Prefect Agencies, Protecting you Against Counterfeits.
Over recent months, there has been wide-spread media reports of a spike in the number of counterfeit notes in
circulation in South East Queensland. Prefects Agencies clients in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have
confirmed that they have seen an increase in fake notes filtering through their cash registers.
It appears that the decision by the RBA to release the new $50 as the third in the series may have caused panic within
counterfeiting rings motivating them to dump their stockpile in anticipation of the new $50 due out in September
2018.
Cash remains a popular payment instrument in Australia and it is important to ensure that it remains secure and easy
to use. The Reserve Bank carefully monitors counterfeiting activity in Australia and in other countries and constantly
researches new security features. While improvements in copying technology have seen both the rate and quality of
counterfeiting in Australia increase in recent years, it nevertheless remains low relative to the experience of many
other countries. It is necessary to upgrade Australian banknotes periodically to ensure they remain secure into the
future. Subsequently we have seen the release of the new $5 Note soon to be followed by the $10, $50, $20 and
finally the $100
The monitoring and analysis of counterfeiting trends both in Australia and overseas allows the Reserve Bank to keep
several steps ahead of counterfeiters by making improvements pre-emptively, before counterfeiting becomes a
significant problem
New $10 due for release in September 2017
Most commonly counterfeit notes are passed in busy retail outlets targeting young workers or in places that have dim
lighting, (think of nightclubs, pubs or racetracks). TAB’s and Car Dealerships’ where large amounts of notes are
presented and accepted in one transaction also fall victim, as it’s easy to slip fake notes into a bundle.
However, even with the increased counterfeit activity in Queensland and NSW, having a reliable counterfeit detector
and well trained staff can certainly eliminate the risk.
Prefect Agencies provides a comprehensive range of counterfeit detection equipment and offers training seminars for
groups to ensure you are fully protected. We have a clear, concise and accurate counterfeit detection. This guide is a
great training tool to share with your staff.
However if you detect any Counterfeits you must report the incident immediately your local or Federal police
The following information is a guide only – For further information Visit http://www.rba.gov.au/banknotes/
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]
Detecting Counterfeit Notes
Australia has one of the lowest rates of counterfeiting in the world. Most people will never see a counterfeit. Even
so, it is vitally important that people are aware of the security features included on Australia's banknotes. To
determine if a suspect banknote is a counterfeit, it is best to compare it with a banknote that is known to be
genuine.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A COUNTERFEIT NOTE FROM A GENUINE NOTE
1. Is it plastic? Australian banknotes are printed on plastic and have a distinct feel. A suspect banknote may feel
excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine banknote. It is difficult to start a tear along the edge of a genuine
banknote. You can also try scrunching the banknote in your hand – a genuine banknote should spring back.
2. Look for the Coat of Arms. If you hold the banknote to the light, you should see the Australian Coat of Arms.
3. Look for the star. Diamond-shaped patterns are printed inside a circle on both sides of the banknote. If you hold
the banknote up to the light, the patterns should line up perfectly to form a seven-pointed star.
4. Check the clear window. The clear window should be an integral part of the banknote and not an addition. Check
that the white image printed on the window cannot be easily rubbed off. Also look for the embossing – there is
a wave pattern in the window of the $10 banknote, and the value of the banknote in the windows of $20, $50 and
$100 banknotes.
5. Feel the dark printing. It is produced with a special raised ink that can be felt with your finger.
6. Check the print quality. The background printing should be sharp. Check for irregularities such as less clearly
defined patterns, thicker or thinner lines, or colour differences.
7. Look for the microprinting. Under a magnifying glass on a UV 1000 you will see tiny, clearly defined words on
the top left corner of the $5 banknote and near the portraits on the other banknotes.
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]
Counterfeit Note Detection Equipment
Prefect Agencies provides a comprehensive range of counterfeit detection equipment and offers training
seminars for groups to ensure you are fully protected. We have a clear, concise and accurate counterfeit
detection. This guide is a great training tool to share with your staff.
The UV-1000 “Black light UV Detector” Is an entry level
device ideal for illuminating the IR security features in
both the new and old notes
The operator simply places the note under the UV light
and the serial number will Most
of the banknote should not
fluoresce. The exceptions are the
serial numbers, a patch on the $5
banknote and a patch on the $20,
$50 and $100 banknotes that also
shows the value (e.g. 50). The
Serial Number Should also fluoresce, however some counterfeiter are able to copy
this feature, we would advise using the fluorescing serial number in combination with other security
elements such as the seven point star ( shown in Item 3) which can be viewed through the magnifier of the
UV-1000 whist the with base light is active
MCD-705 with UV/MG counterfeit scanner/detector, ideal for
checking counterfeit notes before they hit the till. This device has
a very small footprint and sits next to the till where notes of various
currencies can be feed through for analysis and validation. Simple
for the till operator to use, auto currency check, perfect for foreign
exchange outlets, airport retail, hotels, banks, retail and security.
MCD-705 is equipped with self-feeding detection system which
can eliminate the need to visually inspect suspect notes, and it is
able to recognise 4-6 different currencies at the same time.
MCD-705 will alarm with an error code on the display when
counterfeit notes are detected. With a quick auto-note fed note
scanning is quick and automatically. The operator is instantly
alerted in the case of a counterfeit, in less than a second
Standard configuration: AUD, EUR, GBP, CNY, HKD and USD
Other currencies available include:
BRL/CAD/ HRK/ HKD/JPY/AED/CNY/ IDR/ KWD/ LBP/ HUF/SAR/SGD/SYP/ TRY/ EGP/ UGX/ ZAR/COP
Full Video user Guides for the MCD 705 and the UV-1000A can be downloaded at
http://www.prefectagencies.com.au/counterfeit/
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]
Common Myths about Banknotes
Myth
Banknotes without the printed name below the portrait are counterfeit.
Fact
A banknote without the name of the person below the portrait is not necessarily counterfeit. Printed
names were added to Australian banknotes from 2002. This was done to help the public identify the
people that our banknotes feature. To determine the year a banknote was produced, look at the first two
numerals of the serial number e.g. 99 means the banknote was printed in 1999, while 03 means the
banknote was printed in 2003.
Myth
The Governor's signature is always above the Secretary to the Treasury's.
Fact
The order of the signatures on Australian banknotes was changed in 2002. Since then, the Governor's
signature has been printed above that of the Secretary to the Treasury.
Suspect BanknotesIt is an offence to knowingly possess counterfeit banknotes. Suspect banknotes should be given to State or
Federal police. If they prove to be genuine banknotes, you will receive full value for them.
If you come across a banknote that you suspect is counterfeit, take the following steps: Step 1: Store safely
Handle the suspect banknote as little as possible and store it in an envelope.
Step 2: Note details
Note any relevant information, such as how it came into your possession.
Step 3: Report to police
Report the matter immediately to State or Federal police. You are well within your rights to refuse to
accept a banknote if you have concerns about it. Under no circumstances should you take actions that
may jeopardise your safety or that of others.
If you have a general enquiry and do not require police assistance, please call the AFP's National
Switchboard on (02) 6131 3000. Hours of operation as follows:


Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm AEST
Weekends and Public Holidays 8am to 8pm AEST
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]
Where Australia's Banknotes Are Made
Australia's banknotes are printed by Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA),
which is located on a 26 hectare site at Craigieburn, Victoria, 25 kilometres
north of Melbourne. Since July 1998, NPA has been a separately
incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
NPA's main production building is a purpose-built four-storey, reinforced
concrete structure. The NPA site is bounded by high-security perimeter
fencing, has an armed guard force protecting it around the clock and is
supported by a range of highly sophisticated electronic security and
surveillance devices.
How Australia's Banknotes Are Made
Australian banknotes are printed on sheets of polymer substrate in NPA's
printing hall using various printing plates, processes, machines and inks.
Australian banknotes start out as plastic pellets, which are melted and
blown into a three-storey bubble. The walls of the bubble are pressed
together and cooled to form laminated polymer film. Special inks are
applied to make the film opaque, except for certain areas which are left free
of ink to create the clear windows, before it is cut into sheets.
Different sized sheets are used for each denomination and the number of
banknotes printed on a sheet varies. A sheet of the new $5 banknotes has
54 banknotes. For the first polymer series, there were 45 polymer
banknotes on a sheet of $10 banknotes, 40 banknotes on a sheet of $5, $20
and $50 banknotes and 32 banknotes on a sheet of $100 banknotes.
The first printing process involves the background colours and patterns
being printed onto both sides of the polymer sheets at the same time by
simultaneously printing machines. These machines can print up to 8,000
sheets per hour.
The new series of banknotes has two security features not previously used on an Australian banknote, which are
applied at this stage. The multiple security features in the top-to-bottom window are applied as a continuous strip
and then the rolling colour effect is applied on a screen-printing process using an optically-variable ink.
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]
Major design elements such as the portraits and narrative elements are
printed next using intaglio printing machines. In this process, the ink is
transferred to the sheets under great pressure using engraved metal
plates. Separate print runs are required for each side of the sheet. The
resulting raised print is one of the important security features of
Australia's polymer banknotes. Some of the microprinting and embossed
features are also produced during this process. Serial numbers are then
added to the sheets using a letterpress printing process.
A protective over-coating ink is applied to the banknotes using an offset printing press. This overcoat contributes to
the extended durability and cleanliness of polymer banknotes.
For the new series of banknotes, the tactile feature is applied in a final print run. The tactile feature has been developed
to assist the vision-impaired community to identify different denominations. It is made up of different numbers of
raised bumps on the long edges of the banknote next to the top-to-bottom window.
Printed sheets are then guillotined into individual banknotes and inspected to ensure their quality meets the required
standard. The finished banknotes are then shrink-wrapped, packed into containers and stored in a strong-room prior
to distribution around the country.
Serial Numbering
Since 1993, Australian banknotes have been
numbered using a 'Year-Dated System'. Under this system, each
banknote on a given sheet has a different letter prefix (e.g. AA or
AB). The first two numbers of the prefix, which indicate the year the
banknote was produced, are the same for all banknotes printed in the
same year. All banknotes on a sheet will have the same suffix, which
decreases by one from one sheet to the next. While the first polymer
series has a six-digit suffix, the new series of banknotes has a seven-digit
suffix to accommodate the possibility of larger print runs.
For more information
Reserve Bank of Australia
Call: 1800 633 220
8.30 am – 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 336 Archerfield Qld: 4105
Ph: 07 3700 4662
email:- [email protected]