Building resilient communities through cash access

Cash remains part of the picture 

As Australia’s payment landscape continues to evolve, access to cash remains important for maintaining choice, supporting financial inclusion, and building resilient communities. 

While cards and digital wallets are becoming a regular part of everyday life, cash continues to be an important option, particularly for older Australians. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) 2025 Consumer Payments Survey, around 10% of Australians aged 65 and over used cash for all their transactions in 2025. 

For many older Australians, cash offers a familiar and practical way to manage everyday expenses. It can make budgeting easier, help people keep track of their spending, and provide reassurance when digital payment options are unavailable. 

Payment choice in a changing landscape 

Recent changes to card payment surcharging have brought payment choice into focus. 

Businesses can no longer add a surcharge for payments made using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or eftpos cards. The changes mean that card payment costs can no longer be passed on to customers as a separate card surcharge for these payment types. 

The changes do not mean cash becomes less relevant. In fact, they reinforce the importance of giving consumers clear and transparent choices about how they pay. 

Businesses can still offer discounts for payment methods, including cash, provided the discount is clearly disclosed and the full price is displayed before the discount is applied.

For consumers, this means cash may continue to be one of several payment options available at the checkout. Where a business offers a cash discount, customers can choose whether paying with cash makes sense for them.

Why access to cash still matters 

Access to cash is about more than making purchases. It can support household budgeting, financial independence and confidence, particularly for people who prefer to manage their spending in a hands-on way. 

Cash also provides an alternative when electronic payment systems are disrupted. The RBA’s 2025 Consumer Payments Survey found that around one in three Australians would face hardship or major inconvenience if they could not withdraw or use cash.

This highlights the importance of maintaining reliable access, even for people who primarily use digital payments. 

Access can be especially important in regional and remote communities, where banking services may be limited and travelling to withdraw cash can be more difficult. Convenient access points help people obtain their money and continue participating in everyday economic activity within their communities. 

Supporting communities through reliable cash access 

As payment habits evolve, an inclusive payments system must recognise that Australians have different preferences and circumstances. Cards and digital wallets offer convenience, while cash supports budgeting, spending control and financial flexibility. Keeping these options accessible helps Australians manage their money in ways that suit their lives. 

Through the reach of the atmx network and National Seniors Australia’s advocacy for older Australians, both organisations recognise the importance of keeping cash accessible as part of Australia’s changing payments landscape.

Because access to cash is about more than transactions. It is about supporting choice, independence and connected communities today and into the future.