Back to: Australia Training
Mealtime
- Typical image of Australian life includes a good old Aussie “barbie” and holding a cold beer in your hand
- When you’re invited to a family/friend party/dinner, it will probably look like this
- Guests should ask if they can bring something to share
Greetings
- Australians are generally not formal, so greetings (even intros) are casual and laid back
- Common to shake hands upon meeting (right hands)
- Australians normally just use first names to introduce people
General Mindsets
- Open, accepting
- Casual
- Laid-back
- Although Aussies are laid back, they’re also direct and not afraid of saying no, so you will be sure to know where you stand
- Australia is very diverse — there are lots of different cultures, religions, ethnicities, etc.
- Equality
- In the workplace, there is a no “micro-management” culture
- Australians generally emphasize positivity, i.e. working together to achieve a common goal by focusing on productivity and the duty is on the individual to carry out their job in a professional manner
Gifts
- Gifts are usually opened when they are received, in front of the gift giver
Dress
- You should wear conservative, simple, and modest clothing
Language
- Australia has no official language
- Majority of Aussies speak English as a first language
- According to the 2016 census, 73% of people in Australia spoke only English at home
- Other languages spoken in Australia include Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese, and Greek.
History
- Indigenous Australians, or Aboriginals, are the original inhabitants of the continent
- Great diversity between indigenous communities
- Most aboriginals are urbanized now, but 22% live in remote settlements
- Believed that there used to be almost 400 Australian Aboriginal languages, but now only 70 of these languages have survived, and all but 30 are endangered
- One indigenous language is still the main language for about 50,000 Aboriginal people in Australia
Personal Hygiene
- Shower daily
History and Literature
Famous Aussies
- Don Bradman
- Steve Irwin
- Nellie Melba
- Rupert Murdoch
- Eddie Mabo
- Fred Hollows
- Phar Lap
- Scott Morrison
- Did you know these actors/singers are Aussies? Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman, Kieth Urban, Nicole Kidman, Olivia Newton-John, Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Russell Crowe, AC/DC, the Hemsworth men, Rebel Wilson, Isla Fisher.