The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced the release date for the next generation of the $50 banknote, which will include tactile features to support people from the blind and low vision community.
RBA Governor Philip Lowe today announced the new $50 note will be released into general circulation in October 2018.
The new $50 note will feature four small raised dots located slightly left of centre on the top edge regardless of which way it has been placed in a wallet or purse. This will assist people from the blind and low vision community to identify it.
The launch of the new $50 note follows a new version of the $5 and $10 notes in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The inclusion of a tactile feature on all new banknotes is the fruition of campaigning by Vision Australia, the blindness and low vision community and advocate Connor McLeod who launched a successful change.org petition.
The new $50 banknote will continue to feature portraits of Aboriginal writer and inventor David Unaipon and the first female member of an Australian parliament, Edith Cowan.
The Governor said, “David Unaipon and Edith Cowan were campaigners for social change and we are proud to continue featuring them on the $50 banknote. The new banknote provides the opportunity to tell more of the rich story behind these distinguished Australians.”
The Reserve Bank is working closely with banknote equipment manufacturers and retailers to help them prepare ATMs and other banknote authenticating machines to handle the new banknote.
Existing $50 banknotes can continue to be used, as all previously issued banknotes remain legal tender. It is expected that the $20 banknote will be upgraded next year.
Full details of the design and security features on the new $50 banknote, and other denominations, are available on the Bank's website at www.banknotes.rba.gov.au