New cash record - Almost $108 billion now circulating in Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia reported this week that an additional $375 million of new banknotes were printed and issued last week, taking the total notes on issue to a new all-time record of $107.8 billion (on Wednesday 3rd December).

There has never been more Australian cash in the hands of consumers and businesses than there is right now.

There has been no decline in the use of physical currency in Australia since the end of the COVID era in January 2022.

Despite banks continuing to close branches, the Reserve Bank of Australia reported on Monday that the number (and value) of cash withdrawals made over the counter in bank branches is UP since the end of COVID in January 2022.

There were 1.9 million over the counter cash withdrawals made in October 2025, up from 1.6 million in January 2022.

The number of bank-owned (fee-free) ATMs has fallen significantly over the last few years but the number of value of ATM cash withdrawals made in Australia is not falling dramatically and has remained fairly steady since COVID.

The RBA reported on Monday that the total value of ATM cash withdrawals was $9.2 billion in October 2025, up from $8.5 billion in January 2025.

There is no decline in the use of cash in Australia over the last few years.

Jason Bryce

jason@cashwelcome.org