New Australian $5 Banknote Celebrates First Nations Culture
A remarkable transformation is on the horizon for Australia’s currency: the upcoming $5 banknotes will showcase the rich history and culture of the nation’s First Nations peoples, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The introduction of these new notes is expected to occur after the final designs are approved and production is underway. A significant change confirmed by the Reserve Bank of Australia involves the removal of the image of Queen Elizabeth II, aligning the banknote designs with contemporary values and histories.
The move is a significant shift from having the queen’s portrait on the front of the note since 1992. Instead, the new design will honor the Aboriginal peoples, who lived on these ancestral lands long before European colonization. It’s particularly poignant as these communities had to wait until 1962 for the right to vote and be elected to Parliament. The Reserve Bank has indicated that, while the $5 banknotes will no longer feature royalty, King Charles III’s image will remain on coins.
Honoring the Connection to Country
The upcoming banknote designs are intended to celebrate the enduring emotional and spiritual connection that the First Nations peoples have with their land, water, and sky. According to the Reserve Bank’s statement, the design will pay tribute to this profound relationship. The decision for this change was made following consultations with the government, which found strong support for this initiative.
Notably, the design aims to challenge the concept of terra nullius, a legal notion historically used to justify the colonization of lands inhabited by native communities. This expression, meaning “land belonging to no one,” oversaw the acquisition of territories occupied by Indigenous populations. The future banknote will serve as a recognition of the contributions made by First Nations communities towards environmental restoration and preservation.
Why Indigenous Australians on the New $5 Note?
Traditionally, Indigenous Australians are regarded as the guardians of the country’s biodiversity, which has come under increasing threat from wildfires, droughts, and the impacts of climate change. In response to this urgent situation, the government initiated the Threatened Species Action Plan in 2023, aiming to halt the extinction of 110 species and safeguard twenty vital natural areas by 2032. This plan was developed in collaboration with scientists, environmental experts, citizens, and First Nations communities.
In a notable departure, the Reserve Bank has stated that the new $5 note will not feature a traditional portrait. Instead, it will feature artwork from a selected Indigenous artist, reinforcing the commitment to acknowledge what has shaped and nurtured the nation. This design approach reflects a modern perspective on Australia’s currency, centering on the Connection to Country.
Timeline for the New Currency
The redesigned $5 banknotes are set to be released in the coming years; however, a specific launch date and the final design have yet to be disclosed. One element expected to remain is the image of Parliament House, located at Capital Hill in Canberra, a significant building with historical ties to Italy, created by Italian-American architect Aldo Giurgola in 1988.
The Reserve Bank initiated a call for design proposals for the new banknote last year, receiving over 2,100 submissions. In collaboration with groups and organizations from Aboriginal communities, the selection of the winning design aimed to represent authentic voices in this pivotal change. This initiative coincides with Australia’s broader move to reduce ties with colonial symbols, as reflected in the recent removal of references to the British monarchy from the national Great Seal.
