Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) has responded to the Australian Government’s exposure draft regulations on mandating cash acceptance, urging Treasury to address critical gaps that risk excluding vulnerable consumers. The current draft only requires supermarkets and fuel retailers to accept cash for transactions under $500, leaving out other essential sectors and failing to protect people who are older, on low incomes, in rural areas, or experiencing financial hardship or family violence. FCVic calls for a more inclusive and equitable framework that ensures cash remains a viable and safe payment option for all Australians, especially during emergencies or digital outages.