15 Things You Miss When You Move Away From Australia

Although Australian’s have been sprinkling their chips with the fluorescent-yellowish condiment since the 1970s, it seems the rest of world is yet to uncover the mystical deliciousness of chicken salt. Imagine how alarming it would be to receive an order of hot chips without chicken salt. The horror!

With an emphasis on work-life balance, Australian full-time and part-time employees are entitled to a minimum of four to five weeks of paid annual leave per year. Australians also have seven national public holidays, and each state has additional public holidays, as well.

Australia is a generally warm, and even the coldest months are broken up with mild days and sunshine. On average, the temperature hovers around 13°C (55°F) in winter, which leaves expats unprepared for the bitter winters in Northern Europe and parts of the U.S.

As opposed to those just fine with dirty water and a helping of ice blocks, Australians take their coffee seriously. They care about the quality and origin, and often build a raport with their favourite baristas. Among the most popular orders is the flat white, latte, mocha, piccolo and espresso.

Until you find yourself overseas and in need of medical attention, you might not realise how great the Australian healthcare system is. Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to Medicare, a government-funded scheme which covers bulk billing GPs, hospital care and subsidised prescription medication.

From dazzling beaches to wild bushlands, towering lush forests and the scorching red outback, Australia’s landscape is as diverse as the people who call this great southern land home. Only once you’ve been away do you appreciate how blue the sky is and how pristine the beaches are.

Favourite Australian treats include Lamingtons, Tim Tams, Twisties, Milo, Burger Rings, Iced Vovos, Arnott’s Mint Slice, Golden Gaytime, Caramello Koalas, Freddo Frogs, Minties, Cherry Ripe, Wagon Wheels and Paddle Pops. Remember, if you see a “hangry” Australian, stay calm, and throw a Tim Tam at them.

From minor burns and cuts, to cracked skin, insect bites, and more, Lucas’ Pawpaw Ointment helps heal all ailments and is a staple in every Australian handbag. The problem is that this superpower balm is almost impossible to find overseas.

It’s not customary to leave a tip in Australia, as the hospitality workers are paid a fair wage. However, this isn’t the case in other countries, and most Aussies have no idea when it’s appropriate or how much to tip.

Surrounded by the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, Australia has 34,218 kilometers of coastline and more than 10,000 beaches. Approximately 80% of the population live 50-100 kilometres from the coast, which shows how large a part of the national identity the beach is. Although there are beautiful beaches throughout the world, they just don’t compare to the golden sand and sprawling coastlines in Australia.

With a laid-back, no-worries attitude, Aussies are an approachable, smiley, down-to-earth bunch who value mateship above all else and will strike up a conversation with anyone who crosses their path. This friendliness is usually accompanied by a larrikin sense of humour.

Australians live amongst a diversity of wildlife and are accustomed to waking up to the sound of magpies singing. It’s not uncommon to see kangaroos and koalas in suburban areas and along country roads. In time, you’ll come to miss their cute, friendly faces.

Every Aussie has wondered what a white Christmas would be like (a cross between Home Alone [1990] and a Bing Crosby song, right?), but after the initial novelty wears off, we’re back to dreaming of summer in December, with barbecues, street cricket and days at the beach.

Walk through any Australian city street, and you’ll hear dozens of languages and accents. In 2016, the census reported that more than 300 languages were spoken in Australia, and nearly one in five people were born overseas. This diversity enriches the Australian identity, but only when you leave do you realise how unique this is to Australia.

Wherever you are, you’re never too far from the middle of nowhere, and if you need to escape the stress of urban life, peace and quiet is only a drive way. Fresh air and wide-open spaces are harder to come by in built up countries where masses of people seem to follow you wherever you go.