Ireland to Australia 2026: From Working Holiday to PR

The table lists the Australian routes Irish citizens use, with the government fee, processing time and PR outcome Transita holds for each.

Australian routes for Irish citizens

Route	Government fee	Processing	Salary floor	Leads to PR
Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417)	$430	1–2 months	None set	No
Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482)	$2,770	2–5 months	None set	Yes
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)	$3,035	6–18 months	None set	Yes
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)	$3,035	9–18 months	None set	Yes
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)	$4,640	6–18 months	None set	Yes
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	$1,140	3–9 months	None set	Yes

Step 1: the Working Holiday visa

Ireland is on the list of countries eligible for the subclass 417 Working Holiday Maker visa. It costs $430 and processes in 1–2 months. You can work for any employer, and specified regional work can extend it into a second and third year.

The age limit differs by passport, so confirm the one for Irish citizens on the Home Affairs page before you plan around it. Our 417 guide covers the regional work rules in detail.

Step 2: employer sponsorship

Many Irish working holidaymakers are offered sponsorship by the employer they are already working for. The subclass 482 costs $2,770, processes in 2–5 months and leads to permanent residence after about 3 years with the sponsor.

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Or skip the employer: the points-tested visas

The subclass 189 gives permanent residence with no employer and no state nomination. It needs at least 65 points, and our data records an upper age limit of 44. The fee is $3,035. Home Affairs figures (~1,000 invitations / ~50k+ EOI pool, FY2024-25) show how competitive invitations are.

The subclass 190 adds a state nomination ($3,035, 9–18 months) and the subclass 491 is the regional version, which leads to permanent residence after about 3 years living and working regionally.

Irish citizens are exempt from the English test on 5 of the 5 skilled routes in our data (Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491), Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)). That removes a step, but it does not give you the English points. If you are close to the cut-off, sitting a test to prove proficient or superior English is often the cheapest way to add points. Our 189 guide walks through the points table.

Timeline to citizenship

Our country data records about 2 years to permanent residence on the temporary routes and citizenship eligibility at about 6 years. For a wider comparison, see Australia vs Canada or the Australia guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Irish citizens get a Working Holiday visa for Australia?

Yes. Ireland is one of the countries eligible for the subclass 417 Working Holiday Maker visa. The government fee Transita holds is $430 and processing takes 1–2 months. Check the age limit for Irish passport holders on the Home Affairs page before applying.

Do Irish citizens need IELTS for an Australian skilled visa?

No. Irish passport holders are exempt from the English test on 5 of the 5 Australian skilled routes Transita tracks. A test can still help on the points-tested visas, because proficient or superior English earns extra points.

How can an Irish citizen get permanent residency in Australia?

The usual path is employer sponsorship on the subclass 482, which leads to PR, or a points-tested visa: the 189 (independent), 190 (state nominated) or 491 (regional). The 189 and 190 need at least 65 points and, in Transita's data, an age of 44 or under.

How much does it cost to move from Ireland to Australia?

Government fees in Transita's data range from $430 for the Working Holiday visa to $3,035 for the subclass 189 and $4,640 for the 491. Skills assessments, medicals and police checks are extra.

How long until Australian citizenship?

Our country data records about 2 years to permanent residence on the temporary routes and citizenship eligibility at about 6 years in total.

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