AUSTRALIAN ACCENT RESOURCES
According to Wikipedia, currently Australian accents are classified as ‘broad’, ‘general’ and ‘cultivated’, but we find these monikers are colored with judgement. Beyond recognizing the actual phonemes (sounds) that make up an accent, description of accents can become hazy and biased. It’s easy to see here when we compare the term ‘broad’ to the term ‘cultivated’ — Which one sounds more preferable? Which one least? As an actor, you may see Australian accents being described in these terms in audition breakdowns, but we encourage you to be mindful in how you refer to Australian accents to help end accent discrimination.
Languages of Australia
It is believed that prior to European immigration there were over 250 Aboriginal languages spoken in Australia, currently, there are 13 languages still being taught to younger generations.
English is the only language spoken in over 70% of Australian households, but Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, Tagalog, Hindi, Spanish and a wide variety of signed languages including Australasian, signed English Auslan, AISL, Elyte eltyarrenke, Rdaka-rdaka and Yolngu Sign Language are also in use.
Australian Television Shows on Netflix
Zumbo’s Just Desserts
The Journalist
Wrong Kind of Black
Maverix
Ask the Doctor
Tidelands
GlitchThe Investigators
Mako Mermaids
Heartbreak High
Pine Gap
Click Bait
Why are You Like This
Sisters
Dive Club
Izzy’s Koala World
The Deep
Kazoops
72 Dangerous Animals
72 Dangerous Places to Live
Secret City
Wentworth Prison
Echoes
Tales of Light
The Unlisted
Superbro
Stateless
The Letdown
The New Legends of Monkey
Love is a Spectrum
Surviving Summer
Yummy Mummies
Kath and Kim
Lunatics
Byron Baes
Back with the Ex
Aunty Donna’s
Truckers Down Under
Almost Australian (documentary)
Other Australian Films, TV and Videos
Note: Be aware that not every character in these projects speaks with a native Australian accent. Remember to your research for accuracy.
Ten Canoes (Indigenous/Aboriginal Story)
Walkabout (Netflix)
Strictly Ballroom
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Rabbit Proof Fence
Crocodile Dundee
The Chopper
Wake in Fright
Gallipoli
Breaker Morant
Snowtown
Muriel’s Wedding
Lantana
Wolf Creek
Australia
Romper Stomper
The Boys
Two Hands
The Babadook
Van Diemen’s Land
The Castle
Candy
The Nightingale
Animal Kingdom
Peter Rabbit
Actors and Comedians from Australia
Jim Jefferies
Chris Lilley
Kitty Flanagan
Rebel Wilson
Julia Morris
Kevin Bloody Wilson
Peter Helliar
Dave Hughes
Jimeoin
Vince Sorrenti
Jane Hall
Jordan Raskopoulos
Ross Daniels
Celia Pacquola
Steady Eddy
Neel Kolhatkar
Chris Franklin
Charlie Pickering
Judith Lucy
Eric Bane
Jane Turner
Steve Hughes
Tracy Bartram
Paul McDermott
Magda Szubanski
Barry Humphries (Dame Edna)
Gila Riley
Claire Hooper
Gretel Killeen
The Bedroom Philosopher
Shane Bourne
Matt Tilley
Brendan Burns