Arvoafternoon
“See you this arvo.”
Words and short forms
English first, so you learn the word you will actually hear.
Aussie slang
Words you will hear every day in Australia.
Brekkiebreakfast
“Let's grab brekkie.”
Servopetrol station
“I'll stop at the servo for fuel.”
Bottle-oshop that sells alcohol
“Grab some drinks from the bottle-o.”
Thongsflip-flops (not underwear!)
“Don't forget your thongs for the beach.”
Utepickup truck
“He drives a ute for work.”
Eskycooler box
“Put the drinks in the esky.”
Tradietradesperson, like a plumber or electrician
“The tradie is coming at 9.”
Heapsa lot, very
“Thanks heaps!”
Reckonthink
“I reckon it'll rain.”
Stokedreally happy
“I'm stoked I got the job!”
Chockersvery full
“The train was chockers.”
No worriesit's fine / you're welcome
“"Thanks!" "No worries."”
How ya going?How are you?
“G'day, how ya going?”
G'dayhello
“G'day mate!”
Matefriend, or a friendly word for anyone
“Cheers, mate.”
Tathanks
“Ta for that.”
She'll be rightit will be okay
“Don't stress, she'll be right.”
MaccasMcDonald's
“Let's get Maccas.”
Sunniessunglasses
“Bring your sunnies, it's bright.”
Mozziemosquito
“The mozzies are bad tonight.”
Barbiebarbecue
“We're having a barbie on Sunday.”
Snagsausage
“Grab a snag at the sausage sizzle.”
Footyfootball (AFL or rugby league)
“Are you watching the footy?”
Uniuniversity
“She's studying at uni.”
Trackiestracksuit pants
“I'm staying home in my trackies.”
Brollyumbrella
“Take a brolly, it might rain.”
WooliesWoolworths supermarket
“I'll pick up milk at Woolies.”
Flat whitea coffee with steamed milk
“A large flat white, please.”
Hard yakkahard work
“Moving house is hard yakka.”
A
ABN Short form
Australian Business Number
A number for a business. You need one if you work for yourself, for example as a contractor.
AEC Short form
Australian Electoral Commission
Runs federal elections and keeps the list of voters.
Appeal
Asking a higher court to look at a decision again.
ATO Short form
Australian Taxation Office
The government office for tax and super.
B
Bill
A plan for a new law, before parliament passes it.
Bond
Money you pay when you start renting, often about 4 weeks of rent. You get it back at the end if there is no damage and no rent owing.
C
Centrelink
The government service that pays benefits, for example to students, families and people looking for work.
Coalition
2 or more parties that work together. In Australia it usually means the Liberal and National parties.
Compulsory voting
All enrolled citizens must vote. If you don't, you need a good reason.
Condition report
A form that records what the home looks like when you move in. It helps protect your bond.
Constitution
Australia's main rule book. It says how Parliament, the government and the courts work.
Council
Your local government. It looks after bins, local roads, parks and libraries.
CTP Short form
Compulsory Third Party insurance
Insurance you must have for your car. It pays for people who are hurt in a crash.
E
Electorate
An area that picks one member for the House of Representatives. Also called a seat.
Enrol
Put your name on the list of voters. You do it with the AEC.
F
Fair Work
The government office that helps with pay and rights at work. Phone 13 13 94.
G
Governor-General
The King's representative in Australia. Signs new laws, but follows the government's advice.
GST Short form
Goods and Services Tax
A 10% tax on most things you buy. It is usually already in the price.
H
HECS-HELP Short form
Higher Education Loan
A government loan for uni fees. You pay it back through tax once you earn enough.
J
Jury
A group of ordinary people who decide if someone is guilty.
L
L and P plates Short form
Learner and Provisional licence
L plates: you are learning to drive with a supervisor. P plates: you have a new licence with extra rules.
Lease
Your rental agreement. It sets the rent, how long you stay and the rules.
Legal Aid
Legal help paid for by government. Often free if you can’t afford a lawyer.
M
Magistrate
The person who decides cases in the Local or Magistrates Court.
Medicare
Australia’s public health system. It pays some or all of the cost of seeing a doctor and of public hospital care.
Minimum wage
The lowest pay an employer is allowed to pay. It is reviewed every year.
MP Short form
Member of Parliament
A person elected to speak for your area in parliament.
myGov
A free government account. One login for the ATO, Medicare and Centrelink.
P
PAYG Short form
Pay As You Go
Tax your boss takes out of your pay and sends to the ATO.
Payslip
A record of your pay: hours, pay, tax taken out and super.
PR Short form
Permanent Resident
Someone who can live in Australia for good but is not a citizen yet. PRs can't vote in federal elections.
Preferential voting
You number the people in order: 1, 2, 3. If your first choice can't win, your vote goes to your next choice.
Premier
The leader of a state government.
Prime Minister
The leader of the federal government.
R
Referendum
A vote by all voters to change the Constitution.
Rego Short form
Registration
Your car's registration. You pay it regularly, often every year, to drive on public roads.
RSA Short form
Responsible Service of Alcohol
A certificate you need to serve alcohol at work, like in a bar or restaurant.
S
Super
Short for superannuation. Money your boss saves for you for when you stop working.
T
Tax-free threshold
The first $18,200 you earn in a tax year. You pay no tax on it. Claim it from one job only.
Territory
A part of Australia that is not a state, like the ACT and the Northern Territory.
TFN Short form
Tax File Number
Your own number for tax. It is free and you keep it for life.
Tribunal
A place to fix disputes. It is simpler and cheaper than a court.
V
Voluntary administration
When a struggling company hands control to an outside expert, who decides if it can be saved.
No words found.