Over 100,000 strong: Ireland’s growing footprint in Australia

Australia is home to one of the largest populations of Irish-born people outside of Ireland, and just recently, we saw that number surpass 100,000 for the first time.

Recent figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the number of Irish-born Australian residents reached a record high of 103,080 in 2024, just more than the total number of people it would take to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground to capacity

The number has almost doubled in the last 20 years, with the figures showing 55,020 Irish-born people living in Australia in 2004. By 2013, following the 2007 economic crash, that number had grown sharply to 96,360.

The total number of Irish-born residents has risen more gradually since, dipping slightly following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number is on the rise once more, with working holiday visa numbers doubling in 2024, and a rise of over 8,500 people moving to Australia in each 2023 and 2024.

Alongside dreams of new opportunities, Irish emigrants bring a wealth of skills and knowledge that enrich Australian workforces and communities.

Recent census data shows that the majority are young, educated professionals aged between 25 and 44, with many having a Bachelor’s degree and further qualifications. Irish-born residents are working full-time across a diverse range of sectors, offering significant value to their new home.

While Irish people have settled all over Australia, clusters in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland stand out for their thriving Irish communities, the data suggests. Here, familiar traditions and friendly faces come together through lively GAA and rugby clubs, Irish language groups, traditional music sessions and family events, creating pockets of familiarity where Irish culture continues to thrive.

Meetup-based groups like Lost and Found in Sydney offer meaningful social networks for people living in Australia.

However, the imprint of the Irish diaspora extends beyond cultural efforts. In 2024, applications for working holiday visas surged, and two-thirds of Irish-born residents had taken the step to become Australian citizens.

Their impact is noticeable across a broad range of roles from healthcare professionals, tradespeople, and engineers to community workers, drivers and salespeople. By applying their skills and showing their clear dedication, Irish immigrants are helping to shape the future of Australia’s economy and society, alongside the 8.6 million people born overseas around the world that call Australia home.

For many Irish-born people in Australia, this new chapter isn’t only about work or travel, but about building a life. Nearly half have begun to put down familial roots, with one in five choosing to raise their children there.

The milestone of 100,000 Irish-born people in Australia is evidence of a thriving, evolving connection that continues to shape both countries. From careers to community, this growing group is invigorating their new environments down under and establishing Irish identity in new and long-lasting ways.