The postal service says it's an option, after it lost $190 million on mail deliveries last year because people are sending fewer letters - down 25 per cent on five years ago.
Under a user-pays system, city residents who want their mail delivered faster or more often would have to pay for it.
"If you want it fast, you pay for it .. if you want it more frequent you pay more, if you want it express you pay more," Australia Post chairman John Stanhope told Fairfax media.
He said New Zealand had already tested delivering letters only three days a week and the response of users was "'that's ok'".
Rural customers would continue to have letters delivered five days a week, he said.
Australia Post raised the price of the basic stamp to 60c to 70c in March, but earnings continue to fall.
Its new corporate plan is due to be handed to the federal government in July.
Factbox: How the post could change for you
-Mail delivery may drop to three days a week in cities
-If you want it more often, you may have to pay more
-If you want it fast, you may have to pay more for express post than you do now
-Rural users will still have letters delivered five days a week.
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