The government of Ireland’s plea for its residents living in Australia to return home to help build houses has backfired, with expats declaring they’d 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 skilled in construction to return to Ireland following a multi-billion-dollar government initiative set to curb the country’s housing crisis and increase the supply of homes by 2030.
One campaign poster seen plastered on the side of a building read: ‘You built Sydney, now come home and build back home.’
However, the campaign sensationally backfired after a picture of the sign was shared on the department’s Facebook account.
‘It’s a hard pass. Australia is good to those who work hard,’ one said.
‘I don’t think the Irish want to come back home. I know they love living in Oz,’ a second added.
The government of Ireland has launched a campaign urging residents living abroad to return home
The campaign, which has called for Irish residents skilled in construction to return to Ireland to build homes as the country struggles with a housing crisis
A third joked: ‘The weather alone would keep them here’.
Tens of thousands of Irish people were approved to live and work in Australia in 2023, with the majority being 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 amount in more than 16 years.
The Australian 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 year prior of 10,491.
The steady increase of skilled Irish expats was only exceeded by residents in the United Kingdom, with 38,177 working holiday visas granted and France with 26,896.
Thousands of Brits and Irish are moving to Australia after being wooed with the prospect of more sun, world-class beaches, cash and even finding a partner
Many said they were drawn to the laidback lifestyle and job opportunities in Australia
It comes as both home ownership and rental costs in Ireland surged as the country struggles with its own cost-of-living crisis, soaring rental prices and a housing shortage.
The cost of tenancies nationwide increased by almost nine per cent in 2023, with the average rental costing AU$2,549 per month.
In Dublin, where demand is highest, the average rent on new tenancies was AU$3,470 a month – an eight per cent hike.
The cost of groceries in Ireland also jumped by almost 13 per cent in the 12 months to August 2023, which marked a considerable increase from the previous year where inflation stood at nearly 10 per cent.
A man and woman are seen arriving at their new home on Coogee’s main strip which is home to many Irish expats
Visa First business manager Nune Troy said she expects more Irish residents to move down under.
‘There are just more opportunities in the jobs market and better money, but I think it’s the cost of living and housing situation as well in the big cities like Dublin,’ she told Independent News & Media.
‘Since Australia relaxed its visa regulations in 2022 after the pandemic, Irish citizens up to 35 years of age can now apply for a working holiday visa, whereas before the maximum age was 30. So I think this has also increased numbers.’
‘Australia also offers an incredible lifestyle – where else can you be in the boardroom at 4pm and by the beach an hour later?’ she said.
‘We’re sure there are many 30-35-year-olds who thought they had missed their chance to live and work Down Under, who will jump at this exciting prospect; and Australia is ready to welcome them.’
