Australia Post has told its workers 900 jobs will go as part of a restructure that will split its post and parcel businesses.

As fewer people post letters, and losses in that part of the business mount, the Government-owned company is planning to operate its retail, mail and communications services under the Australia Post brand, and its parcel post and express mail services under the StarTrack courier banner.

Australia Post says the changes will result in a leaner administration, with 900 managerial and support positions going over the next year, mostly from its head office in Melbourne.

It chief executive Ahmed Fahour says Australia Post’s front-line employees, such as posties and retail staff, will not be affected by the cuts.

“We have robust, well-established processes to manage these situations respectfully,” he said in a statement.

“We will also consult with the appropriate representatives of our employees throughout this process.”

Nicholas Reece, a public policy fellow at Melbourne University who was an adviser for former prime minister Julia Gillard, says foreign postal services have suffered far worse job cuts.

“If you look at postal businesses overseas they have had huge job losses in recent years,” he said.

“Royal Mail has lost about 50,000 jobs over the last decade, whereas the once mighty US Post has shed about 70,000 jobs in the last two years alone,” Mr Reece said.

Australia Post job cuts: Postal service confirms 900 jobs will go as part of restructure