200,000 Australian cash advocates push for new reforms

A petition to save cash through guaranteeing access to the tender and relevant banking services has surpassed 200,000 signatures.

Cash use across Australia has soared over the past few months, with a major cash awareness campaign calling on banks to back an “easily available means of payment” amid rampant closures.

More than 200,000 Australians have signed a Cash Welcome petition calling for guarantees for “reasonable local access” to cash and banking services.

The aim of the campaign is to push back against a cashless society, with millions of Aussies still requiring cash.

200,000 Aussies are pushing for cash to stay. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Reserve Bank data shows $103.7bn in Australian banknotes circulating, an increase of $3bn since October 2024.

Cash Welcome campaign founder Jason Bryce said the campaign had so far been successful but there was more work to be done to keep cash going in Australia.

“I encourage everyone to make a submission to the government’s consultation about cash (by the 14th of February) because we have made them sit up and take notice. Now is the time to ensure they follow through and deliver,” Mr Bryce said.

“What happens in 2025 will set the scene for how we buy and sell in Australia for the next 30 years at least. Only cash is private, reliable, inclusive and surcharge-free at the point of sale. Banks have an obligation to ensure we can access our money as cash in our own communities.”

The petition has surpassed 200,000 signatures on the same day as the federal government has shored up bush cash services.

As part of the announcement, the major banks will hold a moratorium on regional branch closures until July 2027 and increase funding for Bank@Post operations, which have picked up a lot of the slack as regional banks close.

The number of people accessing post offices in regional areas for their cash services is on the rise. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Licensed Post Office Group executive director Angela Cramp told NewsWire that people were using digital services to pay for big-ticket items but noted a spike in cash operations out of the postal service.

“Cash is necessary and our problem is the banks do not want to afford a branch with a lot of downtime, so post offices are an excellent solution,” she said.

“It’s a tricky one, as it’s why banks are leaving. They’ve encouraged everyone to go online and they’ve made their services easier online, but you can’t get $50 out of your phone no matter how clever you are.”

Ms Cramp said there was still a place in cash for regional and remote communities, with Tuesday’s announcement a step towards supporting these areas.

“We are finding an increased amount of people coming to the post office for their walking-around money. They are looking for $200 so they can buy their coffee instead of their phones. There’s certainly an increasing use for cash, it’s coming back,” Ms Cramp said.

From January 1, 2026, businesses selling essential products, including fuel, medicines and groceries, will legally be required to accept cash payments.