Local Customs Guide
Australia is a very relaxed and multi-cultural place, where there are no specific behavioral or dress rules based on gender, age or sex. It is common to be respectful to others.
Below is the official Australian policy on national values and beliefs.
- Respects human rights, democracy and the rule of law
- Recognises and respects difference
- Provides opportunities for all
- Celebrates and uses its diversity
- Values and encourages the participation of all people in community life
- Encourages all its members to belong and contribute to a shared future.
Some other things you should be mindful of:
- It is not acceptable to spit in the street.
- You should give your seat on public transport to the pregnant, elderly or the disabled if there are no seats available.
- School children should give their seat on public transport to adults if there are no seats available.
- If you are eating out, it is common practice to split the bill, and to leave a tip.
- If you have been invited to someone’s home for dinner, it is polite to bring a bottle of wine to share.
- Smoking is not allowed in most public places.
- Shouting rounds at pubs is a common practice. This is where each person more or less takes a turn buying a round of drinks for everyone in the group.
- Dating. Men are not expected to pay for everything on a date, although to offer is considered a nice gesture.
- It is not acceptable to litter.
- The concept of queueing is followed and if a line of people is waiting you should join the end.
In general, the personalities of Australians are very friendly. Being laid back, giving everyone a fair go and a good work/life balance are some of the traits you may experience. That is not to say Australians don’t work hard, but they also enjoy the good things in life. This remains consistent in Sydney and it is a good idea to embrace this positive way of life.
