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RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Counterfeit Detection Guide

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

Counterfeit Detection Guide
Action Genuine Test
Examine the clear window

Genuine banknotes 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 banknotes (except the Queen $5) there is embossing that is only visible at certain angles.

The clear area should be part of the banknote and not an addition. Check the clarity of the clear window.

The white images should be integrated seamlessly into the clear window. Check that they can not be removed with a fingernail.

Within the clear window, look for:

  • $5 banknote – a stylised gumflower;
  • Federation $5 banknote – printed mauve area with embossing of the number '5';
  • $10 banknote – a windmill with embossing of a wave pattern;
  • $20 banknote – a compass with embossing of the number ‘20’;
  • $50 banknote – the Southern Cross with embossing of the number ‘50’;
  • $100 banknote – a lyrebird with embossing of the number ‘100’.
Feel the banknote A genuine banknote is printed on polymer (plastic) and has a distinctive feel. Check that the suspect banknote is not excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine banknote.
Endeavour to tear the banknote It is difficult to start a tear along an edge of a genuine banknote. Endeavour to tear the banknote. The vast majority of counterfeits are printed on paper and can be easily torn.
Feel the print On a genuine banknote, 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 banknotes have multi-coloured, fine line patterns appearing on each side of the banknote. Check for irregularities such as less clearly defined patterns, thicker or thinner lines, or colour differences.
Hold the banknote up to the light A genuine banknote has images that can only be seen when the banknote is held up to the light.

Holding the banknote to the light should reveal:

  • a seven-pointed star. Diamond-shaped patterns printed on each side of the banknote 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 banknote).
Magnifying Glass A genuine banknote 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 banknote, and generally near the portraits on the other banknotes. With the aid of a magnifying glass, check that the microprinted words are clearly and sharply defined.
Ultra-violet Light On genuine banknotes, the serial numbers (located on the back of the banknote) fluoresce under ultra-violet light. In all banknotes other than the $10, there is also an area on the back of the banknote that fluoresces. The rest of the banknote should not fluoresce (unless it has been treated or contaminated with chemicals).

Look on the back of the banknote under ultra-violet light to check that the following features fluoresce:

  • $5 banknote – serial number and a square patch;
  • Federation $5 banknote – serial number, wattle leaves and the number ‘5’;
  • $20 banknote – serial numbers and a block containing the number ‘20’;
  • $50 banknote – serial numbers and a block containing the number ‘50’;
  • $100 banknote – serial numbers and a block containing the number ‘100’.
Fold the banknote
(Federation $5 banknotes only) 		Federation $5 banknotes have a hidden ‘5’ below the small printed triangle, in the bottom right hand corner of the back of the banknote. The ‘5’ is revealed when that area of the banknote is viewed through the mauve coloured area of the clear window. Fold the banknote 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.