Australian Culture

There are Australians of many different religions, and Melbourne is a city accommodating many places of worhsip. During the year in Australian there are several national and state Public Holidays.

Australian people come from many different cultural backgrounds, in fact it is impossible to define the 'average' Australian. Australians are proud of their multicultural society where people are treated the same regardless of their race or religion, where a wide range of social customs and perspectives are acceptable.

Most Australians speak English, sometimes alongside a second language spoken with their families. Australians use a large number of slang words, which at times for international students may seem like a different language!

Australians also have a unique accent which can be difficult to understand if you are not used to it. Don't be afraid to ask an Australian to repeat what they have said, or to explain a slang word. We have put together a list of some terms which might come in handy.

Talk like an Aussie

Arvo n. afternoon
Aussie adj. n. Australian
Barbie n. barbeque
Bathers n. swim wear
Bikkie n. biscuit/cookie
Blowie n. blow fly
Blue n. a fight or a mistake
Brekkie n. breakfast
Bloke n. a man
Bonza adj. good
Bring a plate expr bring a plate of food - you might see this on a party invite
BYO abbr. bring your own alcohol to a restaurant
Bung verb put, eg. "Bung the chook in the oven for half an hour"
Bunyip n. a mythical creature which is said to live in billabongs
Cark it expr to die, cease functioning
Chrissie n. Christmas
Chook n. chicken
Crack it expr. to get very upset
Dink verb to give someone a ride
on your bike
Dinki-di n. genuine
Divvy van n. police (divisional) van
Docket n. a bill, receipt
Down Under n.Australia and New Zealand
Dodgy verb awkward, suspicious
Doona n. bed quilt usually filled with feathers
Dunny n. an outdoor toilet
Esky n. a portable insulated container for keeping food or drink cool
Fag n. cigarette
Fair dinkum adj. see dinki-di. Also used as an expression of astonishment or disbelief
Fair go expr to give someone an equal opportunity
Footy n. Australian Rules Football
G'day expr. the universal Australian friendly greeting, as in hello
Hang on expr. wait a moment
Hooroo expr. goodbye
In a jiffy expr. in a very short time
Kip n. short sleep
Knackered verb exhausted
Knock back expr. to refuse something
Larrikin n. a bloke who is always enjoying himself, harmless prankster
Lippy n. lipstick
Mate n. friend
No worries expr. a very common expression which can mean “Don’t
worry about it” or “You’re welcome”
Oldies n. parents
Prezzie n. present, gift
Ripper n. great, fantastic
Sanger n. a sandwich
Servo n. service station
She’ll be right expr. “Don’t worry, it will be all right.”
Shout n. buy a drink for another person/s
Sickie n. day off sick from work
Snag n. a sausage
Spag bol n. spaghetti bolognese
Spud n. potato
Stoked verb very pleased
Stickybeak n. nosy person
Stubbies n. men’s work shorts
Sunnies n. sunglasses
Ta expr. thank you
True blue adj. truly Australian
Thongs n. flip-flops, cheap rubber backless sandals
To spit the dummie expr. to get very upset
Togs n. swim suit
Trackie n. track suit
Uni n. university
Veggies n. vegetables
Wuss n. coward; nervous person or animal  
Yakka n. work, as in ‘hard yakka’ – hard work.

Do you have a suggestion for a word for this page? Or have you heard a word you don't understand? Email us.