Moving to Australia and Australian Slang

IntlMOVE can handle all of your international shipping needs to Australia.

IntlMOVE handles all of your household goods with careful attention to detail to help ensure the safe arrival of your belongings to your new home in Australia. 

When you move to Australia, you will be glad to know that you do not have to learn a new language if English is your native language. 

However, there are some major differences in some of the words that are used.

When expats first move to Australia, they quickly learn that they do have to learn many new words to be able to communicate with Australians. 

IntlMOVE has put together an Australian English guide to help you get started learning slang and different terminology. 

Everyday Items

Australians affectionately refer to their homeland as Oz.

People in Australia will make calls on their mobile, while people in the United States use the word cell phone.

When you enjoy one of the many beautiful beaches in Australia, you will wear a cozzie instead of a swimsuit.

Lippy is the common name for lipstick.

Sunglasses are often referred to as sunnies.

Strides are another name for trousers.

Cheap wine is sometimes called plonk.

After purchasing an item, you will get a docket which is the same thing as a receipt.

If it gets a little chilly, you will want to put on a sweater which is called a jumper in Australia.

If you have a baby at home, you will change his or her nappy, which is the word for diaper.

A boozer is a pub and a bottle shop is a liquor store. 

Food

The word tucker actually refers to food.

You will sometimes refer to supper as tea.

When you get food to go, you will ask to get it takeaway.

A corner place that sells takeaway food is sometimes called a milk bar.

If your salad is topped with avos, you will be eating avocados.

If you are in the mood for biscuit, you will have to ask for a bikkie.

However, if you want a cookie, you will ask for a biscuit.

Chocolate is still called chocolate, but it is also called chokkie.

A sanger is actually a sandwich.

If you want to wash down you sandwich with a can of beer, you will want to ask for a tinny.

If you want a little ketchup on your burger, you will ask for tomato sauce. 

Expressions

In Australia, you will hear the phrase “different to” instead of “different from.”

When greeting friends or acquaintances, say g’day!

Hooroo is another expression for goodbye.

People in the United States will say something is excellent, but Australians prefer to use the word ace!

An afternoon is called an arvo.

If you are camping with your friends, you will be sitting around a bush telly instead of a campfire. 

People

You will possibly call a relative a rellie.

In Australia, you will use the word bloke instead of dude or guy.

If a bloke at work is lazy or a slacker, you will call him a bludger.

If you think the bloke is an idiot, you will call him dill or a drongo.

You will call your friends your mates!

An environmentalist is commonly called a tree hugger in the United States and in Australia he or she will be called a greenie.

A vegetarian is often called a vejjo.

A mailman is sometimes called a postie.

 Animals

Bugs that bite actually have a name and are called bities!

A mosquito is called a mozzie.

A sheep is sometimes referred to as a jumbuck.

A kangaroo is often shortened and just called a roo. 

When you learn a new language, slang is often the hardest thing to learn.

When you move to Australia with IntlMOVE, it will take you some time to learn the new words.

You will get the hang of it quickly when you start hearing these different words and phrases on a regular basis.

Call IntlMOVE today to get started on your international move so you can learn Australian English.