The Irish government’s plea for its residents living in Australia to return home to help build homes has backfired, with expats declaring they would prefer to stay Down Under.
Ireland’s Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science invested in an advertising campaign aimed at residents living abroad.
The campaign, launched in October, urged residents with construction skills to return to Ireland, following a multi-billion dollar government initiative aimed at curbing the country’s housing crisis and increasing the supply of housing by 2030.
A campaign poster plastered on the side of a building read: “You built Sydney, now come home and build home again.”
However, the campaign sensationally backfired after a photo of the sign was shared on the department’s Facebook account.
‘It’s a difficult pass. Australia is good for those who work hard,” said one.
‘I don’t think the Irish want to go back home. I know they love living in Oz,” a second added.
The Irish government has launched a campaign to encourage residents living abroad to return home
The campaign, which calls for Irish residents skilled in construction to return to Ireland to build homes as the country faces a housing crisis
A third joked: “The weather alone would keep them here.”
Tens of thousands of Irish people were allowed to live and work in Australia by 2023, the majority of whom were young, skilled workers.
In the 12 months to July 2023, more than 21,000 Irish citizens were granted working holiday visas in Australia – the largest number in more than 16 years.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs granted 21,525 working holiday visas to Irish citizens between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 – more than double the 10,491 the year before.
The steady increase in the number of skilled Irish expats was only surpassed by residents of Britain, with 38,177 working holiday visas granted, and France with 26,896.
Thousands of Brits and Irish are moving to Australia after being lured by the prospect of more sun, world-class beaches, money and even finding a partner
Many said they were attracted to Australia’s relaxed lifestyle and job opportunities
It comes as both home ownership and rental costs have soared in Ireland as the country grapples with its own cost of living crisis, rising rents and a housing shortage.
The cost of rental contracts increased by almost nine percent nationally in 2023, with the average rental costing AU$2,549 per month.
In Dublin, where demand is highest, the average rent for new leases was AU$3,470 per month – an increase of eight percent.
Grocery costs in Ireland also rose by almost 13 per cent in the 12 months to August 2023, marking a significant increase on the previous year when inflation was almost 10 per cent.
A man and a woman arrive at their new home on the main strip of Coogee, where many Irish expats live
Visa First business manager Nune Troy said she expects more Irish residents to move down.
“There’s just more job opportunities and better money, but I think it’s also the cost of living and the housing situation in the big cities like Dublin,” she told Independent News & Media.
‘Since Australia relaxed visa rules in 2022 following the pandemic, Irish citizens up to the age of 35 can now apply for a working holiday visa, while previously the maximum age was 30. So I think that has increased the numbers as well.”
“Australia also offers an incredible lifestyle – where else can you be in the boardroom at 4pm and on the beach an hour later?” she said.
‘We are sure there are many 30-35 year olds who thought they had missed their chance to live and work Down Under who will seize this exciting prospect with both hands; and Australia is ready to welcome them.”
