Surcharge ban could push Australia to a new cash record

The total value of Australian cash notes on issue is set to hit a new all-time record In October, shortly after bans on card surcharging start on 1st October 2026.

The total value of Australian cash notes on issue is now $108.64 billion and trending up, just below the all-time record of $109.25 billion set during Christmas week 2025, according to the RBA’s Balance Sheet.

Many small businesses are preparing to replace card surcharge signage with ‘cash preferred’ or ‘discounts for cash’ signage.

The ban on card surcharging will create more incentives for small business to prefer cash payments. More small businesses will offer discounts for cash and many small businesses will reject card payments altogether and go cash-only.

Most small retailers will raise prices to cover card costs. The card surcharge ban will push Australia to a new all-time record for the total value of cash on issue.

This petition and campaign is literally SAVING CASH IN AUSTRALIA.

Politicians, journalists, industry leaders read these updates and our Cash Welcome newsletter. 

If you value our right to choose how we pay, please make a donation to ensure we can continue, either through gofundme or directly to our Commonwealth Bank account:

Cash Welcome
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This campaign is mostly just me and the bills are really high.

I want to keep talking to the media, radio and TV and getting the message out about our right to choose cash - our legal tender.

Please assist me with a small amount to help me cover the bills.

Thanks and yours truly, 

Jason Bryce
jason@cashwelcome.org