Fair Dinkum! Aussie slang takes a decade to learn

New research shows just how foreign Aussie culture is to migrants

● Takes 10 years for the average expat to have a confident grasp on Aussie slang
● Queensland expats pick up slang faster than in other states
● More female expats will try Vegemite vs. males

Over 1,000 immigrants shared their unique experiences of assimilating to Australia, with interesting
data revealed in new research commissioned via Ria Money Transfer.

Responses from expats included their take on culture shock and local customs, as well as their
willingness to try Aussie snacks.

With more than a quarter of Australia’s population born overseas
1, the findings of the research reflect
the powerful cultural exchange occurring within Australia, and give insight to the enrichment the
international-born population provides to Australia’s own cultural landscape, with their connections to
home.

Part of this exchange is through the sharing of resources and remittances, with a third of immigrants
sending money overseas an average of 14 times a year.

Expats who have settled down under in more recent years cite cost-of-living to be a greater culture
shock than the language, suggesting both an increase in globalism and the serious economic change
our country is facing.

Other interesting findings, broken down by state, nationality, generation, and gender, include:
● Over 90% of expats who have lived in Australia for over 10 years know an average of 5-6
slang terms
● In their first year of living in Australia, 88% of expats will experience a local custom, like trying
a Tim Tam or attending an AFL match.
● 14% of Gen Z immigrants send more than half of their wages to family overseas, despite
cost-of-living pressures
● More female expats (73%) will try Vegemite compared to male expats (66%)
● Settlers in Queensland pick up Australian slang more effectively than in other states
● Expats from Africa pick up slang quicker than those from Asian and South American countries
(fair dinkum, woop woop, goon, devo, durry, dunny, etc.)
● Two-thirds of expats say cost of living concerns have impacted their ability to send money
home
● Almost half of remittances are to support family with living expenses, followed closely by
remittances serving as gifts

Simon Wilding, Country Manager Australia & New Zealand of Ria Money Transfer, said the survey exposes the voices of
the nation, even if they weren’t born here.

“While it was a surprise to see from these results that our unique Australianisms cause massive
culture shock, unfortunately it’s not a surprise to hear that the cost-of-living crisis we’re all facing in
this country is confronting to migrants.

1 Cultural diversity of Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (n.d.). https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/cultural-diversity-australia

“Our expats and immigrants help bring dimension, life, and strength to our multicultural population. As
the leading global money transfer operator, we are so pleased to serve communities from all around
Australia so their home away from home can be one that not only serves them, but their families back
in their country of origin.

“Australia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, which makes remittances and money
transfers a staple tool for Aussies to support extended families across the world financially.”

Clarissa Tan said sending money to friends and family forms a crucial part of keeping their connection
alive.

“I love living in Australia, where my personal and professional life has flourished.

“I miss home but being able to send a bit of money here and there to support and treat my loved ones
helps fill the void, not because we’re money-focused people, but because it’s straightforward and
effective. It cuts out the concerns of postage and exchange rates – leaving me able to both say to and
show my family that I love them.”

End.
About Ria Money Transfer
Ria Money Transfer, a business segment of Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), delivers innovative financial
services including fast, secure, and affordable global money transfers. With the second most
extensive cash settlement network and the largest direct bank deposit network in the world, Ria gets
money to where it matters.

Bridging the gap between digital and physical transactions, Ria’s omnichannel products and services,
together with the company’s rapidly expanding alternative global pay-out capabilities, provide
unprecedented consumer choice, including agents and partners, real-time payments, home delivery,
mobile wallets, and cardless ATM payouts (exclusively with Ria). Ria’s global infrastructure, powered
by the Dandelion real-time, cross-border payments network, facilitates financial access to customers
and partners alike, promoting economic growth around the world by opening new market
opportunities. Ria opens ways for a better everyday life.

For more information, visit https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en-au