Australia to Mandate Cash Acceptance for Essential Purchases by 2026

The Albanese government plans to ensure businesses accept cash for essentials, while phasing out cheques by 2029.

The Australian government will require businesses to accept cash for essential items like groceries and fuel starting January 2026.
A consultation process will determine which businesses are covered by the mandate, with exemptions likely for small businesses.
Approximately 1.5 million Australians still rely on cash for over 80% of in-person transactions.
The plan aims to provide a backup payment method during digital outages and natural disasters.
Cheques will be phased out, with issuance stopping by June 2028 and acceptance ending by September 2029.