THIS image could be the first glimpse of a New Australian $7 banknote, infused for security purposes with Australia's national scent, the Wattle.

Inventors of the polymer plastic banknote, which is now used in 20 countries, the CSIRO, would not say if the note was real or an accurate hoax, adding fuel to rumours that Australia is about to add to its stock of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 plastic notes.

"The CSIRO is neither confirming or denying that it designed a $7 banknote or that it is infused with wattle scent for security reasons,'' a spokesman said.

The photograph was sent to The Advertiser by a government official in Canberra, where it has been circulating in an email with an official Federal Government email address which claims it is the "world's first scratch n' sniff banknote".

Photographs of three notes, including official signatures and stamped "specimen" are attached.

The notes could be a hoax, copycatting those who pretended the Canadian $100 polymer note released this week was infused with specially formulated maple syrup scent to stop counterfeiting. This has been denied by the Canadian government.