Migration Report 2024 – why Irish are leaving for Australia

From April 2024 to December 2024 an estimated 12,600 Irish moved to Australia. During this period, NexVentur conducted a survey of Irish people who are either moving to Australia or have already relocated there. The results reveal why thousands of Irish citizens are choosing to start new lives in Australia and what it means for Ireland’s future.

Key Insights:

Housing crisis: 47% of respondents cited housing challenges—skyrocketing rents, limited availability, and restrictive planning rules as major push factors.
Work-life balance: Over half (53%) feel Australia offers a better balance between work and personal life.
Higher wages: 30% pointed to better salaries in Australia, particularly in critical sectors such as construction, healthcare, and education.
Cost of living: 24% are emigrating due to Ireland’s high cost of living.

Who’s leaving to move to Australia?

• Young professionals aged 26-35 represent the majority (62%) of those emigrating.
• The construction (37%) and healthcare (18%) sectors are experiencing the most significant talent drain, affecting Ireland’s economy and essential services.

What do they believe the Irish government could do to convince them to stay in Ireland or return home?

The findings highlight an urgent need for decisive action:

• Solve the housing crisis: Build affordable housing, simplify planning laws, and provide incentives for young people to own homes.
• Enhance financial support: Raise wages, reduce taxes, and offer relief for those on lower incomes to make Ireland more liveable.
• Invest in infrastructure: Create communities where young professionals want to live, work, and thrive.
• Transform the healthcare sector: Improve working conditions, invest in technology, and support frontline workers with competitive salaries.
• Support better work-life balance: Collaborate with industries to foster flexible, employee-focused workplace cultures.

To see the full survey – download it Irish Moving to Australia Report 2024 – 2025

Next Steps

NexVentur is committed to assisting Irish expats return home. Our suite of services helps you find a job, plus get you settled with rental accommodation, flights, partner visas if needed, insurance, Irish mortgages and more…

Get started with a relocation consultation:

As recruitment and relocation specialists, our services include:

• Recruitment in Ireland and Australia
• Arranging your visas
• Assisting with professional registrations
• Flights with extra baggage, priority boarding and lounge access
• Setting up your overseas bank account
• Setting up your Australian Tax File Number (TFN) or PPS number
• Money transfer
• Irish mortgages
• Assisting with move logistics
• Relocation advice – all members of our team have relocated at least once in our lives, so we know how it feels and the challenges you face.
• Book a consultation with our team and let’s help you get started on your next adventure.