Currency

Australia's currency unit is the Australian Dollar (AUD$). Our currency has five notes and six coins in circulation as well as periodic commemorative notes and coins. Australian 1 & 2 cent coins are not in circulation, so totals are rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents.

Notes

Note values are $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 with each being a different colour, increasing in size with value. The notes are all made in polymer, a type of plastic, which allows sophisticated security features being the clear window with printing and embossing. The plastic notes were introduced in 1992, with Australia being the first country in the world to move all currency from paper to secure polymer notes.

• $5.00 Features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and gum leaves. The reverse depicts Parliament House, geometric shapes and plans.
• $10.00 Features A.B. 'Banjo' Patterson, surrounded by micro printed excerpts and a picture of a horse from his famous poem 'The Man From Snowy River'. On the reverse side is the portrait of poet Dame Mary Gilmore, again surrounded by microprint excerpts from her poem 'No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest' along with a Bullock Team in the background.
• $20.00 Features Mary Reibey, who came to Australia as a convict and later became a respected businesswoman within property and shipping. On the reverse side, Reverend John Flynn is commemorated for being the founder of the world renowned Royal Flying Doctor Service.
• $50.00 Features David Unaipon, Australia's first published Aboriginal Author. On the reverse side is Edith Cowan, Australia's first female parliamentarian.
• $100.00 Features our internationally acclaimed opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. On the reverse side Sir John Monash, acknowledged for outstanding leadership qualities within military and civilian life.

Coins

Coin values are 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and $1.00 and $2.00 dollar coins. On all coins one side displays an image of Queen Elizabeth II and the reverse mostly depicts Australian native animals. To mark special commemorative moments in time the 20c, 50 and $1.00 coins are minted with special designs and can be found in circulation.

• 5c Features an Echidna, one of only two egg laying mammals in the world.
• 10c Depicts a dancing Lyrebird with its magnificent tail spread wide, covering his head.
• 20c Features the platypus, the only other egg-laying mammal in the world besides the Echidna. The platypus has the beak or bill of a duck, tail like an otter, webbed feet like a duck and thick waterproof fur. One of Mother Natures more unique creations.
• 50c Carries the Commonwealth of Australia Coat of Arms.
• 1.00 Portrays our Kangaroos.
• 2.00 Features the torso of an Aborigine against the background of the Southern Cross.