Australian businesses selling essential goods, services to be forced to accept cash

CANBERRA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Australian businesses will be forced to accept cash as payment for essential goods and services under a government mandate.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones on Monday announced that, from 2026, businesses will be legally required to accept cash and coins when selling essential goods, including groceries and fuel.

"People are increasingly using digi