🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiabank cheque

  🇺🇸 United Statescashier's check

  Words cheque guaranteed by the bank

  🇦🇺 The bond can be paid by bank cheque.

  🇺🇸 The deposit can be paid by cashier's check.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadirect debit

  🇺🇸 United Statesautomatic payment / autopay

  Words regular payment taken straight from your bank account

  🇦🇺 The rent comes out by direct debit every Monday.

  🇺🇸 The rent comes out by autopay every Monday.

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• 🇦🇺 AustraliaEFTPOS

  🇺🇸 United Statescard reader / card terminal

  Words machine for paying by card in shops

  🇦🇺 Is the EFTPOS machine working today?

  🇺🇸 Is the card reader working today?

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🎯 Quick quiz

10 questions from the words in this list. Pick the matching word from the other country.

What the labels mean

💬 Informal

A casual Australian word — fine with friends and at work, but use the neutral word in formal writing.

≈ Not an exact match

The two words overlap, but they don't cover exactly the same things, sizes or systems.

⇄ Both used in Australia

Australians also use the American word; the Australian word is simply more common or more traditional.

⚠️ False friend

The same word means something different in the other country — be careful (e.g. thongs, rubber, jumper).

🗺️ Varies by state

Australians in different states may prefer different words.

s/z -ise / -ize

Australian style prefers -ise (organise); -ize is sometimes seen but is the American standard.

n/v Noun ≠ verb

Australian English spells the noun and the verb differently (a licence / to license, a practice / to practise). American English uses one spelling for both.

Example sentences are written by AUSLEX. Spelling follows the Australian Government Style Manual. Both countries understand both words — these are everyday preferences, not strict rules.