130+ fun Australian slang words, phrases, expressions & insults

If you’ve ever heard an Australian speak, you may have thought to yourself, “what on Earth are they saying?!” For any non-Australian who hasn’t spent a considerable amount of time surrounded by Australians, understanding Aussie slang can be a challenge.

And for a good reason, because Aussies have a knack for turning everyday words into colorful expressions that can leave uninitiated scratching their heads in confusion.

If that’s you, this guide will help you crack the code to Australian slang so you can communicate like a local. We’ve gathered over 130 Aussie slang terms to get you started.

A complete list of iconic Australian slang terms and phrases

If you’ve ever found yourself casually conversing with an Australian, you may have gotten slightly confused with words like “arvo,” “barbie,” “blue swimmer,” and “a brekkie.”

The good news is, there seems to be a universal rule: when in doubt, shorten it! That’s why instead of “good afternoon,” you’ll hear “arvo, mate,” and instead of “have a good day,” you’ll hear “g’day!”

To help you speak like a local, we’ve compiled a list of the most common terms in Aussie slang with their meaning and an example sentence.

Everyday Australian slang words

If you’re planning a trip to Australia or you’re interacting with Australians on a daily basis, you may find it challenging to understand what they’re saying half of the time.

To help you crack the code and navigate those daily conversations, here’s a list of everyday Australian slang words you may need.

Funny & quirky Australian slang phrases and insults

Australian English has a lot in common with British English. First of all, the Australian accent can be easily confused for British to the untrained ear. Secondly, some common British slang words and phrases are also present in Australian lingo.

And thirdly - and funnily enough - both Australian and British slang often use somewhat unfiltered phrases to describe people or situations that can often be perceived as vulgar and offensive by non-Australian or non-British speakers.

Here are 40 Australian slang insults, that may simply be just a way of speaking. Be warned, they may make you laugh or feel offended.

Aussie slang for banknotes

The Australians love to create funny slang for everything - from the avocado they eat for breakfast (the avo for brekkie) to the dollar bills. For any non-Australian, creating slang words for banknotes based on their color is something pretty bizarre.

After all, who would think that in Australia, a lobster isn’t only the big red crab you eat in a fancy restaurant but also a $20 note? Here are some common Aussie slang terms for each banknote.

Regional variations of Aussie slang

As in any other country, the slang varies from region to region. Although Australia’s regional variations aren’t as pronounced as the regional variants of British slang across the UK, there are still some words and expressions that vary depending on which part of Australia you’re in.

Australia is divided into 7 main regions:

• Western Australia (Perth, Fremantle, Broome)
• Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs)
• South Australia (Adelaide)
• Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast)
• New South Wales (Sydney, New Castle, Wollongong)
• Victoria (Melbourne, Geelong)
• Tasmania (Hobart)

In each region, the slang expressions change slightly. Here are some examples:

• A swimsuit is “togs” in Queensland, “cossies” in New South Wales, and “bathers” in Victoria.
• What’s called a “corner shop” in Victoria is called a “deli” in Western Australia and a “milkbar” in Queensland.
• The afternoon in the eastern region (i.e., Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland) is “arvo,” but in South Australia, it’s “aftie.”

How to speak Australian slang

So, you’re keen to speak like a true Aussie. No worries, brah! First off, Aussie slang can be a bit like learning a new language (even if you’re a native English speaker), but don’t chuck a wobbly if you don’t get it right away.

The fastest way to learn is to listen to how locals use different slang words in conversation and try to suss out the meaning from context. For example, if someone mentions grabbing a “tinny” on a scorching hot day, you’ll know right away they aren’t talking about a can of tune but a cold beer.

Another trick to learning how to speak Aussie slang faster is to pick up on common usage patterns. For instance, Aussies love shortening words whenever they can. Brekkie for breakfast, barbie for barbecue, arvo for afternoon - you get the idea.

The most important thing, however, is to always be culturally sensitive and respectful when using Aussie slang. It’s all good to use it, but remember that some words might have different meanings or connotations in different contexts. So, make sure to ask if you don’t understand something or aren’t sure when to use a particular slang word. Better safe than sorry!

Famous personalities you didn’t know were Australian

You’ve surely heard that unmistakable Australian accent somewhere before. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Crocodile Dundee, have chuckled along with Kath & Kim, or found yourself tapping your foot to Men at Work’s tunes, Aussie slang has found a way to sneak into your consciousness.

Here are some famous people you may not have known were Australian:

1. Hugh Jackman - From Sydney, New South Wales. You may know him as Wolverine in the X-Men.
2. Nicole Kidman - Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but raised in Sydney, Australia. We don’t need to tell you who she is!
3. Chris Hemsworth - From Melbourne, Victoria. God bless Australian men!
4. Margot Robbie - From Dalby, Queensland. You might have seen her portraying Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad or Barbie in Barbie.
5. Rebel Wilson - From Sydney, New South Wales. You know her from comedies like Pitch Perfect, Isn’t It Romantic, and How to Be Single (great rom-coms!).

These iconic characters and personalities have made Aussie lingo as famous as Vegemite on toast, spreading it across popular films, TV shows, and programs.

Here’s Margot Robbie teaching you some Australian slang words:

Barbie's Margot Robbie Teaches You Australian Slang | Vanity Fair

And here’s Chris Hemsworth talking about using his natural Australian accent in Ghostbusters:

Chris Hemsworth on using his Aussie accent in Ghostbusters

Cheers, mate!

Although this article won’t make you speak like a true Aussie in the matter of however many minutes you spent reading it, it should give you a pretty good idea of Australian lingo and phrases. From arvo and barbie to brekkie and tinny, we’ve covered it all (we tried to)!

But remember, mastering Aussie slang isn’t just about sounding like a local. It’s also about mastering the laid-back, easygoing Aussie spirit. So, go ahead and have fun with it! After all, Aussie slang is full of funny and quirky expressions that are sure to put a smile on your face.

And if you’d like to explore other English slang, check out our article on British slang or the one on the differences between British English and American English