As the push toward digital wallets grows, older Australians are standing their ground and for good reason.

While Apple Pay, Google Pay and other tap-and-go tech might be second nature to younger generations, new research from Money.com.au shows that 84 per cent of Australians in or near their 60s are simply not ready to give up their physical debit and credit cards — and many say they never will.

For many older Aussies, the choice is simple: cards are familiar, reliable, and easy to use. In fact, 62 per cent say they actively prefer using a physical card at checkout, while another 22 per cent are open to mobile payments — but still want a card handy, just in case.

By contrast, just 10 per cent of over-60s say they’ve fully embraced mobile wallets for everyday purchases.

Even cash hasn’t completely disappeared from wallets. Around 7 per cent of older Australians still prefer to pay with notes and coins.

According to Money.com.au’s Finance Expert, Sean Callery, it’s not about resisting technology — it’s about sticking with what works.

“Older Australians are four times more likely to use a physical card at checkout than those under 25, and they’re the least likely of any generation to go fully digital,” he says.

“They tend to stick with what they know, and that’s physical cards. They know how to use them, and they know what to do if one gets lost or stolen. But with mobile wallets, there’s still a sense of uncertainty around things like fraud, data breaches, and who to turn to if something goes wrong.”

As digital wallets and contactless payments become more common, it’s clear that many older Australians are holding on not just to their cards, but to cash as well. This preference reflects more than just a habit — it highlights a broader concern about the future of physical money in everyday life.

Supporting this, a recent CHOICE survey of over 12,000 Australians revealed just how important cash still is, especially when it comes to buying essentials.

The survey highlighted a sense of urgency surrounding the issue. Key findings reveal that 83 per cent of Australians still use cash at least periodically for everyday purchases, underscoring the continued importance of cash as a payment method.

But it’s not just urban dwellers who feel this way. The survey also reveals a stark divide between urban and rural Australians. A staggering 97 per cent of respondents living in regional or remote areas reported that fewer places or methods to access cash in the future would have an impact on them.

Additionally, 83 per cent of rural respondents said that if cash withdrawals in their local communities were only possible with a small fee, it would have a moderate to significant impact on their ability to carry out everyday tasks.

CHOICE Head of Policy, Tom Abourizk highlighted the importance of these findings.

“Ensuring ongoing access to cash is an issue that urgently needs addressing, with our survey showing that 83% of respondents still use cash for essential goods and services sometimes, usually or always,” Abourizk said.

“Cash must be accessible, accepted by businesses selling essentials, and consumers should be able to pay with cash without any surcharges.

“Our survey found that cash accessibility and acceptance are particularly important for communities outside of cities. 97% of respondents living in country or remote areas reported that having fewer places to access cash would have some impact on them. Many of these communities have already been hit with multiple bank branch and ATM closures.”