Timeline of Australian History

By Jennifer Tran

  • Australia's banknotes

    Private banknotes continued to circulate as paper currency.
  • Period: to

    Timeline of Australian Money

  • The Australian Notes Act 1910

    The Australian Notes Act 1910 is passed vesting authority to issue Australian notes in the Treasury.
    As an interim measure the Government overprints private bank notes with the words 'Australian Note'.

  • Australian currency note

    The first Australian currency note (10 shillings) is issued. Other denominations follow. The notes reflect the dependence of the Australian economy on rural and mining industries.

  • 'Harrison series'

    The 'Harrison series' of currency notes is issued (named after Thomas S Harrison, the Australian Note Printer).

  • 'Ash series'

    The 'Ash series' of notes is issued, named after John Ash, the note printer. Manufacturing is represented on our notes (10 shilling) for the first time.

  • '1953/54 series'

    The 1953/54 series of currency notes is issued. It features portraits of key people in Australian history rather than the Monarchy or the economy.

  • Australia's conversion to decimal currency

    Australia converts from pounds, shillings and pence to decimal currency.
    The first series of decimal notes is issued. The new notes capture the emerging diversity of Australian society including its literature.

  • Australia's $50 note

    A $50 decimal currency note is issued.

  • Australian coins

    The decision to replace the $1 note by a $1 coin is announced with the new coin issued in 1984.
    A $100 decimal currency note is issued.

  • Australian money

    The first currency note - $10 - using new polymer technology developed by the RBA and the CSIRO is issued. It commemorates the Bicentenary of the First Settlement.
    The $2 note is replaced by a $2 coin.

  • Australia's Polymer currency

    The first of a complete series of 'Polymer' currency notes - a $5 note - is issued.

  • Australia's $10 banknote

    A $10 polymer note is issued.

  • Australia's $20 banknote

    A $20 polymer note is issued.

  • Australia's $50 banknote

    A $50 polymer note is issued.
    A recoloured $5 polymer note is issued.

  • Australia's $100 banknote

    A $100 polymer note is issued, completing the first series of polymer notes.

  • Australia's special $5 banknote

    A special Federation $5 polymer note is issued from 1 January 2001.