If you’re planning to intern in Australia, you’re in for more than just professional growth. You’re about to enter a world of colorful language, quirky expressions, and uniquely Australian humor. Delivered with their iconic accent, Aussie slang is an unforgettable part of the Australian experience.
From office chats to weekend adventures, everyday Aussie English can be baffling for newcomers, but once you start picking it up, it becomes part of the fun. These expressions often come from convict heritage, Aboriginal languages, gold rush history, and decades of local flavor. Understanding them is key to connecting with your colleagues, housemates, and the local culture.
Whether you’re on the job, traveling, or just hanging out, this guide will help you feel at home in no time.
Why Learn Aussie Slang as an Intern Abroad?
Adapting to Australian slang:
- Helps you communicate more naturally with locals
- Shows cultural awareness and openness
- Builds connections both in and out of the workplace
- Makes your experience richer and more immersive
So whether you're having a yarn over coffee or navigating your first team meeting, these phrases will help you fit right in.
Essential Aussie Slang for the Office.
These terms will help you decode day-to-day workplace banter:
- G’Day – Hello or hi (short for "Good day")
- Arvo – Afternoon
- Yakka – Hard work or labor
- Tradie – Tradesperson (e.g., “sparky” = electrician, “chippie” = carpenter)
- Sickie – Sick day (real or “chucked”)
- Ta – Thank you
- She’ll be right / She’ll be apples – Everything will be OK
- Uni – University (college)
Out and About: Aussie Slang for Social Life & Travel.
From BBQs to road trips, here are the words you’ll hear while exploring Australia:
- Chockers – Very full, packed
- Esky – Ice cooler or portable fridge
- Ripper / Bonzer – Excellent, fantastic
- Full as a centipede’s sock drawer – Stuffed after a meal
- Bog in – Start eating enthusiastically
- Stone the crows – Expression of shock or amazement
- Mad as a meat-axe – Totally crazy
- Chokkie – Chocolate
- Popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip – Not popular at all
- Fair dinkum – Genuine, honest, or real
- Bush telly – Campfire
- Sweet as / Lovely as / Common as – Used for emphasis after an adjective
Aussie Places and Spaces: Slang for Everyday Locations.
You’ll also come across slang for common places around town:
- Servo – Petrol (gas) station
- Unit – Apartment
- Macca’s – McDonald’s
- Op shop – Thrift store (short for “opportunity shop”)
Interning abroad in Australia is more than just building your resume - it’s about diving into a new culture. And there’s no better way to connect with locals and feel like part of the community than by understanding how they speak.
By picking up even a few of these Aussie slang terms, you’ll make your internship more rewarding, authentic, and fun.
So chuck on your sunnies, grab a flat white, and give it a go - you’ll be sweet as!
