Understanding the Australian way of life
Australians are known for being informal. It’s common to call your boss by their first name, for instance. Many people enjoy chatting to neighbours or even strangers. This helps to create a sense of community.
One Australian value is “mateship.” It’s about helping each other and being supportive. Another part of Australian culture is giving everyone a “fair go”. This means ensuring equality and fairness for everyone, whether at work, school, social activities, or in everyday life.
Quick social tips
Knowing what to do in social situations may help you feel more relaxed. Saying “hi” or “hello” when you meet someone is a standard greeting. “How’s it going?” is another common greeting. Shaking hands with men and women is common when you meet someone for the first time. Giving someone a hug or kiss on the cheek is also common among friends and family.
Australians value a good work-life balance. Many people finish work by 5pm or 6pm to spend time with family and friends and enjoy leisure time. Paid holidays and sick leave are standard aspects of working life.
Even though Australians are quite casual, punctuality is important. Arriving on time for appointments, job interviews, classes and social events can help you make a good impression.
The great Aussie outdoors
There are over 36,000 kilometres of coastline in Australia. So, many people love the beach! Swimming, surfing, and walking on the beach are popular activities. It’s important to swim between the red and yellow flags at beaches, because these areas are patrolled by lifesavers.
Barbecues (or “barbies”) are another part of Aussie life. Many people have barbecues in their backyard or at a park. Some parks have free public barbecues. These are friendly events, where people bring food and drinks and enjoy each other’s company.
Australia has a passionate sports culture, too. Many people love cricket, rugby league and Australian Rules Football (AFL). Children and adults are encouraged to join local sports clubs. Going to a live sports game or watching it with friends can be a fun way to experience local culture.
G’day mate! Understanding Aussie slang
Australians love giving people nicknames and making words shorter. Some common slang words are:
- Arvo = afternoon
- Servo = service station
- No worries = you’re welcome
- Heaps = lots or plenty
- Brekkie = breakfast
- Togs/cossie/bathers = swimsuit
- Thongs = flip flops
Don’t worry if you don’t understand slang right away. You can start by listening carefully and asking questions. Watching Australian TV shows or listening to local radio can help you learn new phrases, too. “Neighbours” and “Home and Away” are popular classic Australian TV dramas.
Exploring Australian food and dining culture
Classic Australian food includes meat pies, fish and chips, and roast lamb. There are many sweet treats too, like pavlova, fairy bread, and Tim Tams. Supermarkets usually sell a range of international ingredients.
Traditional Indigenous Australian food, or “bush tucker” includes damper, kangaroo, and fruits and seeds like Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle and finger lime.
Because of Australia's multicultural population, there are many different types of restaurants. These include Italian, Chinese, Lebanese, Indian, Greek, Vietnamese and more. Eating out can range from cheap food courts in shopping centres to fine dining. Tipping is not expected in Australia.
Many Australian cities have a strong coffee culture. Cafés are popular places to meet friends or work remotely.
Australian calendar days
There are many public holidays in Australia, but these could be different depending on the state or territory you’re in. National holidays include Australia Day which falls every year on January 26. Another national holiday is ANZAC Day on April 25 every year. Other national public holidays include Christmas, Easter and the King’s Birthday.
There are many other events and festivals throughout the year. NAIDOC Week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Harmony Day in March promotes cultural inclusion. There are writers’ festivals, music festivals and film festivals in different cities and towns, too.
Respecting Indigenous heritage
Understanding and respecting Indigenous heritage is an important step in settling into Australian life. Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuing cultures—those of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These communities have lived on this land for over 65,000 years.
Each part of Australia has its own Indigenous communities, or “Traditional Custodians.” It’s customary—and respectful—to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land when beginning public events, meetings, or speeches.
You can learn more by visiting local Aboriginal cultural centres, museums, or art galleries. These places often host guided tours, exhibitions, performances, storytelling sessions, and workshops that give insight into traditional practices, Dreamtime stories, native bush foods, and Indigenous art. You can also learn more at:
Quick tips to help you settle in
Making new friends in a new country can feel challenging. To help you feel at home, you might want to try to talk to your neighbours, other parents at school, or join local clubs. Volunteering can be a nice way to meet people and give back to your community. Many local libraries, councils, and community centres offer volunteering opportunities.
New migrants can access a wide range of support services. You can learn more at:
To sum up
Settling into a new country is a big journey. Australia’s welcoming spirit and multiculturalism can help you make a new life here. Learning about the culture and getting involved can be helpful, too. You don’t need to leave your culture behind; you can celebrate it while embracing your new daily life in Australia. Welcome!