Cultural No-Nos And Taboos In Australia You Must Know 

Travelling to Australia to begin your overseas study adventure can be thrilling and you might throw caution to the wind to be your fullest self! However, as much as we encourage that, it is essential to respect the customs and traditions of every country you visit and stay in.

Remember, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do!’. The same can be said as you live in Australia your new host country.

Thankfully, Australia is quite a liberal and open-minded country with a society that is both vibrant and embracing new travelers, tourists and international students. That being said, Australia has many taboos you must avoid, many of which surround its beautiful wildlife and deep cultural heritage dating thousands of years ago.

Here’s what you must absolutely avoid at all costs when living in Australia.

7 Australia Cultural Taboos You Should Avoid

1. Do Not Forget To Tip If You Had A Good Experience

Like the United States, it is customary to tip in Australia as a sign of appreciation when dining out.

Thankfully, unlike in the US where a 20% tip is standard (or sometimes the bare minimum), a good rule of thumb is to tip anywhere from 10 to 15% in Australia.

If you find the service exceptional, you can give more, if the establishment is laid back and not that ‘fancy’ you can get away with just a 5-10% tip and your waiter will be more than appreciative!

2. Do Not Pat A Koala Bear

Yes, I understand, those cute cuddly bears are irresistible, but you should not pat or try to cuddle with them!

Firstly, these bears are still wildlife and are dangerous to handle unless you are a wildlife expert. Not only will you offend the locals and potentially break state laws, but you could also suffer scratches and get injured in the process.

It’s best to admire them from some distance and take some pictures to eternally capture that cute and cuddly memory.

3. Do Not Litter & Smoke In Public Places

Now, this is an obvious one but you’d be surprised how inconsiderate some people can truly be.

Littering is never ok and so is smoking in public places. Both of these are punishable by fines, plus you’d be generally shunned and viewed poorly if you actually do commit these.

So treat another country like how you would your own. Not only will you help contribute to a cleaner and greener country, but you’ll also avoid hefty fines!

4. Do Not Climb Uluru (Ayres Rock)

In 2017, the Australian National Park decided to stop tourists and visitors from climbing Uluru, so if you haven’t done it yet, you probably won’t be able to for quite some time.

Uluru has long been sacred to its indigenous custodians, the Anangu people who aren’t too keen to see tourists trampling on their hallowed ground.

Besides, as you scale higher, the winds pick up and the terrain gets steeper and slippery. By not climbing Ayres Rock you protect yourself in addition to respecting a cultural treasure.

5. Do Not Joke About Aborigines

Australia holds their indigenous people in the highest regard and these are people who often, because of their unique customs, cultures and historical origins, face difficulties and harsh realities such as getting their land taken away.

So while you don’t fully understand the culture, certain traditions or customs can seem weird or funny to you. However, it is not right or polite to poke fun at them.

If you do have a different opinion, it’s best kept to yourself.

6. Do Not Boast Or Act Haughty

While Australia is an international hub for business, tourism and wealth, it is not polite to be boastful or act haughtily.

No one likes someone who blows their own trumpet and acts obnoxious and Australia is a society that values modesty, hard work and humility. If you do this too often, you’ll quickly alienate yourself from making genuine friendships and close business opportunities.

Instead, be warm, sincere and helpful and you’ll quickly find out how much Australians will open up to you.

7. Do Not Wear Too Casual To Restaurants & Formal

Sure, Australians are laid back and you can often see them chilling and living life wearing casual gear.

However, when it comes to clubs and restaurants, it is important to dress for the occasion and not turn up in a singlet and flip-flops. Leave that to the beach!

Instead, you always want to dress appropriately for the occasion and follow what your fellow Australians do.

Start Your Study Abroad Adventure With IDP Today!

Understand the things you shouldn’t do in Australia? Well, now it’s time to chart a course down under and pursue your dream degree there.

And guess what? We can help you in your journey towards your career success!

At IDP, we have a team of education counsellors that can offer tailored guidance and assist you throughout your journey to studying in exciting cities in Australia including Sydney and Melbourne.

No worries about the course application process, we can help guide you through every step of the way.

Fill out the inquiry form and get started with your free counselling session today.