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When I first landed in Australia, someone hit me with, “How ya goin’?” I just stood there, completely clueless, and muttered, “Uh… taxi?” The guy smiled knowingly and asked, “First time in Australia?” Thankfully, he pointed me toward the taxi stand. That was my first confusing, slightly embarrassing experience down under. It was also my first clue that life in Australia would be interesting and exciting!
If you’re planning a move to Australia, or even just a visit, Aussie slang is something you need to get familiar with.
Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Australia
1. “How ya goin’?”
When someone asks, “How ya goin’?”, they mean, “How are you?” Don’t overthink it. It’s the Aussie way of checking in, like saying “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?” And yes, I did learn this one the awkward way.
2. Thongs Are Not What You Think
Back home, you might think of thongs as a piece of clothing you’d wear under your jeans. In Australia? Thongs are simply flip-flops. Trust me, it’s better to know this before someone casually suggests wearing thongs to the beach.
3. Where the Heck is “Mackers”?
I once spent ages looking for a store called Mackers. Turns out, Aussies don’t say McDonald’s – they say Maccas. I don’t know why I assumed there was an “r” in there somewhere, but now I’ll never forget it.
4. It’s Straya, Not Australia
The rest of the world has it wrong. Australians are proud to call their country Straya. Drop the formalities and say it like a local – it earns you instant street cred.
5. Arvo Means Afternoon
Aussies love their shorthand, and arvo is short for afternoon. Where they got arvo from? I’ve got no clue. But if someone says, “See you this arvo,” just know they’re talking about later in the day.
6. Swap Eh for Hey
If you’re Canadian like me, you’re probably used to saying eh at the end of your sentences. In Australia, it’s all about hey. “Nice weather today, hey?” So don’t worry – you’re not losing your habits, just tweaking them.
7. No Worries – The Aussie Motto
If Aussies had an official phrase, it would be “No worries.” It’s their way of saying, “Don’t stress,” or “It’s all good.” It sums up their laid-back vibe perfectly, and you’ll soon find yourself using it too.
8. Ta Means Thank You
Yet another shorthand! When someone says ta, they’re thanking you. It took me a while to catch on to this one, but now it feels so natural.
9. Heaps and Heaps of … Heaps
Aussies say heaps a lot. It’s their go-to word for “a lot” or “very.” For example:
“This beach is heaps nice.”
“Thanks heaps!”
“There were heaps of people at the party.”
Just roll with it – you’ll be saying it heaps yourself soon enough.
10. Veg Out Means Relax
After a long day, Aussies love to veg out. It means to chill, relax, and do absolutely nothing. Personally, I think it’s a term we should all adopt.
Aussie Nicknames: Everything Gets Shortened
Aussies don’t just shorten words; they shorten names too. They even add an -o for good measure:
- Train-o = Train Station
- Bottle-o = Liquor Store
- John-o = Jonathan
- Steve-o = Steven
- Shane-o = Shane (Yes, sometimes it’s longer, but just roll with it.)
And don’t get your knickers in a knot trying to memorize them all. That’s another Aussie phrase I’ll let you figure out.
Final Thoughts on Aussie Slang
Despite all the wild and wacky terms, I’ve grown to love Aussie slang. There’s something fun about it; using their lingo makes you feel like you’re part of the culture. I mean, it’s hard not to feel like a local when you’re tossing out phrases like Maccas, Straya, and no worries.
If you’re moving to Australia, Perth is a fantastic place to start. It’s a beautiful city with laid-back people and the best sunsets ever. Plus, you’ll pick up the slang in no time.
Bonus Tip: Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
One last thing before I let you go. If you hear someone shout, “Aussie Aussie Aussie!” your automatic response must be “Oi Oi Oi!” Trust me on this.
Catch ya later, mate!
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