SECURITY FEATURES ON AUSTRALIA'S NOTES

Australian currency notes are printed on polymer (plastic) substrate instead of traditional paper.

The Bank made the move to polymer to make Australia's notes more secure against counterfeiting. Polymer notes are also more durable than paper notes (lasting around four times as long), are cleaner and more hygienic, and can be recycled at the end of their useful life into a range of plastic products.

Check for the following security features on Australia's currency notes:

Clear Window

The clear window is a simple, yet effective security device, which allows a first-level check on the authenticity of the note through casual observation. On a genuine note the window should have clarity and be part of the note, not an addition. Within the clear window there is a printed image and embossing:

$5 note - a stylised gumflower, no embossing

Federation $5 note - 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'

Polymer Substrate

A genuine note is printed on special polymer (plastic) and has a distinctive feel. A suspect note may feel excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine note. It is difficult to start a tear along an edge of a genuine note. The vast majority of counterfeits are printed on paper and can be easily torn.

See-through Registration Device

The see-through registration device works when images printed on each side of a note are in perfect register when the note is viewed in transmitted light. When the see-through registration device on our notes is held to the light, a seven-pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on one side of the note combining perfectly with three points on the other side.

Shadow Image

The shadow image is an image created by variations in opacity of the substrate that can be viewed in transmitted light even if under other print. The shadow image on our notes is an image of the Australian Coat of Arms (this feature is not included in the Federation $5 note).

Intaglio Print

Intaglio is a raised print (dark ink) with a distinct feel and is normally used for portraits, denomination numerals, text and other major design elements. On our notes, the slightly raised printing can be felt by running a finger or fingernail across the portraits and other major design elements.

Background Print (offset)

A flat print is used to create coloured background designs. Various line structures and the use of colour and specialised inks add to the security of the note. Multi-coloured and multi-directional fine-line patterns appear on each side of the note.

Microprinting

Microprint is small but well defined text printed by offset or intaglio at a size that usually requires a magnifying glass to read. On our notes the microprinted words (e.g.'FIFTY DOLLARS') are generally located near the portraits.

Fluorescent Ink Properties

A printed feature in a note, which may or may not be visible in normal light, fluoresces when viewed under ultra-violet light. On genuine notes, the serial numbers, which are located on the back of the note fluoresce under ultra-violet light. A patch showing the denomination (e.g. '50') becomes visible on the $20, $50 and $100 note whilst a square patch appears on the $5 note. On the Federation $5 note, look for wattle leaves and the number '5'.