Australia is famous for its laid-back lifestyle, stunning beaches, and diverse wildlife. But there’s something else that sets it apart: its unique way of speaking. Aussie slang can be confusing for new migrants, tourists, and even English speakers from other countries.
If you’re a Filipino planning to move, work, or study in Australia, or simply interested in understanding Australian TV shows or movies, learning Aussie slang will help you blend in and communicate better.
Unlike formal English, Aussie slang is full of abbreviations, humour, and cultural nuance. Australians love to shorten words and use phrases that may sound strange at first. For instance, instead of “afternoon,” they’ll say “arvo.”
Instead of saying “don’t worry,” they’ll say “no worries.” This guide breaks down common Aussie slang so you can start chatting like a true blue Aussie in no time.
Everyday Aussie slang you’ll hear often
Here’s a list of common Australian slang terms with meanings and examples to help you understand their usage:
Casual Conversation Starters
G’day – Short for “Good day”; used as a greeting
“G’day mate, how’s it going?”
No worries – Means “don’t worry about it” or “you’re welcome”
“Thanks for your help!” — “No worries!”
How ya going? – A friendly way of asking “How are you?” or “How’s it going?”
“Hey! How ya going?”
Mate – A term for friend, but used very commonly even with strangers
“Thanks, mate!”
Common daily words
Arvo – Afternoon
“Let’s meet this arvo at the café.”
Brekkie – Breakfast
“Wanna grab some brekkie before work?”
Servo – Petrol station
“I’m stopping at the servo to fill up.”
Macca’s – McDonald’s
“Let’s get some nuggets at Macca’s.”
Bikkie – Biscuit or cookie
“Would you like a cuppa and a bikkie?”
Cuppa – A cup of tea or coffee
“Come over for a cuppa!”
Personality and lifestyle
Tall Poppy Syndrome – The tendency to criticise or cut down someone who is seen as too successful or proud
“He won an award, but people are giving him a hard time—classic tall poppy.”
Bogan – A stereotype for someone considered unsophisticated or lacking manners; often loud, unpolished, and casual
“He showed up in a singlet and thongs—what a bogan!”
Larrikin – Someone who is cheeky, funny, and doesn’t take things too seriously
“He’s a bit of a larrikin, always making jokes.”
Fair dinkum – Genuine or real
“That’s a fair dinkum deal!”
Aussie battler – An everyday person who struggles through tough times but keeps going
“He’s a true Aussie battler, working three jobs to support his family.”
Stickybeak – A nosey person
“Don’t be a stickybeak, it’s not your business.”
Heaps – A lot, many
“There were heaps of people at the beach.”
At work or school
Tradie – Tradesperson (like a plumber, electrician, carpenter)
“The tradie will be here to fix the sink at 9.”
Hard yakka – Hard work (yakka is a word from Aboriginal languages)
“It was hard yakka building that fence.”
Ta – A casual way to say “thank you”
“Ta for the help!”
Sickie – A day taken off work (sometimes even when not really sick)
“He’s chucking a sickie today.”
Ripper – Really great or awesome
“That was a ripper of a game!”
Weather, clothes, and activities
Thongs – Flip-flops
“It’s hot today, just wear your thongs.”
Bathers / Togs / Cossie – Swimsuit (varies by state)
“Don’t forget your togs for the beach!”
Bush – The countryside or wild areas
“We went for a hike in the bush.”
Esky – Portable cooler for keeping drinks and food cold
“Bring the drinks in the esky.”
Aussie phrases and expressions
She’ll be right – Everything will be okay
“Car broke down?” — “She’ll be right, we’ll fix it.”
Having a go – Trying something, giving it a shot
“I’ve never surfed, but I’ll have a go.”
Buggered – Exhausted or very tired
“I’m buggered after that shift.”
Taking the piss – Joking or making fun
“Are you serious or just taking the piss?”
Bloody oath – Absolutely, definitely
“You going to the footy?” — “Bloody oath I am!”
Cultural tips for Filipinos and newcomers
- Tone matters: Aussies are casual and often sarcastic. Slang can be playful, so don’t take everything too literally.
- Mate = Friendly: Being called “mate” is a good thing! It’s gender-neutral and common.
- Humour is key: Australians enjoy making fun of themselves and others, including close mates. It’s part of the charm.
- Politeness is subtle: Aussies may not always say “sir” or “ma’am,” but using “cheers,” “ta,” and “no worries” shows respect in a relaxed way.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or anywhere in the Land Down Under, understanding Aussie slang helps break the ice and shows you’re making an effort to blend into the culture. It also makes daily interactions much easier, whether you’re talking to your landlord, a coworker, or the friendly barista down the road.
So next time someone says, “G’day mate! You keen for a barbie this arvo?”—you’ll know exactly what they mean.
No worries, right?