A Practical Guide to the Way of Life in Australia

Jump right in:

• Pros and cons of living in Australia
• Practical information
• Culture and social etiquette
• Driving in Australia
• Public transportation in Australia

Pros and cons of living in Australia

Australia has a lot to offer, but like anywhere, it comes with its ups and downs. The culture is friendly and relaxed, and you won’t find a rigid class system like in some other English-speaking countries. On the flip side, the housing market can be tough to crack, and the country’s size sometimes makes it feel a bit isolated — even if you’re in a major city.

Here’s a closer look at what’s good and what’s challenging about life down under.

Pros of living in Australia

• Healthcare is a big plus. Australia has a universal healthcare system. Permanent residents get access to medical care for free or very low cost and can expect high-quality services.
• Path to citizenship is clear. If becoming a citizen is your goal, Australia makes it relatively straightforward. After legally living in the country for at least four years (including at least one year as a permanent resident) and passing a citizenship test, you can apply for citizenship.
• Good pay. The average annual salary is around 91,550 AUD (about 64,000 USD), which is decent compared to many other countries.
• Wildlife and nature. From kangaroos and koalas to emus and wallabies, there’s no shortage of unique animals to discover, especially if you like exploring the Outback.
• Liveable cities. Places like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth rank among the world’s top cities for quality of life, offering plenty of amenities and cultural activities.

Cons of living in Australia

• Cost of living is high. Even without rent, a single person can expect to spend 800–1,000 AUD (560–700 USD) a month on basics. Rent will add a significant extra cost.
• Getting a work visa isn’t easy. While citizenship is straightforward once you’re permanent, the visa process is long and complicated. You’ll even undergo a “character check” to prove you’re a suitable candidate for immigration.
• Distance can cause isolation. Australia’s cities are far apart, so day trips or short getaways to other towns aren’t always practical. And a trip home will require a flight.
• International travel takes time. Because of its location, flights to most other countries are long and often expensive, which might be frustrating if you love traveling abroad.
• Beware the wildlife. Snakes, spiders, jellyfish ... You’ll find some creatures here are best admired from a distance.

Practical information

Here’s a handy list of essentials you’ll want to know while living in Australia — emergency numbers, main airports, embassies, and public holidays.

Emergency numbers

• Emergency (police, fire, ambulance): 000
• Storms and floods emergency: 132 500
• Police assistance (all states except Victoria): 131 444
• International incident helpline within Australia: 1300 555 135
• International incident helpline outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305

Public holidays

Australia’s national public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day — 1 January
• Australia Day — 26 January
• Good Friday — Friday before Easter
• Easter Monday — Monday after Easter
• Anzac Day — 25 April
• Christmas Day — 25 December
• Boxing Day — 26 December

If a holiday falls on a weekend, it’s usually observed the following Monday.

Some other holidays, like the King’s Birthday (typically second Monday in June) and Labor Day, vary by state. For example, Labor Day falls on the:

• First Monday in March in Western Australia
• Second Monday in March in Victoria and Tasmania
• First Monday in May in the Northern Territory

Main embassies

The largest expat communities in Australia hail from the UK, mainland China, India, New Zealand, Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Italy, and Malaysia. Below are the embassies for those countries.

• British High Commission Canberra
• Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
• High Commission of India
• New Zealand High Commission
• Philippine Embassy of Canberra
• Vietnamese Embassy in Australia
• South African High Commission
• Ambasciata d’Italia Canberra
• Malaysian High Commission

For info on other embassies and consulates, check the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website.

Main airports

Some of the country’s busiest airports are:

• Sydney Airport
• Melbourne Airport
• Brisbane Airport
• Perth Airport
• Adelaide Airport

Culture and social etiquette

Australia’s culture is welcoming, and you don’t need to worry about accidentally offending anyone. According to data from the InterNations Expat Insider survey, around 54% of expats feel welcome here and describe the country as “easy-going.” Australians value friendship, honesty, optimism, and fairness.

Australians appreciate humility in social interactions as well as in business culture. Locals are typically down-to-earth people and do not feel superior to others. For this reason, Australia can be described as a classless society. They value sincerity, and dislike arrogance and pretentiousness. Self-deprecating humor is the norm, and Australians are distrustful of people who brag or outwardly show-off.

Meetings & greetings

Australians keep it casual. Using formal greetings sounds awkward, so it’s normal to call people by their first names and avoid titles — even when meeting for the first time. A firm handshake works well.

Don’t try to mimic an Aussie accent or say “G’day, mate” unless you know the person well — it can come off as mocking. A simple “Hi” and “How are you?” is enough.

Most topics are okay, but avoid sex, religion, politics, and race when you first meet someone. Asking about salary, age, or weight is considered rude.

Australians don’t usually show when they’re impressed, so don’t take it personally if they seem indifferent.

Gift-exchanging

Australians exchange gifts between close friends, family, and neighbors on Christmas and birthdays. Gifts are usually opened right away.

Unlike some countries, such as China and Japan, where you cannot gift certain colors or types of flowers, Australia does not have any cultural restrictions. Items such as flowers, chocolates, or something from your home country are seen as nice gestures.

Dinner etiquette

If invited to dinner, it’s polite to bring wine, chocolate, or flowers. Being up to 15 minutes late to a party is fine, but more than that can be rude. Always ask if you can help with the meal or cleanup.

At a typical Australian “barbie” (barbecue), bring your own alcohol and sometimes your own meat. Check if you can bring anything else to share. Leaving leftovers for the host is common.

Treat everyone politely, including waitstaff. Australians value respect for all, regardless of social status.

When dining out with friends or on a date, everyone usually pays their own way. Buying “rounds” of drinks is common in groups. Tipping isn’t expected but appreciated at upscale restaurants.

Social tips

Australians take littering and spitting very seriously. Even in places with staff, you’re expected to throw away your trash.

Personal space is also important. You should keep an arm’s length between yourself and strangers. Keep in mind that people generally stick to the left when walking or using stairs and escalators.

Relationships in Australia are loyal, particularly among friends. Many Australians rely upon the help and support of good friends instead of family during hardships. This said, showing up to a friend’s home unannounced is considered rude.

Swearing

Swearing is common and often casual, not aggressive. Just be mindful about when and where you use it, especially at work or when meeting new people.

Women in Australia

Women are equal to men and not expected to follow traditional gender roles. Many still work fewer full-time hours and often take more responsibility for childcare and household tasks, but picking up a career after a childcare interruption is common among women here.

Driving in Australia

Having a car is pretty much essential if you want to explore beyond the cities. Australia is huge, and some places are only reachable by car. So, if you plan on checking out the Outback or small towns, having a valid driver’s license is a big plus.

The legal driving age varies depending on the state or territory:

• You can get a learner’s permit at 15 years and 9 months in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and at 16 in most other places.
• To drive without supervision, you need to be 18 in Victoria, 16 and a half in the Northern Territory, and 17 in the other states.

If you’re bringing a foreign license, check if you need to get an International Driving Permit or convert it to an Australian one — we’ve collected some further information on this topic below.

Rules for driving in Australia

Always carry your driver’s license and proper documentation while driving.

• Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts. Children under 7 need to be in an appropriate car seat.
• Drinking and driving is taken very seriously. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% — if you’re above this, you can’t drive.
• Using a cell phone while driving (including texting) is illegal.
• Smoking in the car is banned if there’s a child under 18 present (17 in Western Australia).
• You cannot turn left at a red light unless there’s a sign allowing it. If allowed, treat it like a stop sign — come to a complete stop and give way.

Speed limits

• Residential areas: 50 km/h (31 mph) — except in the Northern Territory, where it’s 60 km/h (35 mph).
• Outside residential areas: 100 km/h (62 mph) — except Northern Territory and Western Australia, where it’s 110 km/h (68 mph).

Driving in Australia with a foreign license

If you’re on a temporary visa, you can drive with your valid home country license for a certain time. An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is required if your license isn’t in English. After that, or if you become a permanent resident, you’ll need to get an Australian license.

Rules — especially regarding how long you can use your foreign license — vary by state, so check the local regulations where you (will) live.

How to get an Australian driving license

Getting an Australian license depends on your state, but once you have it, it’s valid nationwide.

If you’re from one of the following countries, you can usually swap your foreign license for an Australian one without tests (as of 2025):

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US.

If you’re from any other country or still under 25, you’ll need to take the Australian knowledge and road tests.

For more information, check the website of your respective state’s road agency:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Renting a car

If you’re in Australia for just a short time or won’t need a car often, renting a car is easy and convenient. Otherwise, buying might be cheaper.

To rent a car, you’ll need:

• a valid driver’s license;
• an International Driver’s License (if you’re using a foreign license that is not in English);
• your passport;
• a credit card.

To rent a car in Australia, most companies will require you to be 21 years old. If you’re under 24, you may need to pay an additional charge for being a “young driver”. As a young driver, your choice of car for rent may also be limited.

Costs for renting a car depend on the company, type of vehicle, city, and season. Economy cars typically start around 43 AUD (29 USD) per day, while prices can be lower in smaller towns and higher during peak seasons.

Public transportation in Australia

Public transportation in Australia is generally efficient, modern, air-conditioned, and well-maintained.

The system is heavily regulated to ensure quality and safety. Stations and terminals are monitored 24/7 for security. You’ll find uniformed and plain-clothes security riding public transportation to ensure the safety of all passengers and commuters.

Types of public transportation in Australia

The main options for local public transportation in Australia are trains, buses, ferries, and light rail (trams), though, not every city has ferries or trams.

For travel across the country, you can either opt for bus, train, or plane.

Greyhound Australia offers excellent discounts and specials on their bus rides and may be the cheapest option. Premier is another bus company, but it does not have as many stops.

For a more scenic mode of transport, try the train. Journey Beyond’s The Ghan and Indian Pacific routes are particularly popular options to zip you around the expansive country.

The fastest, but also most expensive way to get across Australia is flying. The major airlines servicing the country are Qantas, Jetstar, Rex, and Virgin.

Cost of public transportation in Australia

• Single ticket for local transportation (bus, train, tram): 3–5 AUD (2–3.50 USD)
• Weekly commuter pass: 40–60 AUD (27–40 USD), depending on the city
• Ferry fare: 6–8 AUD (4–5.50 USD), varies by city and distance
• Taxi base fare: 3–5 AUD (2–3.50 USD), plus ~1.50 AUD per km
• Intercity bus (e.g., Sydney to Melbourne): 85–100 AUD (57–67 USD)
• Domestic flights: 60–300+ AUD (40–200 USD), depending on the route and airline

For more, see our article on the Cost of Living in Australia.