Cash Use in Australia:
Still Relevant. Still Used. Still Needed.

Australia’s payment habits have changed. Cards, mobile wallets and contactless payments are now part of everyday life. But cash has not disappeared.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 2025 Consumer Payments Survey, cash use in Australia has stabilised. Around 15% of payments were made in cash, and around half of Australians used cash in a typical week. This shows that cash still plays an important role in everyday spending, especially for people who rely on it for convenience, budgeting, privacy, emergencies or access.

Cash is still part of everyday life

Cash may no longer be the main way Australians pay, but it is still used across the country. The RBA found that people from all demographic groups continue to use cash. Older Australians and lower-income households tend to use it more often, but cash remains relevant across different ages, income levels and locations

15% of payments were made in cash in 2025

Around half of Australians used cash in a typical week