Census 2022 counted 3,481 Australian citizens living in Ireland and a much larger 14,444 people with dual Irish and Australian citizenship, one of the biggest dual citizen groups in the country. Australians come for the 12 month Working Holiday Authorisation, for jobs in tech, finance, construction and healthcare, to reconnect with family, or to use Ireland as a base for Europe. Here is what to expect.
| Quick facts | Australia to Ireland |
| Visa to enter | No, up to 90 days |
| Working Holiday Authorisation | Yes, ages 18 to 35, 12 months |
| Australian licence exchangeable | Yes |
| Double taxation agreement | Yes |
| Social security agreement | Yes (since 1992) |
| Australian citizens in Ireland (Census 2022) | 3,481 (plus 14,444 dual) |
Do you need a visa?
- Working Holiday Authorisation: Australians aged 18 to 35 can live and work in Ireland for 12 months from the date of entry. You cannot work for a single employer for more than 6 months, and you do not need a job offer. Apply through the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra; the processing fee is 95 Australian dollars. You need proof of funds, health insurance and a return ticket or the funds for one.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit for jobs on the critical skills list, minimum salary 40,904 euro from 1 March 2026 (68,911 euro for other eligible roles). Partners get Stamp 1G and can work without a permit of their own.
- General Employment Permit for other jobs at 36,605 euro, usually after a labour market needs test.
- Study on Stamp 2 with the Third Level Graduate Programme afterwards.
- Family routes to join an Irish or EU citizen spouse or partner.
Given how many Australians have Irish grandparents, check the Foreign Births Register first. Registration makes you an Irish citizen with full EU rights and takes roughly 9 to 12 months.
Your driving licence
Australia is on the NDLS list of recognised states, so a full Australian licence from any state or territory can be exchanged for an Irish licence with no theory or driving test. Apply online at ndls.ie or at an NDLS centre with your licence, proof of PPS number, proof of address and photo ID; the fee is 65 euro. Not every category transfers, and NDLS may ask for a letter of entitlement from your state licensing authority, so request one before you leave. Exchange it within 1 year of its expiry date at the latest.
Tax, pensions and money
Ireland and Australia have a double taxation agreement. You become Irish tax resident after 183 days in a calendar year, and the treaty decides which country taxes what. Tell the ATO whether you are ceasing Australian residency; if you keep Australian rental income it stays taxable there.
Ireland has had a bilateral social security agreement with Australia since 1992 (revised in 2006). It lets you add Australian working life residence to Irish PRSI contributions to qualify for a pension in either country, each paying a pro rata share. The Age Pension can be paid in Ireland, and Services Australia pays it in euro into an Irish account. Your superannuation stays in Australia until preservation age unless you were only ever a temporary resident, in which case you may claim a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment after leaving, taxed at 35% to 65% depending on your visa.
Your Australian credit history does not transfer; Irish lenders only see the Central Credit Register. Open an Irish bank account or a Revolut account with an Irish IBAN as soon as you have proof of address.
Healthcare
Working holiday applicants must show private health insurance. Once you are ordinarily resident (living here or intending to for at least a year) you can use the public HSE system. Compared with Medicare, the main difference is that GP visits cost about 50 to 70 euro unless you have a medical card or GP visit card; public hospital inpatient charges were abolished in 2023. Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Ireland covering emergency and necessary treatment for visitors, but as a resident you should either take private insurance from VHI, Laya or Irish Life Health or budget for GP fees. If you are 35 or older, buy insurance within 9 months of arriving to avoid a Lifetime Community Rating loading.
Bringing your things and your pet
There are no non-stop flights between Australia and Ireland. One stop via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Singapore takes 21 to 25 hours in total. If you do ship, household goods enter free of duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence relief if you have lived outside the EU for 12 months and owned them for 6 months.
Australia is a listed country for pet travel, so your dog or cat does not need a rabies blood test. It needs an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the chip and at least 21 days before travel, an EU animal health certificate endorsed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, tapeworm treatment for dogs, and advance notice to the Irish Department of Agriculture for a compliance check on arrival.
First 30 days checklist
- Apply for a PPS number through MyWelfare.ie once you have a letter confirming your Irish address.
- Book your IRP registration with Immigration Service Delivery within 90 days (300 euro).
- Open an Irish bank account and register with Revenue myAccount to avoid emergency tax.
- Register with a GP and decide on private health insurance.
- Get a Leap card and exchange your licence at the NDLS.
