The central bank of Australia reveals the country’s new $20 bill

The RBA has revealed the new $20 banknote on Friday, which will be released into general circulation in October 2019.

The new look, like the old note, features portraits of successful businesswoman Mary Reibey and pioneer Reverend John Flynn.

RB Governor Philip Lowe said: ‘The new $20 banknote continues to celebrate the lives of two outstanding Australians. Their stories are told through the images we have incorporated on the banknote, which provide a rich and diverse narrative about their life in Australia.’

Celebrating Australia’s rich history

Mary Reibey and John Flynn have both been iconic figures to Australians since the 1900's. Reibey arrived in Australia as a convict and defined social norms, running her own shipping trading enterprise. Her journey is illustrated on the new $20 to celebrate her achievements.

Reverend John Flyn is also celebrated on the $20, for his achievements in pioneering the world’s first aerial medical services in 1928. Flynn pioneered the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which is the world’s largest aeromedical emergency service, helping thousands of Australians every year.

New look with Improved security

The $20 banknote's stylish new look also features improved security. The note's ease of recognition and characteristics have been designed to make it harder to replicate.

‘The same innovative security features from the previously released $5, $10 and $50 banknotes have been incorporated to help keep them secure from counterfeiting.’ Governor Lowe said.

Security features included, a clear window containing elements of a flying kookaburra that moves its wings and changes color, and a reversing number 20, as well as a patch with a rolling-color effect and microprint featuring excerpts from Flynn's book The Bushman's Companion and the names of Reibey's ships.

As with the $5, $10 and $50, the new banknote includes representations of a wattle plant and a native bird, as well as a tactile feature to help the visually impaired distinguish between different denominations of banknotes. The $20 has three raised bumps on each of the long edges of the note.

Existing $20 banknotes can continue to be used, as all previously issued banknotes remain legal tender. It is expected that the $100 banknote will be next in line to get a brand-new look, with the new look expected to be revealed in 2020.