Cultural behaviours in Australia

1. Legal contracts: contracts are legally binding and enforceable by law.

2. Social customs: Australians tend to be forgiving of violations of their own social customs by foreigners.

3. Use of space: Australians prefer lots of personal space.

4. Use of time: Australians prefer to be on time and quickly get down to business in a meeting.

5. Friendships: Australians try to make friends very quickly and regard their business acquaintances as possible friends.

6. Class systems: class is not a predominant issue in Australia.

7. Dress: formal business attire is important. An exception would be academic settings.

8. Religion: many Australians are not deeply religious and lack knowledge of other religious beliefs.

9. Practicality: most Australians are practically oriented. If something has no practical value, it is usually thrown out.

10. Efficiency/materialism: efficiency is usually measured in terms of costs and benefits.

11. Change: while resistant to change, Australians will accommodate it eventually.

12. Competition: Australians will entertain competition in business.

13. Formality: while ostensibly formal in their dress, Australia is among the least-formal cultures in the world.

14. Equality of opportunity: Australians still have a long way to go, but are closer to equal opportunity than many other cultures.

15. Written communication: using a standard written document is usually seen as the best medium. Reports, memorandums and letters have a standard recognisable format.

16. References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.