I send everything in teh UK recorded but not overseas, typical one has got "lost"

[Saltire]

I emailed the buyer after the sale ended and said that due to me being housebound with a bad back DH wold post it but it might be more than 5 days after sale. She replied that was ok, and aslso sent a seperate email asking if I was selling any other boys clothes aged 7/8.

Parcel was posted on28th August, of course it was a BH so it probably wouldnt go until the Tuesday.
She has now emailed me and said "parcel not arrived please advise"

This is typical, I always send parcels recorded in UK ans have had too many parcels allegedly not arrive but to have snet this reocrded to Austrailia would ahve cost over £5

would this have anything to do with the strikes that have been happening over the last few weeks? I know there is a backlog of post somewhere.

have a look on the RM site to see how long it can take. parcels often travel the world before getting there.
I'm sure you already realise - charge the buyer the recorded postage in future.

Keep communicating with the payer, telling her that it can take up to X days and to please let you know when it arrives. tell her you will try and track it for her.

I'm the same I post recorded for Uk but find it very expensive for overseas. You can claim from RM if you have proof of posting. I did for a parcel to Poland recently. It took much longer to process than a UK one and you have to ask for a different form from the PO but you will get your money back in the end.
Australia is a long way away though, I'd give it a few more days before offering a refund.

So should I tell her that because of various strikes could she give it at least another 10 days, or is that too much? Will RM refund for the cost of the item as well or just postage?

I've had 7 ebay parcels not arrive here (Italy) and tbh, thinking that ebay would think I was a scammer, didn't even ask the last 3 sellers for a refund....learned my lesson though, and now plead with sellers to send me anything international signed for...

However, when stuff does arrive, (even not signed for) it does arrive within 3-4 days usually, so I'd say your Ozzie package was probably lost. You can claim I think from the Rm also for the contents, but it takes them yonks to come up with the money for you. IIRC the RM ask you to wait 6 weeks (or something) before making a claim.

what it says on RM site

We provide compensation cover for the value of your item up to the value of 100 First Class stamps in the event of loss or damage

ie £39