11 Things You MUST KNOW About Australians at Work

Australian Workplace Culture

This video discusses the Australian workplace culture and what it is like to work in Australia, especially in a professional job. The video covers topics such as expected behavior, work hours, workplace structure, and multicultural diversity.

Expected Behavior in an Australian Workplace

• Australian workplaces tend to be informal with a horizontal or flatter organizational structure.

• People work in teams and all employees are considered equal.

• Work hours are typically from 9am to 5pm but can be flexible depending on the employer.

• Australians are relaxed, laid back, friendly, and polite. They call everyone by their first name or nickname.

Multicultural Diversity

• It's generally not considered professional to speak a language that your colleagues can't understand.

• Workplaces tend to be very multicultural with colleagues from all over the world.

• When greeting someone for the first time, it's common practice to shake hands and make direct eye contact.

Behaviors to Avoid

• Avoid being late for work or meetings as punctuality is highly valued in Australia.

• Instead of saying "what", say "sorry" or "pardon" if you didn't understand something.

• Avoid swearing or making inappropriate jokes/comments that may come across as offensive.

Australian Workplace Culture

In this section, the speaker talks about the workplace culture in Australia and provides tips on how to navigate it.

Avoiding Controversial Topics

• Talking about politics or religion is not common in Australia.

• Australians are known for calling everyone "mate" in a friendly way, but using slang may not be considered professional in some industries.

Embracing Cultural Diversity

• Australia is multicultural, which means you will get to meet people from all over the world and different cultures.

• Celebrating different cultural festivities such as Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Ramadan is common in Australian workplaces.

• Exposure to different cultures can open your mind to new experiences and perspectives.

Socializing at Work

• After-work drinks are common in Australia, usually on Fridays or Thursdays.

• Takeaway coffee is popular, especially in Melbourne where the coffee culture is huge.

• Going for lunch with colleagues to celebrate birthdays or work events is also common.

End-of-Year Parties

• Most workplaces have end-of-year parties in December where colleagues can eat, drink and dance together.

To learn more about Australian workplace culture including salaries, work hours and holidays check out the next video.