Cash
News about cash usage in Australia
Cash
+1
Jun 10, 2026
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Big four move to outfox Armaguard at arm's length
ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac have asked the ACCC for authorisation to run cash distribution through a jointly owned company that replaces Westpac as the Reserve Bank's licence holder, spreads the banknote liability 25% each, and keeps Armaguard at arm's length.
Cash
+2
Jun 3, 2026
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Cards remain top of the charts but is cash making a comeback?
The Reserve Bank has released the results of the 2025 Consumer Payments survey, showing that cards remain king, account-to-account adoption remains slow, and cash might be making a resurgence.
Cash
+3
May 20, 2026
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Bank flags help catch smoke crooks, as Tyro cuts tobacco list by 30%
Bank reporting of illegal tobacco to AUSTRAC is ramping up and starting to have real world impacts, with suspect funds being confiscated after accounts were flagged by ANZ and Westpac. But there is a lot more to be done ... stores remain open and the trade continues to shift online, as illicit alcohol looms as the next big underworld threat.
Cash
+2
May 20, 2026
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Business groups seek urgent guidance on non-card discount rules
As the surcharge ban looms, industry groups are predicting the return of cash discounts and the introduction of benefits for account-to-account payments for online transactions - but what are the rules?
Cash
+1
May 20, 2026
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Other than fuel, Aussies are still spending as inflation pressure rises
With the Reserve Bank continuing to predict inflationary pain for the near term, new data from The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) suggests Aussies are continuing to splash out on discretionary items while shying away from the petrol pump.
Cash
+5
May 13, 2026
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Merchant fees hit record highs as card spending surges
Visa and Mastercard credit card merchant fees both reached 0.99% in the March quarter - the highest levels on record - while debit fees also climbed sharply. The increases come as card spending hit historic highs, with credit up 12% and debit surging 15% year-over-year, putting additional pressure on retailers already facing margin compression.
Cash
+1
May 13, 2026
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Westpac brings back cardless cash withdrawals ... with a twist
After pulling the plug in 2024, Westpac has brought back cardless cash withdrawals, to suit the modern era.
Cash
+1
May 6, 2026
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ACCC and RBA to step up in cash distribution role
Whilst the new pricing model for Armaguard continues to be delayed, Treasury is requesting feedback on a cash distribution bill, one that assigns new powers to the ACCC and RBA to ensure the sustainability of cash services in Australia.
Cash
+1
Apr 29, 2026
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Regional Australia doesn't need smarter ATMs, it needs bank branches
An ACCC filing suggests the Australian Banking Association wants multi-bank deposit ATMs to fill the gap left by 1,564 branch closures since 2020. But regional banks and their communities said a machine in a wall is no substitute for a person behind a counter.
Cash
+1
Apr 22, 2026
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Cash use trending up and “essential”: RBA
With $107 billion in cash notes circulating in the economy, the Reserve Bank reaffirms its commitment to “ensure cash remains a viable means of payment". New data shows around half of Australians use cash every week, and about 1.5 million adults rely on it as their main form of payment.
Cash
+5
Apr 15, 2026
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Cash still growing as ATM withdrawals hit a six-year high and debit surges
ATM withdrawals reached $9.3 billion in February, the highest single month since July 2020 when $9.7 billion was withdrawn. It is the only form of cash access still growing, up 2% annually as debit card usage continues to surge.
Cash
+4
Apr 8, 2026
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"The fees don't disappear": voices calling foul on Australia's surcharge ban
Over the past week, commentary from across industry - Brad Kelly, the co-founder of the Independent Payments Forum (IPF), John Arnott, Director of AMP Bank Go, Jason Bryce, a Melbourne-based financial journalist and founder of CashWelcome.org, and Dr Fei Gao, Lecturer from the University of Sydney Business School - has highlighted the level of concern about the RBA’s decision during a period of high inflation and economic uncertainty.
Cash
+1
Mar 25, 2026
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Cyclone Narelle exposes Australia's cashless fragility
Cyclone Narelle ripped through Cape York and slammed into the Northern Territory, affecting dozens of remote communities scattered across the Top End, including their ability to buy anything at all.
Cash
+4
Mar 18, 2026
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Debit cards hit 77% of volume and 70% of in-store purchase value for first time
Australian consumers continued their shift towards debit cards in January 2026, with debit reaching 77% of volume and a milestone 70% share of in-store card purchase value for the first time on record.
Cash
+1
Mar 11, 2026
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Is banking politics at play in lingering cash saga?
Despite the promise of special interest deals and approved closed-shop negotiations, Australia’s high drama cash distribution saga has dragged on for almost three years.
Cash
+4
Feb 18, 2026
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Australia breaks new records on card spending ... and merchant fees
New data shows 2025 saw record card usage in Australia, but fees charged to merchants for accepting those cards also increased across almost all card categories.
Cash
+1
Feb 18, 2026
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Cash demand up at branches as closures continue
The latest Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) statistics show demand for cash remains strong at bank branches, while some banks continue to close their doors at globally high rates.
Cash
+3
Feb 4, 2026
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Alan Townsend appointed CEO of EFTEX
Australian-based payments services provider EFTEX has announced Alan Townsend as their new Chief Executive Officer.
Cash
+3
Jan 14, 2026
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Australian card payments cross $1.1 trillion milestone
Australian card payment volumes have crossed the $1.1 trillion threshold for the first time, reaching $1.105 trillion over the past 12 months. The milestone reflects continued growth in consumer card usage.
Cash
+2
Jan 7, 2026
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Mandate kicks off a big year for cash policy, as ACCC greenlights ABA collaboration on distribution despite concerns
The Cash Acceptance Mandate became law on January 1 and the ACCC has now greenlighted the Australian Banking Association (ABA) to collaborate on cash distribution despite stakeholder concerns - kicking off a huge year for cash policy in Australia.
Cash
+9
Dec 17, 2025
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Massive year in payments but 2026 looms even larger
There will be little rest for the payments industry this summer, as businesses, regulators and lawmakers get ready for a raft of big changes in the New Year. In the final edition of PayDay News for 2025, we look at the big changes this year, and what to expect in 2026.
Cash
+2
Dec 10, 2025
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Device-not-present transactions account for 85% of card payment growth
The dominance of device-not-present payments continues to reshape the Australian payments landscape. The latest RBA data shows that of the $107.4 billion increase in annual card spend over the past year, $90.8 billion, 84.6% of total growth, has come from online shopping, bill payments and subscriptions.