Matthew Brady, a 25-year-old from Laragh, Co Cavan, reported his experiences living in Coogee, Sydney, Australia until June 2023, highlighting that it’s the perfect match for some people while others might find it difficult. He was among the 6,400 people who relocated to Ireland in the year ending April.
During the same timeframe, the Central Statistics Office revealed that approximately 10,600 individuals left Ireland for Australia. This represents a 126% increase compared to the previous year and the largest number since 2013. The high presence of the Irish in Coogee has earned it the nickname County Coogee, Brady explains.
He observed a high concentration of Irish people in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, stating, “It’s quite surprising how many Irish are living in this part of Sydney. In Dublin, I don’t often encounter familiar faces, but when I was in Sydney it was a common occurrence at the gym.”
His interest in living in Australia was sparked by the stories of Irish people finding improved lifestyles there. This convinced him to relocate to Australia a year after graduating from the University of Galway in 2021.
While Brady admits the cost of living might be somewhat higher in Australia than Ireland, he attests that his Australian accountancy salary easily covered this difference. He raises concern about the need to increase the base salary in Ireland to match surging living costs.
Above everything else, he praises the focus on wellbeing, health, and fitness in Australia, which he finds appealing to many Irish people. However, his working holiday visa eventually limited his stay, limiting his potential for career advancement there because it only permitted a six-month stay in any one job.
“The primary alternative to meeting the requirements of a working holiday visa involves applying for another, more costly and difficult-to-acquire visa, or getting sponsorship from an employer,” he suggests. Brady, despite appreciating his time spent there, acknowledges that visa limitations can lead to an “unsteady lifestyle”.
He comments that the transient nature of friendships and the struggle to put down roots led him to opt for a return to Ireland, with a more consistent living situation. “While Australia is an ideal fit for some, others find it challenging. A lot depends on the kind of job you’re after. For those in teaching roles or the construction sector, the working conditions seem far superior to those in Ireland.
“On the other hand, if you’re looking to break into sectors like finance, accountancy or the corporate world more broadly, your prospects may be less promising. The odds of advancing professionally in these industries are generally more favourable in Dublin for an average Irish individual,” he observes.