'Nobody's voted for a cashless society': Thousands to withdraw cash in protest

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 08:23

"Aussies have become increasingly concerned that banks are trying to herd us towards a cashless society."

Aussies around the country will today withdraw cash as part of protest "Cash Out Day", designed to highlight the importance of cash to the lives of millions in Australia.

While cash use has declined in recent years, data released this month by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) showed the number of cash payments had risen to 15 per cent, and that half of all Aussies use cash at least once a week.

The RBA highlighted that older Australians and those in regional areas were more likely to be reliant on cash, and Aussies are being urged to show they still value cash in hand by withdrawing some cash today.

Jasdon Bryce insisted cash was hugely important to Australia's economy.

Jason Bryce, a financial journalist and supporter of Cash Out Day, claimed it was important for Aussies to show cash is still king.

"Aussies have become increasingly concerned that banks are trying to herd us towards a cashless society," he said.

"Yes we like tag and go, yes we like to use our phone and our cards, but nobody's voted for a cashless society, no one's voted for the government or banks to take our cash away."

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GEN23, Generic, cash payments, shopping, cost of living, wages, withdrawal, atm, armaguard, groceries, in Sydney on April 1, 2024.

Regional communities have been hit by several banks closing branches, further hampering people's access to cash.

And while the federal government introduced a cash mandate this year, requiring businesses to accept cash as payment for essential goods, they have also moved to remove surcharges for card payments.

Bryce claimed the mandate was "way too weak" and said the removal of surcharges will help move people away from cash.

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