Understanding the ‘r’ in the aussie accent

Why Aussies Don’t Always Say the ‘R’ — And What That Means for You

If you’ve been listening closely to Aussies and thinking, “Hang on… where did that ‘r’ go?” — you’re not imagining it.

In Australian English, we often drop the ‘r’ sound at the end of words. This is called a non-rhotic accent, and it's a key reason why Aussie English sounds smoother and more relaxed compared to some other English accents.

Here’s a quick peek at how that sounds:

• car → [ka]

• water → [ˈwɔtə]

• fear → [fɪə]

• sister → [ˈsɪstə]

• brother → [ˈbrʌðə]

But don’t worry! There is a clear rule behind when we pronounce the ‘r’ and when we don’t.

I walk you through it in detail in the full video lesson over on my YouTube channel, Aussie English with Amanda. You’ll hear real-life examples, practise a few phrases with me, and learn how this tiny sound change can make your speech feel instantly more natural.

This lesson is perfect for you if:

• You’re tired of not understanding fast Aussie speech

• You want to improve your pronunciation without sounding robotic

• You’re a student or migrant trying to build confidence and connection

Want more personalised help with your accent?

If you’re tired of repeating yourself, avoiding meetings, or feeling held back by your pronunciation, check out my Accent Clarity Transformation program.

It’s a 3-month private coaching experience designed for professionals who are ready to master clear, confident Australian English that earns respect at work and feels easy in everyday life.

Learn more and apply HERE

And if you're not following me on Instagram yet — I share daily pronunciation tips, accent tricks, and Aussie English lessons over at @aussie.english.with.amanda.

P.S. Ever heard an Aussie say “drawring” instead of “drawing”? You’re not going crazy! In the next lesson, we also touch on intrusive /r/ — why Aussies sometimes add an R where it doesn’t even exist. Come find out why!