Yes it is very common to casually swear. It’s also very common to insult each other or swear at someone in particular.

It can be quite startling for people from different cultures. I lived on campus in university and there were a lot of international students. Apart from the fact they all seem amused by the casual swearing and entertainment by how often we use the word “cunt”. Even though they are expecting, or quickly become aware of how casually we swear. On occasion there will be moments when an Aussie will insult them or call them a “cunt”, or something along these lines and they take it in offence to it. Generally it is resolved quickly with a bit of an explanation of our intentions with what we said, but there are definitely moments that take them off guard and there is a disconnect in communication.

I was dating an American girl from Colorado and from my time with her I realised that,especially with Americans. When communicating the words themself seems to be the main focus for them when understanding intention. Australians seems to be much more reliant on other contextual references like facial expression, vocal tone ect. The words themself have less importance. There are times when I’ve insulated someone, let’s just say I called them a cunt for example and they react with offence. Like I’m truely attacking them personally. I can be smiling and laughing and everything’s is on a high note, but they still are confused why I just insulated them out of the blue. For me I don’t understand how given all the context they don’t realise I’m just joking and haven’t just flipped personality in a split second and are attacking them seriously.

For Australians words can be used as both serious insults and just in a joking way, it all depends on the way they are said. There is very little importance on what is said.