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In a landmark decision, Australia is transforming its $5 banknote to honour First Nations peoples' enduring connection to Country. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced that the new design will replace Queen Elizabeth II's portrait with Indigenous artwork celebrating the deep relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with their land, sea and sky.
This redesign represents a significant shift in how Australia presents its national identity through its currency. After receiving over 2,100 public nominations, the RBA chose to focus on Connection to Country rather than featuring any single individual. This theme resonates with First Nations peoples' understanding of their relationship with the land – a bond that encompasses not just the physical landscape, but the waters, skies and all living things within it.
The new note will also acknowledge the historic 1992 Mabo decision, which overturned terra nullius and formally recognised Indigenous peoples' rights to their traditional lands. This legal milestone marked the first time Australian law officially acknowledged First Nations peoples' continuous presence on and care for these lands for over 65,000 years.
Indigenous Art at the Heart of Australian Currency The redesign places Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic expression at the centre of everyday Australian life. Traditional Indigenous art forms have long conveyed deep cultural meanings and stories about Connection to Country through techniques like dot painting and bark art. Now, these artistic traditions will reach millions of Australians through their daily transactions.
Professor Tony Dreise, a Guumilaroi and Euahlayi man, and the Pro Vice-Chancellor of First Nations Engagement at Charles Darwin University, welcomes the change, stating:
"Acknowledgment of our people's deep and uninterrupted attachment to Country should be everywhere—on billboards, in schools, in boardrooms, on TV, and on our currency." (ABC. 2025)
This change to Australia's currency reflects a broader shift towards recognising and celebrating First Nations heritage. It creates an opportunity for deeper appreciation of Indigenous art and culture, while acknowledging the vital role First Nations peoples continue to play in caring for Country.
