Life in Australia

Going to an English-speaking country means being exposed to bizarre slang and coming to Australia is no different.

There are a few Australian slang terms that you should learn to help you navigate daily life, whether you’re planning a trip to Australia, have already arrived, or have lived on this enormous island of beauty for a while.

Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, not knowing the local lingo might put you in an awkward position. 

It’s worth noting that most Aussies shorten the bulk of English words. But adapting to Aussie slang and phrases won’t take long. 

To help you get by, we’ve compiled a list of Australian slangs and phrases (some of which are used in other English-speaking countries as well).

What are slang and phrases? And when do you use slang?

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A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit is a phrase. 

Whereas “unconventional words or phrases that transmit something new or something old freshly” is slang. 

Slang is sometimes rude, inconsiderate, and maybe even indecent. So, slang is the informal language or specific terminology a subculture uses. 

Slang is often used in everyday conversation. However, informal language should never be used in formal documents or formal discussions and interviews.

Slang, if used correctly (and in the proper context), may help non-native speakers of English in sounding more natural. In addition, it might show that you are proficient in social English. 

Among friends, for instance, slang is acceptable. However, if the tone of the conversation is more formal, slang words should be avoided.

Therefore, try to use slang properly, as a natural speaker would. If misused or out of context, it sounds strange and may show that you don’t understand the language. 

It might be good for you to see how Australians actually use these slang and phrases before starting using them yourself as you might sound a bit weird with these slangs.

We have compiled a list of the top Australian slangs and phrases used in Australia right here.

Serial No.	Slang	Meaning
1	A Cold One / Coldie	It refers to Beer
2	Accadacca	Australian band ACDC is referred to as this by Aussies.
3	Ace	Excellent
4	Aggro	Aggressive or Angry
5	Ambo	Ambulance
6	Ankle Biter	Used to refer to a child.
7	Arvo	Used to refer to afternoon.
8	Aussie	Australian
9	Aussie Salute	Scaring the flies by waving.
10	Avo	Avocado (A fruit)
11	Barbie	Barbeque
12	Billy	Teapot or some Aussie’s use it to refer to a bong
13	Booze Bus	A vehicle of police to catch drunk drivers
14	Bottle-O	A place to buy alcohol
15	Brekky	Breakfast
16	Bring a Plate	Request to participate in a BBQ or a party.
17	Banana Bender	An individual from Queensland
18	Beauty!	Great! When something positive occurs, especially in sports, the phrase “You Beauty” is often screamed with great emphasis.
19	Bloody	Very. To emphasize an argument or a point
20	Bloody oath	To say yes or confirm that it is true.
21	Bludger	A lazy person dependent on others (sometimes referred to as a “dole bludger” when they rely on the government for support).
22	Bogan	A person who lacks sophistication. The Australian version of American rednecks.
23	Bored shitless	To tell that he/she is bored.
24	Bonzer	Great
25	Buggered	Drained
26	Bail	To cancel plans.
27	Bathers	Swimwear
28	Barrack	To support or cheer someone.
29	Billabong	Pond in a dried-up riverbed
30	Bloke	A man or a guy
31	Brolly	Used to refer to an umbrella.
32	Bruce	The Aussie Guy
33	Buckleys’ Chance.	Almost no chance of happening
34	Bush	A place far from civilization
35	Bushman’s Alarm clock	A Kookaburra who’s laughing
36	BYO	Bring Your Own
37	Cab Sav	Cabernet Sauvignon
38	Choccy Biccy	Chocolate-flavored biscuits
39	Chunder	To vomit.
40	Cobber	Someone who’s a very close friend.
41	Crack the shits	Getting angry or frustrated with something or someone
42	Crikey	Surprise expression
43	Cactus	To refer to a thing as broken or dead.
44	Cark-It	To say someone to die.
45	Choc A Bloc / Cockers	Complete
46	Chook	Used to refer to a chicken
47	Chrissie	A slang for chirstmas
48	Ciggy / Durry	Used to refer to a cigarette.
49	Clucky	A maternal feeling
50	Cockie	A slang for a cockatoo named the bird
51	Corker	Excellent
52	Coppers	Used to refer to cops or police officers.
53	Crook	Used to refer to someone who’s ill or a criminal.
54	Daks	Slang for a trouser
55	Dogs Breakfast	Messed up work or a piece.
56	Dunny	Washroom or a bathroom
57	Docket	A list of items or a bill/receipt
58	Dag	An individual who’s a geek or a nerd
59	Deadset	To say that it is true.
60	Defo	For sure
61	Devo	Saddened
62	Down Under	Australia
63	Drongo	A Dumb or Stupid Person
64	Exy	Something expensive
65	Esky	Box of ice
66	Fairy Floss	It refers to cotton candy
67	Flake	Flesh of gummy shark being sold at fish and chips shop
68	Frothy	It refers to Beer
69	Far out	An exclamatory expression like, Really?!
70	Facey	Slang for FB (Facebook)
71	Fair Suck of the Sav	To take a risk on someone.
72	Fair Dinkum	Genuine
73	Fair go	A chance
74	Flat out	To describe how much crazily busy he is
75	Footy	Aussie Rules Football
76	Furphy	Long stories or rumours which are usually improbable
77	G’day	Hey or Hi or Hello
78	Going off	To explain the reaction of an angry or a sad person.
79	Good On Ya	To tell about someone’s good work.
80	Grundies	undergarments, usually underwear
81	Grog	Liquor, Beer
82	Galah	A dumb person called after the annoying Australian bird known for its silly antics and loudness.
83	Gnarly	– Great (usually surfers use this slang)
84	Grouse	Awesome
85	Hungry Jacks	Burger King
86	Hard yakka	Emphasizing someone’s hard work
87	Heaps	A lot of
88	Hoon	Someone who is driving really bad
89	Hooroo	Signing off
90	Iffy	Taking risks or being unreasonable
91	Icy Pole	Ice Lollie, Popsicle
92	John Dory	Referring to a gossip
93	Joey	Baby kangaroo
94	Knickers	Used to refer to female underwear.
95	Kangaroos lose in the top paddock (a few)	Someone with a low IQ
96	Knock back	Refusal
97	Lollies	Sweets
98	Legless	A highly drunk individual
99	Lappy	Used to refer to a laptop.
100	Larrikin	A person who is always up for a joke
101	Maccas	McDonald’s
102	Manchester	Used to refer to sheets or linen.
103	Mate	A friend
104	Moolah	Cash
105	Mozzie	Mosquito
106	Mongrel	A person with some scoundrel qualities
107	No Drama	No issue
108	No Worries	No issue
109	Nuddy / In the Nud	Naked
110	Ocker	A person who’s unsophisticated
111	Outback	The middle/interior of Australia.
112	OZ	Australia
113	Pash	To smooch
114	Pokies	Gambling Machines
115	Pollie	Politician
116	Postie	Postman
117	Preggo	Pregnant
118	Prezzy	Gift
119	Rage / Rage on	Party
120	Reckon	For sure
121	Rego	Registration
122	Rellie / Rello	Relatives
123	Rock Up	To reach
124	Roo	Kangaroo
125	Sanger	It refers to a sandwich
126	Sickie	Calling sick at work
127	Skull / Skol	To down a beer
128	Slab	A beer box which usually has 24 beers
129	Sheila	Women
130	Shout	Turn
131	Snag	It refers to a Sausage.
132	Stubby	It refers to a beer bottle
133	Stubby Holder	It refers to avoiding warming the Beer with your hands.
134	Sausage Sizzle	A weekly BBQ event outside Bunning
135	Smoko	Smoke break
136	Sunnies	Sunglasses
137	Ta	Thank you
138	Tinny	A beer can or a small boat
139	Thongs	Sandals
140	Tucker	It refers to food
141	True Blue	Real patriotic Australian
142	Ute	Pickup truck
143	Uey	Making a U-Turn
144	Uni	University
145	Veggo	Vegetarian
146	Veggies	Vegetables
147	Veg out	Relax
148	VB	Victoria Bitter (Beer Brand)
149	Wag	Skipping School
150	Whinge	Complain
151	Woop Woop	In the middle of nowhere
152	Ya	You
153	Yous	Plural of the word “You”
154	Yakka	Hard work
155	Zonked	Exhausted

Did you enjoy learning these Aussies slang and phrases?

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, remember that the local lingo will be very different and exciting. While most Australians can speak English, they all have unique accents and dialects. 

It may be tough to catch what they’re saying in some instances. However, you should be somewhat more equipped now that you know basic Australian slang and phrases. If you think that some important Australian slang or phrases are missing out on this list, then make sure to DM them to us here.

Also, check out the article we covered on some important Australian acronyms here. It would also help you quite a lot on your trip to Australia.

Australian PR (Permanent Residence, in short)

So many people aspire to get Australian PR but many of them don’t know what are the benefits of becoming an Australian Permanent Resident.

In this article, we will discuss about top 10 benefits that you get as a permanent resident in Australia.

1. Live indefinitely in the country

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As an Australian Permanent Resident, you can stay in Australia for as long as you want.

Now there is a bit of misconception that Australian PR is only valid for five years. That’s only half of the truth because as long as you stay in Australia and don’t leave the country, you don’t need to renew your permanent residence.

So, if after getting permanent residence, you don’t intend to travel overseas, then you don’t need to renew it.

But if you want to travel overseas, then you’ll need to get this visa renewed (which is for five years), so that you can return back to Australia. Read more about overseas travel as a permanent resident here.

2. Unlimited working rights

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While some visa holders like student visa and temporary visa holders usually have some work restrictions, Australian PR holders don’t have such restrictions.

As a permanent resident of Australia, you have unlimited working rights which means you can work as many hours you want or for any employer you want except some public services jobs and some defense jobs. These can only be applied by Australian citizens, not permanent residents.

But apart from those jobs mentioned above, you are basically free to work for any sort of job and any amount of hours you would like to work.

3. Healthcare entitlements

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You can access Australia’s public health care system also known as Medicare.

It gives you access to free public health care especially in public hospitals and general practitioners clinics. There are also subsidies for specialised medical services and some medications as well.

Many mandatory immunisations (and including COVID-19 vaccines) are free for Australian PR holders.

If you’re pregnant or if your spouse is pregnant, then the delivery of the baby is also free in public hospitals.

4. Social security benefits

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Social security in Australia is also known as Centrelink. The organisation that run these services is Services Australia.

But basically if you are unemployed or a student or have a disability, then you are entitled to get social security benefits. The amount you get for social security will vary based on lots of factors including your personal circumstances.

You can also get some social security benefits if you have a family with your kids, which brings us to the next point.

5. Privileges for children

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If you have kids who are born in Australia after you getting a permanent residency, then they will become Australian citizens (by default).

As a parent of newborn kid, you get new born payments, paid parental leave and you also get some other family tax benefits as well.

After your kids grow up and start going to child care, that’s where you get child care subsidy. Currently, up to 85 of the child care fees is covered by the government. Obviously, depending upon your income, you will get higher or lower subsidies.

For example, if you are in the higher income bracket which means you earn a lot of money then you may get less subsidy and if you are on lower income scale, then you may get higher subsidy.

After finishing child care, when your kids go to school, that is also free until year 12 in public schools.

When your kids go to university, they can access the higher education loan program to study for the university courses.

Plenty of benefits for the children of Australian Permanent residents.

6. Access to various loans

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Once you get Australian permanent residence, your credit score gets a big boost which means it significantly increase.

Your credit score or credit rating is based on a lot of factors which helps credit giving agencies like banks to decide if they should lend you money or not.

The general rule is “higher the credit rating, the better it is”.

If you have a higher credit rating, you can access different types of loans like home loan, car loan, study loan and various other types of loans.

7. Access to government grants

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If you’re planning to buy a house after becoming Australian permanent resident, then you can also access some government grants.

These grants and schemes are usually designed for the first home buyers in Australia. Make sure to check both federal and your state government grants as sometimes you can access two grants when buying first home in Australia.

Make sure to check all the relevant information about grants on this page.

8. Access to free English language classes

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If your level of English language is very low or you have no understanding of English at all, then you can attend government subsidised English program also known as AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program).

This program is completely free of charge for Australian PR holders.

It’s Australian government’s initiative to get migrants to learn English so that they can integrate better into Australian culture and society.

9. Possibility of becoming Australian citizenship

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Australian Permanent Resident can become a pathway to get Australian citizenship.

There are some conditions that you need to meet in order to become Australian citizen.

For example you must be living in Australia for at least four years and one of that year must be as a permanent resident in the country. There are more conditions, you can read all of them here.

Becoming an Australian citizen give you access to some of the jobs like public services and defense jobs. It gives you a right to vote in the country.

And you can leave and come to Australia for as many times as you like as there is no such five years visa that you need to apply if you get Australian citizenship.

10. Visit, live and work in New Zealand

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lf you’re not happy living in Australia after getting your permanent residency (which we wonder why would that be ;)), then you are welcome to take a flight across Tasman and can go visit or live and work in New Zealand.

Australian Permanent Resident holders can live in New Zealand indefinitely and they don’t need a visa to travel to New Zealand.

They can study, work or travel around New Zealand as there are no restrictions on Australian PR holders

So these are the top 10 benefits of becoming an Australian Permanent Resident.

International students and working holiday visa holders have recently been given a special offer by Australian Government regarding the visa application fee refund.

It was announced by the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison on 19th January 2022 that student visa holders arriving in the next 8 weeks and working holiday visa holders arriving in the next 12 weeks will be able to apply for a visa application charges refund.

So, in this article, we are going to look into step by step information on how to apply for this refund.

Step 1 – Check your eligiblity

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It is important to note that not all student visa holders and working holiday visa holder will be eligible. There are some eligibility requirements that you must meet in order to apply for this refund.

Let’s look at Student Visa Holders eligiblity:

To eligible for a student visa fee refund:

• you hold a valid Student visa (subclasses 500, 560, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574 or 575), and
• you must arrive in Australia between 19th January 2022 and 19th March 2022

Now, Working holiday visa holders

Elgibility for working holiday visa holder include:

• you hold a valid Working Holiday/Work and Holiday visa (subclasses 417 or 462), and
• you must arrive in Australia between 19th January 2022 and 19th April 2022

The good thing is you can apply until 31st December 2022 for your refund, so you don’t need to rush to apply it right away after arriving in Australia.

Step 2 – Collect your documents you need to apply

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In order to apply for this refund, you must have few documents handy. This include

• Passport – For your personal details and passport number
• TRN (Transaction reference number) – For confirmation of your visa. You can find this number in your visa grant letter or in immii account, if you applied visa online.
• Bank Account or Credit Card details – For getting your refund back into your account

A quick tip for getting your refund quicker:

Provide your Australian Bank account rather than overseas bank account

Step 3 – Creating an account on immigration refund portal

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For applying for this refund, you need to go to Department of Home Affairs’s Visa Refund Portal. You can go directly to the page for student and working holiday visa holder’s visa application charges here: https://studentandwhmrefunds.homeaffairs.gov.au/vrp

Here you can check further information on

• your eligibility
• how to claim
• other useful information
• getting help

You will need to create a new account here (unless you already have an account for refunds). For this, you will need to provide the following information:

• Email account
• Password
• First Name
• Last Name
• Password
• Agreement to privacy policy and security statement

Once your account is created, then you will get a confirmation email for your registration. Make sure to validate your email using the link in email.

Then you will redirected to login using your email and password.

Step 4 – Complete your refund application

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Once logged into your dashboard, you will be welcome with a screen title “Visa application charge refunds for students and working holiday makers”. Read the page and go to the bottom and click “Submit New Request”

After clicking submit new request, you will enter the “Visa Request Refund” page where you will need to provide the followin details and press submit after that:

• TRN
• Application ID
• Visa Subclass
• Entry Date
• Given Name
• Family Name
• Date of Birth
• Passport Number
• Passport Country
• Email address
• Contact Number
• Did you pay for your own visa
• Bank account details
• Agreement to terms and conditions

Step 5 – After submitting your refund application

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After completing and submitting your application, you will recieve a confirmation email regarding your application recieved from the Department of Home Affairs.

Then you will need to wait for the outcome of the application.

Department of Home Affiars mentioned that they will process the refund as quickly as they can but it can vary based on the individual applications.

If your application is approved then you will recieve the refund back into your nominated back account.

However, if they refuse your application, then you can apply for a review within 21 days of a refusal.

You can read more about this here.

If you liked this content, then you might also want to read on 10 best casual jobs for student in Australia here.

We all know that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. It is not just an American thing. It is celebrated in many countries, including Australia.

If you are wondering why and how you should celebrate Valentine’s Day in Australia as a student, then read on!

What is Valentine’s day?

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Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th. It is a day for people to express their love to their loved ones. In 2024, it will be celebrated on Wednesday 14th, 2024.

This date has tradition behind it and is celebrated to remember the St. Valentine’s.

Check our Updated Valentines Day Gift Ideas here

The Origins of the Australian Valentine’s Celebration

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The origins of Valentine’s Day in Australia are not very clear. It is believed to have started in the 19th century by the Irish Catholic settlers.

Although it is not a public holiday in Australia, there are chances that some businesses might be closed on the day.

It is a summer season during the month of February, so the temperature ranges from warm to hot.

How is it celebrated in Australia?

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Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Australia with romantic dinners, cards, kisses and flowers.

There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Australia. Australians usually celebrate it with romantic dinners, cards, kisses and flowers. You can also give your special someone a Valentine’s Day gift.

If you are struggling with what to get for your loved one, here are some ideas that might help

Gift ideas for Valentine’s Day in Australia

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Check our Updated Valentines Day Gift Ideas here

What are some of the best gifts you can get on Valentine’s Day? Well, it really depends on your budget and the person you are buying for. But if you are looking for some ideas, here are a few suggestions that might help.

Gift Ideas on ultra tight budget ($30 or under)

If you are looking for some last-minute gifts, then this list of Valentine’s Day gifts under $30 is perfect for you!

• 3D Valentine Greeting Card
• Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Gift Box
• Zenglow Shower Steamers with Essential Oils
• 9 in 1 Multitool Pen for Him
• Book: Atomic Habits
• Valentine Gift Rose Light Gifts
• Vera Wang Princess Eau De Toilette 100Ml
• T2 Tea 5 Tops 5 Mini Gift Cubes 
• One Dozen Red Roses at Aldi

Gift Ideas on low budget ($100 or under)

• Calvin Klein One Eau De Toilette
• Preserved Real Eternal Rose with I Love You Necklace
• Calvin Klein Beauty Eau de Parfum
• Braun Face Mini Hair Remover
• Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite EDP
• LEGO® Icons Bouquet of Roses 10328 Home Decor Flowers

Gift ideas on mid to high budget ($1000 or under)

• ghd Original Hair Straightener
• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
• Nintendo Switch Console
• MANSCAPED™ The Lawn Mower™ 5.0 ULTRA Groin & Body Hair Trimmer
• Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker
• Apple Watch Series 9

Gift Ideas for those who would like to do something special

• A romantic dinner date at a 4-star restaurant: Book and dine a luxury dinner date with your valentine.
• A romantic weekend getaway: Surprise your loved one by booking a romantic escape around Australia.
• Expensive jewellery: Create a personalised necklace with their name on it.

Top 5 International Student’s Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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1. Buy OSA ISIC card – Perfect for international students. Your Valentine will love you for buying a year-round offer and discounts they get with this card. Buy it here. Check our student deals page for more sweet deals.
2. Buy Timezone credits – Entertain your valentine by buying a gift to play arcade video games, laser games, bowling. They have a special deal on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February 2024 to get double credits. Buy $60 or $120 credits and get $100 or $200 credits. (Double the fun) Check the details here.
3. Maskco -Try the unique and exotic Australian fragrances. We promise your valentine will love it. It’s that good. (Make sure to get Lychee and Peony as one of the fragrances). Current offer: Get 30% off + 1 MUSK Stick Refill. Buy them here.
4. Give them box of food goodies – Many couples like to spend the night at home on this day, so cooking together can be fun (oops we are giving our Date ideas already). Why not order a box of meal kit delivered at your place to make things bit easier for yourself. Luckily, HelloFresh and EveryPlate are running an amazing deals for our followers. Get up to $210 off on your first 5 meal kit boxes with HelloFresh here. And EveryPlate is running a deal with up to $155 off for the first 6 boxes with price per serving starting from just $2.29.
5. Gift card – Last but not the least, the easiest, laziest and a safe gift, get your Valentine a gift card. You can buy them at any retailer or online. If buying online, we suggest getting from Shopback as they have a Super Swap gift card that can be exchanged for 100’s of retailers. Sign up now to get $10 referral bonus to start.

Check our Updated Valentines Day Gift Ideas here

Affordable Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in Australia

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Here are some affordable Valentine’s Day date ideas in Australia:

• Stargazing: Choose an area far from the city lights, it could be your own backyard as well. Bring a blanket, chair, something to munch on and binoculars or telescope. Make sure to check the weather of your local city before deciding for this activity.
• Picnic: Head toward your local park, beach or garden nearby and bring along some basic food like sandwich, fruits, cheese and drinks for a romantic picnic. Also pack up a picnic blanket, small table and something (like game) for entertainment.
• Cooking Together: Choose a recipe that excites you both, buy ingredients and get cooking together. You can choose to do a full course menu or just the mains. Remember it is not much about the food but the experience of something you create together.
• Scenic Walk: Great way to stay healthy and enjoying the company of your loved on a nature walk. Explore the local neighbourhood or nature trail nearby and share your stories or something interesting with your partner.
• Movie Night In: Choose a genre of interest and watch something you both haven’t watched yet. Create a cozy environment and don’t forget to prepare some snacks like popcorns, nachos, drinks, etc.
• Check out more date ideas on our Instagram page here.

Valentine’s Day Road Trip Ideas in Australia

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Here are the Valentine’s Day Road Trip ideas in Australia you might consider to bring your Valentine Date to:

1. Great Ocean Road (Victoria) – Without a doubt, this is one of the most popular road trip around Australia. It takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Torquay (starting point for Great Ocean Road) from Melbourne city. From Torquay, you can drive along with some breath taking scenery while visiting popular towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay. You can visit Twelve Apostle in a day trip as well but it is advisable to start your trip nice and early if visiting Twelve Apostle is a part of your agenda.
2. Grand Pacific Drive (New South Wales) – Around an hour south of Sydney is one of the other popular coastal drive in Australia, Grand Pacific Drive. Stretching from the Royal National Park to Nowra, you will be driving through many coastal towns and breathing scenery as well. And who doesn’t like to drive on the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.
3. Blue Mountains (New South Wales) – Around 50 minutes drive from Sydney CBD, Blue Mountains is a popular tourist attraction and day trip for many Sydneysiders. You can explore scenic landscapes, three sister’s rock formation, scenic cable ride, Wentworth Falls Lookout in the area. You can enjoy a lunch or dinner in the local area or enjoy a cozy evening in a mountain retreat with your loved one .
4. Gold Coast to Byron Bay (Queensland) – Drive down the Pacific Highway from Gold Coast to the picturesque coastal town of Byron Bay with your loved one. A 75 minute long drive is worth every penny. And the bohemian town of Byron Bay with stunning natural attractions, world class dining and shopping is a perfect backdrop to your Valentine’s Day.
5. Barossa Valley (South Australia) – Travelling to South Australia’s Barossa Valley on Valentine’s Day seems like a non-brainer. Only an hour’s drive from Adelaide city means you can spend the entire day exploring the region known for its vineyards, gourmet food and insta worthy countryside scenery.
6. East Coast (Tasmania) – Why not explore the beauty of Tasmania’s east coast on Valentine’s Day. You can explore Freycinet National Park, hike to Wineglass Bay, and feast on Tasmanian seafood in coastal towns like Bicheno and Swansea. You can do a quick
7. Pinnacles Desert and Lancelin Sand Dunes (Western Australia) – Approximately 2 hours north from the Perth city, Pinnacles Desert is otherwordly attraction that is sure to impress anyone. You can stop by at Lancelin Sand Dunes for sandboarding experience on the way back.

Tips for Loving Long Distance this Valentine’s Day

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These are some of the best long-distance relationship tips that you can follow for this Valentine’s Day.

1. Be honest with your partner about how you feel
2. Make sure to keep in touch with your partner as often as possible
3. Keep the romance alive by sending gifts and cards to each other

We hope this article has helped you find your way to the perfect Valentine’s Day. Let us know how you would like to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the comments.

One of the first public holidays on Australian calendar in the new year is Australia Day public holiday.

In this blog, we are giving you a quick guide about Australia Day in Australia.

What is Australia Day?

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Australia Day is celebrated on 26th January each year.

Its historical background dates back to 1788 as a commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 British convict ships at Port Jackson NSW.

Now a days, it is celebrated as a day where we reflect on the history, its highs and its lows.

There are many ceremonies, parades, cultural events, citizenship ceremonies takes place on this day.

Why is Australia Day also called “Invasion Day”?

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Many international students wonder why Australia Day is also called as an “Invasion Day”.

Australia’s indigenous people also known as First Nations People consider Australia Day celebrations as a celebration of Invasion, genocide of aboriginal people.

They consider it as a day of mourning as it marks the beginning of colonisation of their country and the loss of their land and culture.

There is a campaign to change the date to another day in the year as it is marked as an Invasion Day for the aboriginal culture in Australia.

You can learn more about this perspective by seeking out and attending events that acknowledge the history and celebrate Indigenous culture.

Many universities and other workplaces in Australia have started giving an option to their employees to work on 26th January instead of taking a day off. They are offering alternative day off to those staff members who decide to work on 26th January.

Few activities you can do on Australia Day public holiday

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Many Australians these days consider Australia Day as just another public holiday. Here are some of the activities, students can do on their day off on this public holiday.

1. Attend marches and local activities

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You can attend marches and events that explain about the pain and hurt of the aboriginal culture for this day. Some local governments organise activities like morning breakfast, concert, local tour and parties. Check the local council website to see what’s happening in your local area.

2. Go to beach

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Australians love going to the beach and one of the favourite activity for many Australians is heading toward the beach to catch some cool waves and enjoy with friends.

3. Have a Barbie

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Invite some friends over and organise a typical Australian style BBQ or barbecue. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you can also enjoy a meat-free BBQ as well. You can head to a local park or do it in your own backyard. Want to know some BBQ etiquette? Check our popular article on that here.

4. Play cricket

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Summer means Cricket in Australia. Even if you are not familiar with this sport, you can join to play it with locals and they will be happy to explain the rules. Don’t be shy in asking to join if you see locals playing it. Common places to play includes beach, backyard & local parks on the day.

5. Try Aussie treats

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Have you heard about Pavalova, Lamingtons, Vanilla slice, Tim Tams? No! Try them out. Treat yourself to some Aussie deserts. And if you are person, who like to stay indoors, then catching up on some Aussie flicks like The Castle, Mad Mex, Crocodile Dundee and Muriel’s Wedding is a must.

6. Buy the merchandise

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You can buy plenty of True Blue merchandise from local businesses. You can even head to local supermarket to pick some merchandise as well. Want to go extreme with it? Get your face tattooed.

7. See fireworks

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Local governments also organise fireworks for the residents during the evening on Australia Day. Check your local state or territories planned fireworks and make bookings, if required. Keep in mind, there are different restrictions at the moment in many states and territories.

Whatever you plan to do this Australia Day, we suggest that you to understand and be respectful about the cultural significance of this day.