Australia’s access to cash is shrinking at an alarming rate, with new data revealing that the number of ATMs and physical bank branches has fallen dramatically in recent years, leaving many communities — particularly in rural areas — struggling to access basic financial services.
According to figures released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), 333 bank-operated ATMs were removed across the country in the 12 months to June 2025, representing a 6 per cent drop in just one year. The long-term decline is even steeper: more than 4,478 machines, or 47 per cent, have been shut down over the past five years.
The trend reflects a major shift toward digital banking, but also highlights the growing disadvantage for Australians who rely on cash, especially older residents and those in remote areas.
Adding to the concern, 155 bank branches were closed during the 2024–2025 financial year, continuing a pattern of closures that has seen over 1,500 branches disappear across the nation in the last half-decade.
“Bank branches are continuing to disappear as Australians and banks continue to go digital,” said Sally Tindall, data insights director at Canstar. “While the rate of closures has slowed slightly, that’s little comfort to people who’ve lost their local branch.”
Tindall added that although most customers now prefer to “tap, click, transfer, and apply online,” banks must ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of inclusion. “The challenge for banks is making sure no one is left behind in this shift,” she said.
The APRA data also shows a slight slowdown in branch closures in remote and very remote regions — a result of an agreement between the federal government and Australia’s big four banks (Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB) to maintain regional operations until at least mid-2027. Only five branches closed in these areas in the past year, compared to eight the year before.
Despite these safeguards, experts warn that the continued loss of cash access points risks isolating vulnerable Australians, particularly in times of digital outages or emergencies.
As physical banking becomes rarer, Australia faces a crucial balancing act: embracing digital innovation while ensuring that communities — urban and rural alike — retain reliable access to their money.
