Australian Culture
What you need to know about Australian culture
Whether you’re planning to move to Australia for an international study trip, or have just arrived and are still trying to figure it all out, you’ve come to the right place. When you think of Australia, indigenous fur animals, sports and beer spring to mind. But there is more to it than what makes Australia a rich and diverse country. We’ve compiled the most important things you need to know about Australian culture
- Australians’ core values are equal rights and equal opportunities
- Australians speak a unique variety of English
- Australians love to drink
- Australians also love to eat
- Many Australians are passionate about sports
- Australian beaches are beautiful
- Australia has many museums of historical importance
We’ll show you the way. If you’re planning to make Australia your home, it’s worth understanding and putting the Australian way in perspective as it opens up a whole world of exciting new opportunities and experiences. Once you adjust to your new surroundings and understand why, you probably won’t be disappointed.
Although English is the official language of Australia, more than 300 languages are spoken across the country.You can also hear native influences through words like boomerang and kangaroo.
Australians have their own slang and idioms. If you want to sound Australian, try words like g’day (hello), “guy” (man) and barbie (barbecue). You may also come across odd phrases and rhymes where part of a sentence is removed and replaced with a rhyming word.For example, “Captain Cook” means a look and “Fruit Bag” means a costume.
Aussie Food: What Exactly is Aussie Food?
We can boast many delicious culinary creations, but our love of the ‘classics’ of Australian cuisine suggests we prefer the simpler things in life. From avocado or vegemite on toast to lamingtons, meat pies, chicken parmesan and pavlovas, these are Aussie favourites. Fortunately, these are not the only options.Thanks to our multicultural society in Australia, you can find almost any type of food you like. There are world-class restaurants and innovative cafes across the country, offering a variety of cuisines such as Chinese, Thai, Japanese, French, African, Greek, Turkish, Italian and Mexican. While meat is a staple of the Australian diet, many follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, so you can almost always find a vegetarian option at the restaurants or cafes listed below. Australians have also expanded their healthy eating habits, with supermarkets, restaurants and cafes catering for increasingly specific dietary requirements such as kosher, halal, gluten-free and vegan.
Australian Sports
Sport is an integral part of the Australian way of life and a national fixture!Cricket, Australian Rules Football (AFL), rugby league, rugby union, soccer, swimming, basketball and horse racing are among the most popular and enjoy high attendance either live or broadcast. Almost every suburb and city in Australia has world-class sports facilities that provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to stay physically active and socialize. Weekends are usually spent playing ‘Barbie’ in the garden, playing cricket or Australian rules football with family and friends, with a cold pint often a must. Australia has a long history of hosting major international sporting events and World Cups. The sports calendar is never short of events like the AFL, Melbourne Cup, Australian Tennis Open, Formula 1 Grand Prix and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race to keep sports fans entertained.
Aussie Tags/ Etiquette
Australians tend to be laid back and easygoing and dislike formal greetings. When meeting Australians for the first time, they usually shake hands, smile and introduce themselves by their first names. They enjoy a laid-back lifestyle and take the time they spend with family and friends very seriously. It is customary to give and exchange gifts with family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues on birthdays and Christmas. If you’ve been invited to someone’s house for lunch, it’s polite to bring your hosts a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.Thank you for your punctuality, being more than 15 minutes late is impolite. If a delay is unavoidable, contact the host and let them know in advance.
Australia Weather
Australia has a generally temperate climate with most of the country receiving over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. Most of the country has four seasons, with a wet season and a dry season in the tropical north. Mild winters and warm to hot summers attract most people to Australia, especially those looking to escape the heat, high humidity, cold winters and poor air quality. Download your favorite weather app and find out what to wear and what to take with you. In some Australian cities you can experience all four seasons in one day, so it always pays to be prepared. A bright, sunny day can quickly turn into a cold, wet day. Therefore, bringing an umbrella, sunglasses, a hat, and a protective layer is a tried and true way to maximize your comfort outdoors.