Banks urge passage of Cash Distribution legislation 

The ABA urges the final passage of the Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026 and accompanying legislation through the Senate this fortnight. 

ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the legislation was a critical safety net to protect the long-term availability of cash for Australians who still rely on it. 

“Cash remains an important payment option for many Australians, particularly in regional and remote communities. These Bills provide a crucial safety net to ensure cash can continue to be distributed reliably and affordably across the country,” Mr Birmingham said. 

“Australia’s banks remain committed to giving Australians genuine choice in how they pay. That is why banks continue to support the availability and transportation of cash alongside digital payment options.  

“Banks and retailers have played a critical role in keeping cash moving, having provided more than $100 million in additional funding above their normal contractual payments to Armaguard. 

“The sharp decline in cash use – from around 70 per cent of payments in 2007 to about 15 per cent today – has contributed to ongoing uncertainty in the future cash environment and highlights the importance of having a regulatory safeguard. 

“This legislative framework will provide greater certainty for the cash distribution sector, support sustainable pricing and service standards, and ensure there are clear arrangements to respond to any future disruptions. 

“It also complements industry efforts to develop a long-term solution in the form of an Independent Pricing Mechanism – developed by an independent expert – to give financial certainty to Armaguard’s cash-in-transit services right across Australia.  

“These Bills are the product of years of extensive public consultation, and we urge the Senate to ensure their expeditious passage so this important safety net can be put in place without delay.”