FOR a long time now, Australia has had one of the lowest counterfeiting rates in the world. One of the reasons for this is the different security features that we have on our banknotes, which make it harder for a counterfeiter to copy them.
Australian banknotes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic, and they have a distinctive feel. Polymer banknotes were developed specifically to make our currency more difficult to counterfeit. Security features that can be used to check a bank note, according to the Reserve Bank of Victoria, include:
Polymor Substrate – A genuine banknote should return back to shape after it is scrunched up, due to the type of plastic they are printed on, giving banknotes a distinctive feel.
Top-to-bottom window – The top-to-bottom window on banknotes feature multiple security features. The window should be an integral part of the banknote and not an addition. Check that security features in the window cannot be easily rubbed off.
3D image – if you tilt a banknote you will see a three-dimensional image with a colourful border that will appear raised or recessed.
Colourful bird – Tilt the banknote to see a bird move its wings and change colour in the top-to-bottom window. Another bird will also change colours on the banknote when tilted.
Reversing number – Tilt the banknote to see a number change direction within the building. The number alternatively appears forwards, disappears, then appears backwards.
To learn more about Australian banknotes and their security features, visit https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/counterfeit-detection/
