Plastic notes phased in through the 90’s over about 5-10 years starting with $5 and $10, going up. I’m not sure the exact year we started going plastic, but it was around then. I don’t think we were up to the plastic $20 yet in 1993.
Paper notes were still pretty common in 1997. I remember finding them annoying because I had to separate them when doing the cash taking for work and the bank didn’t like getting paper and plastic notes bundled together.
This is interesting story. When did Australia got plastic banknotes? Current one should last forever.
Oops, I meant to reply to this comment but missed and made a top level reply instead.
When did Australia got plastic banknotes?
Quick Google says 1988, but it was a gradual roll-out, with the switch not being completed until 1996.
Fun fact: the polymer bank notes were an Australian invention, and Australia produces the polymer bank notes for several other countries including New Zealand, Mexico, and Vietnam.
Nah, the 1988 $10 note was an experimental thing. We went back to paper for a few years after that. It’s funny: A quick Google didn’t tell me when exactly we made the move to plastic, and paper notes were still common well beyond 1996. I’m sure the information is to be had - but I’m at work and can’t devote any time to actually researching this.
The 1988 $10 was pulled from circulation, because you could rub the hologram off with some thumb pressure, IIRC.
