Cost of moving from Ireland to Australia

What to do first

1. Irish citizens can apply for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) up to age 35; check the age rule and conditions on the Home Affairs site before you apply.
2. For a skilled visa, check your occupation and points with a registered migration agent (MARA) before paying for a skills assessment.
3. Fees rise every 1 July: the charge is set by the date Home Affairs receives your application.
4. Book the first two to four weeks of accommodation; landlords usually want local references and proof of income.
5. Ask for container quotes that include Australian biosecurity inspection: sea freight from Ireland takes about 8 to 12 weeks.

Visa and permit fees for Australia

The fees below are the official charges for each route, per person, as published on the date shown. They are what you pay the government; agent or lawyer fees are extra. The fee that applies is usually the one in force when you submit and pay, not when you started.

Skilled Independent (subclass 189)

Permanent, points-tested, no sponsor.

Not included: skills assessment, English test, health examinations and police certificates, which are paid to other bodies.

Skills in Demand (subclass 482)

Temporary, employer-sponsored.

Not included: skills assessment, English test, health examinations and police certificates, which are paid to other bodies. The employer pays the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy.

Working Holiday (subclass 417), first visa

Temporary, one person, age limits apply. One person per application.

Not included: health examinations if asked for. A second or third Working Holiday visa costs AUD 1,000.

Rent, deposit and the first month

The rent figures are official statistics, not asking prices, so a new lease in a popular area often costs more. The deposit is set by law in each place, which is why it differs between cities:

• Sydney (NSW): A$780 per week (median weekly rent on new bonds, Greater Sydney, Apr–Jun 2026; NSW Rent and Sales Report, rent tables June 2026 quarter (Greater Sydney median, new bonds)). Bond at most 4 weeks’ rent (NSW Government: paying a rental bond (at most 4 weeks’ rent)).
• Melbourne (VIC): A$595 per week (median weekly rent on new lettings, metro Melbourne, June quarter 2026; Homes Victoria Rental Report, June quarter 2026 (metro Melbourne median, new lettings)). Bond at most 1 month’s rent when rent is $900 a week or less (Consumer Affairs Victoria: bond amounts and payments).

Flights, shipping and setting up

Flights are our estimate of a one-way economy fare from Ireland (€700 to €1,500 per person); type your own fare to replace it. Shipping prices are the ranges movers publish, door to door unless they say otherwise:

• Suitcases only (extra checked bags): €80 to €250 per person (our estimate).
• Shared container (part load): €4,000 to €7,500 (Mover price guides: Flyto Relocation (Ireland), Sirelo Australia).
• 20 ft container (2–3 bedrooms): €7,000 to €12,500 (Mover price guides: Flyto Relocation (Ireland), Sirelo Australia).
• 40 ft container (3+ bedrooms): €12,600 to €14,500 or more (Mover price guides: Flyto Relocation (Ireland), Sirelo Australia).

Setting up covers about two weeks of temporary accommodation, basic furniture and kitchen kit, a phone plan and local transport for the first weeks: A$4,000 to A$9,000 for one or two people, our estimate, scaled up for larger households. The buffer is the number of months you choose multiplied by your rent plus other monthly spending; most people need at least one month before the first pay arrives.

Rules that cost money after you arrive

The calculator counts what you pay to get there. These rules decide what the first year costs once you land, and most cost guides leave them out:

• Tax Gains made before you arrive are not taxed in Australia. When you become an Australian resident, your investments are treated as bought at their market value on that day, so only growth after arrival is taxed. On a temporary visa, capital gains tax applies only to Australian property, not to investments you keep overseas. (Australian Taxation Office: how changing residency affects CGT)
• Driving licence Swap your licence within 3 months in NSW. In New South Wales, licences from the UK, Ireland, Canada and every US state are on the recognised list, so you get a NSW licence without a knowledge or driving test. Once you are a permanent resident you have 3 months to do it. Each state keeps its own list, so check yours if you are not moving to NSW. (NSW Government: knowledge and driving test exemptions (recognised countries); Service NSW: transfer an overseas driver licence (permanent residents: within 3 months))
• Health cover Medicare: permanent residents in, visitors partly covered. Permanent residents, and people living in Australia who have applied for permanent residency on a work visa, can enrol in Medicare. Australia also has a reciprocal health care agreement with Ireland that covers medically necessary care for visitors; whether it covers you once you live in Australia on a temporary visa depends on your circumstances, so ask Services Australia before you rely on it. (Services Australia: enrolling in Medicare if you’re a permanent resident (or have applied for one); Services Australia: Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, visiting Australia)
• State pension Irish contributions still count. Ireland and Australia have had a social security agreement since 1 January 2006, so periods in both countries can be added together to qualify for a pension from each. (Irish Treaty Series: Ireland–Australia social security agreement (in force 1 January 2006))

Other moves

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