From The Federal Treasurer: The Albanese Government is introducing a mandate requiring businesses to accept cash for essential purchases, ensuring accessibility for those reliant on cash as a payment method.

A consultation paper has been released to gather feedback on the mandate, focusing on defining essential goods, which businesses should comply, and additional measures like transaction limits.

The final details of the mandate are expected to be announced in 2025, with the mandate potentially starting on January 1, 2026, aiming to maintain cash as a viable payment option in the modern payments system.