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Ireland

Healthcare, engineering, education and digital skills.

Last updated 29 October 2026

GRIA has merged with Hire Australia. Hire Australia now handles recruitment, registration and enquiries. Australian Immigration Agency (AIA) is our immigration partner.

Country guide

Hiring talent from Ireland

This guide outlines occupation areas and practical checks when considering candidates from Ireland. Availability and suitability depend on the individual and the role.

Hire Australia now handles recruitment following the GRIA merger. Its recruiters run the search and send employers a shortlist. AIA advises on immigration requirements where sponsorship is needed.

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15%one fixed recruitment fee, excluding super, plus GST
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MARAregistered migration agents handle the visa
Experience and skills

Occupation areas to discuss

Healthcare and support

Registered nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and care workers.

Engineering and trades

Civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, site/project staff, electricians, plumbers and carpenters.

ICT and business

Developers, network and cloud specialists, accountants, financial analysts and procurement professionals.

Education and other roles

Teachers, early childhood educators, vocational trainers, agricultural staff and creative professionals.

Before a shortlist becomes a hire

Check English and qualifications

English-language training and professional experience can be relevant to a candidate's background. Assess the individual's communication skills and confirm any visa or registration evidence required, rather than assuming all candidates meet the same standard.

Irish degrees, professional credentials and apprenticeships should be reviewed for the proposed role. Australian registration, licensing and recognition requirements are occupation-specific and are not guaranteed by an overseas qualification.

Evidence worth reviewing

  • Qualifications, transcripts and relevant training
  • Employment history and role-specific experience
  • Professional registration or trade licences, where needed
  • English communication and any required test evidence
  • Current work rights and proposed work location
What it takes

Recognition and registration for Irish candidates

Skills assessment, if needed

Irish passport holders are not on TRA’s 482 trade assessment list, but Home Affairs can still ask for a skills assessment. Most occupations have their own assessing authority, and only that authority’s assessment is accepted.

Nursing registration

Nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), assessed by Ahpra. Registration and the visa are separate applications, and success in one does not guarantee the other. See our healthcare hiring guide.

Licences where the person works

Where the role needs registration or a licence, the 482 application needs evidence from the authority in the state or territory where the person will work. Our construction hiring guide covers trade licensing.

English for the visa and for registration

Republic of Ireland passport holders are exempt from the English test for the 482 visa. The NMBA’s English language skills standard still applies to every nurse and midwife applying for initial registration, wherever they qualified.

How it works

Plan the match, visa and start

  1. Brief the recruiter

    Explain the duties, location, qualifications and practical skills needed. Discuss what the role offers and the candidate's preferences without assuming relocation or long-term intent. Our guide to eligible occupations and roles covers what to prepare.

  2. Check immigration options

    After a job match, AIA checks visa eligibility. Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186) or a regional pathway may be relevant, subject to the requirements. See the overview of visa pathways and Home Affairs’ current processing times.

  3. Prepare for the workplace

    Agree the onboarding needed for local systems, safety, communication and role expectations. Confirm qualifications, registration and work rights before the person starts.

Your questions

Country-specific planning

General information is a starting point. AIA can check the requirements for your circumstances.

What should we check early?

If a candidate holds a working holiday, graduate or other temporary visa, check the actual conditions and work rights. AIA can assess whether an employer-sponsored or another pathway is relevant.

What will the visa work cost?

Migration fees are quoted case by case by AIA, in writing. Government fees are charged separately by the Australian Government. Ask AIA for a current eligibility check and written quote for the proposed case.

Can candidates register from this country?

Candidates can register free with Hire Australia, then apply for jobs or join the talent pool. Registration does not guarantee a job, sponsorship or a visa.

Where can I compare other country guides?

See the global talent countries overview for all seven guides.

Official sources

The rules on this page come from these official pages. Requirements change, so check the current version before you act.

Discuss the skills your team needs

Tell Hire Australia about the role and the work location. Its recruiters will help assess the available candidates.

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