Australia’s States and Territories
Victoria
Capital City: Melbourne
What’s it known for?
Melbourne: The cultural capital, celebrated for its arts, coffee culture, and vibrant street art scene.
Great Ocean Road: Famous for the Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks along the coastline.
New South Wales
Capital City: Sydney
What’s it known for?
Sydney: Famous for the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge surrounded by beaches.
Blue Mountains: Known for stunning natural scenery and the Three Sisters rock formation
Australian Capital Territory
Capital City: Canberra
What’s it known for?
Canberra: Also the capital city of Australia; home to national institutions, museums, and the Australian Parliament House.
South Australia
Capital City: Adelaide
What’s it known for?
Adelaide: Known for its festivals, wine regions (Barossa Valley), and cultural events.
Kangaroo Island: Home to diverse wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and, of course, kangaroos.
Queensland
Capital City: Brisbane
What’s it known for?
Brisbane: A laid-back vibe, access to glorious beaches on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, theme parks, and great year-round weather.
Great Barrier Reef: One of the world’s most famous coral reefs, offering incredible marine biodiversity.
Western Australia
Capital City: Perth
What’s it known for?
Perth: A modern city known for its beautiful beaches, like Cottesloe and Scarborough.
Margaret River: A famous wine region and surfing destination.
Northern Territory
Capital City: Darwin
What’s it known for?
Darwin: Its tropical climate and proximity to Kakadu National Park.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Famous for the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Support Services & Useful Links
Get a Tax File Number with the Australian Tax Office (ATO)
Find Employment: Seek | Indeed | Jora
Find A Home: Real Estate | Domain | Homes
Moving to Australia: Your D-I-Y-Move-Guide-Australia
Counselling & Psychotherapy, NDIS Disability Support Services, Professional Development Training
News
Top Lesser-Known Australian Cities for Skilled Migrants
Top Australian Cities for Skilled Migrants
Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Australia
What You Need to Know About Bringing Pets to Australia
Discover the Unique Suburbs of Adelaide
Discover the Charming Suburbs of Perth
Discover the Diverse Suburbs of Sydney
Discover the Interesting and Eclectic Suburbs of Melbourne
Why Choose AVIE for Immigration Services?
Personalized Guidance – Every migration journey is unique, and we provide tailored advice to match your circumstances and goals.
Expert Problem-Solving – Our team has extensive experience handling complex visa situations and finding tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Dedicated Support – We intentionally cap our agents’ caseloads to ensure you receive the time, care, and dedication you deserve. You’re never just a number with us.
Avoid Mistakes – Avoid costly delays and reapplications—our expertise ensures visa applications are done right the first time.
Stress-Free Process – We handle the complexities of visa applications, so you can focus on planning your new life in Australia.
Learn The Lingo
Arvo
Afternoon.
Example:
“Maybe we can meet up sometime tomorrow arvo?”
Barbie
BBQ or Barbecue – a social get-together where food is cooked on a grill or hotplate.
Example:
“Throw a few more sausages on the barbie for Jim.”
Bingle
Motor Vehicle Accident.
Example:
“John found himself in a bingle on the way home from work.”
Boardies
Boardshorts.
Example:
“Should I bring my boardies in case it’s warm enough to go for a swim at the beach?”
Chook
Chicken/Hen.
Example:
“Put the chooks in their coop before nightfall!”
Esky
Large insulated food or drink container kept cold with ice.
Example:
“How many drinks should I put in the esky for the weekend?”
Footy
Australian Rules Football (AFL).
Example:
“Do you have tickets to the footy this weekend? I’m hoping Carlton wins!”
Flat Out
Very Busy.
Example:
“Sorry, I can’t come to your party this weekend! I’ve been flat out at work and need to finish up a few things.”
G’day
Hello. (Literally ‘Good Day’)
Example:
“G’day Tim! How was your weekend?”
Hard Yakka
Hard Work.
Example:
“I’m exhausted! Cleaning up the backyard was hard yakka!”
Hooroo
Goodbye.
Example:
“Have a good night! Hooroo!”
Jaffle
A sandwich that is toasted in a press either on a campfire or power – can be filled with anything from baked beans to ham and cheese.
Example:
“What do you want in your jaffle?”
Melbournian
A person from Melbourne.
Example:
“Yes, Sara is a Melbournian. You can tell by her love of coffee and art galleries.”
Mozzies
Mosquitoes.
Example:
“Did you bring the bug spray? The mozzies are really bad tonight.”
Op Shop
Opportunity shop, thrift shop, or second-hand goods shop.
Example:
“I got this great pair of jeans from the op shop on the weekend. They fit perfectly!”
Potato Cake
In Victoria and Tasmania, this is the name given to a thin slice of deep-fried, battered potato. Known as a Potato Scallop in other states.
Example:
“Do you want any tomato sauce with your potato cakes and sausages?”
Runners/trainers
Sneakers, shoes to exercise in.
Example:
“Don’t forget your runners! We’re going to go for a hike on Sunday.”
Sanga
Sandwich.
Example:
“I’ll have a salad sanga with tomato, lettuce, onion and beetroot please.”
Schooner
A glass of beer that varies in size according to which state or territory you’re in.
Example:
“I’ll have a schooner of pale ale please.”
Servo
Service/gas station where petrol and snacks are sold.
Example:
“Do you want any snacks? I need to top up at the servo.”
Shout
“My shout” means my turn to pay, usually for food or drinks.
Example:
“You got our last dinner out, this one is my shout.”
Sydneysider
Someone from Sydney.
Example:
“Jude is a classic sydneysider. He loves the beach and spends every weekend at Bondi!”
The Tan
3.827km running/walking track around the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne – the name comes from ‘botanical’
Example:
“After brunch on Sunday, do you want to walk a lap of the Tan?”
Togs
Swimming Costume – also most commonly known in Victoria as Bathers and Swimmers in New South Wales/ACT.
Example:
“Are we supposed to bring our togs on our camping trip this weekend for the beach?”
Woop woop
Somewhere rural, remote town.
Example:
“Turn left on Johnston Street otherwise we will end up in Woop Woop.”