A national campaign to protect the use of cash is gaining momentum, with new data showing Australians are once again reaching for notes and coins—just as access to banking services continues to shrink.
For residents in the Hawkesbury, the issue is hitting close to home, with growing concern about bank closures, disappearing ATMs and the risk of being forced into a fully digital economy.
Cash Use Rebounds Against the Odds
According to recent Reserve Bank data, cash is making a comeback.
- Cash transactions have increased to 15% of payments in 2025, up from 13% in 2022
- More Australians are carrying cash, with the median wallet holding around $65
- Around one in four small purchases (under $10) are still made using cash
National Seniors Australia CEO Chris Grice says the figures validate the organisation’s “Keep Cash” campaign, which is encouraging Australians to continue using physical money.
“For the first time in years, Australians are using cash more often, and for greater amounts,” Mr Grice said. “Our message has been simple—use it or lose it.”
A Lifeline for Older and Regional Communities
Despite the growth in digital payments, cash remains critical for many Australians. 7% of people rely on cash for more than 80% of their transactions. Usage is highest among people aged over 65, lower-income households and regional communities.
For many, cash offers simplicity, security and independence, particularly for those concerned about scams or uncomfortable with online banking.
Banking Services Disappearing
At the same time cash is proving its value, access to it is becoming harder.
Across Australia:
- 424 bank branches closed between 2022 and 2023, including many in regional areas
- Since 2017, more than 7,400 ATMs have disappeared, a 60% decline
Consumer group research shows the trend has been ongoing for years, with 575 bank branches closing between 2017 and 2021 and rural ATM access shrinking dramatically .
For Hawkesbury residents, this can mean travelling further to access banking, fewer face-to-face services and greater reliance on digital systems.
Bendigo Bank Closures Add to Concerns
The pressure has intensified with Bendigo Bank announcing the closure of 10 regional branches, raising alarm among older Australians.
The move follows the end of the bank’s long-running Connected Communities program, which since 2004 had returned more than $18 million to local groups before being discontinued in February 2025.
Some community organisations have reportedly struggled to survive without the funding, with reports that groups unable to find alternatives have already folded.
For residents in smaller towns, the bigger issue is the loss of local banking.
In Victoria, 94-year-old Esme Rash told the ABC she now faces a two-hour round trip to access banking services.
“You need a bank,” she said. “The bank is the backbone of any small town… now they’ve cut us off.”
Mr Grice said the closures would be difficult for many older Australians.
“I could understand if they shut down the community banking program to maintain branches in regional and rural communities,” he said.
“But they appear to be doing both now.”
Risk of Leaving People Behind
Advocates warn the shift toward digital banking risks excluding vulnerable groups.
Research shows older Australians and First Nations communities are among those most affected by the decline of cash and face-to-face banking .
Concerns include limited digital literacy, unreliable internet access, fear of scams, and the loss of personal banking support.
“Too many older Australians are being left behind in the rush towards a cashless society,” advocates have warned.
As of April 2026, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, has intensified its efforts to remove or overhaul newly implemented Australian laws that mandate cash acceptance.
Despite the government introducing, as of January 1, 2026, a requirement for major supermarkets and fuel retailers to accept cash, One Nation argues these regulations are too weak and actually facilitate a "backdoor" to a cashless society.
When Cash Matters Most
In disaster-prone regions like the Hawkesbury, the importance of cash goes beyond convenience.
During floods, bushfires or power outages EFTPOS systems can fail, internet access can be disrupted and only cash transactions can continue.
“In emergency situations… cash plays a vital role,” Mr Grice said.
Retailers Encouraged to Support Cash
As part of the campaign, businesses are being urged to display “We Accept Cash” signage, reassuring customers that physical currency remains welcome.
The goal is to reduce uncertainty, support vulnerable customers and maintain payment choice.
A Question of Choice
While digital payments offer speed and convenience, advocates say the issue is about balance.
The push is not to reject technology—but to ensure Australians are not forced into it.
For Hawkesbury residents, the message is clear: cash is not just a payment method, it is a safeguard, a fallback, and for many, a necessity.
As Australia continues its shift toward digital banking, the resurgence of cash use suggests many people are not ready to let it go. In regional communities like the Hawkesbury where distance, infrastructure and resilience all play a role keeping cash accessible may be more important than ever.
Because when systems fail, services close, or technology falters, cash remains one thing people can still rely on.
