Home topics news via pexels News News Cash mandate forces major retailers to accept notes and coins from January Yajush Gupta December 16, 2025 Small businesses with turnover under 10 million dollars won’t need to comply with new cash mandate regulations, according to Treasury’s exposure draft. What’s happening : From 1 January 2026, fuel stations and grocery retailers must accept cash payments for in-person transactions under 500 dollars under draft regulations released by the Federal Government. Why this matters : Around 1.5 million Australians use cash for more than 80 per cent of their in-person payments, according to government data. Fuel stations and grocery retailers will be required to accept cash payments from 1 January 2026 under draft regulations designed to ensure Australians can still purchase essential goods when digital payment systems fail. The Federal Government released exposure draft regulations in October that mandate cash acceptance for in-person transactions under 500 dollars at fuel and grocery retailers, with appropriate exemptions for small businesses. The government has positioned the regulations as necessary to help ensure Australians who rely on cash won’t be left behind as many businesses move to cashless payment systems. Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino acknowledged that while Australians are increasingly using digital payment methods, cash will maintain an ongoing place in society under the Albanese Government. The mandate applies to fuel and grocery retailers, including both major supermarket chains and independent operators, but only for in-person transactions under 500 dollars. This means businesses won’t be required to accept cash