All the changes coming to Australia after Queen Elizabeth’s death age 96

Queen Elizabeth’s seven-decade reign has now ended – and it means some huge changes are on the way Down Under.

Australians woke up to the sombre news on Friday that Queen Elizabeth had died at the age of 96, automatically marking the start of King Charles’ reign.

And alongside the shock and grief the sad news sparked, attention has also turned to the many huge changes that will soon be coming to Australia as a result of the monarch’s death.

Here’s what Australians can expect under King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

Aussie money

It’s understood King Charles’ face will appear on newly-minted coins from 2023. They will use an effigy supplied by the UK Royal Mint, as is consistent with past practice.

Existing currency with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II will remain in circulation and continue to be legal tender, and other official documents such as passports and official seals mentioning the queen will remain valid.

Coins bearing the deceased monarch’s mark may continue to be minted during this transition period.

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In the past few months, the Treasury has been working with the Royal Australian Mint and Perth Mint, in preparation for a potential change in succession.

Since 1995, a portrait of the monarch aged 58 has also appeared on the $5 note.

The monarch’s effigy has backed Australian coins since we transitioned into decimal currency, away from shillings and pounds in 1966.

Australian coins are set to be updated to feature the portrait of King Charles.

Australian coins bearing the Queen’s effigy will be replaced.

The Queen’s portrait

Throughout Queen Elizabeth’s reign, portraits of her have been hung in public buildings such as government offices.

Now that she has died and Charles has become king, those portraits will be replaced with those of the ruling 73-year-old monarch.

Queen’s Birthday public holiday

For decades, the Queen’s birthday has been marked with a public holiday in Australia, which falls on the second Monday in June in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory – despite the monarch being born on April 21.

In Western Australia, it is celebrated in late September, while in Queensland it is usually observed in early October.

The Queen’s Birthday public holiday will be replaced by the King’s Birthday. Picture: Paul Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images

An official announcement has not yet been made, but the nation will almost certainly continue to mark the monarch’s birthday, with the holiday simply referred to as the King’s birthday moving forward.

It is also likely it will continue to be held at around the same time as the Queen’s Birthday holiday was observed despite King Charles’ birthday falling on November 14.

QC titles

Senior members within the legal professions will also change their title to being a KC (King’s Counsel), whereas they were previously called a QC (Queen’s Counsel).

The government

Commonwealth leaders, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, will pay tribute to the Queen in a series of public speeches and proclamations, and will also likely welcome the beginning of King Charles’ reign.

Australia’s parliament was due to sit next week, but will now pause for 15 days in a mark of respect.

Flags are flying at half mast. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Despite some speculation, federal MPs won’t be required to undertake new oaths swearing allegiance to the new King.

That’s because Charles’ ascension was already covered in their original oaths, when they swore an oath to Queen Elizabeth II and “her heirs and successors according to law”.

However, it is possible new oaths will be sworn in a symbolic gesture only.

Pomp and ceremony

Details will soon emerge about Queen Elizabeth's funeral, and Australians might be granted a public holiday given the gravity of the day, which is expected to be held 10 days from now.

While Charles automatically became King upon his mother’s death, his actual coronation – which is tipped to be a lavish ceremony – won’t be held for many months to allow a suitable mourning period.

Queen Elizabeth ll has died at the age of 96.

The event will likely be held at Westminster Abbey and will be broadcast on television.

Prince William, who is next in line to the throne, is tipped to be named the Prince of Wales, and if so, a formal investiture ceremony will take place at a later date,

As Charles’s eldest male heir, he has also inherited the title the Duke of Cornwall.

- with Jess Wang