Good article here on trends that answers some of your questions: https://theconversation.com/why-cash-has-made-an-unexpected-comeback-in-australia-new-study-281029

After two decades of declining cash use, Australians are handing over more banknotes and coins for regular purchases again, a new survey by the Reserve Bank has found.

The decline in the use of physical money had accelerated during the COVID pandemic, but bottomed out between 2022 and 2025.

One decision that may stabilise the use of cash is that since January 2026 the federal government has mandated that most grocery stores and petrol stations must continue to accept cash.