Are you familiar with the notes and coins that are used here in Australia? Money is a constant part of our daily lives so familiarizing ourselves with it is never a bad idea. Money can also be more than just something that is used to buy things as they can also say a bit about our history.
Just like everywhere else, you’ll spend money here from the moment that you arrive. Although people here in Australia mostly use their bankcards nowadays, notes and coins are still widely used. Let’s have a quick look at Australia’s denominations and then we’ll learn a bit more about Australia through them.
Australia’s Banknotes
Five Dollar ($5) Banknote
The five dollar banknotes has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in front and the New Parliament House at the back. It’s light pink but also kind of purplish in color. And of course, it has the number 5 on it. The Prickly Moses wattle and the Eastern Spinebill are featured in this note as well.
Ten Dollar ($10) Banknote
The ten dollar banknotes features the portrait of AB ‘Banjo Paterson in front, Dame Mary Gilmore at the back, as well as the Bramble Wattle and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. It is blue in color and has the number 10 written on it.
Twenty Dollar ($20) Banknote
A portrait of Mary Reibey is shown in front of the twenty dollar banknote while John Flynn’s is shown at the back. You would also see the Box-leaf Wattle and the Laughing Kookaburra on your twenty dollar notes. It’s red and has the number 20 written on it.
Fifty Dollar ($50) Banknote
The fifty dollar note showcases portraits of David Unaipon in front, and Edith Cowan, the Acacia Humifusa, and the Black Swan at the back. It’s yellow with a hint of gold, if you ask me. And it of course has the number 50 on it.
One Hundred Dollar ($100) Banknote
The one hundred dollar note has a portrait of Dame Nellie Melba in front and Sir John Monash at the back. It features the Acacia Pycnantha and the Australian Masked Owl. It’s in color green and has the number 100 on it.
Who Are The People On Your Banknotes?
Australia’s banknotes honours Australians that had significant contributions to the Australian society. Portraits of people who played an important role in the story of the Australian nation are featured on the banknotes.
Queen Elizabeth II ($5)
Out of all the people that are being featured on Australia’s money, Her Royal Majesty would probably be the one that all of you would know. Queen Elizabeth II is the current Queen (and longest serving monarch) of the UK.
Banjo Paterson ($10)
I’ve never really heard of who Banjo Paterson was until I did my research for this post. Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson was an Australian poet from New South Wales. Banjo is popular for his poetic presentations of the bush and country life. I have just read some of his works and personally, they’re actually pretty interesting. If you look closely at your $10 note, you’d see parts of his ‘The Man From Snowy River”. Also, have you heard of the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’? My husband said that they used to learn this at school when he was young. It’s Paterson’s work. Some say that it’s ‘cringe’, I thought it was kind of cute. I suggest that you give it listen and let us know what you think?
Dame Mary Gilmore ($10)
Our women shall walk in honour,
Excerpt from dame mary gilmore’s no foe shall gather our harvest
Our children shall know no chain,
This land, that is ours forever,
The invader shall strike at in vain.
On the flip side of the Australian $10 note is Dame Mary Gilmore. She was an Australian writer and activist. She campaigned against injustice and was passionate about protecting the rights and welfare of workers, women, children, as well as indigenous Australians. Unfortunately, I haven’t read any of her pieces yet but if you’d closely look at your ten dollar note, you’ll see a micro print of an excerpt from her poem ‘No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest’.
Mary Reibey ($20)
Mary Reibey was a successful businesswoman and trader born in England. She was transported to New South Wales when she was convicted as a felon (horse thief) when she was 13. This was where she ran a large-scale importing and mercantile business. Mary took over her husband’s business and has expanded it greatly.
John Flynn ($20)
Reverend John Flynn was an Australian Presbyterian minister from Victoria. He established the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) to provide Australia’s vast outback with the world’s first aerial medical services in 1928. Up to date, this mission that John Flynn has founded is still saving the lives of Australians in rural and remote areas.
David Unaipon ($50)
David Unaipon was an Australian writer, public speaker, and inventor from South Australia. Regarded as Australia’s Leonardo da Vinci, David Unaipon has made significant contributions for the improvement of the living conditions of Aboriginal Australians. He’s the very first published Aboriginal.
Edith Cowan ($50)
Women are very desirous of their being placed on absolutely equal terms with men. We ask for neither more nor less than that.
Edith Cowan
Image source: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/edith-cowan
Edith Cowan was a former member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. She’s Australia’s first female politician. She was an advocate for women’s rights and for the protection of children. She also promoted the welfare of migrants. As a part of her legacy, a university in Western Australia was named after her (Edith Cowan University).
Dame Nellie Melba ($100)
Dame Nellie Melba was an international Australian opera singer. She’s a world-renowned soprano with a remarkable voice that had a range of nearly three octaves! You could see her largest homecoming tour on you $100 note.
Sir John Monash ($100)
Sir John Monash was an Australian engineer and soldier. He’s regarded as one of Australia’s greatest experts in reinforced concrete for civil construction projects. He’s also considered as Australia’s greatest military commander. Do you know the Monash University in Melbourne? That’s named after him as a tribute.
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Australian Coins
All of the Australian coins’ heads side has a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. It also has the word ‘Australia’ and the year when the coin was made, printed on this side. The tails side is where they have a picture of different things that are Australian.
Five Cent Coin (Echidna)
Ten Cent Coin (Lyrebird)
Twenty Cent Coin (Platypus)
Fifty Cent Coin (Australian Coat of Arms)
One Dollar Coin (Five Kangaroos)
Two Dollar Coin (an Australian Aboriginal elder, Southern Cross, an Australian flora)
Bankcards
From what I have noticed though, most people here just use their cards most of the time. They have them on their phones and smartwatches. Even schoolkids have their own cards! They are quite convenient to use. EFTPOS are widely available here so you can just tap or swipe. Plus, most establishments prefer them nowadays because of the Coronavirus. Personally, I like using cards for my transactions but I think it’s wise to have some cash in my wallet, just in case.
Brief History of The Australian Currency
Indigenous Currency
A barter system was used by the first Australians. They used things like shells, foods, tools, and stories.
Currency of The Early Settlers
European settlers used a variety of international coins, promissory notes, and tradesmen’s tokens. Soldiers used rum to trade.
First Official Australian Currency
(1813) The ‘holey dollar’ (outer doughnut-looking coins) and the ‘dump’ (inner smaller coins) were made by punching out the middle part of the Spanish dollars.
(1825) The British pounds were the only form of legal currency in Australia.
Image source: www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/royal-australian-mint-exhibit-features-holey-dollars
Gold Currency
The Australian soil proved to be rich in gold during the gold rush in the 1800s. In 1855, gold was made into ‘sovereign’ coins.
Commonwealth Currency
A national Australian currency was created in 1910. It was based on the British money system.
Decimal Currency
The decimal currency system of dollars that we still use today was introduced in Australia in 1966.
Conclusion
They say that your past shapes you, and I think that the same goes for a nation. This is why I believe that an essential part of us integrating ourselves into the Australian community is learning about their history. I find that a great first step towards that using their money as a window to their past.
References:
https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/australias-banknotes/banknotes-in-circulation/
https://www.ramint.gov.au/circulating-coins
https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/australias-banknotes/people-on-the-banknotes/
https://www.ramint.gov.au/bite-sized/Australian-coin-history
Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.
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