Reproducing an Australian banknote design is legal, and has been for as long as film and theatre productions have needed cash props. The Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 and the Reserve Bank of Australia's published reproduction guidelines set the rules, and they are more specific than most people expect.
The size rule matters most: a reproduction must differ from the genuine note by at least 25% in linear dimension — either noticeably smaller or noticeably larger, never a 1:1 match. Reproductions should not replicate banknote security features, and clear marking as "NOT LEGAL TENDER" or similar is standard practice across the industry.
Every note we sell at Australian Reserve Props is produced to these requirements: reduced scale, clearly marked as a prop, no replicated security features. It is intended for film, theatre, education, and novelty use — not for passing off as genuine currency, which remains a serious offence regardless of print quality.
Frequently asked
Does size have to differ by exactly 25%?
RBA guidance sets 25% as the minimum difference — smaller or larger than genuine is fine, as long as the gap is clear.
Is genuine Australian currency still legal tender if it's an old design?
Yes — older note series remain legal tender in Australia, which is a separate question from whether a reproduction is legal to print.