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Contents

Core Concepts
Australian Culture
Egalitarianism
Relationships
Rules and Relaxation
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Experience
Multiculturalism in Australia
Family
Marriage and Dating
Greetings
Religion
Demographics
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Worldviews
Christianity in Australia
Judaism in Australia
Islam in Australia
Hinduism in Australia
Buddhism in Australia
Sikhism in Australia
Naming
Dates of Significance
National Holidays
Regional Holidays
 Regional Holidays
National Observances
Etiquette
Visiting
Gifts
Do's and Don'ts
Do’s
Do not’s
Communication
Verbal
Non-Verbal
Other Considerations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Business Culture
Meetings
Communication and Relationships
Hierarchies
Considerations
References

Cite

Reference information

The author and year of publication for each cultural profile can be found under the ‘Reference’ section of
that page. If you would like to use direct content from a cultural profile, please reference the author and
year of publication of the specific cultural profile.

For example:

Evason, Nina. (2016). Australian Culture. Retrieved from https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/australian-

culture/australian-culture-core-concepts

If you would like to reference the Cultural Atlas generally, please reference the site in the following way:

IES (2020). The Cultural Atlas. Retrieved from: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au.

Australian Culture
Core Concepts
The Indigenous people of Australia were custodians of the land for an estimated 60,000 years before it
was colonised. In the late 18th century, settlers established the country as a penal colony for the convicts
of the British Isles. As the land was colonised, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations were
dispossessed of their land and their societies were fractured and marginalised. The social makeup of the
country was dramatically changed and a European-like cultural mainstream came to be established. The
following cultural information depicts this newly dominant culture – a Westernised society whose values
have been influenced by continual migration to the Australian continent in the last 250 years.
 
Australian Culture
Mateship
Egalitarianism
Authenticity
Optimism
Humility
Informality
Easy-going
Common sense
Humour

Australia’s society reflects its British penal history as well as the subsequent waves of migration from
elsewhere in Europe and almost every other continent. Australians (or Aussies) have been inventive in
adapting their cultural roots to suit the new environment, climate and resources of the country. Modern
society is asserting a confident and unique identity through its diversity, language(s), architecture,
‘Australianised’ cuisine, bush identity and sporting prowess.

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world, yet its population is comparatively small at only roughly 24
million people. This makes it one of the least densely populated land masses in the world. Nevertheless, it
is also highly urbanised with people grouped into relatively small areas around the major cities. Many
Australians enjoy a high standard of living with enough social and economic security to give them a
reasonably optimistic outlook on the freedom and possibilities around them. A common national narrative
hails Australia as the ‘lucky country’ for the comfortable quality of life it’s population enjoys. In a recent
large-scale survey, SBS found nearly two thirds of Australians believe that their country has the best
lifestyle in the world. Despite their good fortune Australians tend to resist overt displays of national
superiority (with the exception of their sporting prowess). Moreover, at times they have criticised their own
country as somehow lacking cultural refinement compared to their European counterparts.

Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism strongly underpins interpersonal values in Australia. People believe in the right to a ‘fair go’
regardless of a person’s background. It has often been described as a classless society as Australians
tend not to think in terms of one person being better than another – rather, those who are privileged are
simply acknowledged as "better off" than others. A person’s level of education and wealth does not
necessarily earn them status or respect. Instead, it is acknowledged that they have an advantage or a leg
up in life. Sociologists have argued that this dismissal of social stratification arose out of the egalitarian
b li f th t h l d A t li t iti f l i t i t l f d ti
beliefs that helped Australia transition from penal society into an equal federation.

Broadly, there are not many social indicators that can define class distinctions in society. People with
university degrees are not necessarily wealthier than those without, and affluent Australians also tend to
prefer casual clothing most of the time. Furthermore, unlike in the UK, a person’s wealth, education and
place of birth tends to not make a significant difference to their accent in Australia. The only substantial
social conclusion able to be made from the way a person speaks is usually their age (through their use of
specific slang).

Of course, Australia is not entirely ‘classless’. Social divisions do exist – particularly for the chronically
unemployed and some marginalised populations. Society is also becoming arguably more stratified by
competitiveness in the market economy. To this point, a 2015 study conducted by SBS found that
Australians believe that they are more materialistic than ever before and also feel collectively guilty about
it.

Relationships

Australian friendships run deep and are especially loyal. It is common for people to rely upon their friends
or ‘mates’ in hard times more than family. Migrants and foreigners are often surprised by how openly and
quickly Australians begin to establish the basis for this mateship. Moreover, relationships tend to be built
on camaraderie rather than hierarchy. In this way, people tend to show respect to friends and peers
through gestures of equality instead of deference. Considerable effort is put into being fair to everyone in
social interactions. For example, it is considered bad taste to ask someone to do anything you would not
do yourself. People who hold themselves in higher esteem than their mates are quickly reminded of their
place. Furthermore, Australians tend to strongly dislike it when friends knowingly put them in awkward
situations that oblige them to do something without having necessarily wanted or offered to. ‘Dobbing’
(reporting their misdemeanours to authorities) is also seen as unacceptable in a friendship.

Australians seem to have an implicit preference for those who seem down-to-earth and straightforward.
They often perceive simplicity as an endearing personal quality; to be called a "classic" is a compliment
among friends. On the other hand, people who exhibit strong signs of intellect or perhaps consider
themselves ‘cultured’ are more likely to be approached with suspicion or even resentment. This is related
to tall poppy syndrome by which those who show signs of arrogance or achievement above their peers
are swiftly cut down or diminished. In this way, humility is essential to social interaction.

Australians are often very modest about their accomplishments and commonly self-deprecate to avoid
seeming pretentious. This can sometimes be taken to extreme lengths in social circles and workplaces.
For example, people have been known to refuse national awards due to the alienation it might engender
from their fellow Australians. Country leaders also tend to downplay their socio-economic status or
educational prowess to appeal to the ‘true-blue Aussie’. Even the common descriptor, “the lucky country”,
conveys modesty as the nation’s success is attributed to ‘luck’ rather than the work or competence of the
A t li l
Australian people.

Rules and Relaxation

Australia has many national narratives that idolise the ‘scallywag’ or ‘larrikin’ (such as Ned Kelly). These
are underdog characters that show little regard for rules. Australians often express a light disregard for
authority (especially in their humour). Nevertheless, most are very conscientious about following the rule
of law. Society is circumscribed by a vast number of practical regulations that stringently control the
behaviour of the Australian public. For example, cyclists can be fined hundreds of dollars for not wearing a
helmet. Foreigners are often surprised to see how much of an emphasis is put on safety in a society often
stereotyped as ‘laid-back’. Indeed, many Australians do find these regulations overly precautious or too
tightly enforced by police. Those who criticise this aspect of Australian law and order dub themselves as
living in a "Nanny state".

However, most people do generally maintain a relaxed approach about things. There is a cultural tendency
towards procrastination in the way situations may be approached. For example, problems may be met
with an answer of “she’ll be right” (just leave it, she will be okay in time without our intervention).

Australians also tend to avoid putting themselves under pressure. They like to prioritise their energy,
placing emphasis on relaxation, holidays and winding-down. Some may even find people who exert
themselves a lot (in their eagerness, impatience, stress, etc.) to be exasperating. This reflects a cultural
aversion from complaining, worrying too much, reflecting on mistakes and dwelling on the past. Instead,
people are expected to have an easy-going, ‘can do’ attitude.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Experience

A cultural tendency to discount uncomfortable facts of Australia's history has particularly hurtful
implications for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many continue to seek political redress
through reconciliation and formal recognition of their status as the initial inhabitants of the continent.
Colonisation has had devastating impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The original
population was reduced by approximately 90% as they were exposed to foreign diseases or killed; many
were dispossessed from their traditional lands and separated from their cultural identities. The trauma of
this remains difficult for many in the community to process – especially as some traditional knowledge
and entire language groups were lost. The marginalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
has persisted through institutional racism, assimilation and discrimination. By common statistical
measures, the general population remains chronically disadvantaged – socially and economically. Almost
every Aboriginal family has been directly affected in some way by the harsh realities of Australia’s post-
colonial policies and practices.

Yet in the face of adversity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain connected with their
culture. Many have a deep affinity with their Indigenous identity and practice their culture in varying forms.
The degree to which a person integrates traditional Aboriginal behaviours, belief systems or social codes
into their lives differs between individuals.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people possess the most ancient continuous culture on Earth. Before
colonisation there were at least 250 distinct language groups, with approximately 700 dialects spoken
across 500 different clan groups or ‘nations’, reflecting incredible diversity. There remains an extensive mix
of traditions, spiritualities and customs among today’s Aboriginal population. Across regions, languages
and dialects, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share a common philosophy based on
spirituality, ecology and consensual-communal organisation. This involves a custodial relationship to the
land that many believe confirms their Indigenous identity.

The Aboriginal culture and worldview is complex and multifaceted. We encourage readers to visit the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Course for more information on Australian Indigenous cultural
diversity. For guidelines on how to sensitively refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait minority, see Other
Considerations.

Multiculturalism in Australia

The Australian mainstream has generally adopted Anglo/Celtic-Western customs. However, this
description is becoming less relevant for depicting modern society’s social make-up as many Australian
households have a multicultural identity. Whereas previously most immigrants came from Europe, many
people are now arriving from Asia, Africa and the Americas. According to the 2016 census, roughly 26% of
Australian residents were born overseas and 49% had at least one parent born overseas. In a recent SBS
study on Australia’s social attitudes, most migrants identified themselves as Australian – with 76%
thinking of themselves as at least part-‘Aussie’.

Most Australians accept multiculturalism and believe it to be the future of the country. However, a
reactionary attitude has lingered as some people remain uncomfortable with divergences from a Western
standard. This can be witnessed in the the debates that surround current immigration policies and
politics. For example, a 2016 Essential Vision Poll found 49% of Australians support a ban on Muslim
immigration.

However, outside of national politics, Australians generally treat and accept people of all backgrounds
equally and may simply relate more to those whom they share similarities with. Australians have largely
embraced the cultural diversity immigrants bring, and the country constantly draws upon these influences
to build its own developing national character. SBS found that most Australians would agree that they "are
all immigrants to the land anyway". This is exemplified in the way the majority of Australians continued to
identify their heritage elsewhere in the world; in the 2011 census, only 33.7% of the population identified
their ancestry as ‘Australian’.

Increasingly, a bi-cultural identity is being seen as an asset to be treasured and proud of in Australian
society. The younger generation in particular, is becoming increasingly culturally aware with many seeing
i it f t d t it M ld t li l
overseas experiences as a rite of passage towards maturity. Moreover, world travel is now a popular
aspiration in the minds of most seeking more international exposure. Broadly, the Australian public is
developing an appetite for new experiences and actively seeking different things.

Many of the statistics regarding the attitudes of the Australian public were drawn from the Cultural
Competence Program. For more information on this course, please visit www.cultural-
competence.com.au.

Greetings
Religion
Family
Naming
Dates of Significance
Etiquette

Do's and Don'ts

Communication
Other Considerations
Business Culture
References
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Australia

Population

24,128,876

[Census, 2016]

Median Age

38

[Census, 2016]
Language Spoken at Home

English (72.7%)

Mandarin (2.5%)

Arabic (1.4%)

Cantonese (1.2%)

Vietnamese (1.2%)

[Census, 2016]

Note: More than 300 languages were identified in total.

Religion
Christianity (51.6%)
Catholic (22.6%)
Anglican (13.3%)
Other Christian (16.3%)
No Religion (30.1%)
Islam (2.6%)
Buddhism (2.4%)
Hinduism (1.9%)
Other (1.3%)
[Census, 2016]
 Cultural Dimensions
Power Distance
36
Individualism
90
Masculinity
61
Uncertainty Avoidance
51
Long Term Orientation
21
Indulgence
71
What's this?
Ancestry

English (33.6%)

Australian (31.2%)

Irish (10.2%)

Scottish (8.6%)

Chinese (5.2%)

Italian (4.3%)

German (4.2%)

Indian (2.6%)

[Census, 2016]

Note: More than 300 ancestries were identified in total.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Population

649,171

[Census, 2016]

2.8% of Australian population

 Average Age

23

[Census, 2016]

Language
10% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people speak an Australian Indigenous language at
home.
The five most widely spoken indigenous language groups are:
Arnham Land & Daly River Region (16.1%)
Torres Strait Island (11.7%)
Western Desert (11.1%)
Yolngu Matha (10.6%)
Arandic (7.3%)
[Census, 2016]

Note: 150 Australian Indigenous languages were identified in total.

Diaspora

New South Wales (33.3%)

Queensland (28.7%)

Western Australia (11.7%)

Northern Territory (9.0%)

Victoria (7.4%)

South Australia (5.3%)

Tasmania (3.6%)

Australian Capital Territory (1.0%)

[Census, 2016]

Migration to Australia

Population

6,150,197

[Census, 2016]
26.4% of Australian population

Note: This figure indicates the number of Australian residents born overseas.

Top Overseas Birthplaces

United Kingdom (4.6%)

New Zealand (2.2%)

China (2.2%)

India (1.9%)

Philippines (1.0%)

Vietnam (0.9%)

Italy (0.7%)

South Africa (0.7%)

Malaysia (0.6%)

Sri Lanka (0.5%)

Born elsewhere (11.1%)

[Census, 2016]

Fastest Growing Migrant Populations

By Population Change:
China (+190,586)
India (+160,027)
Philippines (+61,153)
New Zealand (+35,068)
Vietnam (+34,316)
Pakistan (+31,692)
Nepal (+30,119)
South Korea (+24,238)
Iran (+23,658)
Sri Lanka (+23,437)
By Percentage Change:
Mongolia (+240.5%)
Bhutan (+142.4%)
Nepal (+122.3%)
 South Sudan (+120.9%)
Pakistan (+104.9%)
Brazil (+90.4%)
Nigeria (+87.8%)
Qatar (+84.3%)
Syria (+82.6%)
Iran (+68.7%)
[Census, 2016]

Where do we get our statistics?

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Where do we get our statistics?

The figure of the total population of each country is drawn from the global estimates listed in the CIA
World Factbook , unless otherwise stated. Statistics describing the country’s linguistic, religious and
ethnic demographics are based on its most recent national census. However, if these statistics are out-
dated, unavailable, unreliable, or the country’s statistical department does not formally gather information
on the categories listed, the Cultural Atlas substitutes the most recent global estimates cited in the CIA
World Factbook.

All other statistical information on the demographics of the migrant population in Australia is based on the
2016 Australian Housing and Population Census. This was retrieved from the Department of Home
Affairs’ Community Information Summaries.

You can find a direct link to all these sources under the ‘References’ tab at the bottom of the page, as well
as the date this profile was published (indicating when these statistics were last updated).

© IES 2020
© IES 2020

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