Good to know
Good to Know
- Australians sometimes find it awkward and overly-formal when people prepare a large amount food for their visit or are extreme in their hospitality during the visit. For example, they don't naturally expect a tour of someone's house.
- Moderate swearing is common among friends and is not always considered rude.
- Australians value their leisure time and enjoy a healthy work-life balance. So, don't be surprised if you see them taking breaks to enjoy the outdoors or spend time with family and friends.
- Business lunches can be longer and more relaxed than you might be used to. Don't be surprised if a lunch meeting lasts up to two hours. Use this time to build relationships with your Australian colleagues.
- Kaurna land extends north towards Crystal Brook, down the Adelaide Plains, south along the coast to Cape Jervis, and is bounded by the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east. The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is built upon the ancestral lands of the Kaurna people. On 21 March 2018, the Kaurna people were recognised as Native Title holders for the lands around Adelaide.
- The local Indigenous group in Adelaide is the Kaurna people; when participating in cultural events or visiting Adelaide, it is respectful to recognize their Traditional Owner status.
Greetings
- Verbal
- The most common verbal greetings are 'hi', 'hello' or 'hey, how are you?' In more formal settings, you are welcome to greet someone by their first name and shake their hand.
- Handshake
- A handshake is a common and appropriate greeting for both men and women.
- Business Formal
- In Australian business settings, punctuality, friendliness and straightforwardness are valued.
Punctuality
- Social
- When you're heading to a social gathering at someone's house, it's actually polite to arrive slightly later than the time you were invited. This gives your host a final few moments to get everything ready without any rush.
- Importance
- Punctuality is expected and arriving a few minutes early is considered polite.
- Professional
- Punctuality is important in Australia, and people stick to the appointments, engagements and meetings they schedule. If someone expects they will be more than 10 minutes late, they usually text or call the person to let them know in advance. Punctuality has more importance in professional settings than in social ones.
Business Etiquette
- Meetings
- Meetings are often relaxed in tone but still focused on clear outcomes. Punctuality is expected and arriving a few minutes early is considered polite.
- Hierarchy
- Since Australia is an egalitarian society, workplace hierarchies aren't as strict or regimented as they are in other countries. Decision-making and company culture are more centered around consensus and open communication.
- Dress Code
- Business dress is typically conservative in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Men generally wear business suits. Women typically wear professional business attire.
- Communication
- Australians generally approach business relationships in a practical and straightforward way. Long standing personal relationships are usually not required before doing business together. Authenticity and sincerity tend to be valued more than formality or status.
Dining And Hospitality
- Tipping
- When dining out, it is customary to tip around 10% of the bill if you receive exceptional service. However, tipping is not mandatory, as Australians earn a fair wage.
- Barbecues
- When multiple people are invited it is sometimes expected that guests will contribute a dish to complement the meat (e.g. a fresh salad). This is sometimes referred to as 'bringing a plate'.
- Gift Giving
- If you are invited to someone's home, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as a bottle of wine or chocolates, as a token of appreciation.
- Table Manners
- Table manners in Australia are Continental, meaning that the fork goes in the left hand and the knife goes in the right.
- Visiting Homes
- Arrange a visit before going to an Australian's house. Do not arrive unannounced or bring friends and family along unless you've asked them beforehand.
- Finishing Signal
- To indicate that you have finished eat your meal, lay your knife and fork down on the plate together.
Sensitive Topics And Taboos
- Sacred Sites
- Australia has a rich indigenous heritage dating back over 65,000 years. It is essential to show respect for indigenous cultures and traditions. When visiting sacred sites or participating in cultural experiences, follow local guidelines and be mindful of their significance.
- General Caution
- There aren't many taboo subjects in Australia, although if you've just met someone, it's best to avoid sensitive topics like race, religion, politics, and sex when you first meet someone. Once you're more familiar, you might find the right moment to touch on these deeper topics.
- Appropriate Language
- Using appropriate and respectful language is crucial. Avoid generalizations and stereotypes, and be mindful of cultural sensitivities. Generally, people prefer referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as 'Indigenous Australians'.
- Acknowledgement Of Country
- An Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion and is a way of showing respect for Aboriginal heritage and the ongoing relationship of Traditional Owners to the land on which the event is occurring. It can be delivered by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
- Indigenous Culture Respect
- The City of Adelaide acknowledges the Kaurna People of the Adelaide Plains as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and gather. We acknowledge and honour their spiritual and cultural stewardship of this Country and recognise their deep and enduring relationship with its lands, waters, the sky, and all living things.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.