Verdict up front: Aura is a legitimate Cashrewards replacement — Australian-owned, solid retailer coverage, and a unique donate-to-charity feature. It launched September 10 2025 (two days after Cashrewards closed) and has been quietly growing ever since. It’s not yet as polished as ShopBack, but it’s worth having in your cashback rotation. Use it alongside ShopBack and TopCashback, not instead of them.
Last updated: April 2026 | [Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you apply via our links.]
When Cashrewards shut down on September 8 2025 — stranding millions of Australians with unclaimed cashback — Aura launched two days later.
That timing was either remarkable coincidence or very careful planning. Either way, Aura positioned itself immediately as the homegrown replacement.
This review covers what Aura actually is, how it compares to ShopBack and TopCashback, and whether it’s worth adding to your cashback stack.
What Is Aura?
Aura is an Australian cashback and rewards platform that launched in September 2025. It’s Australian-owned and operated (unlike ShopBack, which is Singaporean, or TopCashback, which is British).
How it works: Create a free account, browse Aura’s retailer directory, click through to a retailer from Aura’s site or app, make your purchase, and earn cashback. The cashback is tracked and paid to your account after a confirmation period (varies by retailer, typically 30–90 days).
Minimum payout: Varies — check the current threshold in-app.
Payment methods: Bank transfer, PayPal, or — Aura’s standout feature — donation to a charity of your choice.
Aura’s Key Features
1. Retailer Coverage
Aura launched with a solid selection of Australian retailers including major names in fashion, travel, electronics, and groceries. Coverage has expanded throughout 2025–2026.
Check the Aura app or website for the current retailer list — it grows regularly.
2. The Charity Donation Feature
This is what sets Aura apart from every other cashback platform in Australia.
Instead of cashing out to your bank account, you can donate your cashback earnings to a registered Australian charity. For users who want to “shop for good” without paying extra, this is genuinely compelling.
Practical use case: Earn 3–5% cashback on your regular grocery and retail shopping. Instead of transferring $20 to your bank account, donate it to a charity you support. You get the same purchase you were going to make anyway, plus a charitable contribution.
3. Australian Ownership
For users who felt exposed when Cashrewards (also Australian) shut down — taking some people’s unclaimed balances with it — Aura’s Australian ownership is positioned as a reassurance. Operations, customer service, and accountability are local.
4. In-Store Cashback
Aura is developing in-store cashback capability (card-linked offers), similar to what Cashrewards had. Check the current status in-app — this feature’s rollout has been incremental.
Aura vs ShopBack vs TopCashback: How Do They Compare?
| Feature | Aura | ShopBack | TopCashback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Australian | Singaporean | British |
| Launch | Sept 2025 | Operating (pre-2025) | Operating (pre-2025) |
| Retailer coverage | Good, growing | Largest in AU | Strong |
| Rates | Competitive | Competitive | Often highest |
| Minimum payout | Low | Low | £/$1 (very low) |
| In-store cashback | In development | Yes (GPS-based) | Limited |
| Charity option | Yes | No | No |
| App quality | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Post-Cashrewards reputation | New, building | Strong | Less-known in AU |
Summary: ShopBack has the best app experience and in-store capability. TopCashback typically offers the highest rates. Aura offers the charity feature and Australian ownership.
What Happened to Cashrewards?
For context: Cashrewards was Australia’s largest cashback platform, backed by ANZ Bank. It operated for over a decade.
On September 8 2025, Cashrewards shut down entirely. Users had limited time to claim pending cashback — some balances were lost. ANZ wrote off approximately $100 million.
The closure left a significant gap in the market. ShopBack and TopCashback both reported doubled transaction volumes in the months following. Aura launched directly into this gap.
The lesson for cashback users: Never let balances accumulate on a single platform. Withdraw regularly. Diversify across 2–3 apps.
The Triple-Stack Strategy (Aura Edition)
Aura works best as part of a stack, not as a standalone platform:
- Click through from Aura (or ShopBack/TopCashback — whichever has the higher rate for that retailer today) → earn cashback
- Pay with a rewards credit card → earn card points on the same transaction
- Scan Everyday Rewards or Flybuys (if shopping at Woolworths or Coles) → earn loyalty points
All three stack. The cashback platform, credit card, and loyalty scan are completely independent earnings.
Check rates before you click: For each purchase, spend 30 seconds comparing Aura’s cashback rate against ShopBack and TopCashback. Rates vary by retailer and change frequently. Over a year of regular online shopping, rate-checking adds up to real money.
Who Should Sign Up for Aura?
Sign up if:
- You do regular online shopping and want a third cashback option to rate-check
- You want an Australian-owned platform after the Cashrewards experience
- You’re interested in the charity donation feature
- You want to maximise cashback by checking three platforms before every purchase
Aura alone isn’t enough if:
- You need in-store GPS cashback for your regular shopping (ShopBack is better for this currently)
- You want the absolute highest rate on every purchase (TopCashback often wins on rate)
- You want the most polished app experience (ShopBack currently leads)
How to Get Started
- Sign up for Aura via the link below — creating an account is free
- Install the browser extension (makes cashback activation easier for online purchases)
- Download the app
- Before any online purchase: check Aura, ShopBack, and TopCashback rates — then click through the highest one
- Pay with your rewards credit card
- Set a calendar reminder to check your pending cashback monthly and withdraw regularly
âž¡ï¸ Sign up for Aura → (affiliate link)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aura legit?
Yes — Aura is an Australian-owned, registered cashback platform. It launched in September 2025 and has been operating without issues. As with any cashback platform, withdraw your balance regularly rather than letting it accumulate.
Is Aura better than ShopBack?
Depends on what you value. ShopBack has better in-store cashback capability and a more mature app. Aura has the charity feature and Australian ownership. For pure cashback rates, compare both (and TopCashback) before each purchase.
What happened to Cashrewards?
Cashrewards shut down September 8 2025 after ANZ Bank (its backer) exited the investment. Users had limited time to claim pending balances. The closure was the largest cashback platform failure in Australian history and left a significant market gap.
Can I use Aura with my Everyday Rewards or Flybuys card?
Yes — cashback from Aura and loyalty card scanning are completely separate. You can earn Aura cashback and Everyday Rewards/Flybuys points on the same purchase at the same time.
How long does Aura cashback take to confirm?
Confirmation periods vary by retailer — typically 30–90 days. Check the retailer listing on Aura for the specific tracking period. Return windows are a key factor (cashback often confirms after the return window closes).