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Cash Use in Australia: What the 2025 Consumer Payments Survey Tells Us

Results from the 2025 Consumer Payments Survey show that cash use in Australia has stabilised in recent years. In 2025, around 15 per cent of payments were made in cash and around half of Australians used cash in a typical week. People from all demographic groups regularly used cash, but older Australians and lower income households tended to use cash somewhat more often than others. The results suggest that one-third of Australians would face hardship or major inconvenience if cash was difficult to access or if shops did not accept cash. Many Australians still carry cash for unexpected transactions or in case electronic payments are not available. The survey results highlight the important role of cash in an inclusive and resilient payments system.