So, you’re about to move to a new country in the not-so-distant future. Good on you for making this momentous leap!

While the thought of relocating can be nerve-wracking, the good news is that newcomers bound for Australia will have a fairly easy time integrating thanks to the friendly disposition of the locals and the welcoming policies in place in the country.

That being said, not everyone will immediately feel settled in on day one of the move. It may take some time for you to completely embrace the Australian way of life. Don’t worry, this feeling is completely normal.

One way you can properly integrate into the country is by living like a local instead of spending most of your days at home and reminiscing about the times back in your old place. 

It can be tempting to devote your time and energy to the people you used to do in your past life through calls and FaceTime, but that shouldn’t be all you do in your free time. Australia is rich with opportunities and adventure, and it's important to move forward and think of things you can do in Australia as a new resident of the country.

In this article, we’ll help provide you with four tips to make it easier for you to adapt to everyday life in the country. Let’s get started!

1. Learn the Local Slang

One way to get into the Aussie mood is by learning the local slang and integrating it in your daily conversations with the locals. 

It’s no secret that Australians speak and understand English well, but there are cultural slang words that are unique to the country that outsiders may not immediately recognise. 

To avoid any stops in casual conversational flow, you should try to build up your Aussie slang vocabulary as soon and as comprehensively as possible. 

This is integral to ensure that you can converse with locals and easily understand what they’re saying. It also helps you appear more fluent in the language, and thus projecting a more Australian character towards others.

As such, try to learn a few words before your expected move-in date to Australia. Some slang words are fairly straightforward and easy to implement in daily speech, like brekkie and cheers. However, there are some more niche words and phrases that can trip you up if you’re not aware of them at first, such as arvo and postie. Try to learn these niche words too—and if you come across new ones in your daily life, then read up on them and learn about how they are used.

The goal here isn’t to force slang words into each sentence you think up. It’s about being attuned with Aussie terms to make conversations flow smoother. When your mind is geared towards understanding and implementing Aussie words in day-to-day life, integration into the society becomes all the more smoother.

Of course, culture goes beyond words and terminologies. This guide to Australian culture for new migrants can help brief you on important cultural aspects of the country

2. Adopt Australia’s Casual Communication Style

Knowing a few slang words is one thing, but adopting it into your communication is another thing altogether. 

Australians adopt a very casual tone when speaking, even in professional settings among fellow locals. In fact, many workplaces operate with a relatively flat hierarchy, where people address managers by their first name and communicate in a friendly tone rather than using overly formal language.

If you’re a newcomer from a more structured and status-conscious hierarchy, this can take some time getting used to. But in Australia, this is often the case regardless of the industry you find yourself in.

Beyond the workplace environment, people are also just generally very casual and laidback when talking with one another. Banter is thrown away abundantly, and it’s all in good fun. It’s an integral part of their culture, and it’s essential to follow suit if you want to build rapport and grow your network in social and workplace settings.

3. Familiarise Yourself With Everyday Admin Duties

You shouldn’t only concern yourself with adapting to the social aspect of the move, you should also learn how to navigate the administrative and practical aspects of living in Australia.

Just like how it’s done back home, you’ll need to learn how to use the bank, set up government identification, get your healthcare status updated, and so on. Getting these things done isn’t only recommended for everyday life, but it’s absolutely vital for your survival and proper adjustment in the country.

Many newcomers choose to leave things at the very end and figure it out when the need for it arises. But it’s critical to do it sooner rather than later. This way, you won’t find yourself in a sticky situation when you need access to critical services but will still need to undergo the often lengthy process of applying for them.

4. Adopt an Active Outdoor Lifestyle 

Another way to live like a local in Australia is by participating in outdoor sports and recreational activities. 

Aussies love to stay active; regardless of one’s social status, age, or location, having a physical sport or going to the gym is something that almost every Australian citizen participates in. You could say it’s embedded in their culture. 

There are different tiers of activity levels too. Some are more casual with their chosen sport, whereas others may see physical exercise more casually and socially. You could employ either approach and see benefits either way—sports like pickleball, running, and using outdoor gyms are excellent in boosting one’s physical and mental health.

If you want to integrate these activities in your life more smoothly, you’re free to start by making small changes. Consider crossing two birds with one stone by exploring local trails to boost familiarity with your surroundings, joining a run club to expand your network, and signing up for a gym membership with a proper coach or fitness program to achieve your dream body.

Whatever pathway you choose to follow in pursuit of your physical goals, you’re sure to find a lot of opportunities and fun when doing it in Australia.

We wish you all the best in your journey towards integrating in Aussie society. All the best!