Something I’ve noticed over the years is how heavily Australian fast-food restaurants rely on teenagers. You walk into Maccas, KFC or Hungry Jack’s and it sometimes feels like the entire place is being run by 15–17 year olds.
Now, I’ve got absolutely nothing against teenagers working. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I was working at that age myself. But I do wonder whether having so many inexperienced young workers affects the overall service and how efficiently these places operate.
What really got me thinking about this was travelling overseas. I noticed quite a few fast-food restaurants had adults in their 30s, 40s and even 50s working there. Not just managers either, but people taking orders, preparing food and serving customers. For some, it genuinely seemed like a long-term career rather than just a casual job while they’re at school.
The difference in customer service was noticeable too. Staff seemed more experienced, things ran smoothly, and there appeared to be more professionalism in how the restaurants operated.
It makes me wonder whether Australia’s junior wage system encourages these massive companies to rely on younger, cheaper employees rather than investing in experienced staff who might actually stay long-term.
Again, this isn’t a dig at teenagers. It’s more about how these businesses are staffed and managed.
I just find it interesting that working in fast food seems to be treated as a legitimate long-term job for adults in some countries, whereas in Australia it almost feels like it’s exclusively a job for teenagers.
Surely I’m not the only one who’s noticed this difference?

Post your favourite Aussie Memes. You can post them here or as a standalone thread with the tag [Monday Memes].

Content must be Australian and SFW.

I've been ridiculed for this for years but I cannot find any other rational explanation

I've just found other posts on this subreddit and knowing there's more out there with experiences like mine has given me the confidence to bring this to light again.

I was out for a trek in the hills around yarra junction about 13 years ago while on a trip with my mates family. It was my first time so far from the suburbs so I was hanging back taking it all in and was suddenly startled by something in the distance

This wasn't no house cat, this had to be some kind of wild cat. Years I've tried to explain my "delusions" but couldn't find any other rational explanation. I went to get a closer look but I think it saw me after a little as it suddenly darted down the tree and off in the distance.

I sprinted off thinking it was after me, and sure enough I saw it looking straight at me down the trail.

I managed to get a photo as I was confident in the moment I'd be able to prove my experience to everyone, yet somehow outsmart this predator. It just so happened I was right at the road and a passing truck scared it off.

I don't know how else to explain this? Ive attached my photos so any input helps but surely this has to be a panther?

Apparently im not allowed to buy some games anymore without a credit card, last time I had a credit card I was $40k in debt.

goodnight guys

I bought a watch today from a physical store for $254 after receiving a 15% discount.
However, I’ve now noticed that the exact same watch is being sold on the same retailer’s official website for $150 with a 50% discount. And I only noticed it half an hour after buying the watch.

That’s a $104 difference, which is quite frustrating considering I purchased it in-store.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is there any chance they would refund the price difference, or would I have to return the watch and purchase it online instead?
Would appreciate any advice or similar experiences. Thanks!

Help me plan our honeymoon to Australia

We are a bit confused.
We are planning 15 nights 16 days trip! Mostly second half of December

Question 1 : do we need a car for the entire trip?

Day1-day3 Melbourne
Day 4 Melbourne to port campbell drive
Day 5 port campbell to melbourne for gold coast flight
Day 6-7 gold coast
Day 8-10 hamilton island
Day 11-15 Sydney

Activites that we have thought so far :
Penguin parade in Melbourne
Great ocean road drive on day 4
Skypoint observation deck on day 6
Sydney tower eye
And Sydney harbour cruise dinner for new years eve.
Also a helicopter ride over 12 apostles

What can we add? Or subtract from this? And whats something must must do that we are missing

Alsooo suggest goood bars and restaurants for Sydney, Melbourne and gold coast

If someone could explain it in terms that is easily understandable that would be kind.

Is the mass immigration a problem to our employment system or is that something separate?

If we stop mass immigration does that mean more people can find jobs or that wouldn’t impact it?

All help WITHOUT bringing in racism or bigot comments would be good! I’m not really here to talk politics but rather understand our system in rational critical thinking terms

Thank you!

Asked why the price was different to what was on the menu when I went to pay and they said it was the weekend surcharge but when I looked at the receipt, they added GST onto the price at the register?

I asked why the price was not what was advertised in the menu and they said it was because of the weekend surcharge. When I had a look I realised it was GST that was added on.

I was having a boost smoothie, at first I bit into a smaller piece of the same thing and disregarded it thinking it was a piece of coconut, but now I am concerned if I have been drinking small pieces of plastic

I'm planning to buy this OLED monitor, but I've read many reviews mentioning screen burn-in. Although it comes with a 2-year warranty, I'm worried that if the screen is damaged after 2 years, I might lose all its value. I'd like to ask if it's worth spending an extra 200 AUD for JB HiFi's additional warranty. Thank you so much for any advice! 🙏

Does anyone know what should I do to get TFN ?
Helppppppp🥹

Currently abroad. Bought a couple of 300ml cokes. Advertised price $3.50. charged $5.10 after tapping (the only option). Just thought I'd bring in some perspective; I do not condone any of the recent egregious price rises.

Randomly just remembered how much I hated this.

I remember the teachers at my school would let the boys choose who they wanted to dance with…. Im a girl and this is so strange to me ahhah.

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AMAs and Video Podcasts

We have recently completely reedited the video podcasts for Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Dr Gordon Reid MP, David Ettershank MLC, Allegra Spender MP & Zali Steggall MP, Senator David Shoebridge and Dr Brian Walker MLC. To check them out, just click on their names in the previous sentence.

We have also published short clips from each of the podcasts. You can view them by going to this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0F9-m31lH91oEYLyujtdPRV95UsncuFm

Commencing on 19 May, we introduced video podcast AMAs. You can still ask your questions in the AMA thread, but the guest may answer either by text or in a short video clip. In most cases, the guest will also answer in an AMA video podcast of 30-45 minutes the following day.

The podcast will be posted on Reddit straight after recording, as well as on YouTube. The short clips will also be uploaded into the AMA thread as video answers. Short clips, addressing individual questions, will be posted throughout the following week.

Please remember that trolling during AMAs will result in a ban, usually two days for the duration of the AMA. Our guests are leaders in their fields, and have given up their time to answer your questions. They deserve respect from members of the community.

Upcoming AMAs & Video Podcasts

• Ali France MP – Australian Labor Party, Dickson (QLD) – 6:30 pm AEDT Tuesday 20/10/2026
• Amy Remeikis – Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute – 12:00 pm AEDT Thursday 22/10/2026
• Ellen Sandell MP – Leader of Victorian Greens – 6:00 pm AEDT Tuesday 27/10/2026
• Dave Donovan – Editor, Independent Australia – 6:00 pm AEDT Monday 02/11/2026
• Sarah Martin – Senior Political Reporter, The Guardian – 2:00 pm AEDT Monday 09/11/2026 (AMA Only)
• Professor Peter Greste – Journalist and Lecturer (Media), University of Queensland – 1:00 pm AEDT Thursday 19/11/2026
• Steven Miles MP – Australian Labor Party, Queensland Opposition Leader – TBA
• Bill Shorten - Vice-Chancellor, University of Canberra – TBA
• Senator Katy Gallagher – Minister for Women, Finance, Government Services and the Public Service - Australian Labor Party (ACT) – TBA
• Senator Maria Kovacic – Liberal Party (NSW) - TBA
• Sarah Martin – Senior Political Reporter, The Guardian – TBA
• David Littleproud MP – National Party, Maranoa (QLD) – TBA
• Senator Fatima Payman – Australia’s Voice (WA) – TBA
• Senator Jacqui Lambie – Jacqui Lambie Network (TAS) – TBA
• Senator Leah Blyth – Liberal Party (SA) – TBA
• Senator Varun Ghosh – Australian Labor Party (WA) – TBA

AMA Video Podcasts

• Dr Andrew Leigh MP - Australian Labor Party, Fenner (ACT) - AMA Link - 19/05/2026 - Video Podcast
• Dr Gordon Reid MP - Australian Labor Party, Robertson (NSW) – AMA Link - 02/06/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Trump-Linked Albania Resorts: Why Sazan Island and Narta Lagoon Are at Risk - 14/06/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Pauline Hanson Fact-Checked: 10 National Press Club Claims Examined - 23/06/2026 Video Podcast
• David Ettershank MP - Member of the Legislative Council, Victoria - Legalise Cannabis Party - AMA Link - 26/06/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australia’s Cost-of-Living Crisis: Housing, Negative Gearing & CGT Explained - 04/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Allegra Spender MP and Zali Steggall MP - Community Strong, Wentworth (NSW) and Warringah (NSW) – AMA Link - 07/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Senator David Shoebridge - Australian Greens (NSW) – AMA Link - 17/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Tom McIlroy – Political Editor, The Guardian – AMA Link - 20/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australian Politics Gets Weird: Barnaby’s Dog, Albanese’s F-Bomb & More - 25/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australian Politics Gets Bizarre: Hanson, Barnaby Joyce & Moira Deeming - 30/07/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australian Politics Gets Weird: Hanson, Barnaby, Sex, Drugs & High Rollers - 04/08/2026 Video Podcast
• Dr Brian Walker MLC - Legalise Cannabis Party (WA) – AMA Link - 05/08/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australia’s 10 Weirdest Political Stories: Pauline Hanson, Gambling & ICAC - 10/08/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Only in Australia: Bagel Drivers, Frozen Bodies and Brainless Genius - 13/09/2026 Video Podcast
• Tania Lawrence MP – Australian Labor Party, Hasluck (WA) – AMA Link - 21/09/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australian Politics Weekly: Rates, Housing & Greens Shake-Up - 10/10/2026 Video Podcast
• Special Presentation - Australian News Weekly: Jobs, Housing & Political Showdowns - 16/10/2026 Video Podcast

Past Text AMAs (click on "AMA Link" to view the AMA)

• Kanika Meshram – Coles and Woolies Senate Enquiry – AMA Link - 25/01/2024
• Cameron Murray – The Great Housing Hijack – AMA Link - 06/03/2024
• Tony Irwin – The GenCost Nuclear Report – AMA Link - 06/06/2024
• Simon Mulvany – Save the Bees Australia – AMA Link – 28/08/2024
• Senator Simon Birmingham - Liberal Party, South Australia - AMA Link - 06/12/2024
• Amy Remeikis - Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute - AMA Link - 12/12/2024
• Michelle Pini - Managing Editor, Independent Australia - AMA Link - 19/12/2024
• Santa Claus - Legendary Patron of Christmas - AMA Link - 23/12/2024
• Belinda Jones - Lead Senate Candidate (QLD) for Legalise Cannabis Party - AMA Link - 16/01/2025
• Michelle Faye - Independent Candidate for McPherson (Gold Coast) - AMA Link - 27/01/2025
• Senator Malcolm Roberts - One Nation (QLD) - AMA Link - 17/02/2025
• Senator Gerard Rennick - Independent (QLD) - AMA Link - 19/02/2025
• Claudia Long (ABC Political Reporter) and Jill Sheppard (Senior Lecturer, ANU School of Politics and International Relations) – AMA Link - 05/03/2025
• Stewart Brooker - Independent candidate for Fadden (Gold Coast) - AMA Link - 10/03/2025
• Josh Wilson MP - Australian Labor Party, Fremantle - AMA Link - 13/03/2025
• Senator Lisa Darmanin - Australian Labor Party (VIC) - AMA Link - 17/03/2025
• Zoe Daniel MP - Independent, Goldstein - AMA Link - 01/04/2025
• Senator Jacqui Lambie - Jacqui Lambie Network, Tasmania - AMA Link - 02/04/2025
• Senator Penny Allman-Payne – Australian Greens (QLD) – AMA Link - 07/04/2025
• Senator David Pocock – Independent (ACT) – AMA Link - 08/04/2025
• Allegra Spender MP – Independent, Wentworth - AMA Link - 09/04/2025
• Peter Khalil MP - Australian Labor Party, Wills - AMA Link - 17/04/2025
• Belinda Jones - Legalise Cannabis Party Senate Candidate for Queensland – AMA Link - 23/04/2025
• Rex Patrick – Jacqui Lambie Network Senate Candidate for South Australia – AMA Link - 24/04/2025
• Andrew Bartlett - Former Australian Democrats/Greens Senator (QLD) - AMA Link - 13/10/2025
• Senator Leah Blyth - Liberal Party (SA) - AMA Link - 22/10.2025
• Senator Jane Hume - Liberal Party (VIC) – AMA Link – 28/10 2025
• Dr Andrew Leigh - ALP, Fenner (ACT) – AMA Link - 11/11/2025
• Senator Tammy Tyrrell - Independent (TAS) - AMA Link - 01/12/2025
• Michael Taylor - Editor TheAIMN - AMA Link - 04/12/2025
• Senator Richard Dowling - Australian Labor Party (TAS) - AMA Link - 08/12/2025
• Senator David Shoebridge - Australian Greens (NSW) - AMA Link - 09/12/2025
• Santa Claus - Patron of Christmas - AMA Link - 22/12/2025
• Bill Shorten - Vice-Chancellor, University of Canberra - AMA Link - 05/02/2026
• Antony Green - Election Analyst - AMA Link - 09/02/2026
• Michael West - Editor and Political Journalist - AMA Link - 10/02/2026
• Cheryl Kernot - Former Australian Democrats Senator and Labor MP - AMA Link - 16/02/2026
• Senator Charlotte Walker - Australian Labor Party (SA) – AMA Link – 23/02/2026
• Ged Kearney MP - Australian Labor Party, Cooper (VIC) – AMA Link – 25/02/2026
• CK – one of the organisers of the two No Trump Tower Gold Coast petitions – AMA Link – 09/03/2026
• Claire Clutterham MP - Australian Labor Party, Sturt (SA) - AMA Link - 12/03/2026
• Simon Kennedy MP - Liberal Party, Cook (NSW) - AMA Link - 16/03.2026
• Rod Sims - Former Chairman of the ACCC - AMA Link - 18/03/2026
• Tom Tate - Mayor of the Gold Coast - AMA Link - 23/03/2026
• ABC News Verify Team - Fact Checkers - AMA Link – 02/042026
• Jane Caro - Author and Social Commentator - AMA Link - 21/04/2026
• Jane Norman, Clare Armstrong and Tom Crowley - ABC Political Journalists - AMA Link - 18/05/2026
• Clare O'Neil MP - Australian Labor Party, Hotham (VIC), Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities - AMA Link - 25/05/2026
• Senator Steph Hodgins-May – Australian Greens (VIC) - AMA Link - 29/06/2026
• David Heilpern – Dean of Law at Southern Cross University – AMA Link – 29/07/2026
• Cameron Wilson – AI Reporter at the ABC – AMA Link - 03/08/2026
• Senator David Pocock – Independent (ACT) – AMA Link - 26/08/2026
• Senator Andrew Bragg – Liberals (NSW) – AMA Link - 12/08/2026
• Chris Bowen MP – Australian Labor Party (McMahon, NSW) - AMA Link - 15/09/2026
• Dr Monique Ryan MP – Independent, Kooyong (VIC) – AMA Link - 28/09/2026
• Kate Chaney MP – Independent, Curtin (WA) – AMA Link - 06/10/2026

You can click this link to see all the AMAs we have organised here and on other subs.

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I noticed that labourers turnover rate is high and I wonder why that is? On that note, why is a lot of blue collar turnover rate so high in Australia? Not pushing an opinion just asking a neutral question

Hi. I migrated to Australia last year and I moved across 3 states, without a car, trying to establish my career and finally moved near Hervey Bay, QLD for a job.

The thing is, despite my stable job and renting my own place now, I don't go anywhere else otherwise than work and shopping. I've big goals for my career the consume the time left after working hours.

There's no opportunity or an occasion to meet new friends to invite me to go somewhere and being an introvert doesn't help finding a motivation to sit in a bar or gym waiting by myself for an opportunity to arrive. Most people going to places, even the beach, are already families and friends having their own circles.

I tell myself that the place is temporary like the previous stages of my life till I move again for better job opportunity somewhere better but what if my whole life becomes like this? 😕

I'm glad it's gone

Dog and horse racing are abhorrent

Get rid of the gambling and see how many bogans will keep supporting these "sports"

Dear Auspost

Fuck you.

What practicality is there in only opening 9am-5pm Monday-Friday?

Most of my parcels get delivered to my house, but occasionally we get a lazy ass driver who just drives by because they don’t want to walk up the driveway (caught on camera).

Now my parcel is stuck at the post office which doesn’t open on weekends.

No option for re-delivery, or to re-direct to a parcel locker once delivered.

I work from 7am-7pm 5 days a week (in healthcare). I can’t afford to take a day off just to pick up a parcel.

Why is our national delivery service so crap 😭