Banknotes & Counterfeit Deterrence

Every country has legal restrictions on the reproduction of banknote images. The counterfeiting of currency is a crime, and while restrictions vary from country to country, in some countries, any reproduction of banknote images – even for artistic or advertising uses – is strictly forbidden. Even in countries that allow some limited use of banknote images, there are specific rules and requirements. This website will provide you with information about reproducing banknote images and links to country-specific websites for further guidance.


While the overall economic losses to society from counterfeiting of currency are generally limited, the victims who suffer the most harm are individuals and businesses, because no one reimburses those who accept counterfeit notes. Counterfeit currency can also undermine confidence in the payment system, making the public uncertain about accepting cash for transactions.

The Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG) is responsible for this website. A counterfeit deterrence system (CDS) has been developed by the CBCDG to deter the use of personal computers, digital imaging equipment, and software in the counterfeiting of banknotes. The CDS has been voluntarily adopted by hardware and software manufacturers, and prevents personal computers and digital imaging tools from capturing or reproducing the image of a protected banknote. The technology does not have the capacity to track the use of a personal computer or digital imaging tools.

For information specific to a particular country or the banknote image you want to use, click on the appropriate region on the map or select the relevant country or currency from the list.

1.

Regions:

 Select a region from the list or click on the map below
 

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Currency:

Countries:

Languages:
AUD – Australian dollar Australia English

Official bank or department:

Contact information:

Links:
Reserve Bank of Australia

The Head of Note Issue Reserve Bank of Australia
PO Box 3947
Sydney 2001
Australia
OR
65 Martin Place
Sydney 2000
Australia
Fax: +612 9551 8044
E-mail: nienquiries@rba.gov.au

Legal

Low dpi banknote images

General information about the reproduction of banknotes:

It is an offence under Australian law to make a reproduction of a banknote that is capable of misleading a person to believe it is a genuine currency banknote unless consent has been given by either the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) or the Commonwealth Treasury. Consent is not required for a reproduction that is not capable of misleading.

The legislation places an obligation on those wanting to make a reproduction to ensure that it is not capable of misleading. Reproductions that mislead, or are considered capable of misleading, could result in severe penalties. The RBA will not give a view on whether a particular reproduction is likely or unlikely to mislead.

Reproduction in printed media:

Those thinking of making a reproduction should consider the risks that can arise from items created during the process by which the reproduction is achieved.

Those making reproductions should ensure that items such as photocopies, photographic negatives and positives, and scanned images stored on optical disks, graphics files or other equipment are stored securely and not misused.

These items could be used to make further representations not connected with the intended reproduction.

The RBA strongly recommends that all such items be destroyed after final use, although this is not a legal obligation.

The RBA holds copyright in the design of Australia’s currency notes. The RBA generally does not object to the use of note images in promotional or educational material, provided the material is not capable of misleading.

Reproduction in electronic media:

Same as for printed media