In Australia, DO be sun-smart (sunscreen, hats), swim between the flags, respect wildlife (keep distance), queue patiently, use "please" & "thank you," drive on the left, and be aware of big distances; DON'T underestimate distances, touch or feed wildlife, swim at unpatrolled beaches, forget sunscreen (SPF 30+), smoke in most public spots, litter, or bring undeclared food/plants. Australians value laid-back politeness, personal space, and directness, so casual language is fine, but respect rules and nature.
Don't litter as it's illegal in Australia. Especially don't throw a cigarette but from your car window as many bushfires are caused by this. Don't ride a bike without a helmet. Don't go in the sun without sunscreen; the sun rays in Australia can be adangerous for your skin.
"Oy oy oy" in Australia is most famously part of the patriotic chant "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!" used at sporting events to show national pride, but "Oi" also functions as a general Australian informal interjection, like "hey" or "excuse me," to get someone's attention. The chant itself comes from the British "Oggy Oggy Oggy" cheer for Cornish pasties and became popular in Australia after the 2000 Olympics.
Laws to abide by in Australia
“Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the ...
Australians are generally laid back, open and direct. They say what they mean and are generally more individual and outgoing than other cultures. More than three quarters of Australians live in cities and urban centres, mainly along the coast.
Our rights as Australian citizens include:
Legislation. The offence of Offensive Language is contained in section 4A of the Summary Offenses Act 1988 which states: “A person must not use offensive language in or near, or within hearing from, a public place or a school.”
Australia has many dangerous animal species. There are crocodiles, jellyfish, sharks, venomous insects, spiders and snakes in many parts of the country.
However it is strongest (by participation rate and overall interest) in the Australian states and territories of the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. The sport is moderately popular in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Common Australian slang for a girl includes "Sheila" (older, sometimes dated or slightly derogatory), "chick," or just using general terms like "mate," "gal," or "lass," with context and tone being important, but "girl" is still widely used; some slang, like "moll," can refer to a girlfriend or a promiscuous woman, while "bogan" describes an unsophisticated person.
In informal situations, people say or shout 'oi' to attract someone's attention, especially if they are angry.
Another classic case of Australians shortening everything. Meaning 'thank you', ta is usually used for the times when you are in a rush or want to send a quick text to show your appreciation for something.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me." It is considered bad manners to pick one's teeth with the fingers or a toothpick in public.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
Australians say hello informally with "G'day," "Hi," "Hey," or "How ya goin'?" (meaning "How are you doing?"). "Mate" is a common term of address for friends or even strangers, used with "G'day" or as a standalone greeting. While "G'day" is classic, more common modern greetings in cities are "Hey, how's it going?" or just "Hi," often not expecting a detailed answer.
The top 10 issues Australians say are the most concerning
Australia's largest terrestrial (land) predator is the Dingo, an apex canine that plays a crucial role in controlling herbivore populations like kangaroos and managing ecosystem health, despite occasional debates about its native status. While saltwater crocodiles are Australia's largest reptiles and apex predators in aquatic environments, the dingo holds the top spot as the biggest land-based carnivore, preying on various mammals, birds, and reptiles, and even scavenging.
Canberra is officially Australia's #1 safest city, with a crime index rating of 26 out of 100. That places it as the 49th safest city in the world. This ranking comes from Compare the Market Australia, which analysed 6 years of public data from Numbeo's crime index.
Woop Woop is used to refer to a place in the middle of nowhere. People use it to signify that a location is far away, unfamiliar to them, and difficult to get to.
Once a person is 16 or over, there is no restriction on the age of their consenting partner, provided there is no relationship of care, authority or supervision.
In Australia, legislation prohibits, or renders unlawful, speech or expression in many different contexts. Some limitations on speech have long been recognised by the common law itself, such as obscenity and sedition, defamation, blasphemy, incitement, and passing off.
The biggest human rights issue in Australia is widely considered to be the systemic discrimination and ongoing human rights failures affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, marked by overrepresentation in prisons, lower life expectancies, and lack of constitutional recognition, alongside significant concerns for refugees and asylum seekers facing harsh detention policies, and increasing focus on climate change impacts on rights, and violence against women and girls.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Yes, Australia allows dual citizenship, meaning you can be an Australian citizen and a citizen of another country simultaneously, provided the other country also permits it. Australia doesn't require you to renounce your original nationality when becoming Australian, but your home country's laws are key; some countries don't allow dual citizenship, which can affect you.