Key engagement

Australia and Ireland have a close bilateral relationship, are like-minded on the world stage and bonded by historic people-to-people links.

Outlook

Having celebrated the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2021, Australia will continue to deepen cooperation with Ireland, including building awareness of opportunities in the fintech, agribusiness, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors.

Bilateral relations

Australia’s and Ireland’s close people-to-people links, one in ten Australians claim Irish descent, multilateral cooperation on international security, human rights and protecting the rules-based order, and growing two-way trade and investment.

The Australian and Irish Governments maintain policy dialogues on areas of shared interest, such as respect for democracy and human rights, and a commitment to the rules-based international order.

Foreign policy

Ireland became a member of the United Nations (UN) in 1955. Ireland has a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2021/22. Ireland joined the European Communities, now known as the European Union (EU), in 1973 and seeks to coordinate its foreign policy with other EU Member States.

While Ireland's foreign policy has traditionally focused on the UN and the EU, it is broadening its diplomatic and commercial presence in the Indo-Pacific as part of its Global Ireland strategy.

Global Ireland Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region to 2025, launched in January 2020

Fast Facts

Irish visitors to Australia (FY21-22)

11,625

Australian resident returns from Ireland (FY21-22)

5,243

Resident Australian population born in Ireland (2021 census)

85,860

Australian residents of Irish descent (2021 census)

2.41 million

Irish working holidaymakers (FY21-22)

3,280

Irish students in Australia (FY21-22)

233

High level engagement

• July 2022 - Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, met with Irish Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris in Dublin.
• March 2022 - Irish Minister of State for Roads and Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, visited Australia for St Patricks Day celebrations.
• February 2022 - Then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne met with Irish Foreign Minister Sion Coveney in the sidelines of the 2022 Munich Security Conference.
• December 2021 - Then Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP met with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the sidelines of the COP26 Conference in Glasgow.
• June 2021 - Then Foreign Minister Payne held a virtual bilateral meeting with Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney.

Agreements with Ireland

Australia has numerous bilateral agreements with Ireland, including on social security, double taxation and cultural cooperation.

Texts of bilateral agreements are available at the Australian Treaties Database.

Public diplomacy

The Australian Embassy in Dublin manages a public diplomacy program focused on raising awareness in Ireland of contemporary Australia, including through promotion of our music, film and literature, our premium produce, and through Australian alumni in Ireland.

The Embassy has collaborated with several sporting codes in Ireland, including the Olympic rowing team, the Matildas football team visit, Cricket Ireland, Irish women competing in the AFLW, and Rugby Union. The Embassy collaborates with private and public sector partners to deliver promotional events, including in the areas of viticulture, sports and digital diplomacy. These events promote Australia as an attractive place to study, work, visit, live and invest. The Embassy continues to build on the momentum of the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (in 2021) to inform and update Irish views of Australia, as a successful multicultural nation, and dynamic Indo-Pacific economy.

Facebook: Australia in Ireland

Twitter: @AusEmbIre

Economic diplomacy

The Irish economy is modern and trade-focused, with an explicit strategy of attracting foreign direct investment in high-tech and services sectors. Ireland's low rate of corporate tax has seen many multinational companies relocate to Ireland in recent years, particularly in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors.

IDA Ireland partners with potential and existing investors to help them establish or expand their operations in Ireland. Given our shared language, common law system and values, and people-to-people links, Ireland can be a bridge for Australian companies to do business in Europe.

Enterprise Ireland is focused on increasing Irish exports to the Indo-Pacific. With our network of free trade agreements, Australia can be a trusted conduit for Irish companies looking to expand their horizons.

More economic and trade information.

Australia continues to seek opportunities to promote Australian business and raise awareness of potential benefits of increased trade between Australia and Europe, including Ireland. This work has intensified followed the launch of Australia-EU trade agreement negotiations in June 2018.

More information about the Australia-EU trade agreement

Business

Commercial relations between Australia and Ireland continue to grow, with two-way goods and services trade worth $4.1 billion in 2020.

The total stock of Irish investment in Australia was valued at $38 billion in 2020, including in aerospace, agribusiness, business services, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. Australian investment stock in Ireland was valued at $32 billion, focused on business, financial and mining services, ICT and manufacturing.

Major Irish companies represented in Australia include Kingspan, Paddy Power, Glen Dimplex and Coolmore Stud. The Australian commercial presence in Ireland covers a wide range of sectors. High-profile Australian businesses in Ireland include Harvey Norman Ireland, the Macquarie Group, AMP Capital, Link Assets Group, Pepper Money, NIB Insurance and Chemist Warehouse.

Through events and programs, the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce provides members with a network, across Australia and in Dublin, to further business opportunities.

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) London Office focuses on attracting foreign direct investment and promoting Australia’s education services with Ireland.

Related links

• Smartraveller: Ireland