Pro-cash advocates have hailed the “comeback” of physical money after fresh data revealed an uptick in the use of notes and coins.
About 15 per cent of payments were made using cash in 2025, up from 13 per cent in 2022, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest consumer payments survey shows.
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It was the first time since 2007 — when we paid for 70 per cent of purchases using cash — that the use of physical money has increased.
The survey also highlighted the fact about half of all Australians use cash in a typical week, and 1.5 million adults “rely mainly” on it to make payments.
Three quarters of Australians carry notes and coins for emergencies, with the median amount held being $65.
“People from all demographic groups regularly used cash, but older Australians and lower income households tended to use cash somewhat more often than others,” the RBA found.
People living in regional areas were more likely to use cash than those in capital cities, “but the difference is smaller than it was in the 2010s”.
Australians lean on cash more frequently for leisure activities including visiting the cinema or local community events, but the use of notes has fallen most heavily when dining out and paying for transport, including taxis and parking.
It is used most commonly for smaller transactions, with one in four payments under $10 made with cash.
“The results suggest that one-third of Australians would face hardship or major inconvenience if cash was difficult to access or if shops did not accept cash,” the RBA said.
“The survey results highlight the important role of cash in an inclusive and resilient payments system.”
The number of respondents not using cash at all remains stable at about 50 per cent.
Cash ‘making a comeback’
National Seniors Australia (NSA), which ran its annual Keep Cash campaign in March, said the survey shows “cash is making a comeback”.
“Not surprisingly, the RBA survey showed cash has the highest share of payments among people aged 65-plus, on lower incomes, and in regional areas,” NSA chief executive officer Chris Grice said.
“Our mantra … has been to ‘use it or lose it’.
“Cash users across the country should feel validated by the news that proves cash still has a solid place in the economy.”
The results emerged as cash advocates plan to withdraw large amounts of money from ATMs during Cash Out Day on Tuesday, April 28.
The day is designed as a clear signal to the government and banks that cash remains important for large sections of the community, and that not everyone wants to shift to tap-and-go or digital payment options.
Cash Welcome campaigner Jason Bryce hopes two million people will take part.
ABA chief executive Simon Birmingham said “cash isn’t going anywhere”.
“People are free to do as they please with their money, but cash isn’t going anywhere,” Birmingham recently told 7NEWS.com.au.
“It remains accessible every single day, and there is no need for anyone to make unnecessary withdrawals.”
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