Australian businesses selling essential goods and services to be forced to accept cash payments

The government expects that supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations – along with providers of utilities and health services – are likely to be included in the cash mandate. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Businesses selling essential goods and services such as groceries, medicines and fuel will be forced to accept cash from their customers unless granted a special exemption, under a government mandate to take effect from 1 January 2026.

In a move designed to taper the phase-out of cash and ensure those who rely on it can still use it for the near future, the federal government will require certain businesses to take cash payments. But others, including many small businesses, will be exempt from the measure.