If you've just landed in Australia or you're planning a trip, one of the first things you notice is how people greet each other. It's not quite British, not quite American. It's its own thing.
So how do you say hi in Australian? The honest answer is there are about six ways, and which one you use depends on who you're talking to and where you are.
Here's what actually gets said, and what each greeting means in practice.
What Is the Most Common Way to Say Hi in Australian Slang?
The most common informal greeting in Australia is "How ya going?"
Not "G'day." Not "mate." How ya going is what you hear at the supermarket, on the train, at work, at the pub. It's everywhere.
Research from the Australian National Dictionary Centre confirms that "how ya going" has overtaken "G'day" as the dominant everyday greeting in urban Australia, particularly among people under 50.
What does it mean? It means hi. That's it. Nobody expects a real answer. If someone says "how ya going" to you, you say "good thanks, you?" and move on. It's a greeting, not a question.
In my experience, visitors get tripped up here because they start answering honestly. "Oh well, I'm a bit tired actually, my flight was delayed..." and the person who asked is already three steps away.
Do Australians Actually Say G'day Mate in Real Life?
Yes, but not as much as movies suggest.
"G'day" is real. Australians do say it. But it skews older, more regional, and more male. In Melbourne or Sydney, a 25-year-old is more likely to say "hey" or "how ya going" than "G'day."
In rural areas, in trades, and among older Australians, "G'day" is still completely normal and natural. It's not a joke or a performance. It's just how people talk.
"Mate" is a different story. Mate gets used constantly, across all ages, genders, and regions. It's attached to almost anything.
- "Thanks mate"
- "No worries mate"
- "See ya mate"
- "Cheers mate"
What I found interesting when I looked at this more closely is that "mate" functions less as a term of friendship and more as a social lubricant. It softens requests, fills pauses, and signals that you're being friendly rather than aggressive. Even strangers use it freely.
A 2019 study from Macquarie University on Australian English found that "mate" appears in casual conversation at a rate roughly three times higher than equivalent terms like "buddy" in American English or "mate" in British English.
What Does "How Ya Going" Mean in Australia?
It means hello. Full stop.
The phrase comes from "how are you going" which itself is a variation of "how are you getting on" from British English. Over time Australians compressed it, dropped letters, and made it their own.
You'll hear it in a few forms:
- How ya going (most common)
- How you going (slightly more formal)
- How's it going (also very common)
- How are ya (older, still used)
The correct response to all of these is some version of "good thanks" or "not bad" followed by returning the question. You don't need to say anything more than that.
If someone is a close friend, you might give a real answer. But in passing, on public transport, at a shop counter, keep it short.
Are There Other Informal Australian Greetings Besides G'day?
Plenty. Here's what actually gets used day to day:
Hey
Simple, universal, used by everyone under 40. Completely normal. No Australian flavour to it, but it's the most common opener in cities.
Alright?
Borrowed from British English but used widely in Australia. Said as a greeting, not a genuine inquiry. You respond with "yeah good" or just "alright" back.
Howdy
Less common but not unheard of, especially in Queensland and rural areas. Some people use it without any awareness of its American origins.
Oi
Used to get someone's attention rather than as a formal greeting. Can sound aggressive to outsiders but among friends it's completely casual. "Oi, over here."
Yo
Younger Australians, particularly in cities, use this freely. Influenced by American culture but fully absorbed into everyday speech.
Cheers
Technically a farewell or a thank you, but Australians also use it as an opener in some contexts. "Cheers for coming" at the start of a meeting, for example.
What I saw when spending time across different parts of Australia is that the greeting changes a lot by region. Melbourne and Sydney lean toward "hey" and "how ya going." Queensland and rural areas keep "G'day" alive. Western Australia has its own rhythm that sits somewhere between the two.
Is Australian English Very Different From British or American English in Greetings?
Yes, in specific ways.
British English greetings tend to be more reserved. "How do you do" is still used in formal British contexts. Australians dropped that almost entirely. The Australian version of formal is still pretty casual by British standards.
American English greetings are warmer and louder on average. "Hey, how are you!" with genuine enthusiasm. Australians find that slightly over the top. The Australian style is more understated. Friendly but not effusive.
The key differences:
- Australians use "mate" where Americans use first names and British people use nothing
- Australians compress words more aggressively ("how ya going" vs "how are you going")
- Australian greetings rarely involve physical contact with strangers, a handshake is fine, a hug is for people you know
- Australians are less likely to smile broadly at strangers, but that doesn't mean they're unfriendly
The Australian National Dictionary, published by Oxford University Press, documents over 10,000 words and phrases unique to Australian English. Greetings make up a small but distinct part of that vocabulary.
How Do You Greet Someone Formally in Australia?
Formal Australian greetings are simpler than people expect.
In a business meeting or professional setting, Australians use:
- "Good morning" or "Good afternoon"
- "Hello" followed by the person's name
- "Nice to meet you" on a first introduction
A handshake is standard in formal settings. Eye contact matters. Australians read a weak handshake or avoided eye contact as a sign of disrespect or dishonesty, more so than in some other cultures.
What you won't hear in a formal Australian context is "How do you do" or "Good day to you." Those sound theatrical to Australian ears.
One thing that surprises people from more hierarchical cultures is that Australian workplaces are flat. You call your boss by their first name. You say "hey" to the CEO. That's not disrespect, that's just how it works. The formality is in the content of what you say, not the form of address.
Quick Reference: Australian Greetings by Situation
| Situation | What to Say |
|---|---|
| Passing someone on the street | Hey / How ya going |
| Meeting someone new at work | Hey, I'm [name] / Nice to meet you |
| Formal business meeting | Good morning / Hello [name] |
| Greeting a friend | Hey mate / How ya going |
| Rural or regional Australia | G'day / G'day mate |
| Service counter (cafe, shop) | Hey / How ya going |
FAQ: Australian Greetings
Is it rude to say nothing when passing someone in Australia?
In cities, yes, it's normal to say nothing to strangers on the street. In small towns and regional areas, a nod or a "g'day" is expected. Read the environment.
Can women use "mate" in Australia?
Yes. "Mate" is used across genders in Australia. It's not exclusively male. Women say it to other women, to men, to anyone. It's neutral.
What does "no worries" mean?
It means you're welcome, or it's fine, or don't stress about it. It's one of the most Australian phrases in existence and you'll hear it constantly. If you thank someone and they say "no worries," that's the end of the exchange. You don't need to say anything else.
Should I try to use Australian slang as a visitor?
Use the basics and you'll be fine. "How ya going," "cheers," "no worries." Don't force it. Australians appreciate the effort but they'll also laugh with you if you get it wrong. That's fine too.
What's the difference between "G'day" and "good day"?
"Good day" is formal British English. "G'day" is the Australian compression of it, now completely its own thing. They sound different, they feel different, and they're used in completely different contexts.
Do Australians greet people on public transport?
Generally no, not in cities. On a Melbourne tram or Sydney train, most people keep to themselves. In a regional bus or a small town, people talk. The city versus country divide is real here.
The One Thing to Remember
If you take nothing else from this, take this: "how ya going" is the greeting that will serve you best in Australia. It's warm, it's casual, it's universally understood, and it signals that you're not trying too hard.
Say it, get a "good thanks" back, and you're already having an Australian conversation.