The Australian paper $50 note features Lord Howard Florey, best known for the discovery of penicillin, on the front along with two signatures of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Secretary to the Treasurer, and two banknote serial numbers. The back depicts a portrait of Veterinary Scientist Sir Ian Clunies Ross. Both the front and back have the denomination or face value of 50 printed twice. Not like the lower denominations of paper notes the $50 only ever read “AUSTRALIA” (and not “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA” in the earlier years). It was at the introduction of the $50 that this change occurred to all the notes.

Security features hide within the note with the profile watermark of Captain James Cook manufactured into the paper as well as a vertical security thread. Interestingly these paper banknotes were made from a special recipe of fine cotton and linen, the paper manufactured by Portals Ltd. of London. Colours on the note are black, brown, gold and green tones.