Why Australian Laundromats Are Going Cashless in 2025
It’s not just your morning coffee that’s gone tap-and-go. Across Australia, laundromats are ditching coin slots faster than you can say “load cycle.” Why? Because in 2025, coins are officially a drag on growth—and customer patience.
TL;DR? More Aussie laundromats are going fully cashless to boost convenience, security, and business efficiency. And the smart operators aren’t just replacing coins with cards—they're plugging into full digital ecosystems that handle operations, payments, and customer loyalty in one tap.
Let’s unpack why this shift isn’t just inevitable—it’s already here.
Are Coins Holding Laundromats Back in 2025?
They sure are. While nostalgia might make us fond of the clink of $1 coins, running a cash-heavy operation in 2025 is like driving a manual car in peak-hour traffic: possible, but unnecessarily hard.
Here’s what coins are costing today’s laundromats:
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Maintenance stress: Coin jams and machine servicing chew through staff hours.
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Security risks: Cash-based takings invite theft, both internal and external.
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Lost customers: People expect digital payments—especially Gen Z and Millennials.
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Slower turnover: Handling coins slows down customer throughput.
And here's the kicker: Australia’s Reserve Bank reported a significant decline in cash usage year-on-year, with just 13% of daily transactions made in cash in 2024. That number’s falling faster than your laundry from a Hills Hoist on a windy day.
What’s Driving the Shift to Cashless in Australian Laundromats?
The move isn’t just reactive—it’s strategic.
1. Tap-happy culture
Australia’s one of the world leaders in contactless adoption. We’re a nation that taps for coffee, parking, even church donations. Cash-only venues feel... well, outdated.
2. Customer expectations
People expect seamless experiences. From Uber to Afterpay, convenience is currency. A laundromat that can’t accept digital payment loses business before the door swings open.
3. Behavioural bias: ‘Default Effect’
When card payment becomes the default, people use it. Cashless laundromats remove the friction of needing coins, triggering what behavioural psychologists call the path of least resistance. Fewer barriers = more usage.
4. Operator control and remote access
Modern operators want dashboards, not drawer counts. With smart systems, owners can check earnings, machine uptime, and customer reviews remotely—in real time.
How Do Cashless Laundromats Work?
The tech’s evolved. This isn’t just about bolting on a card reader. It’s about integrating a full stack of smart systems:
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QR code payments via apps or PayID
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Loyalty programs that encourage repeat visits
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Live machine tracking so customers can see availability
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Remote start and alerts for maintenance or cycles
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Dynamic pricing (e.g. off-peak discounts)
These aren’t bells and whistles—they’re modern business tools. Think of them as the difference between a Nokia 3310 and a smartphone.
Are Customers Really Onboard With Cashless Laundromats?
Yes—and then some.
A 2024 survey by Finder found 76% of Australians prefer digital over cash payments, even for small purchases. And once customers experience cashless convenience (no hunting for coins, faster starts, app-based cycle tracking), the old way feels clunky.
There’s also social proof: cashless laundromats are popping up in suburbs from Newtown to Northcote, often accompanied by higher foot traffic and five-star Google reviews. People want a frictionless experience. And they’re not shy about saying so.
What Tools Are Laundromat Owners Using to Go Cashless?
Many are upgrading to smart payment terminals and all-in-one platforms. But it’s not just about payments—it’s about operations.
That’s why more Aussie laundromat owners are turning to tech-driven solutions that bundle machine control, customer data, payments, and performance analytics.
One of the emerging trends? Using a laundromat management app to streamline the whole business. These apps can:
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Track daily revenue remotely
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Manage machine downtime
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Send customers push notifications
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Offer discounts or rewards
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Detect trends (e.g. busiest hours)
That’s a serious leg-up in a competitive market.
Is This Just a Trend, or the New Standard?
Cashless is no longer a niche—it’s the baseline. And in a sector with tight margins, getting ahead of tech adoption pays off.
Here’s the forecast:
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By mid-2025, over 80% of new laundromats will be built as fully cashless.
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Retrofits will boom, with state and council grants sometimes supporting tech upgrades.
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Customers will increasingly select laundromats based on ease—not just price or location.
As Dan Monheit would say, we’re wired to choose easy. And cashless is easy.
FAQ: Cashless Laundromats in Australia
Do cashless laundromats exclude older customers?
Not necessarily. Many offer both PayID and tap options, which older customers are increasingly familiar with. Some still offer coin backup during transition phases.
Is going cashless more expensive for owners?
There are upfront costs, yes. But over time, the reduced maintenance, lower theft risk, and higher customer retention usually outweigh them.
Can you still use coins at all?
Some hybrid models allow both. But in high-growth urban areas, 100% cashless is rapidly becoming the norm.
Final spin
Running a laundromat used to mean counting coins and fixing jammed slots. In 2025, it means managing data, customer experience, and machine uptime—all from your phone. Owners who resist the shift risk being left behind. Those embracing digital tools—like a smart laundromat management app—are spinning ahead of the curve.
And just like switching from dial-up to broadband, once you've made the jump, there’s no going back.
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