New to Australia?
Here you will find some practical information on living in Australia.
If you have recently moved to Australia, you may wish to meet with other Irish citizens who are part of a local organisation or business network that can provide you with general advice, information and guidance. Below is a link to a list of Irish groups.
Irish Associations
Below is a selection of some of the Irish groups, clubs and societies in Australia. If you wish to add a group to the list, please contact the Embassy. This list is provided for information purposes only. Please note that the Embassy is not responsible for the content of external websites or activities of groups/societies.
Irish Business Groups
Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce
The Lansdowne Club
Irish Community Support Associations
Irish Support Agency
Irish Australian Support and Resource Bureau, Melbourne
Irish Australian Support Association Queensland
The Claddagh Association, Perth
Irish Clubs
Celtic Club, Melbourne
Irish Club of Western Australia
Gaelic Club, Sydney
Irish Australian Association, Adelaide
Canberra Irish Club
Queensland Irish Association
Mount Isa Irish Club
Darling Downs Irish Club
Friendship Societies and Social Media Groups
The Australian Ireland Fund
Friends of Ireland Society, Canberra
Geelong Irish Society
Health Care
Ireland and Australia have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) that entitles visitors from Ireland to Australia to receive medically necessary treatment as public inpatients or outpatients in Australian public hospitals, on the same terms as Australian residents (i.e. free of charge). Further information on eligibility and what is covered is available.
For Irish citizens in Western Australia further information is also available
GAA
Gaelic football is played, by men and women, in many locations across Australia. The Gaelic Football and Hurling Association of Australasia are the people to contact for details.
Culture
St. Patrick's Day parades and festivals are held on the weekend close to 17 March across Australia. There are well established festivals in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne.
Tinteán is the magazine of the Australian Irish Heritage Network and carries articles on the Australian Irish identity.
The Australian-Irish Heritage Association is an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia's Irish heritage.
The Aisling Society in Sydney is an Irish Australian cultural society which hosts monthly talks on the history, life and culture of Ireland, and of the effect of Irish heritage on Australian life.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann promotes Irish traditional music in Ireland and beyond, and organises Irish music and dance sessions and classes. Comhaltas has Australian branches in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth.
If you are interested in learning more about Irish dance, the Australian Irish Dancing Association is a good place to start.
There are many festivals around Australia which showcase the best of Irish music, language, poetry, art and dance. Two of the largest Celtic festivals are The National Celtic Festival and the Koroit Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance. Irish artists are also regular participants at the National Folk Festival.