20 Cents (Animalia) – Australia

In 2021, Australia's currency situation was primarily defined by the ongoing global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant domestic economic repercussions. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained a historically accommodative monetary policy, holding the official cash rate at a record low of 0.1% throughout the year. This was complemented by a substantial quantitative easing program, with the RBA committing to purchase government bonds to suppress yields and support the flow of credit. These measures aimed to stimulate economic recovery, boost employment, and ensure inflation—which remained stubbornly below the RBA's 2-3% target band for much of the year—would return to desired levels.

The Australian dollar (AUD) exhibited notable volatility, largely driven by shifting global risk sentiment and commodity prices. Early in the year, the AUD surged towards US$0.80, buoyed by a robust recovery in iron ore prices, Australia's largest export. However, this strength proved temporary. As China—Australia's major trading partner—imposed trade restrictions and signaled a slowdown in its construction sector, iron ore prices collapsed in the second half of the year. Concurrently, a resurgent US dollar, fueled by expectations of faster Federal Reserve tapering, applied further downward pressure. The AUD subsequently retreated, ending the year around US$0.73.

Domestically, the currency's depreciation was seen as a mixed blessing. While it increased the cost of imports and overseas travel for Australians, it provided a welcome boost to export-oriented sectors like education, tourism, and other commodities beyond iron ore. Overall, the 2021 currency landscape reflected a nation navigating the tailwinds of strong early commodity prices against the headwinds of a complex geopolitical trade relationship and the global transition towards post-pandemic monetary policy normalization.