[citation needed] The paper issue was released on Monday 31 March 1984, has a portrait of Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, with a background of a mountain range with a geological strata format.

[4] The polymer issue was released on Wednesday 15 May 1996, designed by Bruce Stewart, and features portraits of soprano Dame Nellie Melba and engineer and First World War general Sir John Monash, along with images from the First World War and John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey.

[citation needed] The polymer issue includes a shadow image of the Australian Coat of Arms, which is printed over.

Also for this issue, fluorescent colouring was added to the serial numbers, as well as a patch that shows the banknote's value under ultraviolet light.

[11] In December 2016 it was reported that Australia considered abolishing its $100 note as an effort to close loopholes used by the black economy.