Damon Mcknight
Australian banknotes are made from a type of plastic, or polymer, which makes them tough and durable. They were first issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1966, when the country switched from pounds to dollars. The polymer banknotes were introduced in 1988 and by 1996, the Australian dollar was fully switched over to polymer. The plastic pellets used to make the banknotes are melted and blown into a three-storey bubble, before being printed with various inks and designs. The central bank incorporates several security features to prevent counterfeiting, including UV fluorescent features, tactile features for the visually impaired, and a clear top-to-bottom window.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Polymer, a type of plastic |
| Texture | Distinctive feel, with a raised print that can be felt by running a finger across the portraits and other major design elements |
| Security features | Over 50 billion dollars worth of Australian banknotes have a range of special security features that make them harder to counterfeit |
| Durability | Tough and durable |
| Design | Retains the key aspects of the previous series' design such as colour, size and people portrayed |
| Production | Printed by Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA) |
| Printing process | Various printing plates, processes, machines and inks |
| Denominations | $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 |
| Serial number | Uses a 'Year-Dated System' where each banknote on a given sheet has a different letter prefix |
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What You'll Learn
Australian banknotes are made from plastic pellets
The first polymer series had 45 polymer banknotes on a sheet of $10 banknotes, 40 banknotes on a sheet of $5, $20 and $50 banknotes, and 32 banknotes on a sheet of $100 banknotes. A sheet of the new $5 banknotes has 54 polymer banknotes, with the new $10, $20, $50 and $100 having 45 banknotes on a sheet.
The plastic that Australian banknotes are printed on gives them a distinctive feel. A genuine banknote should return to its original shape after being scrunched up. The plastic substrate also allows for the creation of 'shadow images'—when a genuine banknote is held up to the light, the Australian Coat of Arms should be visible under the print.
The use of plastic pellets to create Australian banknotes began in 1988, when the Reserve Bank of Australia issued $10 notes in polypropylene polymer. This was done to commemorate the bicentenary of European settlement in Australia. Since 1996, the Australian dollar has been completely switched over to polymer banknotes.
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They are printed by Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA)
Australian banknotes are printed by Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA). The NPA is a separately incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and it has been so since July 1998. The NPA is located on a 26-hectare site at Craigieburn, Victoria, 25 kilometres north of Melbourne. The site is guarded by an armed force around the clock and is also supported by a range of highly sophisticated electronic security and surveillance devices.
The NPA's main production building is a purpose-built four-storey, reinforced concrete structure. Here, Australian banknotes are printed on sheets of polymer substrate using various printing plates, processes, machines and inks. The process starts with plastic pellets, which are melted and blown into a three-storey bubble. This is then squashed back down to get a film. Special inks are then applied to make the film opaque, except for certain areas which are left free of ink to create the clear windows.
The background colours and patterns are printed onto both sides of the polymer sheets simultaneously by simultan printing machines. These machines can print at least 8,000 sheets per hour. Strong colours are then applied on both sides of the note, in very fine detailed print. This gives the notes their bold, vivid colours and also adds a layer of security in the form of fine microprint.
The top-to-bottom window, which is new to the series, has a number of security features integrated into it. This is a complicated process that involves transferring foil with heat and pressure. A thick layer of coloured ink is then applied to create a rolling colour effect. Magnets are then applied to the wet ink to structure the way the pigments sit within it. This creates the coloured effects on both sides of the note.
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Polymer banknotes have three levels of security devices
Australian banknotes are made from a type of plastic, or polymer. More specifically, they are made from polypropylene polymer. This is a synthetic polymer, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The process of making these banknotes involves melting and stretching plastic pellets, then blowing them into a three-storey bubble, which is then squashed back down to get a film.
The first level, primary security devices, are features that are easily recognisable by consumers. These may include intaglio, metal strips, and the clear areas of the banknote. Intaglio is a type of printing that leaves a slightly raised print that can be felt by running a finger across the portraits and other major design elements. The clear areas of the banknote include the top-to-bottom window, which has multiple security features. One such feature is a three-dimensional image with a colourful border that appears raised or recessed when the banknote is tilted. Another feature is an embossed transitory image that can be viewed in transmission (through the window) and in reflection.
The second level, secondary security devices, are features that are detectable by a machine. One such feature is the use of metameric inks, which create different colours when viewed from different angles.
The third level, tertiary security devices, are features that may only be detectable by the issuing authority when a banknote is returned. One such feature is the use of UV fluorescent features, which can be viewed under UV black light with a specific wavelength. Under UV light, the serial numbers of an Australian banknote, as well as a rectangular or square patch showing the value, become visible.
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The serial number of a banknote should fluoresce under ultraviolet light
Australian banknotes are made from a type of plastic, or polymer. They are printed on sheets of polymer substrate using various printing plates, processes, machines, and inks. The process starts with a plastic film, which is essentially some polypropylene that is melted, stretched, blown into a big bubble, and then squashed back down to get a film.
The polymer banknotes were first issued as currency in Australia in 1988, coinciding with the country's bicentennial year. By 1996, the Australian dollar was switched completely to polymer banknotes.
The use of polymer material and a clear window have proven to be effective against counterfeiters. Polymer banknotes also last significantly longer than paper notes, reducing environmental impact and the cost of production and replacement.
The polymer banknotes in Australia have multiple security features, including UV fluorescent features. The serial number of an Australian banknote should fluoresce under ultraviolet light. To validate this feature, a UV black light with a wavelength centred around 365 nm should be used in low ambient lighting conditions. The UV light will cause the serial number to fluoresce, allowing for verification of the banknote's authenticity.
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$89.99
Australian money has a distinctive feel
The process of creating these polymer banknotes begins with melting and stretching polypropylene plastic into a thin film. This film is then printed on with special inks to create the bold, vivid colours and intricate designs seen on the banknotes. One notable feature of Australian banknotes is the use of intaglio printing, which leaves slightly raised prints that can be felt by running a finger across the portraits and major design elements. This adds to the distinctive tactile experience of Australian money.
The clear windows on Australian banknotes are also a unique feature that contributes to their distinct feel. These windows are created by leaving certain areas of the film free of ink before printing. The windows are not just decorative but also serve as security features, incorporating elements like foil and optically variable devices (OVDs) that are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
Another security feature that adds to the distinctive feel of Australian banknotes is the tactile feature introduced in 2015 to assist the visually impaired community in identifying different denominations. This feature consists of raised bumps on the long edges of the banknote next to the clear window. By incorporating various security features and a unique polymer material, Australia has achieved one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world.
The distinctive feel of Australian money is a result of its innovative production methods and focus on security. The use of polymer material not only makes the banknotes durable but also provides a unique tactile experience that helps authenticate the currency. This combination of security features and tactile elements has contributed to the low rates of counterfeiting in Australia and reinforced the distinctiveness of Australian money.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian banknotes are made from a type of plastic, or polymer.
Polymer banknotes last significantly longer than paper notes, decreasing their environmental impact and reducing the cost of production and replacement. Polymer notes are also harder to counterfeit.
Australian banknotes start out as plastic pellets, which are melted and blown into a three-storey bubble. Special inks are then applied to make the film opaque, except for certain areas which are left free of ink to create the clear windows.
Australian polymer banknotes have multiple security features, some of the most advanced in the world. These include:
- Serial numbers that fluoresce under ultraviolet light
- A rectangular patch showing the value, visible under UV light on the $20, $50 and $100 banknotes
- A square patch visible under UV light on the $5 banknote
- A distinctive feel due to the polymer material
- A shadow image of the Australian Coat of Arms, visible when the banknote is held up to the light
- A three-dimensional image with a colourful border, visible when the banknote is tilted
