How to move to Australia from Ireland.
Ireland has a long connection with Australia. Irish professionals benefit from English language exemptions, well-recognised qualifications, and access to the Working Holiday visa.
At a glance
- Estimated visa cost
- EUR 2,800
- Ireland-born in Australia
- ~100,000
- Top cities
- Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane
Visa pathways.
Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent
Points-tested, no sponsorship needed. Direct permanent residency.
Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated
State-nominated with 5 bonus points. Permanent residency.
Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional
Regional visa with 15 bonus points. Pathway to PR.
Subclass 482 - Employer Sponsored
Employer-sponsored temporary visa. Pathway to 186 PR.
Ireland-specific considerations.
- Irish passport holders are generally exempt from English language testing for migration purposes.
- Irish qualifications are very well-recognised by all Australian assessment authorities.
- Police clearance from An Garda Siochana is straightforward and typically takes 1-2 weeks.
- Irish citizens aged 18-35 can access the Working Holiday visa (subclass 462) for initial entry.
- Ireland has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, providing some Medicare access.
Popular occupations.
Common occupations for Ireland-born migrants to Australia. Check the full Skilled Occupation List for all eligible occupations.
Frequently asked questions.
Do Irish citizens need an English test for Australia?
No, Irish passport holders are generally exempt from English language testing for skilled migration purposes.
Can I start with a Working Holiday visa?
Yes, Irish citizens aged 18-35 can apply for a Working Holiday visa (subclass 462) for up to 12 months. Many Irish people use this to explore Australia before deciding to apply for a skilled visa.
How much does it cost to migrate from Ireland?
Total costs including visa fee, skills assessment, health check, and police clearance are approximately EUR 4,000-6,000. No English test fee needed for Irish citizens.
Ready to start?.
MigrateYou guides you through the entire visa application process - from $199.