WELCOME!

Welcome to the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Australia. We very much hope that you find this website to be useful and informative. If you have comments about our website or require further information on Ireland, please contact the Embassy.  

There are strong historical and family connections between Ireland and Australia and it is thought that up to 30 percent of the population can claim some degree of Irish ancestry. However, while Ireland and Australia are bound by ties of history and kinship, there are also strong contemporary ties in the political, economic, cultural and social fields.

There are approximately 50,000 Irish-born people permanently resident in Australia with up to a further 15,000 young Irish people travelling to Australia each year as participants in the reciprocal Working Holiday scheme.  Irish people and people of Irish descent have over the years made a significant contribution to Australian life, whether in politics, business, sports, the arts or other areas of endeavour, and we are very proud of their contribution. Maintaining and strengthening links with Irish communities abroad is a key priority of the Department of Foreign Affairs and, to this end, the Embassy engages closely with the many Irish community groups across Australia.