The Mint expects to release five million of the coins into circulation from February.

The design of the circulating coin shows a plane flying through the number 100.

The plane is a stylised Boeing Dreamliner, the newest addition to the Qantas fleet. The decorative line pattern on the number 100 "emulates fingerprints, signifying that Qantas is a part of Australia's national identity".

The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd was registered as a business on November 16, 1920, meaning the Flying Kangaroo celebrates its 100^th birthday next year.

Qantas was formed in Winton in 1920 and moved to Longreach the next year and the first mail and passenger flights started in 1922. An 84-year-old Alexander Kennedy became the first Qantas passenger when he flew from Longreach to Cloncurry for 11 pounds.

As part of the centenary celebrations, the Mint is also releasing a collection of 2020 $1 uncirculated coins. There will be 11 coins as part of the collection.

Each coloured uncirculated coin features an aircraft or important story relating to the 100 years of the Qantas fleet. The eleventh is a special copper coin paying homage to the original Australian Kangaroo Penny, the inspiration for the Qantas Flying Kangaroo.

The Mint has also joined forces to give away 100,000 Qantas frequent flyer points, its latest collaboration with big business. Earlier this year, the Mint released a limited edition Wallabies Rugby World Cup coin direct through Woolworths supermarket cash registers.

Now, collectors who order the 11-piece Qantas coin set before December 20, get a chance to win one of 10 golden tickets hidden in the set, giving away the frequent flyer points.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, meanwhile, says the airline's story is one of innovation, "from a 31-stop, 12-day flight to London, to operating the world's first non-stop flights between Australia and Europe".