The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft determination proposing to authorize the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and other industry participants to collaborate on maintaining cash distribution in Australia. This initiative aims to ensure that consumers and businesses can continue to access cash, especially in regional and remote areas.

One of the key aspects of the proposal is to allow the parties to take necessary steps to ensure the continuity of cash-in-transit services, particularly if Armaguard, the main national distributor of cash, faces service disruptions. The ACCC has included conditions in its proposed authorization, requiring the ABA to develop initiatives to protect cash access in less accessible areas.

The ACCC's Deputy Chair, Mick Keogh, emphasized the importance of public access to physical currency, particularly for those reliant on cash payments. The draft determination is open for submissions until November 14, 2025, and aims to provide statutory protection from court action for the collaborative conduct that might otherwise raise competition law concerns.

Since 2023, the ACCC has granted several authorizations related to cash-in-transit services, including a merger authorization between Armaguard and Prosegur Australia, and various authorizations allowing collaboration among banks, retailers, and other industry participants to support cash distribution.