Australian cash usage on the rise, RBA survey shows ...
Physical currency was supposed to be on the way out but a new survey tells a different story.
7news.com.auHere’s the latest on Cash Out Day in Australia based on recent reporting.
What Cash Out Day is
- Cash Out Day is a grassroots initiative encouraging Australians to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs to protest the perceived shift toward a cashless society and to highlight the ongoing importance of physical currency.[1][3][8]
Recent activity and coverage
- In 2025, organizers promoted a nationwide drive with claims of large withdrawals and lines at ATMs, though official banking bodies noted no material spike in cash withdrawals.[1]
- In 2026, the movement re-emerged with events around late April, with media outlets reporting expectations of millions of Australians withdrawing cash to show support for cash as legal tender and to maintain ATM access.[3][4][5][10]
- Coverage varied by outlet but consistently framed Cash Out Day as a public demonstration to preserve cash infrastructure and access, with emphasis on vulnerable populations who rely on cash.[6][8]
Context and trends
- Despite a long-term decline in cash usage, surveys and coverage around these events indicate ongoing public interest in cash availability, especially among older Australians and those with limited digital access.[9][10]
- The Australian banking sector has maintained that cash remains viable and legal tender, even as digital payments grow, and there’s ongoing debate about the pace and impact of any transition to cashless systems.[10][1]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current articles from major outlets and summarize any official statements from the Reserve Bank of Australia or major banks, plus provide a quick snapshot of ATM withdrawal trends around Cash Out Day this year. Would you like me to do that?
Citations:
- Cash Out Day coverage and details:,,,,,[4][5][8][3][10][1]
- Bank and RBA context on cash usage and legality:,[9][10]