(22 January 2026 – Australia) Large retailers across Australia may need to reinstate cash-handling policies and processes that were previously wound back, following the introduction of new federal rules mandating the acceptance of cash payments.
Under regulations introduced at the start of the year, most fuel and grocery retailers are now required to accept in-person cash payments of $500 or less between 7am and 9pm. Small businesses with annual turnover below $10 million are exempt, unless they operate under a trademark associated with a larger retail group.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the changes are designed to preserve consumer choice: “You should be able to pay with cash if you need to, and that’s what these regulations are all about.”
Compliance will require operational adjustments for larger retailers, including re-establishing cash floats and tills, retraining staff, increasing the frequency of bank deposits, and updating reconciliation processes.