From Coins to Contactless: The Cashless Revolution in Aussie Laundromats

Cash used to rule the spin cycle. For decades, Australians fed their coins into noisy, worn-out slots, hoping the machine didn’t jam and their clothes came out cleaner than they went in. But today? That clunky ritual is going the way of the Walkman.

TL;DR: Aussie laundromats are ditching coin slots for sleek, contactless payments—transforming not just how we wash, but how operators run their businesses. At the heart of this shift is smart tech like laundromat management apps, which are quietly redefining convenience, efficiency, and customer loyalty.

Why are Aussie laundromats moving away from cash?

It’s not just about convenience—it’s about survival.

Cashless payments are no longer a perk; they’re a customer expectation. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, cash payments fell from 69% in 2007 to just 13% by 2022. For younger Aussies, especially under 35, paying with cash feels like rewinding a cassette: nostalgic, but inconvenient.

For laundromat owners, coin-heavy systems create more headaches than they solve:

• Theft risk: Coin boxes are magnets for break-ins.

• Time drain: Constant emptying and counting.

• Maintenance issues: Coin jams and faulty acceptors.

• Customer friction: No coins? No wash.

Contactless solves all of this with one tap.

What tech is driving the shift to cashless?

Cashless isn’t just PayWave stuck on the side of a washing machine. It’s part of a broader evolution in laundromat tech.

Many forward-thinking operators are now integrating smart payment systems with cloud-based laundromat management platforms. These tools go beyond just taking payments—they:

• Track machine usage in real time

• Enable remote price changes and promotions

• Collect customer data for targeted marketing

• Send alerts for machine errors or maintenance

• Reduce the need for on-site staffing

In short, they’re turning a once-hands-on business into a semi-autonomous cashflow engine.

And for customers? The ability to check machine availability, pay via phone, and get loyalty rewards—all from an app—is no longer a gimmick. It’s expected.

How are laundromat owners adapting?

Some have embraced the shift early—and reaped the rewards.

Take Mike, a second-generation laundromat owner in suburban Brisbane. Pre-pandemic, his shop still ran on coins. “We’d have regulars banging on the change machine, or walking off because they only had a card,” he said. In 2021, he installed smart readers and a cloud-based dashboard.

His income jumped 18% in six months. Why? Because once the friction of “do I have change?” vanished, more people came in—and spent more.

“There’s no way I’d go back to coins,” Mike told us. “It’s like going from paper maps to GPS.”

What behavioural science explains this trend?

Three words: Ease. Habit. Reward.

Psychologists like Bri Williams and Adam Ferrier have long championed the idea that if you want behaviour change, make it easier. Paying with your phone removes the friction. It taps into default bias—we’re more likely to do what’s easiest, especially in routine tasks like laundry.

Then there’s habit formation. When customers use an app or tap card every time, they get used to that rhythm. Layer in rewards—like a free wash after 10 visits—and you’ve got a sticky behavioural loop.

This is where tools like a laundromat management app shine. They make it ridiculously easy to run loyalty programs, tweak pricing, or nudge return visits.

And that’s not just good for customers—it’s gold for operators.

Isn’t there still demand for cash?

Sure—particularly in rural areas or lower-income suburbs. But even there, the curve is shifting.

Interestingly, some operators are using scarcity (a classic Cialdini principle) to gently nudge customers off coins. By offering slightly better deals for digital payments—or making fewer machines coin-operated—they guide behaviour without forcing it.

Think of it like supermarkets nudging you toward self-checkout: subtle, but effective.

What about trust and data privacy?

A fair question.

As more systems go online, owners need to ensure customer data is handled securely. Trust here becomes a competitive advantage—operators who highlight their use of encrypted systems and compliance with Australian privacy laws build credibility.

And customers aren’t naive. They’ll choose a clean, safe, digital-friendly laundromat over a dusty, coin-only shop nine times out of ten—especially if the former lets them earn a free dry on their fifth visit.

Are cashless laundromats just a city thing?

Not anymore.

Regional operators, from Newcastle to Wagga, are catching up fast. Many see digital systems not as “nice-to-have”, but as essential—especially when staffing is tight and customer expectations are high.

We’ve seen cafes in Ballarat go card-only. It’s no different for laundromats. And the tech is increasingly affordable, scalable, and backed by local support.

FAQ: Your top questions answered

Can I still use cash at most laundromats?Some still accept coins, but the number is shrinking fast—especially in urban areas. Expect to see more "card-only" signage in the next 1–2 years.

Is contactless payment more expensive for the business?There are small transaction fees, but many operators say the increased throughput and reduced downtime far outweigh the costs.

What if the payment system goes down?Many laundromat systems offer offline functionality or quick reboot options. Plus, remote management means issues can often be resolved without setting foot in-store.

Final thoughts

The shift from coins to contactless isn’t just about tech—it’s about rethinking how a decades-old industry serves today’s customers.

And while the machines may still spin the same, everything around them—from how we pay to how we return—has evolved. For savvy owners, embracing tools like a laundromat management app is less about being trendy, and more about being ready.

Just like we don’t rewind DVDs anymore, we won’t miss digging through couch cushions for laundry money.