Australia is a multicultural society and therefore Australian customs may differ depending on the individual’s background. However, some common customs and characteristics of Australian people are highlighted below.
Directness
It is considered quite normal in Australia to discuss issues, events and ideas openly with other people. Australians might bring up in conversation issues, which you would consider sensitive or embarrassing or rude.
Punctuality
You are expected to be punctual (“on time”) in Australia. If you have an appointment at 10.30am with the dentist, be there at 10.30 – no later. If you are invited for dinner at 7 o’clock, try to be there at 7.00 pm or no later than 20 minutes (but not much earlier than 7.00). If you can’t keep an appointment or if you can’t avoid being late, it is best to telephone and explain. Most lectures, church services etc. begin on time.
Greetings and courtesy
Men usually shake hands (firmly) the first time they meet. Women may or may not shake hands. “How do you do”, “Good morning” and “Good afternoon” are formal greetings. Usually students and young people just say “Hello” or “Hi”. People often appreciate it if you add their name: e.g. “Hi, Peta”.
Thank you is a phrase used often in Australia. It is usual to say thank you even for small favours done by people who are just doing their jobs (e.g. shop assistants or waiters).
Back to top
Social Invitations
Whenever you receive an invitation formally (a written note) or informally (by telephone), it is good to reply quickly and honestly. On a written invitation, “RSVP,” means, “Please reply” by the date that is stated. It is usual to ring and tell your friend or colleague if you have to change your plans or if you are delayed.
When you are invited to join friends for an outing to a restaurant or the movies you will usually be expected to pay for your own meal and/or tickets. If the friend offers to “shout” then this means that they will pay for you.
If you are in doubt, ask. If you are invited to a party celebrating someone’s birthday, or for Christmas, take a small gift. If you are invited to a meal and you drink alcohol, it is common practice to take a bottle of wine to contribute. If you do not drink alcohol, then it is not necessary to do this. It is never necessary to give expensive gifts, but a small souvenir from your country, a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers would be received with delight.
Back to top
Passion for sport
Most Australians love to play and watch sport. Many Australians love their football (‘footy’) and cricket. Football is generally a winter sport, whilst cricket is generally a summer sport. Each weekend, thousands of Australians go to sporting stadiums around Australia to watch these games, and many watch it on T.V. This is a serious ritual, where fans proudly wear team colours and engage in enthusiastic cheering at every opportunity. There are four major football codes in Australia:
- Australian Football League (AFL)
- Australian Rugby Union (ARU)
- National Rugby League (NRL)
- National Soccer League
Back to top
Servants
If you are used to having servants to do most of your housework, you may find the Australian way of life a little difficult at first. In Australia, it is not considered shameful for anyone to do manual work and males often share in the housework. A person sometimes employs a cleaner, who comes once a week to clean the house, but Australians usually do most of the cooking, housework, child care and gardening themselves.
Back to top
Bring a Plate
You may receive an invitation to a Barbecue and be asked to “bring your own steak or veggie patties”. This seems strange to most international students but it is an acceptable way to entertain. Buy a steak or patties at the supermarket (they come neatly pack-aged), put it in a bag and give it to your host when they greet you at the party. If you are asked to “bring a plate”, this means “bring a plate of food” as a contribution to the meal – don’t just bring an empty plate!
Back to top
B.Y.O – Bring Your Own
If you are told that a party is BYO it means that you are expected to bring your own drink – soft drink or alcohol. Some restaurants are also BYO. At these restaurants it is acceptable to bring your own alcohol, usually wine or beer. Soft drinks are normally available from the restaurant. Australians drink a broad variety of refreshments. Water is not automatically brought to tables in restaurants. Just ask for water and it will be brought.
Back to top
Conversation
Don’t be worried if you are not fluent in the English language. If an English speaker is speaking too fast ask them to speak a little more slowly. Some questions are not asked in Australia unless you know a person very well or unless you are related to them. For example: don’t ask someone their age (especially an older person) and don’t ask men or women how much money they earn. Questions about the cost of a person’s house and the cost of the various things they own are considered impolite in Australia. If you would like to know the cost of something, ask the question in a general way. For example, you could say, “How much does the average house cost in Brisbane?”
Back to top
The Use of Names
Australians usually have two or three names. The last name is their family name or surname while the first one or two names are their given names. On all official documents it is important that you always use your name in the same order. As different cultures adopt varying practices in relation to names many overseas students underline their family name, eg Wong Chee Lee. This is also why some Australians may have difficulty remembering your name. Here are a few guidelines on the use of names:
- First names are used more frequently in Australia than in other countries. It is usually all right to use a person’s first name if he or she is about the same age and status as you. This is also true for people younger than you.
- Lecturers/supervisors will often invite you to call them by their first name, which is very acceptable practice in Australia.
- A man or woman who is older than you is often addressed as Mrs, Miss, Ms or Mr until the person asks you to use her or his first name, or until you get to know the person better.
- Many Australian women use the form of address, Ms (pronounced Mizz). Ms is used for both single and married women and replaces Miss or Mrs. Use “Ms” when you are not sure if a woman is single or married.
- If you have any doubts about what to call someone, simply ask, “What shall I call you?” If people seem unsure what to call you, tell them the name you prefer.
- The use of “nicknames” is very common in Australia. A nickname is not a person’s real name but a name given by friends (usually) because of some physical characteristic or behaviour pattern, or it may be a contraction of a real name. Someone named Andrew, for instance, might be given the nickname, “Andy”. Being called a nickname is not uncomplimentary; in fact, it is often a sign of acceptance and affection.
Back to top
Meals and Table Manners
Australians eat three meals a day: breakfast (6am-8am), lunch (12noon-2pm) and dinner or “tea” (6pm-7pm). Supper (late evening) is only tea and coffee and a light snack, usually after an evening social event.
When invited to “tea” it is best to ask “at what time?” Tea usually means the evening meal, but as Australians also have “afternoon tea” (mid afternoon light snack) and “morning tea” (mid morning light snack) confusion might result from the word “tea”. Australians forget that this term is not perfectly clear to newcomers.
Australians eat with their fingers only at barbecues or picnics outside the home. Inside the house, you are usually invited to sit down and to use knives, forks and spoons. If you are not sure which one to use first, wait to see what your hosts do and copy them. Do feel free to ask your host if you prefer to eat according to your own country’s custom. There is no cultural significance in eating with left or right hand in Australia. If you have medical, dietary or religious reasons for not eating certain foods, explain this to your hosts when you accept their invitation to dinner.
It is the Australian custom to offer food or drink only once. If your first reply is “No” out of politeness, your “No” will probably be taken literally and food may not be offered again.
Back to top
Tipping
Tipping is optional in Australia, however a tip is more likely to be given in a more expensive restaurant or for exceptional service . In these situations, people usually tip the waiter or waitress about 10% of the bill. Tips are generally not given in cafeterias or in fast food shops (like Macdonald’s etc).
Back to top
Bargaining
You can’t bargain in Australian shops for food items. Goods are sold according to the prices at which they are marked. However, for larger items, for example, washing machines and motor vehicles, you may be able to negotiate a cheaper price and some shops will offer discounts for payment in cash. Also, in some street and weekend markets you may be able to bargain.
Back to top
Smoking and alcohol
If you are at someone else’s home and you wish to smoke, it is common practice to go outside, as many Australians find cigarette smoking offensive. Smoking is forbidden in all University buildings, government buildings, public transport, restaurants, shops and indoor venues in Australia.
In Australia, people under the age of 18 years are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks. There are also heavy penalties for people who drink and drive. If you are drinking in a pub/club, you should pay for each drink as soon as you receive it, and not when you are about to leave the hotel. The Australian custom of 'shouting' means that if someone buys you a drink you are expected to 'shout' him or her back by buying his or her next drink.
Back to top
Behaviour in Public
It is against the law to be drunk, to swear, talk indecently, urinate or behave in a sexually indecent way in a public place. There are also local council regulations against spitting. If you need to clear your throat or nose, use a handkerchief or tissue.
Back to top
Mothers and babies
Most large department stores and toilets in public buildings have a mothers’ room where you can sit and feed your baby quietly and change soiled nappies. It is increasingly common for women to breast-feed their babies in public.
Back to top
Your feedback counts
| What did you think about this page or website, was the information helpful? |
  |