RBA’s big decision for the $5 note has left Australians split—where do you stand?

Currency designs are more than just pieces of paper—they reflect a nation's identity, history, and values.

So, when a major change is announced, it’s bound to stir debate.

A decision has been made about the future of Australia's $5 note, and it’s one that has divided opinions across the country.


The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) revealed the new direction for the country’s $5 note, confirming it would not feature King Charles III or a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Instead, the updated design would focus on an Indigenous theme, highlighting the connection to Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The late Queen had been on the $5 note since 1992, and speculation had grown over who or what would replace her.


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RBA unveils bold new $5 note design. Image source: Reserve Bank of Australia


The RBA shared it had received many ‘creative ideas’ from the public after seeking input on the redesign.

The bank ultimately decided on a concept called ‘Connection to Country,’ stating it aimed to be more ‘inclusive’ with Australia’s currency.

‘Country is the land, the waters and the sky,’ the RBA said.

‘Key to this theme is the recognition of First Nations communities’ contribution to the restoration and conservation of our environment.’

‘An important context for this connection is the overturning of the concept of terra nullius.’

‘In acknowledging connection and caring for Country the theme should be inclusive, recognising the nature of Country varies, but it is all connected.’


The RBA confirmed that Canberra’s Parliament House would remain on the new note.

More than 2,100 submissions were made about the redesign, with suggestions covering First Nations culture, storytelling, native wildlife, and landmarks.

RBA Assistant Governor Business Services Michelle McPhee said many ideas focused on ‘First Nations cultures, storytelling, art and design, native animals and important landmarks.’

The final look of the new banknote had yet to be unveiled, but the RBA said it would enter circulation in the coming years.

The bank also assured that the design would reflect Indigenous culture in a meaningful way and not be ‘tokenistic or stereotypical.’


The decision divided Australians, with some royalists unhappy that King Charles III would not be featured.

‘Keep the Queen on our $5 notes. She dedicated her life to her service. She commanded the commonwealth for such a long time. How horrible to just erase her off the notes. So wrong,’ one person said.

‘Is that a gee up? We are still part of the Commonwealth under King Charles he should be on our currency,’ another wrote.

Others welcomed the change, believing it was a positive step.

‘Who actually has such small issues in life that this will become the thing that makes them lose sleep at night? At least First Nations themes make more sense than the dude in a different country that is our monarch in name only,’ a supporter commented.

Another said: ‘I know some people hate it, but I think it’s fun! Every time we embrace First Nations people, it makes me proud to be Australian.’

A Yahoo Finance poll showed a close split, with 52 per cent preferring King Charles III to be featured over another design.


In a previous story, an Aussie worker discovered a surprising loophole that could help you reclaim damaged cash.

Many people don’t realise that torn or worn-out notes might still have value.

Find out how you could get your money back.

Key Takeaways
  • The RBA announced that Australia's new $5 note would not feature King Charles III or Queen Elizabeth II but would instead showcase an Indigenous theme.
  • The design, called ‘Connection to Country,’ aimed to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s relationship with the land, waters, and sky.
  • More than 2,100 public submissions were received, with suggestions focusing on First Nations culture, storytelling, wildlife, and landmarks.
  • The decision divided Australians, with some supporting the change and others believing King Charles III should have been featured.

Currency changes don’t happen often, and when they do, they spark plenty of discussion.

Do you think the new design is a fitting tribute to First Nations culture, or should King Charles III have been included?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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I like what I see and it's about time we had something Australian instead of photos of people from the other side of the world. Considering that the Chinese discovered us in 1421 and Portugal in the 1500s followed by the Dutch and many others all documented in 2 books with maps, diagrams and photos. The only thing Cook did was kill Aboriginals.The sooner we stop bowing to the most scandalous mob in Royal history the better and really become AUSTRALIA.
They wiped them out in Tasmania
 
I like what I see and it's about time we had something Australian instead of photos of people from the other side of the world. Considering that the Chinese discovered us in 1421 and Portugal in the 1500s followed by the Dutch and many others all documented in 2 books with maps, diagrams and photos. The only thing Cook did was kill Aboriginals.The sooner we stop bowing to the most scandalous mob in Royal history the better and really become AUSTRALIA.
Having Parliament House Canberra on it will devalue the note and also shows the corruption which is still rife, as we as a nation of Australians became nothing more than a stabbed in the back group of people in 1974 when our constitution and government became null and void.
All this talk of digital ! But let’s make a new $5 buck note ? Guess it’s a minimal step in the right direction to keep currency, or a way of spending millions to organise a new note and the actual money spent to do so going somewhere else 🧐🤡
 
we should firstly accept the original people who have been here for thousands of years. They get little respect and, remember that the Maori's and American Indians have TREATIES and to this day all Aboriginals have is the abuse of many. I've had the pleasure of knowing many of these people personally for the majority of my life and find they are mostly loving, caring and highly intelligent which we can't say for many white people. Drunkenness is often brought up in argument but have an honest look at the skin colour of many people in the parks and how many people in the Forces are DRUNKS. I know because I have been on the end of their treatment.
Proof of them being here for thousands of years??? I’ll just wait here
 
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Is Australia a nation in its own right or are we still tied to the UK's apron strings. It is time to stamp our own identity as a sovereign nation. Yes, Charles is the titular head of the Commonwealth but it does not mean we need him on our currency. When you consider the origins of white settlement here, many of them prisoners deported here for trying to feed their families, why on earth would we want Charles on any of our currency. Many since that time have come here from non Commonwealth countries from all around the world. It is time to stand up as a nation in our own right and our currency is one way to reflect starting to do so.
thank you Celeste. My GGrandfather had his land and animals and home stolen, he had only one charge stealing some bread to feed his 5 kids and wife and was sent here which in a way was good as he was given 2 land grants, an early ticket of leave and was well respected.
These days people say they want a new life and safety but look at what's going on now. They want a change but they still wear turbans, Hijabs, etc that advertise where they came from. How does that ensure safety and peace? Many sadly don't even bother to learn English and here we are still tied to the apron strings of Merry Old England.
They wiped them out in Tasmania
the English did that.
 
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What did the "first nations" (by the way, isn't that a term borrowed from the Indians of North America?) inhabitants call this land? Did the "Aboriginal industry", as John Laws used the term, adopt that idea seeking some consolidation of their "rights" to this country? Were they so united then -- for however many thousands of years -- that they had agreed on a name for it? Would the concept of a land with all their tribes existing as one, under one government, and all speaking the same language and having the same aims as to its purpose, have even occurred to them? Would they recognise the idea of a "government"?
I hear a $40 billion dollar note coming soon 😝😝😝
 
thank you Celeste. My GGrandfather had his land and animals and home stolen, he had only one charge stealing some bread to feed his 5 kids and wife and was sent here which in a way was good as he was given 2 land grants, an early ticket of

the English did that.
That's correct
 
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How many of us actually spend time examining what is on our money, I know I certainly don’t. I think removing royalty is a brilliant idea & it’s appropriate that our indigenous heritage is being recognised. Surely there are more important issues to worry about, the value of the note isn’t changing, so why give it more attention than it really deserves.
 
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What did the "first nations" (by the way, isn't that a term borrowed from the Indians of North America?) inhabitants call this land? Did the "Aboriginal industry", as John Laws used the term, adopt that idea seeking some consolidation of their "rights" to this country? Were they so united then -- for however many thousands of years -- that they had agreed on a name for it? Would the concept of a land with all their tribes existing as one, under one government, and all speaking the same language and having the same aims as to its purpose, have even occurred to them? Would they recognise the idea of a "government"?
absolutely right, the inhabitants captain cook came across (that tried to kill him) ended upcoming to some agreement that resulted in settling of Englishmen and eventually ended up where we are...so now we are going to reverse the process give it all back (to who?) and start over.why not have 2 flags , 2 public services , 2 parliaments ,2 armies ,navy ,airforce, police force etc and go completely insane,.....who was here 20000 yrs ago before the aborigines,?where does Adam and Eve fit in (the traditional owners of the world)
 
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if you don't like it go back to where you came from. the white man has shit on the Aboriginals since Cook and they are still at it. LEARN YOUR HISTORY THEN OPEN YOUR MOUTH. At least the Chinese, Portugese and Dutch didn't treat the people already here like they are treated by some up to this very day.
Maybe the Chinese should be here instead of us - with their track record there wouldn't be any indigenous left!
 
Like it or not we are still a monarchy and happy for the change as long as still represented on one
 
plenty of dead people on bank notes all over the world. why does australia have to change? Leave our monarch the past Queen on the $5 note. AND save heaps of money. We all know albo likes spending and wasting money, yes no answers for one and of late the billions that keep coming out of mouth, all for buying votes. useless man.
 
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Why can't we afford it? Poms have been coming here constantly for holidays AND WE PAY FOR IT. We need to have a say in our lives not bow down to garbage from overseas.
what a stupid remark. i do not see poms being paid for holidays here and garbage from overseas. you are the one speaking garbage, and very rude garbage i might add.
 
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plenty of dead people on bank notes all over the world. why does australia have to change? Leave our monarch the past Queen on the $5 note. AND save heaps of money. We all know albo likes spending and wasting money, yes no answers for one and of late the billions that keep coming out of mouth, all for buying votes. useless man.
"Passed" Queen....

Is that as in deceased or removed via the digestive tract?

The sooner Australia rids itself of these incestuous, inconsequential waste of space called "monarchy", the better!
 
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