Way of Life

Most Australians enjoy or aspire²⁵ to middle-class suburban lifestyles in their homes. Apartments – called flats – were not common until recent years. They became more prevalent because of reduced family sizes, the adoption of more cosmopolitan modes of living, a trend toward rented accommodation, and state government efforts to revitalize the inner cities and maximize expensive infrastructure investments in transportation, water supplies, and other services. These developments were accompanied to some extent by an increased sophistication, especially in the capital cities.

Australian fashion generally follows Western styles of dress, but is distinctive for the lightweight, colorful casual wear that reflects the absence of harsh winters. Food and drink preferences are influenced by global tastes, but also mirror the rise of ethnic diversity and the country’s capacity to produce most kinds of food, wine, and other beverages in abundance.

Popular culture is dominated by an emphasis on leisure activities and outdoor recreation. Great pleasure is taken in traditional backyard barbecues, bush picnics, and a wide range of organized sports, including soccer, Australian Rules football, rugby, cricket, tennis, baseball, basketball, volleyball, netball (a game similar to basketball, played by women), track and field, cycling, boating, swimming, horseback riding, and horse racing. Fishing and gardening are popular activities.

Customs of Australia

Marriage and Family

Many couples live together before or instead of getting married, and there has been an increase in the number of single-parent families. Couples generally marry in their 20s. Church weddings are still the norm.

The average family has two or three children, and Australian family life is similar to family life in western Europe and North America, with many mothers working outside the home. In Australia, women and men are generally treated equally. Women have roughly the same amount of education as men, they earn fairly equal wages, and they occupy important leadership positions in the private and public sectors. Women make up almost half of the workforce.

Eating

A wide range of fruits and vegetables is available year-round. Take-away and fast-food outlets are popular. Popular snacks include meat pies and sausage rolls. All varieties of fish and meat are common. There is a trend toward eating lighter and more healthful foods. Australia’s cosmopolitan ethnic mix has brought with it a range of cuisine, and Asian food is now widely available. Most people eat their main meal in the evening. The evening meal is usually called dinner, although some (mostly older) people may refer to it as tea.

Socializing

Australians greet friends with a casual “Hi” or G’day (“Good day”) and a handshake. More formal greetings involve a simple “Hello, how are you?” Most adults prefer to use first names, even with those they have just met, but children use the terms “Mr.,” “Miss,” and “Ms.” with their elders. Australians frequently entertain in the home, often hosting barbecues. Guests are greeted warmly, and Australians tend to be informal hosts.

Recreation

Australians have a passion for sports, and outdoor activities are an important part of Australian life. Australian Rules football is the country’s main spectator sport, followed by rugby and cricket (Australia’s national teams are among the best in the world). Soccer and horse racing are also popular. Australians also enjoy a wide range of other sports and outdoor pursuits, including basketball, netball (similar to basketball, but played almost exclusively by women), cycling, bush walking (hiking), golf, tennis, and lawn bowls. With the majority of Australians living on or near the coast, there is great enthusiasm for sailing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. Australians watch a great deal of television, and cinemas are also popular.

Holidays and Celebrations

National holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Australia Day (26 January), Easter (Good Friday through Easter Monday), Anzac Day (or Veteran’s Memorial Day, 25 April), Queen Elizabeth II’s Official Birthday (second Monday in June), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December).

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the British in 1788. The British prisons had become overcrowded, so Captain Arthur Phillip brought a group of convicts to the spacious continent. The city of Sydney grew out of the penal colony founded by those early settlers. Aborigines do not celebrate this holiday.

On Anzac Day, Australians celebrate the anniversary of the Anzac troops landing at Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during World War I. The word Anzac is derived from Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac Day honors those who gave their lives for their country during wartime.

Australians celebrate a warm Christmas, which falls in summertime and is accompanied by vacation from work and school.

Unofficial holidays include Canberra Day, on the third Monday in March, which celebrates the founding of Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Eight Hour Day, generally known as Labour Day, is celebrated on various dates depending on location. This holiday celebrates the improvement of working conditions since the trade unions succeeded in limiting daily working hours to eight, encouraging adequate rest and recreation among the population.