As a fellow engineer who moved from Australia after spending 6 years in the US and have been in SG for 4 years, this is my advice:
1. Get ready to work hard. Aussies work harder than anyone else. They will do what ever it takes to get the job done as quickly as possible as accurately as possible, then 'bugger off' and relax. Work-life balance is a big issue in aussie workplaces, so unlike sg where people will stay in the office for the sake of 'face' and take thier time with work, aussies will work thier arse off (much more production per hour than in singapore) to get off for the day, or get moving on a new, intersting assignment.
2. Get used to the humour. Aussie 'humour' is built on dry wit, is often subtle and involves 'taking the mickey'. As a 'yank' it took me a couple of years to get used to. Don't make the mistake that many singaporeans do of interpreting satire as sarcasm...
3. Drinking is indeed part of the culture if you are a bloke, usually a few 'ales' after work on a friday or, after a big project is nailed, a cocktail or wine bar with a tab serves as a venue for celebration... boss usually outline next big project to much appluase some time aroud 11pm....
4. Get ready to work hard. Making deadlines is not enough in Australia. You have to get it done early, flag any problems, provide soloutions and have been pro-active in already having the solved or well onto the way of being solved before deadline. Aussies won't cop and exscuses for failing to take initiative. Total opposite to Singapore.
5. Get ready to think outside the box and book. As an engineer, you'll find that aussies value lateral thinking highly so try and think of unique ways to solve problems (see point 4).
6. Buisiness over football. If you are involved in management, get ready to meet and great clients and woo them at football (term used to describe three different games, none soccer!) and cricket (boring version of baseball).
7. Relationships are important, but honesty and reputation are even more so. Don't 'bull****e' and you'll be fine. Unlike singapore where admitting something may be delayed or not possible, you'll gain respect by admitting limitations and outlining how you are going to address them
Finally, as 'yank' who married a local singaporean lass (who also lived in Australia) you'll find them to be amongst the most generous people on the planet. You'll have a whale of a time if you work hard, play hard, and laugh a little. Don't take yourself too seriously, that annoys aussies.. they call it tall poppy something... and as i said, get ready to work 'bloody' hard.
Oh yeah, thier use of 'colorful' langauge is rather unique.... get ready to be shocked... it's socially acceptable to call your boss an idiot or tell him straight in a meeting he is wrong, no loss of 'face' but rather you'l; gain respect (if you were right) - aussies value 'truth tellers' or 'straight shooters' far more than subtleness... the saying 'subtle as a train smash' is often used as a compliment! very different from asia!
enjoy!
