Global Payments, which recently completed the acquisition of Worldpay, today announces the 11th edition of the Global Payments Report (GPR), shows cash is still expected to account for 9% of Australian point-of-sale (POS) transaction value by 2030, down from 12% in 2025.
While Australia continues its shift towards modern payment methods, such as the growth of digital wallets, cards and a maturing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector, cash remains an important part of the Australian payments ecosystem.
The GPR is a comprehensive annual study providing insights into the trends shaping the present and future of consumer payments. This year’s report draws on a survey of more than 63,000 consumers across 42 global markets and five continents, mapping trends through 2030.
Cash use endures across generations
Cash use in stores continues across all age groups but remains the most popular amongst older Australians. Among people aged 65 and over, nearly 20% say cash is the payment method they use most frequently for in-person purchases. This is closely followed by those ages 55-64 (19%) and 45-54 (15%), indicating ongoing popularity within middle age and older demographics.
However, the data also shows cash use extends beyond older Australians, remaining the most frequently used in-store payment method for 13% of 35–44-year-olds, 8% of 25–34-year-olds and 6% of 18-24 year olds.
Colin Baines, Australia and New Zealand Country Manager for Global Payments, said, “Despite ongoing advances in the digital payments space, cash continues to be used by a significant number of Australians across every age group – even among younger cohorts of Australians, who are entirely comfortable with digital payments. Rather than disappearing, it remains part of Australia’s payments ecosystem, with Aussies simply choosing to use cash when it suits them best, depending on the situation and personal preference.”
Digital wallets surge at POS
Digital wallets are already the leading payment method for e-commerce in Australia, accounting for 43% of online transaction value in 2025, forecast to reach 50% by 2030. Growth in stores is even more pronounced, with wallets forecast to rise from 21% to 32% of POS transaction value by 2030. Debit cards remain the primary wallet funding source, meaning much of the wallet boom is, in effect, card spending in a new form.
Cards accounted for 37% of e-commerce and 64% of POS transaction value in 2025, with debit cards leading in stores and credit cards online. The RBA’s recent announcement to repeal merchant surcharging rights and lower interchange fee caps is expected to further reshape the economics of card acceptance from 1 October 2026.
Australia’s established BNPL category leads Asia Pacific
Australia, alongside New Zealand, leads the Asia Pacific region in BNPL use – accounting for 13% of e-commerce transaction value in 2025. Looking ahead, BNPL use is forecasted to rise modestly to 14% of e-commerce transaction value by 2030 as it continues to mature. In contrast, BNPL only accounts for 1 – 3% for other Asia-Pacific markets with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore each at 3%.
Baines continued, “The transformation of Australia’s payments landscape continues, with digital wallets growing fast, cards remaining dominant and BNPL now an expected option at the checkout. With cash still expected to have its place, Australian businesses best placed to grow are those that can provide the greatest flexibility of payment methods for their customers.”