Your Family

Your New Lifestyle

The Australian lifestyle provides a laid-back, ordered and relatively stress-free existence for all who wish to embrace it. As an expatriate destination, Australia is rated by the Escape Artist website as being "as good as it gets," and few who have settled on the shores of the sixth largest country in the world will question this assessment.

As a new arrival, you will quite correctly prioritise your areas of focus, but it is equally important to get a feel for the broad picture of the Australian lifestyle landscape so that you can better equip yourself for the transition process which will make demands on you on a variety of levels.

All of the following factors have an on-going influence on moulding the Australian culture and a basic understanding of each aspect will help raise your level of awareness of the details of life around you and so help you to more easily take your place in a society which arguably has the best quality of life in the world.

Politically and socially, Australia has a stable, democratic system of government and the country fosters an open society in which citizens from all backgrounds can, and do, give voice to their beliefs. The old adage that everybody is entitled to "a fair go" is a basic truth in Australian society and is practised and accepted as a right of passage.

Australia has a political and social tolerance that is the envy of world governments. The entrenched belief that the purpose of government is to serve the will of the people is as fundamental a part of "being Australian", as it is to always respect the rights of others. These facts allow ex-pats both the opportunity and the incentive to secure their rightful place in society.

Legally, Australia has an independent legal system which rules on the actions of both private citizens and Government officials in a fair and consistent manner. Laws are efficiently and strictly administered and the penalties for transgressing them are readily enforced. It is very important to note this fact. The clear-cut nature of the legal system is such that that you are either abiding by, or breaking, the law. You will do well to realise early that Australian authorities seldom acknowledge any middle ground in this regard.

Australia has laws for virtually everything. All are taken seriously. Overregulated maybe, certainly more than many ex-pats would have experienced before, but the advantages inherent in a well ordered country far outweigh any disadvantages and ex-pats will relish the freedom and safety in which they can go about their business.

Environmentally, Australia has one of the most unpolluted environments in the world. This is a clear case of the positive effect of heavy regulation, as laws exist to monitor and minimise every type of pollution while comprehensive campaigns promote and maximise all avenues of environmental protection.

Australia's natural beauty is an asset which rightfully has been meticulously and jealously protected. Because of this, the countryside, from sky blue waters lapping pristine tropical beaches to the arid, hypnotic reaches of the interior, the scenery has become a magnet to tourists and locals alike, drawing them outdoors to glory in the pleasure of living in a part of paradise.

Attitude-wise, Australians are honest, confident, friendly people, with a keen sense of humour and they are generally happy with their lot in life. Laughter can be heard non-stop in the city streets where the care-free vibe accurately reflects the easy-going nature of a nation of people enjoying life, at peace with themselves.

The Australian character is etched in stone. A largely classless society, there is little difference between the corporate high-flyer and the true Aussie battler in terms of their view on what it means to be an Australian and their wholesome pride in their country. In this popular, uncomplicated identity lies the strength of the nation. You will be expected to join in and commit to contributing to the Australian cause. Do so and you will be welcomed with open arms.

While you have to take on the mantle of a new life, ex-pats need not fear losing their own heritage. They can be comforted by Australia's view of new arrivals, best portrayed by these words used in the Australian Citizenship ceremony, which represent quite a poignant understanding of the needs and desires of the immigrant.

"Becoming an Australian citizen does not mean turning your back on your country of origin. It does not mean you have to forget the language of the country or its customs and culture. Indeed, we ask you to share these most valuable of assets with us so that Australians can become more tolerant and understanding."

Establishing a social circle in Australia is one of the biggest challenges facing new arrivals. The fact that many ex-pats tend to socialise with their own kind is as old a trait as time itself. Many join ex-pat community clubs or organisations where they meet people with which they suddenly find they have so much in common. In most major cities, communities from different nationalities have tended to flock together, settling in particular suburbs and creating small communities of their own. Initially, the support of fellow countryman cannot be emphasised enough as no Australian will be able to relate to what the ex-pat is going through. Equally essential to the process is the need to interact with Australians - at work, as neighbours or even at the local pub or club. Friends will flow naturally from there but, it might not begin as a smooth affair. As easy-going as the Australians are, they possess some particular characteristics, such as brutal honesty (delivered without malice), ultra-confidence (which to the un-initiated can come across as arrogance) and a genuine friendliness (which, confusingly for some, seldom seems to extend to include an invite into their own home). Some of these aspects might initially disturb the ex-pat but, before long, it will become apparent that Australians are essentially good people with kind hearts, several of whom will turn into true friends with the passage of time.

As far as the immigration lifestyle culture shock is concerned, the absence of old friends and the slowness at which new relationships develop will be top of the list of traumas in a transition process which is charged with emotion. The trick is not to isolate your-self, but to get out and celebrate the joy of the outdoor lifestyle with the locals.

Recreation is a big word in the Australian psyche. Australians have a love for the great outdoors and, as a consequence they have learnt to glean the best from what the country has to offer. Recreation opportunities abound in Australia ... swimming at wonderful beaches, taking part in a host of water-sports, hiking magnificent scenic trails, snowboarding down mountain slopes, eating at any of a top choice of restaurants serving a variety of national dishes or simply sampling the tastes in the food-halls, relaxing in the pure air of the country wineries, taking in big city shows or opting for the club cabaret scene, strolling leisurely through green parks or picnicking in botanical gardens, shopping, going to festivals and tackling the rides in the theme-parks, watching spectacular fireworks displays or top entertainers in concert, watching international sport or joining in as a player in the local league, visiting zoos, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, where the flight of hundreds of colourful lorikeets provide a rainbow of colour that is mirrored in the spray of the waterfalls - and that's just scratching the surface. Australians have turned recreation time into an art form and the time set aside for it is used and enjoyed to the full. You will marvel at the breathtaking options available and, with the right attitude, you too will learn to love the therapeutic effect that these activities have on you.

Recreational activities have multi-faceted benefits. They can be cultural, educational or simply invigorating, but, in real terms, the oh-so-important aspects are the simple ones of getting out, being busy and meeting people - all of which should be considered essential requirements for the ex-pat in search of comfort.

A final word of caution:

However subtle the differences any move from one country to another involves a culture shock. In spite of all of the positives that Australia offers, the land down under is not immune to this imposing factor and ex-pats need to be careful not to assume anything. Things that sound familiar might translate into a different experience in another country. The comforting thought though is that, in Australia at least, chances are it will be a better experience than that to which you were exposed before.

Written by Graham Potter