Australians are generally laid back, open and direct. They say what they mean and are generally more individual and outgoing than other cultures. More than three quarters of Australians live in cities and urban centres, mainly along the coast.
Aussie's are known for being open-hearted and open-minded and think that everyone has the right to get a fair go. This can be seen in universal support of publicly funded health care and education systems.
Australians are known their laid-back and relaxed attitude to life, and this is true to an extent at least. You'll likely meet quite a few locals who are chilled out, and take the time to enjoy life.
While Australians approach most situations in a relaxed and friendly manner, it is still considered good manners to say 'please' and 'thank you' and to be on time. In Australia, all people are treated equally and respectfully, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, background or occupation.
A “no worries” attitude. There's something Aussies are known the world over for, and that's their easy-going, friendly attitude. Of course food, events, art and history are all vital parts of the Australian culture, but what really distinguishes an Aussie is his or her laid-back outlook on life.
Varied landscapes
As well as the beautiful beaches, Australia is also home to snowy mountains, incredible national parks, rainforests and desert. The landscape truly differs from state to state, which is why this country is so fun to explore.
In trying to articulate Australia's identity, words and phrases and values like mateship, a fair go, the Aussie battler, egalitarianism, multiculturalism, larrikinism, and the lucky country are often cited, but do they all really apply today?
Australia is globally famous for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, "The Bush", and "The Outback". Australia is one of the world's most highly urbanised countries; it's well known for its attractive mega cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. We are home to the world's oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. Since 1945, almost seven million people have migrated to Australia. This rich, cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
In a 1950 copy of Meanjin, Phillips used the term 'cultural cringe' to define the penchant for Australians to see their artists and writers' work as inferior to anything from overseas, Britain and the United States in particular. As a consequence, many Australians in the cultural field spent time or moved overseas.
Let's face it, most of us are suckers for a sexy accent. According to a recent survey conducted by the popular dating website MissTravel.com, over 2000 American men and women regard Australian accents as one of the sexiest in the world.
The Australian flag has the nation's vote for being the image or symbol about which we are most proud. 95% of Australians take pride in the national flag, which is enjoying increasing popularity, with half (50%) saying that they are extremely proud.
Anzac Day, which takes place on April 25, is a day of remembrance for all Australians. This day marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) first major military action in World War I. On this day each year, Australians honor all those who have served for the country.
Australians are known for being friendly and good-natured, so you're bound to experience their world-famous hospitality while you're studying here.
According to Dr Tanya King, senior lecturer in anthropology from Victoria's Deakin University, “it's Australians' egalitarianism, sense of humour and informal language that are most commonly cited as examples of this attitude”.
1. : a native or inhabitant of the Australian commonwealth. : a group of about 200 languages spoken by the aboriginal inhabitants of Australia.
Australia is the oldest, flattest, and driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. It is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, with deserts in the centre, tropical rainforests in the north-east, and mountain ranges in the south-east.
All Australians are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity. Australians reject conflict and violence. Everyone is given a 'fair go' by respecting equal rights and opportunities. All Australians are equal under the law.
Australians value equality of opportunity and what is often called a 'fair go'. This means that what someone achieves in life should be a product of their talents, work and effort rather than their birth or favouritism.