Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Irish passport holders aged 18 to 35 can apply for the Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa through ImmiAccount, without a job offer. The charge changes each 1 July, so check the Home Affairs fee page, and allow for processing times to vary. Work with one employer is normally limited to 6 months, and a 2nd and 3rd year are possible after specified (often regional) work.

Yes. Australian citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply to the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra for a Working Holiday Authorisation (up to 12 months; max six months with any one employer). For longer stays most people need a job offer and an employment permit: Critical Skills (€40,904 with a relevant degree for listed roles; €68,911 for other eligible roles (from 1 March 2026)) or General (€36,605 for most roles (from 1 March 2026)). If you hold Irish, UK or EU citizenship you do not need a permit.

You need at least 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest for the 189 or 190 — but that is a floor, not a target. Invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs in each occupation, and the scores invited vary by round. Points come from age (25–32 scores highest), English, skilled work experience, qualifications and partner skills. A state nomination adds 5 points for the 190.

It varies a lot by visa, stream and the completeness of your application, and it changes month to month. Use the official Home Affairs processing-time guide for the current figures — no timeframe is guaranteed, so do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is granted.

Not always. The Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa and Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa do not require a job offer. The Subclass 482 and 190 require employer or state government sponsorship.

It depends on the city. Sydney and Melbourne are generally comparable to Dublin. Our estimates put a 1-bed at about AUD 2,800/month in Sydney and €1,800 in Dublin — check current listings, as both markets move quickly. Gross wages are often higher in Australia and the tax mix differs, but the right comparison is take-home pay against your actual rent — use the Move Planner for that.

Australia: AUD 26.44 an hour (from 1 July 2026). Ireland: €14.15 an hour (from 1 January 2026); €14.94 recommended for 2027 — check it was enacted. Compare them alongside rent and tax — a higher hourly rate does not automatically mean you are better off.

As a working holiday maker you pay 15% on the first AUD 45,000, then 30% up to AUD 135,000 and higher rates above. Residents pay the resident scale (nil up to AUD 18,200, then 15%, 30%, 37% and 45% from 1 July 2026) plus the 2% Medicare levy. Check current rates on ato.gov.au — our Move Planner estimates your take-home both ways.

Superannuation is Australia's compulsory workplace pension. Employers must pay 12% of ordinary earnings into your super fund, on top of your salary. Temporary visa holders can claim it after leaving Australia (DASP); for working holiday makers the taxed element is withheld at 65%.

Very competitive. Good listings on Daft.ie typically receive dozens of applications within hours. Our estimate for a 1-bed is about €1,800/month, and good units go well above that. Start searching 6–8 weeks before arrival and be ready to commit via video call.

Also competitive. Our estimate for a 1-bed in Sydney is about AUD 2,800/month. Use Domain.com.au and Realestate.com.au for listings, Flatmates.com.au for share houses. Having local references helps — many newcomers book short-term accommodation first.

In Ireland: 1–2 months' rent deposit + first month upfront. In Australia: usually 4 weeks' rent as a bond, lodged with the state or territory bond authority (not kept by the landlord), returned at the end if the property is in good condition.

Approximately 22–26 hours including a stopover. Dublin to Sydney via Dubai (Emirates) takes ~24–25 hours. Dublin to Melbourne via Singapore (Singapore Airlines) takes ~24–26 hours. Dublin to Perth via Dubai is the shortest at ~18–21 hours.

Yes, but it's complex and expensive. Australia requires microchipping, rabies vaccination and titer test, import permit, and mandatory quarantine of at least 10 days at Melbourne's Mickleham facility. Costs vary widely by animal and route — get quotes from licensed pet transporters (our estimates are on the Pets page). Start at least 6–7 months before travel.

If you owned and used goods for 12+ months before arriving, they're generally duty-free in both countries. In Ireland, apply for Transfer of Residence Relief via Revenue.ie before shipping. In Australia, complete the B534 form. Always apply before goods leave — relief cannot be backdated.

You can open a CommBank, NAB, or ANZ account from Ireland before departure using their app. Your card is ready to collect on arrival. Revolut and Wise also work immediately on landing for spending.

A Tax File Number (TFN) is the Australian tax reference — roughly what a PPS number is for tax in Ireland. Without one, your employer must withhold tax at the top rate. Apply free at ato.gov.au once you have arrived; never pay a third party.

Compare the total cost (fee plus exchange-rate margin) on the day. Specialist services such as Wise or Revolut are often cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, but check — Wise is an Aussie.ie partner, see our disclosure.