The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced the theme for the updated AUD 5 banknote, which will honour the enduring emotional, spiritual and physical connection of First Nations peoples to Country and guide the creation of new artwork for the note. The theme defines Country as the land, waters and sky and calls for imagery that recognises the diversity of First Nations peoples across Australia and the Torres Strait. It highlights the overturning of terra nullius as an important context for recognising long-standing relationships to Country, and points to First Nations communities’ role in environmental restoration and conservation through traditional ecological knowledge. The RBA said the theme followed an Australia-wide campaign that generated more than 2,100 public nominations, with the final selection made by the AUD 5 redesign imagery selection panel comprising First Nations representatives and representatives from the RBA and Note Printing Australia. Under the redesign, the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be replaced, while the reverse side will continue to feature the Australian Parliament, with the new design incorporating artwork from a First Nations artist.
Reserve Bank of Australia 2025-03-17
Reserve Bank of Australia announces First Nations connection to Country theme for redesigned AUD 5 banknote
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced that the updated AUD 5 banknote will feature a theme honouring First Nations peoples' connection to Country, replacing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with artwork by a First Nations artist, while retaining the Australian Parliament on the reverse side. The theme was selected following a national campaign and emphasizes the diversity and ecological contributions of First Nations communities.