Australian banknotes are among the safest in the world, and we are renowned for having developed important banknote technology. To provide even greater security, the Reserve Bank is introducing a new series of banknotes, commencing with the new $5 banknote, which was released on 1 September 2016 and features a striking new design.

To coincide with this important event, we are making available two commemorative folders:

“Next Generation of $5” commemorative folder containing one new $5 banknote
“Next Generation of $5” commemorative folder containing one new $5 banknote
“Two Generations of $5” commemorative folder containing one first polymer $5 banknote and one new $5 banknote
“Two Generations of $5” commemorative folder containing one first polymer $5 banknote and one new $5 banknote

Design of the new $5 banknote

While the people featured, the colour palette and the size of the new banknotes are the same, each banknote in the new series will feature a different species of Australian wattle and a native bird, as well as many other new design elements.

On the new $5 banknote these elements include the following:

  • Prickly Moses wattle (Acacia verticillata subsp. ovoidea)
  • The Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) (The images and colours selected form part of the security features of the note, so the rendition is not an exact one.)
  • An updated portrait of the Queen, derived from the original source photograph commissioned by the Reserve Bank in 1984 and approved by Her Majesty. Thanks to technological advances, the new portrait more closely resembles the source photograph.
  • The Federation Pavilion, which was opened in Centennial Park on 1 January 1901 and was the site of the official ceremony that marked the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
  • A new raised tactile area that will assist the vision-impaired community (in addition to features already included in Australian banknotes such as bright contrasting colours and large numerals).

Multiple security features

The new $5 banknote has a combination of innovative security features that have not previously been used on an Australian banknote. Some of these are incorporated into the distinctive top-to-bottom window that forms part of the new banknote designs.
To learn more about the multiple new security features, visit the Reserve Bank of Australia website banknotes.rba.gov.au

The $5 banknote commemorative folders are available now online, at participating Post Offices and via mail order on 1800 331 794, while stocks last.

This article was produced at the time of publication and will not be updated.

Philatelic Team

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