Displays

The Reserve Bank, Australia's central bank, is responsible for Australia's currency notes. The Museum tells the story of our currency notes against the background of Australia's economic and social development.

This fascinating story is illustrated through a number of stages.

BEFORE FEDERATION: 1788 – 1900

After some chaotic currency experiments, the discovery of gold led to the production of Australian gold coins and boosted the issue of private bank notes. But by Federation, Australia did not have a national currency.

A NEW CURRENCY: 1900 – 1920

The first Australian currency notes were produced. They reflected the new nation's heavy dependence on the land and a few rural products and minerals.

THE COMMONWEALTH BANK AND THE NOTE ISSUE: 1920 – 1960

In this period, Australia's currency notes changed several times, mainly in response to changes in the British Monarchy but the designs continued to reflect our economic development.

THE RESERVE BANK AND REFORM OF THE CURRENCY: 1960 – 1988

The Reserve Bank was established and decimal currency introduced. A distinctively Australian series of currency notes was issued which captured Australia's emerging social and cultural diversity and its contribution to the wider world.

A NEW ERA – POLYMER CURRENCY NOTES: 1988 onwards

Australia created the world's first series of polymer currency notes and exported polymer note technology to many other countries.