Cash
News about cash usage in Australia
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ATM withdrawals reached $9.3 billion in February, the highest single month since July 2020 when $9.7 billion was withdrawn.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
+12
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.
Cash
+1
Nov 26, 2025
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Aussies prepare to flash cash in holiday sales bonanza
While cashless is king during the sales events leading up to Christmas, more than a quarter of shoppers will use cash for some purchases, according to Monash Business School’s annual seasonal retail research report.
Cash
+1
Nov 26, 2025
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Can an ATM passion project assist remote cash distribution blues?
NAB CEO Andrew Irvine has revealed his “passion project” - a multi-deposit ATM - to assist cash distribution in remote communities, but it turns out he isn't the only one in the industry with a deep enthusiasm for the technology.
Cash
+2
Nov 19, 2025
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The era of invisible finance: How AI, identity and trust are redefining money
The future of finance isn’t cashless. It’s conscious built on invisible intelligence and visible trust.
Cash
+1
Oct 29, 2025
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Cash strike hits Spring Carnival, as ACCC green lights continued collaboration
Strike action from cash-in-transit workers hit the Spring Racing Carnival just days after the ACCC has issued a draft determination green lighting the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and other industry partners to develop ways to ensure the continued distribution of cash across Australia.
Cash
+2
Oct 22, 2025
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CBA adopts QR cardless cash at ATMs to increase security
CBA has replaced Cashless Card and Cardless Deposits using mobile phone numbers with a QR solution in an effort to reduce financial crime.
Cash
+1
Oct 22, 2025
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Medicines and government services don’t qualify as “essential” under draft cash mandate rules
Only fuel and groceries have been classified as “essential purchases” under draft regulations released for comment on Friday, with medicines, government services and clothing among items failing to qualify.
Cash
+1
Oct 22, 2025
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Regional disadvantage key in cash submissions, but major players keep their views secret
After eight months in seeming purgatory, the mandating cash acceptance submissions are now available for viewing, but with major banks and retailers missing, it’s hard to decipher whose opinions on cash Treasury values.
