In a landmark move reflecting Australia’s evolving cultural identity, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has unveiled the redesigned $5 banknote, set to enter circulation in 2025. This new note marks a significant departure from tradition, replacing the portrait of the British monarch with Indigenous artwork themed around “Connection to Country.” The redesign not only celebrates the deep spiritual, emotional, and physical ties of First Nations peoples to Australia’s land, waters, and sky but also incorporates cutting-edge security features to ensure its integrity. This article delves into the design process, cultural significance, security enhancements, public reactions, and what Australians can expect when the note hits wallets in 2025.
The Design: A Tribute to First Nations Culture
The new $5 note’s design is a bold step toward reconciliation and recognition of Australia’s Indigenous heritage. Announced on March 17, 2025, the theme “Connection to Country” was selected from over 2,100 public submissions during a nationwide campaign launched by the RBA in 2024. The theme encapsulates the enduring relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the environment, emphasizing their role as custodians of the land for over 65,000 years.
The RBA collaborated closely with First Nations artists, organizations, and community representatives to ensure the artwork is authentic and respectful. The Imagery Selection Panel, which included Indigenous members alongside RBA and Note Printing Australia representatives, prioritized a design that avoids tokenism and reflects the diversity of Indigenous cultures. The final artwork, to be created by a First Nations artist, will highlight environmental stewardship and cultural identity, overturning the historical concept of terra nullius (land belonging to no one) by celebrating Indigenous connection to Country.
Unlike previous $5 notes, which featured Queen Elizabeth II since 1992, this redesign will not include a monarch’s portrait, making it the first Australian banknote to forgo such imagery. The reverse side will continue to depict the Australian Parliament, maintaining a nod to national governance. The decision to exclude King Charles III, following the Queen’s passing in 2022, underscores a shift toward symbols that resonate with contemporary Australian values.
Modern Security Features
Australian banknotes are renowned for their advanced security, and the new $5 note builds on this legacy. Retaining the polymer substrate introduced in 1992, the note incorporates the security features rolled out in the 2016 series while adding new elements to combat counterfeiting. According to the RBA, these features ensure the note remains among the safest in the world.
Key security features include:
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Transparent Window: A prominent top-to-bottom window features a number 5 that changes direction when tilted, housed within the Federation Pavilion design.
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Colour-Changing Patch: Located in the top corner, this patch shifts colors in a rolling effect when the note is moved, making it easy to verify authenticity.
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Tactile Feature: A raised element assists the vision-impaired community, ensuring accessibility.
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Microtext and Fluorescent Elements: Tiny, intricate text and patterns visible under magnification, along with UV-reactive features, add layers of protection.
These enhancements align with global trends in currency security, balancing user-friendliness with anti-counterfeiting measures. The RBA emphasizes that existing $5 notes will remain legal tender during the transition, allowing a gradual phase-in of the new design.
Cultural Significance and Historical Context
The redesign of the $5 note is more than a cosmetic change; it’s a step toward acknowledging Australia’s First Nations peoples in a meaningful way. Indigenous designs have appeared on Australian currency since the 1966 $1 note, which featured Aboriginal rock paintings and bark art by David Malangi Daymirringu. The $50 note currently honors Ngarrindjeri author and inventor David Unaipon, while the existing $5 note includes a forecourt mosaic by Michael Nelson Jagamara. The new design builds on this tradition, elevating Indigenous culture to the forefront of Australia’s most widely used banknote.
The “Connection to Country” theme resonates with broader national conversations about reconciliation and decolonization. Pro Vice-Chancellor of First Nations engagement at Charles Darwin University, Prof. Tony Dreise, a Guumilaroi and Euahlayi man, praised the move, stating, “Tens of thousands of years of connection to Country is worth far more than dollars alone, but the nation’s currency provides an omnipresent outlet to remind all Australians that this is an ancient place.”
The decision to remove the monarch’s portrait has sparked debate, reflecting Australia’s complex relationship with its colonial past. In 1999, a referendum saw Australians vote to retain the British monarch as head of state, but calls for a republic and greater Indigenous recognition have grown louder. The 2023 referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, though unsuccessful, highlighted the ongoing push for constitutional recognition. The new $5 note serves as a tangible symbol of progress, even as it navigates political sensitivities.
Public and Political Reactions
The announcement of the new $5 note has elicited a spectrum of responses. Supporters, including Finance Minister Jim Chalmers and Australian Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, view it as a victory for reconciliation. Chalmers called it “the right decision for the right reasons,” emphasizing the importance of celebrating Indigenous heritage. Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung woman, described it as a “massive win for grassroots First Nations people fighting to decolonize this country.”
Critics, however, have decried the move as divisive. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton labeled it “woke nonsense” and an “attack on our systems, society, and institutions,” comparing it to debates over Australia Day. The Australian Monarchist League called it “neo-communism in action,” advocating for a design that includes both Indigenous art and the monarch, as proposed in their own concept. A petition by the League, supported by Indigenous spokesperson Jack Barton, argues for a design that reflects Australia’s shared history.
Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, shows similar polarization. Some users criticized the RBA’s $500,000 expenditure on the redesign as wasteful, with commentator Eric Abetz calling it a “terrible waste of money.” Others celebrated the shift, seeing it as a long-overdue recognition of Indigenous contributions.
The Design Process and Timeline
The journey to the new $5 note began in February 2023, when the RBA announced that King Charles III would not replace Queen Elizabeth II on the note. Instead, the bank committed to a design honoring First Nations culture, following consultations with the Australian government. The 2024 public campaign invited Australians to submit ideas, resulting in the “Connection to Country” theme.
The RBA is now in the process of selecting a First Nations artist to create the final artwork, with completion expected to take several years. Assistant Governor Michelle McPhee emphasized the importance of a respectful process, stating, “This inspiring theme will guide the creation of an artwork that will feature on the redesigned banknote.” The note is slated for release in late 2025, though existing notes will remain valid indefinitely.
Economic and Practical Implications
The introduction of the new $5 note aligns with Australia’s efforts to modernize its currency while addressing cultural priorities. The $5 note, as the smallest denomination, is the most circulated, making it a powerful medium for cultural messaging. The RBA’s investment in the redesign, though criticized by some, reflects the complexity of creating a secure, inclusive, and visually compelling banknote.
For everyday Australians, the transition will be seamless. Retailers, banks, and ATMs will accept both old and new notes, and public awareness campaigns will educate consumers about the new design and security features. The polymer material ensures durability, reducing replacement costs over time.
Global Context
Australia’s move to honor Indigenous culture on its currency is part of a global trend toward inclusive national symbols. Countries like Canada and New Zealand have similarly featured Indigenous figures and art on their banknotes, reflecting a shift away from colonial imagery. The decision also positions Australia as a leader in cultural reconciliation, even as it navigates its status as a constitutional monarchy.
Looking Forward
The new $5 note, set to launch in 2025, is a testament to Australia’s commitment to honoring its First Nations peoples while embracing modern security standards. The “Connection to Country” theme, crafted with input from Indigenous communities, celebrates a 65,000-year legacy of environmental and cultural stewardship. Despite political debates, the redesign reflects a nation grappling with its identity and striving for reconciliation. As Australians begin using the new note, it will serve as a daily reminder of the deep ties that bind the country to its original custodians, wrapped in a package of cutting-edge security and striking design.
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