The street exists in the suburb listed, but the postcode belongs to a different suburb. Which one is correct? Without clarification, you're guessing.
What to Do
Check the barcode/system first. Your scanner or delivery app may have more information than the printed label. The system record sometimes includes a full address that didn't print correctly on the connote. Always cross-reference.
Call the customer. If the phone number is on the manifest, a quick call solves the problem in 30 seconds. "Hi, I've got a parcel for 42 Smith Street but there's no unit number — can you confirm?" Most customers are happy to clarify.
Use Google Maps. Street View can show you the property. If there are multiple units at the address, you'll see them. If the address doesn't exist, Street View will tell you before you waste time driving there.
Ask dispatch. Your dispatcher can contact the sender or look up the order details in the system. They may have access to the customer's full address from the original order.
Use local knowledge. If you've been on the same run for a while, you may know the property. "42 Smith Street" might ring a bell — you've delivered there before and you know it's unit 3.
Don't guess. If you can't confirm the correct address through any of these methods, scan it as undeliverable and return it to the depot. A returned parcel is an inconvenience. A parcel delivered to the wrong address is a complaint, a potential investigation, and someone who doesn't get what they paid for.