Australia Post could end the daily delivery of standard mail by the end of the year, under a new plan being considered by Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Turnbull is considering a three-day-a-week delivery of standard mail, as part of a rescue package for Australia Post to be presented to federal parliament in the next few months.

Australia Post, which last week announced that it would shed 900 jobs, is allegedly lobbying the government to remove rules requiring the company to deliver mail five days a week to 98 per cent of the population.

Mr Turnbull is expected to present to federal cabinet within months a plan for Australia Post, including three-day-a-week delivery of standard mail, according to Fairfax.

He also is considering introduction of a two-tiered pricing system, similar to the UK’s second-class mail service, for non-urgent letter deliveries.

Consumers wanting speedier letter delivery would pay more than the standard rate.

The situation for Australia Post is said to be urgent, with the company posting a loss of $218 million last year.

The Communications Minister is also considering introducing a two-tier pricing system for non-urgent letters, similar to a system used in the UK.

Customers wanting speedier mail delivery would have to pay more than the standard rate.

Australia Post managing director Ahmed Fahour visited Parliament on Tuesday and briefed politicians on the need for the reform.

”While letter volumes decline, we are committed to not only keeping our post offices open and vital to the communities they serve but also growing their relevance by evolving them from a reliance on letters through increasing the trusted products and services they offer,” said Mr Fahour.