Next Generation Banknote Program

The new $100 banknote

The new generation $100 banknote - signature side.

This image shows the signature side of the new $100 banknote.

The new generation $100 banknote - serial number side.

This image shows the serial number side of the new $100 banknote.

About the Designs

The $100 banknote was released into general circulation on 29 October 2020. It celebrates Sir John Monash, an engineer, soldier and civic leader and Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally renowned soprano. Monash was a significant figure in the building-construction industry. He is also widely recognised for his service as a commander in the First World War. Monash was instrumental in building the Shrine of Remembrance – which features on the banknote – in his hometown of Melbourne. Melba performed in Australia, Europe and the United States of America in the late 19th and early 20th century. In addition to performing, Melba made important contributions to the arts through teaching at the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music, now the Melba Opera Trust, in her home town of Melbourne.

Innovative new security features have been incorporated in the new $100 banknote to help keep it secure from counterfeiting. These security features are similar to those in the $5, $10, $20 and $50 banknotes issued progressively since 2016, such as the top-to-bottom clear window that contains a number of dynamic features including a reversing number and flying bird. There is also a patch with a rolling colour effect and microprint featuring excerpts of a letter written by Monash and Melba's autobiography Melodies and Memories.

Each banknote in the new series also features a different species of native Australia wattle and bird. The $100 banknote features the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and the Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae).

As previously announced, key aspects of the existing design – colour, size and people portrayed – have been retained for ease of recognition and to minimise the disruption to businesses. The new banknote series also has a ‘tactile’ feature to help the vision-impaired community distinguish between different denominations of banknotes.

All banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank remain legal tender and can continue to be used.

Upgrading Australia's Banknotes

A core function of the Reserve Bank is to maintain public confidence in Australia's banknotes. Australia has one of the safest and most secure currencies in the world and has experienced relatively low levels of counterfeiting for many years. To ensure that this continues to be the case, the Reserve Bank researches anti-counterfeit technologies and developments in banknote design. The results of this work have culminated in a project to upgrade the security of Australia's banknotes.

The first denomination in the new series, the $5 banknote, was issued on 1 September 2016. The new $10 banknote was issued into general circulation from 20 September 2017 followed by the new $50 banknote on 18 October 2018. The new $20 was issued into circulation on 9 October 2019 and the new $100 was issued on 29 October 2020.

Considerable work has already been undertaken on this project, including the development and review of banknote designs and production trials of new security features. It is important that the new features are durable, effectively incorporated into the banknote designs and rigorously tested. One aspect of this process is that the Reserve Bank has consulted extensively with key users of banknotes, including banknote equipment manufacturers, retail organisations, financial institutions and the vision-impaired community. Advice has also been sought through a number of channels during the development process, including a Design Advisory Panel, subject-matter experts and focus groups comprising members of the public. These ongoing consultations provide an opportunity to ensure that the new banknotes meet the needs of the community.