COUNTERFEIT DETECTION GUIDE

While Australia's counterfeiting rate is very low, the following guide is provided to help you identify a genuine Australian currency note. To determine if a suspect note is a counterfeit, it is best to compare it with a note that is known to be genuine.

 

Counterfeit Detection Guide

	Action	Genuine	Test
	Look at the note	Genuine notes have a clear window - the area around the window is uniformly smooth to touch. Within the windows are printed images or patterns and in all notes (except the Queen $5) there is embossing that is only visible at certain angles.	The clear area should be part of the note and not an addition. Check the clarity of the clear window. Within the clear window, look for: $5 note - a stylised gumflower; Federation $5 note - printed mauve area with embossing of the number '5' $10 note - a windmill with embossing of a wave pattern $20 note - a compass with embossing of the number '20' $50 note - the Southern Cross with embossing of the number '50' $100 note - a lyrebird with embossing of the number '100'.
	Feel the note	A genuine note is printed on polymer (plastic) and has a distinctive feel.	Check that the suspect note is not excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine note.
	Endeavour to tear the note	It is difficult to start a tear along an edge of a genuine note.	Endeavour to tear the note. The vast majority of counterfeits are printed on paper and can be easily torn.
	Feel the print	On a genuine note, slightly raised printing (dark ink) called intaglio, is used for the main design elements, such as the portraits.	Check the raised print by running a finger or fingernail across the main design elements. Also check for less clearly defined patterns around the portraits.
	Look at the print	Genuine notes have multi-coloured, fine line patterns appearing on each side of the note.	Check for irregularities such as less clearly defined patterns, thicker or thinner lines, or colour differences.
	Hold the note up to the light	A genuine note has images that can only be seen when the note is held up to the light.	Holding the note to the light should reveal: » a seven-pointed star. Diamond-shaped patterns printed on each side of the note should combine perfectly to form a seven-pointed star inside a circle. » The Australian Coat of Arms should become visible under other printing. (This feature is not included in the Federation $5 note).
	Magnifying Glass	A genuine note has microprint that can usually only be read with the aid of a magnifying glass. Microprinted words are located on the top left hand corner of the front of the $5 note, and generally near the portraits on the other notes.	With the aid of a magnifying glass, check that the microprinted words are clearly and sharply defined.
	Ultra-violet Light	On genuine notes, the serial numbers (located on the back of the note) fluoresce under ultra-violet light. In all notes other than the $10, there is also an area on the back of the note that fluoresces. The rest of the note should not fluoresce (unless it has been treated or contaminated with chemicals).	Look on the back of the note under ultra-violet light to check that the following features fluoresce: $5 note - serial number and a square patch Federation $5 note - serial number, wattle leaves and the number '5' $20 note - serial numbers and a block containing the number '20' $50 note - serial numbers and a block containing the number '50' $100 note - serial numbers and a block containing the number '100'
	Fold the note (Federation $5 notes only)	Federation $5 notes have a hidden '5' below the small printed triangle, in the bottom right hand corner of the back of the note. The '5' is revealed when that area of the note is viewed through the mauve coloured area of the clear window.	Fold the note so that the triangle in the window is on top of, and in direct contact with, the printed triangle. To accentuate the effect, move the triangle in the window around the printed triangle.