On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of decimal currency, the Reserve Bank is pleased to announce that the first of Australia's next generation of banknotes, the new $5, will be issued from 1 September 2016.

The Governor, Glenn Stevens, said:

‘The new banknotes will have a range of security features that have not previously been used on an Australian banknote. The new series will also include a ‘tactile’ feature to help the vision-impaired community distinguish between different denominations of banknotes.

The inclusion of these new features and updated designs mean that the banknotes have a fresh, modern feel. At the same time, key features of the existing series of banknotes, such as the colour, size and people portrayed on each denomination, have been maintained. The public will recognise the new banknotes.’

One feature of the new designs is the depiction of a different species of Australian wattle on each denomination. National Wattle Day, 1 September, has therefore been chosen to issue the new $5 banknote. Full details of the design will be revealed in the middle of the year.