The International Year of Cooperatives one dollar was issued in 2012 to commemorate the important role that cooperative businesses play in our communities. The reverse features A. Baggio's impression of building blocks, representing the role that cooperatives play in the global economy. The reverse legend states "2012 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CO-OPERATIVES". The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the denomination "ELIZABETH II - AUSTRALIA 2012".
The United Nations declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives to highlight the role cooperatives have in socio-economic development. The theme of the year was "Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World" and some of the main messages of the year were empowering people, promoting sustainable development, and providing pathways out of poverty. (United Nations, 2012) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated "Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility." (United Nations, 2012)