Everything I Found Out Living in Australia for 3 Months

[@gregjameson327]

Quick Corrections: I got some things mixed up, can't change it now but let me know if there's something I got wrong and I'll add it here -Woolworths and Coles are not the only big grocery stores in Australia. There are other big chains in Aus most notably Aldi and IGA. -Coles and Woolies do sell tabacco products however they are not allowed to be on display -Birds at 8:16 are curlews not bin chickens (Whoops) -I suggest stocking up on OTC meds you might need but customs will require you to declare these and may confiscate them if they are not available in Aus. -Stores do sell ibuprofen without needing to ask at the counter (though it will vary depending on store policy)

[@hellsbells112]

Does Cairns have Aldi, yet?

[@glenwillson5073]

You are right though, in that they are by far & away the largest & pretty much control the market.

[@gregjameson327]

@@hellsbells112 Don't think so, last I checked the closest is townsville^

[@gregjameson327]

@@glenwillson5073 I saw a stat that woolworths and coles have 65% of the market share here. For comparison Walmart and Costco in the US only hold about 32%^

[@kayelle8005]

Cole’s and Woolies have a virtual duopoly. Aldi and the LGA network are much smaller.

[@kevinpaine7893]

Ibuprofen can be purchased at Coles or Woolies. No questions, unless you're talking to yourself at the self-serve checkout. Tipping isn't a thing because employees are paid by the employer, not the customer. Paid vacation is 4 weeks in most of the country, 5 weeks in the far north. 6 weeks if very remote. The bird you called a bin chicken is a curlew. The bin chicken is a white ibis.

[@gregjameson327]

Ty! I'll add the curlew to my corrections!

[@Bri_g3]

Yeah I was like wha

[@Bri_g3]

And the stick insect that you were going to poke, don’t do that

[@depradaa]

I live in the far north and have never heard of 5 weeks, maybe its industry specific

[@vivianhull3317]

I think sometimes when people say 5 weeks, it's because they are adding in public holidays. When you add them up over a year it does come out to about a weeks worth.

[@bendunton825]

We love that you’ve decided to make Aus your place. Cheers mate

[@allisalie101]

One last thing. If you get burnt like that again, find an aloe plant, they're a succulent, and someone around will probably have one. Break of a stem and use the clear gel like substance that they secrete. Just rub it straight onto your burnt skin and it will be soothed and heal quicker than by any other product.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Yes, aloe is the best thing for burns and dry skin! Maybe buy a small potted one! 👍

[@miniveedub]

If you can’t find a plant you can buy aloe vera gel. Read the label though, the cheap ones at Woollies and Coles are very diluted, you need one that is at least 95% actual aloe vera.

[@allisalie101]

@miniveedub The plant is 10 times better, though.

[@miniveedub]

@@allisalie101 it is if you have access to one.

[@gloryglory5688]

Yeah, he’s just going to find a friggin aloe plant, wake up peanut

[@harlzAU]

Always fascinating to hear what international folks think of our wildlife. When you do more traveling, you'll notice areas of Australia have quite different vibes and that goes for wildlife, vegetation, and architecture, usually because of the climate. While Cairns is distinctly tropical, it's different to Brisbane (subtropics) but differences become more pronounced the further south you go, e.g. Sydney, Melbourne.

[@Jen-ec3zz]

the majority of Australians live in the city, and the culture is quite different to Cairns which is very laid back

[@Jeni10]

Actually, stocking up on pharmaceuticals might not work. If you do that, please DECLARE them on your Customs Card, which is a legal document and you can cop heavy fines for not declaring something correctly. If the items are not OTC in Australia, you definitely can’t bring them in from the US. Declare everything and there won’t be any fines. They will confiscate anything that goes against our laws, but as long as you declare everything, including all forms of food, you won’t be fined.

[@gregjameson327]

Added it to my corrections in the pinned comment. Thanks Jen!

[@richbuang2]

You can bring prescription medications into Australia if you have a letter from your doctor stating the name/s of drugs, dosage and condition/s.

[@Jeni10]

@@richbuang2 Yes and declare them so that Customs can verify and make an informed decision.

[@richbuang2]

@@Jeni10 yes always declare

[@kayelle8005]

Hope you’re healing well from your accident.

[@libbypeace68]

Excellent video. Keep it up. Hoping your injuries are healing or have healed and that it hasn't caused you too much distress.

[@dutchroll]

Many employers here hate it if you don't take your paid annual leave because it is a cash liability on their books (if you quit your job, your outstanding annual leave balance must be fully paid out by the employer and that's a big chunk of cash if you have a high leave balance). The federally mandated paid leave entitlement in Australia is 4 weeks for most full time and part-time employees, and 5 weeks if you're a shift worker. Our company will literally assign you your leave if you let too much build up. (Boss) "Hey just letting you know we're putting you on annual leave for March and April." "But I didn't want leave!" "Don't care. Don't turn up for March and April. Plan a holiday. Have a nice time."

[@planetcountryradio8622]

Yeah and for companies that close down for a week between Christmas and new year, the employees are forced to use their annual leave then.

[@TheNakedWombat]

Depends on the employer. Many Australian employers just sack you for wanting to take your earned leave. Aussie politicians don't care about workers at all. More and more, Aussies work in similar conditions to the USA; No holiday pay, no stable employment, needing several jobs to afford the very basics of life, etc.

[@jasonwright9405]

Most businesses sympathetic SUPPORT hearing people those piss me off cos of my fg disability deaf 🧏

[@miniveedub]

Good video, you covered a lot. You can buy ibuprofen at supermarkets without questions but the packs are smaller. Pharmacies have bigger packs but they have a duty of care to check about drug interactions with anything else you might be on and to let you know if what you are buying is unsafe in large doses or long term. Box jellyfish are only found around the northern coast of Australia. North of Rockhampton in QLD and north of Broome in WA, most of the country doesn’t need netted areas like that.

[@ClayBlackcx]

Tobacco products are sold at Woolworths, Coles, IGA etc. Its sold at the front service counter only and is locked away from view. It is illegal to have Tobacco products on display. As for alcohol - it cannot be sold in the same business as groceries but can be sold in a "separate" business next door. BWS is owned by Woolworths and Liquorland is owned by Coles. Painkillers can be purchased at supermarkets and there are limits to how many packets can be purchased in one sale.

[@gregjameson327]

Ahh I had no idea as i'd never seen it there. Thanks for letting me know I'll add it to my corrections comment^

[@Ishlacorrin]

In Victoria you can still buy alcohol in supermarkets. Most Aldi's and IGA's have it as part of the same store, Coles and Woolies have their rooms that are technically different shops but still attached to the super.

[@scottbrazier]

You covered a couple of points I'd make comment on. 1 Cigarettes are purchased from the Customer Service desk at Coles or Woolworths. Cigs are not stocked at ALDI. 2. Tipping, I have very, very rarely tipped as it is not a part of our way of life. Aussie's can be regarded as bad tippers for that reason.

[@guccigasbag2780]

@@scottbraziernot my hubby he tips all the time. 😂😂😂 he’s the only exception 😂😂😂😂

[@doubledee9675]

4 weeks of paid vacation is much more common than 5. Typically, people will combine their paid holiday leave with a public holiday, h\getting the extra time "for free" as it were. Public holidays - I can only speak of NSW, where shops normally stay open for most public holidays save for Christmas Day and Anzac Day. When I was growing up many years ago, shops would also close for Good Friday and Easter but that's long gone.

[@planetcountryradio8622]

There is a strong regulation on certain product groups. E.g: Alcohol is sold in purpose retail outlets, not supermarkets because historically it wasn't allowed to be sold after certain hours, when supermarkets were still open. Now the major supermarkets own liquor outlets and they are usually positioned next to the supermarket. Drugs (we tend to say medications in Australia and the term drugs generally refers to illicit drugs) such as strong pain killers can't be purchased over the counter without 'approval' to try and disrupt manufacture of illicit drugs which use bulk quantities of pain killers.

[@gregjameson327]

That's a helpful distinction in the US I think it depends on the setting. Though "drugs" definitely still holds a more illicit connotation

[@davegallo8790]

As an Australian who lived and worked in Los Angeles for four years, I consider that this is a very fair and balanced video.

[@wormratspider7586]

You can get nuruofen from Aldi at $1.50 AUD a box. The cashiers never gonna bat an eyelid, they just want to get the hell out of there and go home! lol

[@martindaubert1636]

Didn't really explain about tipping, it is not normal in Australia because hospitality persons are paid a livable wage unlike the US

[@JeremyParker072]

Interesting about restaurants/cafe, I have never had to collect the food myself. It has always been brought out to the table. It must depend where you are living.

[@richardthomson4693]

I think its about 50 / 50 between getting a pager to grab your food or getting the number on the stick and they bring it your table when you have to order at a counter. This of course doesn't include proper table side service

[@guccigasbag2780]

Could also be that he’s only been to pubs and clubs they usually do that, make you pay upfront and pick up your food. Restaurants don’t.

[@laxota72]

lol, the birds chirping on that tree at night were not birds, but flying foxes. Picture a really big bat that is not really a bat. ;)

[@spikeles7]

Many Woolworths have a bottleshop right next to them as they also own BWS. You can buy tobacco/cigs at coles/woolies, but you have to get them at the service desk, Australian tobacco laws don't permit them to be displayed or advertised. Many companies will FORCE you to take your paid time off as it normally rolls over to next year, and they don't like it building up. The brown thing on your steps is a stick insect. Those "green ants" (weaver) create nests in the trees, they'll wrap the leaves together, and when you sit under, they'll drop on you and bite you. Super fun. The birds in the trees at night were most likely Rainbow lorikeet, very noisy. The white bird with yellow crest is a Cockatoo. They'll eat the fruit of your trees (they love mango trees) and leave the fruit rotting on the ground (lovely).

[@ClayBlackcx]

You cannot be forced to take annual leave unless you have accumulated more that 8 weeks of leave. There are exceptions, xmas break for example. If your employer is trying to force you to take leave, they are breaking the law and you have a clear case to take the matter to fairwork.

[@spikeles7]

@@ClayBlackcx The exact times depends on your award/agreement conditions, you should always keep a copy handy for reference and as always, if in doubt call FairWork.

[@robertrichardson1843]

Thanks. Great attitude to your travel adventure Greg and learning the Aussie way.

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks Rob! You're a legend!

[@sigmaoctantis1892]

Note on beer glasses. A schooner was (before metric system) 15 fl oz. A pint is 20 fl oz. That is the Imperial system not the US system where a pint is 16 fl oz.

[@briancampbell179]

Also, here in my local pubs in Victoria, the pint or pot (half pint or midi in NSW) are the norm. Schooners are available but I've never seen anyone order one here.

[@Richo732]

Woolworths and Coles tend to tailer the range of products they stock on a store by store basis, so they may sell some less popular items in one suburb/town but not in another. It's probably more noticeable in cities where the population in pretty diverse.

[@briancampbell179]

Just to be clear, when it comes to buying medication, there's 3 ways depending on the type. Some are on the shelves and some you need a prescription for. The third is kept behind the counter and although you don't need a prescription, you do need to ask the pharmacist.

[@gregjameson327]

Yes we have that as well in the US. For something like sudafed ( allergy medication) you have to show ID.

[@briancampbell179]

@gregjameson327 , I used to take Voltaren. The pharmacist had to ask what it was for and warn you about its use. There are actually 3 strengths, each sold differently. 12.5mg was off the shelf. 25mg was behind the counter. 50mg was by prescription.

[@christendomempire5657]

I use to live nearly ten years in Cairns. Beautiful city

[@susancoman5529]

You can purchase tobacco products from woollies or Coles. They have a kiosk at the front of the service counter.

[@aup10]

Greg, you forgot to mention another useful topic, especially for visitors to Australia. AVOID GETTING HIT BY UTES. Sounds a little obvious, but can be easily be overlooked, if distracted by the scenery. They can leap out from anywhere!!!

[@gregjameson327]

Dahhh get out here haha!

[@JB-zs1oq]

It is only in very casual eating places that you have to go and pick up your order; semi fast food places. Dining out is very different.

[@hilliard665]

Coles and woolies and servos usually have panadol, ibuprofen and like cough syrup in a small section but its far cheaper to go to the chemist, convenient in a pinch but they only sell tiny packs like 5-10-20 tablets if you go to the chemist you can get like a box of 100 ibuprofen or paracetamol

[@mjb7015]

Be very careful about telling people to stock up on medicines before coming to Australia. Customs and Border Security don't like people who have lots of medicines in their luggage. You have to declare it, and even then I think there's a fee for bringing in more than a certain amount. The reasoning is that they don't want people importing and then selling medicines without a medical license, and they assume that if you have more than like 3 bottles your intention is to sell or distribute them.

[@AussieFossil]

Ibuprofen is readily available, no questions asked unless you want an extra strong version then you have to ask for it. My Coles has a separate shop inside the same store for alcohol and tobacco products aren't on display, but they're there. There are a lot of restaurants that you go in and sit down, someone will take your order and bring it to you.

[@erichowarth364]

When it comes to beer there are four different sizes , you can choose but the names do change a bit in each state of Australia. Jug , pint , schoooner, pot/middy . Also every price shown does include tax (GST)

[@pricey4566]

What about the pony 7 ounce shandy for the older folk 😂

[@Ben-hr8bn]

Hope u enjoying your time. Think u would fit in wherever with that great outlook

[@flowerpower8722]

The birds - the first screeching are black cockatoos. The singing bush is a million rainbow lorikeets settling in for the night. For all their bright colours you cannot see them in the tree, unless you stand right underneath it, even then it's hard to make them out.

[@MsTtilly]

Very North Qld centric. Some of the stuff about self service in restaurants is ridiculous. Pubs and Cafès, sure.... But there's plenty of Good Restaurants in Melbourne etc that seat you.

[@R0d_1984]

It depends on if the restaurant is a restaurant...

[@kayew79]

Yes the birds here are loud, boisterous & fabulous... I've traveled a lot & actually miss the sounds of Aus

[@gregpies1649]

Australia also has Aldi and Costco.

[@MrBCorp]

Paid annual leave is 20 days for permanent full time employees and a percentage of that for part time employees depending on how much they work. Casual employees don't get annual leave but get compensated with a higher rate (usually about 25% more). All employees now get superannuation (similar to not 100% the same to 401k) (before it was only permanent employees, not casuals).

[@Wombat-gm4ne]

Minimum wage for a "permanent employee" is approximately US$16 per hour plus 20 days paid annual leave plus 10 days fully paid public holidays plus employer pays a levee of 12% of your wage into your personal retirement scheme plus at least 5 days fully paid sick leave plus when taking annual leave an extra 17% over and above of your normal wage paid plus 13 weeks fully paid long service leave leave paid after 15 years of service with the same business (paid prorata if leave before 15 years. "casual employees" do not get any of the holiday benefits but getting extra 20% above the minimum wage for "permanent employees". All of the above is why tipping is not expected. Government operated universal health care that's not linked to where you work.

[@gregjameson327]

That's a good point about the health care. I think a lot of people in the US stay in corporate jobs they hate for fear of loosing their health care and benefits.

[@Merrid67play]

Long service leave provisions vary by employer, though. In general, permanent full time employees get 4 weeks annual leave per year while shift workers may get 6 weeks, but it can vary by employer and state.

[@Jeni10]

That squawking at the beginning of the birds topic is from Sulphur Crested Cockatoos! The white parrots with the yellow feathers on the top of their heads. We have lots of different types of parrots in Australia from Budgerigars to Lorikeets to Palm Cockatoos! The Magpies are my favourite Australian birds! Birds sleep at night, you will hear them around sunset as they squabble for position in the trees, but they don’t squawk at night. If you think you hear birds at night, they’ll be flying foxes.

[@albosmum5210]

Lots of curlews here in Cairns, and they call all night long. One of the bird noises Greg referred to and didn't know what caused it was the (Indian ) Miner bird, which are common in all suburban settings here ( introduced pest)

[@matthewbrown6163]

Separate Alcohol Department is to reduce underage drinking (so they say) so has a separate licencing. Cigarettes can be bought at Super Markets & has always been a separate section but now they are no longer displayed for the public with Generic Packaging.

[@mindi2050]

It's true that different countries have different ways of doing things. But I've always been able to buy Ibuprofen at any supermarket in Australia. Although, different states and territories in Australia have different laws etc. Where I live (Canberra) supermarkets sell alcohol. Hope you enjoy your time here.

[@allisalie101]

G'day Greg. Good Vid mate and I hope the leg is healing well? That bird screeching was a Cockatoo, which is its natural call. Just wanted to let you know as well that the bird you described as a bin chicken wasn't. I live in the South so I have no idea what species it actually was but the white Ibis is the actual bin chicken. I have seen those ones before but only in Qld. Also the Monitor Lizard everyone just calls a Goanna unless in WA where they're called a Bungarra. And lastly, we have a great deal more respect for tradies than we do for most White Collar types, because they're considered to be the more hardy and resilient type of person with that Larrakin aspect that reflects who we really are as a nation and are the true Aussies, and they can earn a bloody good living here as well. There is more to it but you get the gist. If you plan on staying here I suggest you look at maybe getting sponsored and doing a trade apprenticeship mate, you will not regret it. Most construction trades in particular make really, really, good coin.

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

Those are curlews, they have a mournful crying voice. I have seen a pair, qjuiet, wings spread, herding a snake away from their nest. They left him over the road.

[@allisalie101]

Ohh, and the freaky thing is just a stick insect. They're harmless and you can pick them up without any concerns etc. they're huge up north but smaller here down in the south. They look grouse when they spread their wings.

[@alanhow3575]

‘Praying Mantis’. They are really cool. Pick one up and watch them look around. Love’m.

[@allisalie101]

@alanhow3575 Stick Insect dude. Praying mantis always sit with their front legs up and look like they're praying. Hence the name. They are cool though.

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

You can get packets of Ibuprofen easily at your local woolworths or coles in the medicine isle. No permission necessary. Public holidays wise, you will get everything closed on Easter Good Friday & Sunday, Christmas day and half of Boxing day. Those first three are sacrosanct. The other holidays you will get your big supermarkets opening and your pubs and cafes.

[@gregjameson327]

I wonder why they made such a fuss about it when I went in. It was at chemist warehouse though.

[@sandraw8219]

@@gregjameson327regulations for purchasing medications can differ between states. I live on the border of NSW and VIC and things that can be picked up in the supermarket in one state may only be dispensed in a chemist in the other state etc., also sometimes you can purchase larger quantities in a chemist but then they will probably ask you why you need them. Also you have to be over a certain age to purchase some medications or have a doctor’s prescription.

[@walover165]

​@@gregjameson327 There is a limit about how many boxes you can buy - two at a time max

[@Steve21945]

@@gregjameson327there’s often a limit, too. For example, at Woolies (in Victoria at least) you can only get four packets (20 per packet) of ibuprofen and/or paracetamol at once (eg 4 of one, 2 of each, etc).

[@shanesimmons4733]

Welcome to Cairns you picked a great place to visit mate

[@shanegates678]

The birds you labelled as Bin Chickens were actually Curlews. We have them in Qld and at night, they make sounds like a woman screaming, which can be quite unsettling coming from dark scrub.

[@Greg-r5h]

I'm Australian 59yo and lived in Columbus Ohio for 16 years. I returned to OZ in 2018. I have a LOT of stories about my experience in the US but none of them are good.

[@gregjameson327]

Hahaha thats brutal. I actually lived in Cleveland for a bit I thought there was some redeeming aspects. Lake Erie is really cool though Columbus isn’t very close to that

[@SirTomo1]

You can buy ibuprofen in almost any supermarket, petrol station or pharmacy. It's just that at a pharmacy it's kept behind the counter, but in any of the other stores you just buy it on the shelf.

[@queenslander954]

Hey mate maybe try Rustys Market (next to Gilligan’s backpackers) in town for budget food Open Friday , Sat & Sunday until 3. for cheap’ish Veg & fruit .. probably best after lunch on Sunday as they have to get rid of it. babes lounging by Gilligans Pool is also a extra shopping incentive. good luck with your FNQ travels , Port Douglas markets on weekends is good mail.

[@stevefranks1957]

Best overview I’ve seen, well done from an Aussie 👍🇦🇺🦘😎

[@stevenbalekic5683]

Ibuprofen is in every supermarket, you don't need to go to a chemist and ask at the counter. The main thing you need to do before coming is make sure you learn some of the alternative names the same medicines have...there are real differences in the names (not just brands). In Australia the basic cheap pain relief medicine is paracetamol, but in the US it's called acetaminophen.

[@deano305]

Don’t get started on Australian beer sizes 😂 they’re still measured in imperial pretty much. NSW/QLD Schooner 15 oz, Pint 20 oz. Go to SA and a NSW schooner is a pint and so on.

[@tdb762000]

Hope your leg is getting better and hope you are enjoying the Aussie life and culture change 😉

[@gregjameson327]

TY!

[@marktubeie07]

Great vids Greg, how's the leg mate? Hope you make this your home for a while, it's great to have you here !!

[@gregjameson327]

Doing well I've been able to walk around the house without a crutch around the house. I find out about surgery tomorrow!

[@AussieTVMusic]

There's no pokies (Slot Machines) at Pubs in Western Australia. Only the Crown Casino has them.

[@anthonyj7989]

I see that you are yet to find out about "flies".

[@FionaEm]

He's in Cairns. More mozzies than flies.

[@AnEnquiringMind]

Also, Tradies are Highly valued in Australia. People who can fix stuff are super important!

[@PiersDJackson]

Let's start with the medication "issues" - firstly Australia is more regulated than the US, so you won't see massive advertisements for strong medication, secondly most advertisements will be for the over the counter pain management, cold, influenza, hay-fever, and supplements. The reasoning for the counter not shelf for Ibuprofen is it is a starter component for the manufacturing of other illicit drugs. Basically so you don't buy ten packets at a time from one place, repeating the process until the shelf is empty. Thirdly, regarding importing personal medication, it's limited to expected normal usage of maximum 2 months [edit: 3 months] (usually), so serotonin to use occasionally for a couple of months is fine, but if you require it daily, it needs a prescription. As for Groceries, the separation of alcohol, tobacco and general grocery goods, is subjective to the locality, in general all three are under the one roof, even in the single shop, however alcohol will either be in a semi-cordoned area and tobacco from the service desk with phones. Sometimes you have to purchase alcohol separately. - ie. BWS in Woolworths, with entry on the outward side of the grocery checkouts.

[@gregjameson327]

Thats good to hear with the medication! It would be kinda worrying if customs wouldn't let you bring in your own prescription!

[@Merrid67play]

The TGA website says you can bring enough for 3 months, in the original packaging and with the prescription or written note from your doctor. But there may be things which are prescription only in Australia and not so in other countries.

[@flowerpower8722]

You can buy ibuprofen at the supermarket. Chemists often keep that stuff behind the counter for probably a couple of reasons - 1. To prevent theft. 2. Ibuprofen is not paracetamol, but a lot of people think they're essentially the same. Excessive and prolonged use of ibuprofin can cause some serious medical issues,like blood thinning and cause you to bleed a lot, and not be able to stop it. If you want to buy a big box of them, sometimes the Chemist will ask why, and be sure to educate you on that matter. They will strongly steer you to alternating your doses with paracetamol, and/or sell you a smaller box of ibuprofin.

[@kennethdodemaide8678]

That wasn't a bin chicken. I think it was a curlew.

[@shanegates678]

Correct

[@laurawallis7093]

As an Aussie I have to disagree about the chemist. You can buy melatonin otc. There are alot of sleeping meds you can get. If you want the really good stuff is when you need a prescription. Also Ibuprofen can be found in any shopping centre.

[@fabiacooney9378]

6:39 The reason the uptake of annual leave is more prevalent here is because any annual leave that is "banked" by an employee is in fact a liability for a business and works the same as having debt on your balance sheet. Which is why when you have accumulated more than 6 weeks of annual leave that employers tend to force their staff to take leave as if a person has too much annual leave it means that when the employee exits the business the employer has to payout that amount which can be costly if your business has a culture of not enforcing annual leave when the accrued balance gets high. Especially when the minimum requirement is 4 weeks of annual leave entitlement for full-time employees.

[@gregjameson327]

Ahh makes sense, In a lot of US states it's not required for an employer to pay out banked PTO. If you leave the company or bank to many hours you basically just lose that PTO. Where I'm from (CA) employers have to pay out PTO when you leave.

[@strangenameforaband342]

Another reason that they will want you to take your leave is because you may have acquired that holiday pay under a different pay rate. So when you end up taking it they have to pay out on the new higher pay rate, they don't like that.

[@fabiacooney9378]

@gregjameson327 the only thing an employer doesn't pay out is sick leave as most companies don't allow these to be accrued and its a use or lose policy as you generally get 10 sick days a year and restarts in the new year (either calendar or financial). The same goes with long service leave (leave entitlement of up to 12 weeks off when you hit 10 years service) this also gets paid out if applicable. We have alot more worker rights here in Australia and companies will get big fines if they are found in breach.

[@JulAlxAU]

Some OTC meds like Paracetamol (read it Tylenol or Acetaminophen for Americans) and Ibuprofen when sold in large quantities like 90 pills, etc become Pharmacist Only Meds that means you need consultations with a pharmacist before receiving it. Same meds are obviously available in smaller quantities like 30 pills from grocery stores without any consultation requirements.

[@quinngerlinger7347]

Freaky insect was a stick insect

[@Danger_Mouse3619]

Ibuprofen and paracetamol just buy the no name brand or no frills brands. They are the same products but just a lot cheaper.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

It's a shame that Melotonin is prescription only now, it's so useful for travelling into a different time zone! Self checkout is so frustrating, I prefer to speak to a person not listen to a machine! In many cafes service to table is still available! Alcohol access is restricted, we prefer to save lives! Gambling on horses, football, pokies, etc is a popular activity! Yes, we don't judge people for their lack of career ambition but whether they are a good person! We do love a chat! You seem to have a lot of tropical bugs and birds, enjoy! They do use a lot of slang and acronyms in Queensland, but not so much in bigger cities elsewhere! Keep up the momentum! 🤗

[@JohnLee-pt5jz]

I have got melatonin over the counter without a prescription, just recently 😊

[@ShaunCockerill]

Good video. I love QLD especially, but you should also try to visit other states too. WA has strict gambling laws, so none of our pubs have any pokies or keno; you'd have to go to our one casino over here for that.

[@GSTARRAW777]

Some supermarkets do sell alcohol and smokes.

[@whimzee8866]

gambling rules change state to state - Western Australia's rules especially ie No pokies except at the Casino, private clubs etc

[@FredPilcher]

I've never needed a prescription for ubuprofen.

[@AnEnquiringMind]

Australia has VEEEEERY strict rules around pharmaceutical drugs. The FDA allow a large number is dangerous side affects that the Aussie Therapeutic Goods Administration do NOT allow. Also Ibuprofen is panadol. You can get that anywhere. Agree with the person who said Aloe Vera, excellent for sunburn.

[@cozers-wc5mf]

Ibuprofen isn't Panadol. Panadol is just a brand name for paracetamol a different drug to ibuprofen. Nurofen is ibuprofen.

[@AnEnquiringMind]

@@cozers-wc5mf I stand corrected. Thanks. 👍

[@davidberriman5903]

Mate, if you are still in Australia enjoy yourself and stay safe. You will find that most Australians will be friendly but like anything there are exceptions to every rule' With leave we get four weeks annual leave and after ten years of service you get 13 weeks of long service leave. I am now retired. My last working day was 6th November, 2017. I had a bit of leave saved up hen I finished. The last day they paid me for was 10th April, 2018.

[@ZENbulldozer]

Melatonin can be purchased on the net from iherb. Never had a problem with delivery of it from the US. But yes, restricted here as you said.

[@suewinston-elliott2674]

Ibuprofen & Paracetamol can be purchased at a supermarket in Australia its much cheaper, buy the home brand its cheaper againl Coles Woolworths etc.

[@chaoticsequencer]

Apparently all song birds originated in Australia ("[Songbirds] origin and initial diversification occurred exclusively in the Australian continent", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbird), which may explain why our birds are so noisy to foreign ears.

[@Ausnonymous]

8:45 These are Green Ants, they're pretty chill most of the time. If you're game, grab one and bite its bum off, really nice sharp citrus taste, native Australians traditionally used them to cure respiratory ailments.

[@gregjameson327]

Hahaha someone told me that people eat them but I thought they were messing with me

[@Fish29077]

Did someone back home that tell you to break a leg, wishing you luck?

[@gregjameson327]

Hahaha

[@pamelasparkes-bm5oz]

Ibuprofen is available at any supermarket in Oz and on the shelf in the chemist I just bought the infant one today no asking a pharmacist . Other meds are pharmacist only or you need a script . We have the PBS pharmaceutical benefits scheme so the majority of medications are subsidised by the government PBS hence you have to ask the pharmacist .

[@TheElvander]

What? You can get Ibuprofen off the shelf in Oz at the supermarket for about $2. You can get tobacco at supermarkets too, but the tobacconist is cheaper. Thinking he probably ate in shopping centre food courts and fast food places, as table service is everywhere else (restaurants, cafes). Many beaches have shark nets.

[@seamusobrien2675]

Hey Greg, if it requires a prescription in Australia you can't bring it through customers without a prescription. It will cost you a fortune if you don't declare it. Oh and ibuprofen various brands are on sale on supermarket shelves. Last oh, box jellyfish are going to kill you, unless you get very lucky and have very quick medical treatment, and I don't mean first aid. Treat a box jellyfish like a crocodile Without a Smile. Don't swim where there are box jellyfish

[@paulgaray1099]

Jim beam is jimmy. Canadian club is CC

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Both cat piss.

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU]

Brother, just move here! You won’t regret it. Peace be with you. 🙏☮️

[@BassMatt1972]

8:15 those are plovers, not Ibis (Bin Chickens)

[@overworlder]

They call curlews bin chickens in Cairns? 😥 They are beautiful birds, very timid and secretive where I live in s NSW. you are lucky to be close to them like that. Bin chickens are ibis here [edit saw your note]

[@colleenmatulickclarke2059]

All health stores carry regular melatonin. It only requires a prescription if you want a chemist to compound it for you.

[@downundarob]

1:30 - ibuprofen for sunburn? granted its an inflammation reducing drug but seem a little excessive.

[@gregjameson327]

It helped bring the itching down enough for me to sleep

[@DanielBatt]

Well, I've never had to ask for Nurofan (or most other non-steroidal anti-inflamatrie), though if you need a heavy duty drug like Arcoxia, it costs $4.50 per tablet, but this is still much cheaper than the US. As for melatonin, you do need a script for higher doses, but you can get low dose melatonin over the counter without a prescription. As for Australia being a bit legalistic over what requires a script, remember that, for the vast majority of scripts, you may only pay $5.90 for a script that would cost you thousands in the US. Australia needs to manage its pharmaceutical benefits scheme, which enables people to never need to pay more than $6.00 a month for an inhaler or insulin, etc. While an inhaler might cost you $400 in the US, you can buy one over the counter for under $20 without trouble (or proof of citizenship).

[@michaelmayo9048]

No dangerous jellyfish in Victoria. I don't like humidity thats why l live in Victoria.

[@bevhowell7665]

Victoria had the best summer in 2024 compared to other states . Regional Victoria , not Melbourne

[@ben0nib0y]

You can buy ibuprofen off the shelf in supermarkets in Australia

[@Dobuan75]

Ibuprofen is in every supermarket. Some pharmaceuticals can be more difficult to obtain, BUT we can get a script without cost from a doctor bulk-billed in a medical centre on our Medicare system, AND they are a small fraction of the cost of those in the USA as we have something called the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Also you should not spend that much time in the sun. Ease off it mate, but if you must then don’t forget to ‘slip, slop, and slap’. Finally, don’t worry about sick leave. It isn’t taken out of your annual leave. If you’re sick, you’re sick. You still keep your 5 weeks (up north)/4 weeks (down south)/6 weeks (remote) annual leave.

[@RoxanneHudson-dd3bs]

Greg, don't forget to advise people the sport of pulling tourist's legs, e.g. drop bears. BTW, there are no bears in Oz.

[@kieransmith1796]

They arent bin chickens mate. You got the wrong bird lol.

[@gypseeleelee]

Hi, Your labelled Bin Chicken is actually a Curlew. Bin chickens are Ibis. Curlews are sweet, Ib8s are bullies, lol.

[@playlisttarmac]

Melatonin - you can buy it online

[@rachelkillcare5203]

That first bird noise was cicadas.

[@quinngerlinger7347]

I would say Canadian club is CC I’ve never heard anyone call it a club 😂

[@rachaelcourtnell7275]

Nope not self checkout.

[@JeffNeale]

Ibuprofen is openly available on all supermarket shelves under popular brands like Nurofen or Advil. No questions asked.

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

You can buy Ibuprofen in the supermarket in NSW