The many changes in recent years to postal services and the proliferation of often short lived services and related stamps and stationery, often managed at a state or local level, has meant that many aspects of Australia's Post's operations have not been studied fully and are not sufficiently represented in Australia Post's archives.

The Australia Post Cup will be held annually in conjunction with a national or modified national philatelic exhibition in Australia.  The winning entry will receive a trophy and a cash prize of $1,000 donated by Australia Post.  An exhibit can only win the prize once.  All entries will receive a momento and a certificate.

Entries will be judged by the Manager of the Philatelic Section of Australia Post (or nominee), the Australia Post archivist, and two national philatelic judges chosen for their experience and knowledge of philatelic research.

Entries will be judged on the following points basis (modified 2007):

Knowledge and Research - 30 points
Importance to the national record of Australian postal services - 30 points
Treatment - 20 points
Condition and Rarity - 15 points
Presentation - 5 points

Australia Post may choose to offer to purchase any exhibit shown in competition for the Australia Post Archives.  The exhibitor may choose to offer to accept or decline such an offer.  The purchase price and all details relating to such sale would be solely a matter for agreement between the exhibitor and Australia Post.  Every exhibitor must however agree to provide Australia Post with a copy of their exhibit for lodgement in the Australia Post Archive.  The copyright of the exhibit would remain with the exhibitor.