How Do You Say Hello in Australian Slang?

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The straightforward answer: “G’day” is the canonical Australian hello, but “How ya going?” is what you’ll actually hear more often in Melbourne in 2026. “How are you?” sounds slightly formal. “You right?” means “are you OK?” or “can I help you?” and is very common in retail and hospitality.

Here’s the practical breakdown for British visitors.

The Core Greetings

G’day (pronounced “guh-DAY”) — The iconic one. More common in regional areas and among older Australians than in inner-city Melbourne. Still used and 100% not ironic. Say it at a pub and nobody will blink.

Australia Language on MELBZ

How Do You Say Hello in Australian Slang?

The Core Greetings