Figures released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) show that Irish citizens were granted 3,100 primary 457 visas up to December 31 last year.

This is 68 per cent higher than the figure for the same period in 2010-11.

The four-year 457s are temporary residence visas offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company.

Primary visa grants refer to people who applied for sponsorship for their own behalf, while secondary applicants are those attached to partners’ applications.

The top three citizenship countries for primary visa grants from July to the end of December 2011 were the United Kingdom (24.8 per cent), India (17.6 per cent) and the Republic of Ireland (9.2 per cent).

The number of primary visa holders in Australia at 31 December 2011 was 68,320 – an increase of 14.5 per cent compared with the same date in the previous year.

Overall, the number of 457 primary visa applications lodged from July to the end of December 2011 was 36.7 per cent higher than the same period in 2010.

Although application lodgements tend to ease in December due to the holiday season, the number of primary applications lodged in December 2011 was still 20.9 per cent higher than in December 2010.

Offshore primary visa lodgements for the period were 43.4 per cent higher than the same period in 2010, reflecting a continued strong demand for temporary skilled workers.

New South Wales emerged as the most nominated position location for migrants.

It held 34 per cent of 457 primary visa grants during that period, followed by Western Australia (23.4 per cent) and Victoria (19.7 per cent).

These states were also the top three nominated locations for primary subclass 457 visa grants in the last programme year.

Following this trend, Irish citizens made up 2,240 of the 457 visa holders in NSW as of the end of December, followed by 1,280 in resource-rich Western Australia and 1,090 in Victoria.

The number of subclass 457 visa holders granted a permanent residence visa in December 2011 was 5.2 per cent higher than in December 2010. The majority (96.3 per cent) were in the skilled stream and 3.7 per cent were in the family migration category.

There was little change in the top three industries for primary visa grants, with construction (13.6 per cent), other services (12.7 per cent) and health care and social assistance (12.2 per cent).

Ireland's unskilled jobless are finding it just as tough to get work in Birmingham. (File pic)

An increasing number of Irish immigrants who flock to Birmingham in search of work are failing to secure employment, a British charity has said.

According to Irish in Birmingham, more and more young Irish men are arriving to the city on the “off-chance” of obtaining work.

The charity said that close to 100,000 people currently make up the Irish community in the city, which it claims is a “major pull factor” for those looking to escape the recession in Ireland.

The British Office for National Statistics has estimated that some 38,000 Irish nationals were living in the West Midlands of the country for the year ending March 2011.

However, numbers are likely to have increased in recent months due to the fact that emigration from Ireland has risen from 27,000 in 2010 to more than 40,000 in 2011, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

Chief executive of Irish in Birmingham Hugh Tibbets told BBC News that close to a third of the people leaving the Republic were arriving in Britain.

“Within Birmingham we’re seeing some of those people coming here,” he said.

“It’s a mixed picture of some people making a very planned approach to that and coming to opportunities. We as a charity are often seeing the more vulnerable end of people, who are opting to come on the off-chance of work.”

:: Skills divide

Professor Cillian Ryan from the Department of Economics at the University of Birmingham added that people with a lack of certified skills who are planning to come to Birmingham would probably be better off “on the dole” back in Ireland.

“They’re coming here because they’ve connections, but if you don’t have skills it’s much more difficult,” he said.

“The people who have skills are going to places like Australia, and the young graduates are going to London.

“If we don’t have jobs here then all they’re going to do is wind up on the dole. They’d probably be better off on the dole back in Ireland,” he added.

Rory Corbett and family lived in Shanghai for a spell.

In our latest installment of Australia and Me we catch up with engineering consultant Rory Corbett, from Cork.

Where are you from in Ireland?
I am from Blackpool on the northside of Cork City.

When did you come to Australia and what brought you here?
I relocated to Sydney in May 2011 with my wife and two young kids on a 457 sponsored business visa. This is our second time escaping the recession. We lived near Shanghai in China for a year from 2009 to 2010, came back to Ireland, realised things were as bad as ever and decided to move somewhere our kids would have a better quality of life and wouldn’t be paying in the future for the excesses of the past for which they bear no responsibility.

What do you do for a living?
I am an engineering consultant. I work in project quality, risk management, commissioning and validation within the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, nutrition, medical device and engineering procurement and construction management sectors. At present, I work in IT quality systems remediation and good manufacturing practice compliance for a multinational medical device company in Sydney.

Describe (in brief) your career path.
I went to college for eight years. I hold a certificate in applied chemistry from Cork RTC, a B.Sc (Hons) in Geology and an M.Sc in environmental analytical chemistry from UCC. I have worked since 1998 mostly as a self-employed consultant.

Is Australia a good place to pursue a career in your industry?
Yes indeed. If you have any sort of aptitude to hard work you will get on well in Australia. It is a lot easier to secure a senior position in your field than in Ireland. However, it is more difficult here to sell yourself for a position that is not an exact fit for your skill set. I don’t hold an engineering degree and this was never a problem in Ireland as I have a huge amount of industry experience, but you tend to be filtered out of the application process here based on formal qualifications.

What advice would you give someone looking to work and live Down Under?
If you’re emigrating with a family, ship everything in your home, it will save you a lot of money. Don’t expect life to be easy for the first six months or so as you adjust, it’s not all sun and surf. Try to get out and meet new people through playgroups and activities.

What, if anything, do you miss about Ireland?
You don’t see kids playing on the streets here in Sydney like you do in Ireland, the kids miss that. We miss our families, playing cards at Christmas time up at the High House in Blarney Street with my mates, a decent real turf fire, the Irish sense of humour and the slagging. I also miss watching my lifelong passion, Chelsea FC playing football at a decent hour of the day and my many trips to Stamford Bridge on a short cheap hop to London from Cork!

Medicare is available to permanent residents.

Whether you’re a twenty-something backpacker heading to Australia for a year or a family emigrating, you need to consider your health and what will happen if you need medical care.

The good news is that the Aussie health care system is one of the best in the world. However, unless you have adequate health insurance, you won’t be able to access it without paying out an inordinate sum of money.

Contrary to popular belief, the Irish Embassy isn’t going to be digging into its pockets when you end up owing thousands of dollars for that drunken tumble, nor will the hard-pressed Irish taxpayer pick up the tab to repatriate you if the worst happens, so don’t leave Ireland without insurance.

Medicare is the golden ticket of health care, providing access to health care services, regardless of income.

The bad news is that it is only available to Australian residents, permanent residents and British citizens.

If you have a British passport you can access Medicare.

Similarly Aussies can sign up to the National Health Service (NHS) while in the UK.

The Australian Government does have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Ireland, which entitles Irish nationals to “limited subsidised health services”.

This means, essentially, that Irish residents are eligible to receive emergency treatment in a public hospital. It also covers maternity care in a public hospital for temporary residents, such as 457 Visa holders.

But there are many expenses the deal does not cover. For instance, calling an ambulance – or ambo as it is called here – will probably be the most expensive ride you’ve ever had, with a bill for hundreds of dollars that even Australian residents without health insurance have to pay.

Without a Medicare card, you will pay top dollar for many procedures and  prescribed medicines.

Health insurance is a necessary investment. Before you leave Ireland, arrange proper cover with your health insurance provider.

VHI has an insurance product aimed at those heading overseas for a year or two.

It’s not cheap, but most providers will allow you to pay in monthly installments, making it that bit more affordable. Alternatively, you can look into getting cover from an Australian health fund.

If you are being sponsored by an Australian company, private health insurance is usually a condition of that sponsorship.

When a firm agrees to sponsor someone on a 457 visa, they give an undertaking to cover all medical, hospital and repatriation costs that might be incurred by their sponsored employee.

However, most firms automatically put the responsibility back onto their employee by requiring them to maintain private health insurance as one of the conditions of sponsorship.

Oh and in an emergency, don’t call 999. For ambulance, police and fire brigade (or, to use Aussie parlance, ambos, cops or the fireys) the number is 000.

Many expat parents send their children to private, Catholic schools, the most expensive of which are over $25,000 per year.

For families migrating, one of the most important considerations is your child’s education.

Education in Australia is compulsory between the ages of six and 15–17, depending on the state or territory.

The Australian system offers two schooling choices – State or Private. Which state school you enrol your child in depends on where you live – you must be within its catchment area. State school is free for permanent residents. Private education is fee-paying and depends on availability of places.

Many Irish enrol their children in private, Catholic schools. These give preference to children of the Catholic faith and you’ll have to provide evidence of this, for example baptismal cert.

If you are on a temporary visa, such as a 457, you will be required to pay for your children to attend State schools in NSW and the ACT.

The fees begin at $4,500 a year for a child in kindergarten and rise to $5,500 for those attending years 11 to 12 in NSW. An application to waive the fees can be made. The NSW Department of Education considers such applications on a case-by-case basis.

The fees are substantially higher in the ACT – it charges $13,900 for a temporary resident to enrol their child in the final year of a public high school.

If your children are preschool age, most residential communities will have local playgroups that cost a few dollars per session or can be paid by term. Your local city council website will have information on these.

Most Australian children attend preschool for one or two years before going to primary school but it’s not compulsory. Preschools are also known as kindergartens, ‘kindys’, nursery school, or as ‘prep’ in Queensland.

Preschools are usually run by the state government, except in Victoria, SA and NSW, where they are run by local councils, community groups or private organizations.

Preschool education is separate from primary school in all states except WA and Queensland, where it is taught as part of the primary school system.

You’ll find free preschools in NSW, WA, SA, NT, Tas and the ACT. You will need to live within the catchment area of the preschool. With the NSW Department of Training and Education running just 100 free preschools across the state, you’ll be lucky to get a place. Most parents have to pay for preschool from private providers.

Childcare in Australia is expensive. There is a childcare rebate available to permanent residents to help with the cost. It covers 50 per cent of out-of-pocket expenses for approved childcare up to $7,500 a year. You can have it paid directly to the provider fortnightly, or to yourself quarterly or annually.

It is compulsory for all children to start school by their sixth birthday.

In NSW, children have to be age five by July 31 to start kindergarten. In Victoria, to start prep, a child must be five by April 30. In Queensland, to start prep, a child must be five by June 30. In WA, to start pre-primary, a child must be five by June 30.

:: Resources

Private schools:
www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au

All types of schools:
www.australianschoolsdirectorycom.au
www.myschool.edu.au

Childcare:
www.echildcare.com.au
www.mychild.gov.au

Scan any references before you leave Ireland.

Many recently-arrived Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders looking for casual work usually start their job searches at places like Travellers Contact Point (TCP) which has branches in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns. TCP is a handy one-stop shop for new arrivals and their Travellers At Work service has new jobs posted daily.

They can also help you with barista courses or Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificates which you will need if you want to work in a bar.

You should also register with some specialist recruitment agencies who will help you find work in your chosen field. The more you join, the more interviews you will get.

Many backpackers look for temping work as receptionists, admin support, data entry and telesales representatives.

Try to make a good impression with the agencies you visit – come well-presented and have an up-to-date CV (or résumé as it’s called) available in a recent version of Microsoft Word or as a PDF file.

Be prepared to undergo tests of your Microsoft Office skills.

Scan any references before you leave Ireland and keep them on your laptop, phone or memory stick.

Working holiday-makers can now work for up to six months for the same employer. Previously, it was just three.

The availability of short-term work can ebb and flow depending on the number of jobseekers in the market. The best time to find work in Sydney, for example, is from April to September.

Now, the Christmas and New Year period is the worst time to find work as the decision-makers in many businesses are away on holidays.

One essential ingredient you need before starting work in Australia is a Tax File Number (TFN).

Obtaining a TFN is relatively easy. You can visit the Australian Tax Office in person, but the fastest way to apply is online.

Go to the Australian Taxation Office website for more details.

Opening a bank account is another task that you should get out of the way early.

Most employers will pay you by direct debit (standing order).

Some banks give you the option of opening an account before you arrive in the country which is very useful.

:: Tax

If you begin your Australian adventure as a temporary resident, you may be entitled to claim some or even all of your tax back.

Some backpackers leave the country with enough dough in their pocket to keep them chilling on a beach in Fiji for a week or so.

The government is looking at radical changes to the income tax brackets next year which will allow ‘resident’ workers to earn over $18,000 before they pay any tax.

For many people, especially those new to the Australian tax system, the easiest way is to lodge your return through a registered tax agent. There are plenty that specialise in expat and backpacker finance, but it’s still worth shopping around.

Some agents offer to pay your tax refund on the spot (as soon as they have completed processing your tax), and others guarantee not to charge any fee at all if they can’t get you a refund.

You should always deal with someone who belongs to an accreditation organisation such as Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) or Chartered Accountants (CA) because there’s always a fallback whereby you can complain to the parent body.

You should be aware that your refund may still be delayed, depending on the efficiency of your employer. Sometimes employers take a while to sort out details of your earnings (a group certificate) and this may hold up any refund.

There are still strict tax regulations for all new arrivals in Australia. For tax purposes, you will need either an Australian Business Number (ABN) or a Tax File Number (TFN).

Some backpackers opt to get an ABN over a TFN, but you should think seriously before doing this. While it may make you more attractive to some employers, there are disadvantages.

By opting for an ABN you are declaring yourself to be an Australian business and, as such, you will have to pay GST (if you earn over the $50,000 threshold) and prepare a quarterly return.

The question of whether you’re a resident or non-resident for tax purposes is based on your behaviour. It’s better to be a resident, so get your name on a lease, get pay TV in your name and join some clubs.

Believe it or not, that is what determines your eligibility for the tax-free threshold.

Your employer will need to put nine per cent of your gross wage into a superannuation fund, even if you are a temporary resident. You get to choose your own fund so best to pick one with low exit fees, should you decide to leave the country.

You can change funds quite easily if you decide to stay on or get sponsored.

::  Job websites

www.seek.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au
www.careerone.com.au
www.skilledmigrantjobs.com

A row of terraces in Sydney's Inner West. (Pic: Flickr/avlxyz)

Organising a place to live in Australia can be, well, challenging.

Hostels can be perfect for a short time but ultimately everyone tries to secure their own place.

Sadly, there’s no way to avoid the red tape involved in renting a house or “unit” in Australia. But there are a few ways to make it easier.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that you are a visitor to the country, and while the Irish are well-received here, a landlord would generally prefer the security of a citizen or someone already sponsored.

Vacancy rates are also very low – particularly in the more desirable suburbs – so it’s not unusual for 40 or 50 eager applicants to be chasing one rental property.

It is super important to have a number of things at the ready on application. An Australian contact number is a vital part of the leasing process so a prepaid mobile should be one of the first things you buy here.

Setting up an Aussie bank account is also essential and will boost your application credentials.

Viewing times are also listed online and, unlike Ireland, you simply show up at the designated time rather than make an appointment.

The application process begins as soon as you find a place you like.

Applications are judged on certain criteria, and the more documents you can show, the better.

If you’re nervous about identity theft,  you may baulk at the requirements imposed by real estate agents.

For instance, a scanned copy of your passport will be required if you don’t have a local driver’s licence.

Many real estate agents will ask you to approve a direct debit (standing order) from your account. You are not compelled to do this but in a seller’s market, you might feel that it’s wiser to comply.

You’ll also be asked to provide a pay slip to prove you can afford the rent. This is problematic for many Irish arrivals who have not yet secured work.

References from your previous employer and landlord in Ireland will also help your case. Be assured the agent will check your references. So ensure they stand up.

:: Buyers

Expect to pay around $600 per week for a decent two-bedroom apartment in Sydney. Other cities are less expensive.

Usually, you will have to cough up four or six weeks’ rent (known as a bond), a holding fee (usually a week’s rent) and the first fortnight’s rent up front which can be quite a stab if you’ve just arrived.

Also, keep in mind that the vast majority of homes come unfurnished. You can pick up secondhand furniture through websites like Gumtree or scour local garage sales on the weekends for bargains.

Some of the large furniture stores do package deals for two or three rooms.

What about those who are lucky enough to be in the position to buy?

Property remains an Australian fascination, much as it was during the boom years in Ireland.

But there are signs that the market is softening, which is good news for first-home buyers and newly-arrived migrants.

For the most part, house prices have risen steadily in Australia since the 1980s and are now among the least affordable in the world.

There are a variety of views about whether or not Australia is in the midst of a property bubble and, if that is indeed the case, when it’s going to pop.

But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, house prices in almost all capital cities are now falling.

Having said that, everyone agrees that house prices, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, are still high, making it almost impossible for people on average or even above-average wages to get a toe-hold.

In a recent survey of 325 housing markets around the world, Sydney’s property was rated the second least affordable on the planet, after Hong Kong’s.

Melbourne was the fifth least affordable city and both the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast in south-east Queensland also rated badly.

Given the falls in Irish property prices, and the high value of the Aussie dollar, new migrants will struggle to find value for money, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Renting is the way to go early-on as it gives new arrivals the chance to test-drive an area.

Temporary residents usually need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to buy a property in Australia but as long as the house will be your primary residence, there should not be an issue.

However, it’s tricky to get a mortgage unless you are a permanent resident.

Interest rates also look very high to European eyes with the standard variable mortgage rate hovering around seven per cent.

See www.firb.gov.au for more details.

It’s hard to travel light when you are heading to Australia, especially if the kids are travelling too.

There’s so much to get your head around when you decide to make the big move. It’s best to start preparing early so that it all doesn’t get too much for you in the final few months.

You need to start preparing with 12 months to go before moving day. In this first article of a informative series, we provide you with information and tips on how to prepare to move Down Under.

:: A Year To Go

Check your passport and those of your family if you’re making a longer move to make sure there’s at least two years left on them. If not, apply for new passports.

:: Update your CV (although is often called a resumé in Australia) to make it suitable for the Australian market. You’ll find plenty of tips on how to do this online.
:: Start applying for jobs.
:: Get your finances in order – work on reducing your debts and consolidating loans. Let your contracts run out for your home phone, internet, satellite TV etc, or you may be loaded with extra costs if you try to cancel contracts just before you leave.
:: If you don’t already have a full driving licence, consider sitting your test. It will make it much easier to get your Australian licence.

:: Six months to go

Dig out all your personal paperwork, including birth and marriage certs, employment references, driving licences and qualifications. Scan them into your computer to make back-up copies and store on a memory stick. Keep the copies together in a folder where you can easily locate them. If you have kids, make sure you have their birth, immunisation and religious certs, i.e. baptismal.

:: Sort through your belongings, sell or give away anything you don’t want or need. If you are shipping some items, keep in mind that any items with soil will be denied entry at customs so it may be best to get rid of garden furniture. Tax is charged on antiques. Items with straw and some natural materials are not allowed into Australia.
See www.customs.gov.au for a full list of prohibited items.
:: Some items that new migrants regret not bringing with them as they tend to be more expensive in Australia, include tools, mobile phones, good quality wooden furniture such as tables and beds, toys, bed linen, and clothing. Include winter clothes because once you’re acclimatised, you will need them.
:: Contact removal companies for quotes.
:: If you need any routine medical tests, like smear tests, have them done now. Make sure your pets are fully inoculated and your children are up to date with their immunisations. Ask your doctor, dentist, optician etc for your handover files.
:: Sell your car(s). You can always hire or borrow a car for a while if you’re stuck. (See also Page 51)
:: Request credit references from your bank. Sort out your mortgage – you may need to take a moratorium or go interest only if you are planning to keep your house. If you plan on renting out your property, contact letting agents.
:: Book flights. The cheapest fare may not be the best one. Check how many stops there are enroute and how long it will take ‘door-to-door’ before settling on an airline.

:: Two months to go

Arrange temporary accommodation in Australia and book hotels for any stopovers you have planned on the journey.

:: Request up-to-date statements on pensions and investments.
:: Give notice to your landlord if you live in a rental property.
:: Notify bank, passport office, pension company, tax office, insurance broker etc of your change of address. Redirect post to a relative. You cannot get a credit card in Australia until you have found employment so it’s best to keep your credit card from home and your bank account open.
:: If you’re left with household items you don’t need, do a car boot sale or donate them to a charity shop.
:: If you’ve shipped your furniture, you could ask friend or relatives for items you can borrow until you leave.
:: Load up your iPod/iPad with all your favourite music/DVDs.

:: One month to go

Start packing non-essential items.

:: Arrange private health cover in Australia, if needed. Some Irish providers offer global policies but
check the fine print.
:: Ask for a copy of your no claims bonus from your car insurance company.

:: One week to go

Cancel deliveries to your house, such as milk, newspapers.

:: Cancel car insurance.
:: As long as you have a major credit card or a laser card with a Maestro facility you will be able to use ATMs enroute. If you’re planning a stopover in a developing country, think about getting some local currency.
:: Print out the location and contact details for Irish embassies in each of the areas you will will visit.
:: Have your farewell bash now. Having it too close to the departure date is problematic, not least because you do not want to take on the longest possible plane trip with a hangover.

:: One day to go

Double-check travel arrangements.
:: Pack essentials for the plane but check rules for carry-on baggage. Include colouring pencils, books and games to keep young children amused on the flight. Also pack two changes of clothes for them, just in case.
:: Get a good sleep if you can. Sleeping on planes is a talent that few of us can master.

:: Departure Day

Board your flight early if you have kids. You will be glad of getting first go at the overhead lockers.

Tomorrow, we look at finding a place to live in Australia.

This guide was originally printed in the October-December edition of Live Work Travel Australia Magazine.

Outback Irish: Workers are being drawn to Western Australia’s mining boom.

Western Australia is a desperate place.

So desperately distinctive British naval captain James Stirling declared it “as beautiful as anything of its kind I have ever witnessed” upon establishing the region’s first settlement in 1827.

So desperately isolated esteemed travel writer Bill Bryson found time to coin its capital Perth “the most remote city on earth”.

So desperately ancient its landscape bares the honour of the oldest geological region on the planet.

So desperately huge its farms often dwarf the length and breadth of Ireland.

So desperately parched, sunburned and remarkably infertile, few would deem the place habitable.

And yet, scratch beneath the surface, and WA (all half-million square kilometres of her) is one of the most-wealthy bulges of land on the planet right now. Home to the world’s largest deposits of iron ore and natural gas, the state is currently in the midst of an unprecedented mining boom and is desperate for workers to help solve its burgeoning labour skills crisis.

Over a hundred years on from its celebrated gold rush, WA is experiencing a second golden age courtesy of a natural resource explosion.

The region’s vigorous and buoyant economy, fuelled by an ongoing mining boom, is proving an extremely attractive proposition for Irish folk struggling to find work at home and contemplating taking the plunge Down Under.

For the thousands of Irish currently searching for work, it really is a case of the Australian west is best right now, with the WA resources sector offering very competitive wages, flexible rosters and a diverse range of careers.

“There will be more than $200bn  worth of projects either under construction or consideration in WA over the next few years, which will deliver significant employment opportunities,” states Reg Howard-Smith, Chief Executive of The Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) of Western Australia.

“In the next two years, we will require more than 30,000 workers. We simply do not have that many people in WA so we have to look to places like Ireland for workers.”
Employment opportunities are plentiful in many trade and administration disciplines. University qualifications and key trade skills are in highest demand – jobs like engineers, geologists and metallurgists at a university graduate level through to key electrical trades and most other construction skills at a trades level.

“Nothing beats a potential employee with both skills and relevant experience.  Resource companies are more likely to take on workers who have experience in the industry,” adds Mr Howard-Smith.
Thanks to the thousands of them already relocated to WA, Irish workers have steadily built up a good reputation among the big mining companies.

“Through their hard work ethic and professional commitment, skilled Irish workers are well regarded in WA. Many of them have the skills in demand, are well trained, and have some relevant experience.

“Another benefit is the common language and awareness of the Australian way of life,” says the CME chief.

Recruitment agencies in WA agree – Irish workers are wanted by employers and are wanted now.

“We deal with Irish workers quite a bit and have placed many in well-paid jobs,” says Faras Saba of the Integrated Recruitment Group in Perth.

“There are opportunites in many sectors. Good pipefitters and plumbers are in high demand, as are qualified truck drivers, forklift drivers, general labourers, auto electricians and diesel mechanics. And that is just on the trades side of things, there are thousands more in engineering.

“The Irish enjoy a good name in WA. There is an acute skills shortage here right now and there is great money to be made for the forseeable future.”

Employment officials and recruiters will understandably endorse the joys of working in WA, but arguably the most important opinions on life in WA come from the Irish people already on the ground there.

Depending on the project or employer, many of these workers choose to reside in beautiful, sunny Perth and fly in to site for their work roster, or else, live permanently in the laid-back, easy-going regional town where the project operates.

The roster may sound punishing – 12 hours a day for 28 straight days, followed by nine days off – but for 41-year-old Tipperary native Eddie Cody, the rewards of the WA working experience far outweigh any complaints about long hours.

“I love it out here,” says Eddie, who bases himself in Fremantle but works for Murphy Pipe & Civil in remote Karratha.

“I came out here in the ’90s and was lucky enough to get residency, but decided to return home six or seven years ago when things were good with the Irish economy.

“Then the recession hit and there was just no work, so I came back to Australia and have been working on a project for Murphy Pipe & Civil for the past year.

:: Grafters

“Basically, there is work available for people with the presence of mind to realise you’re there to work and not doss around. Irish people are good grafters. If you work hard, put in the hours, there is money to be made.”

Eddie is a man who has embraced the alternative lifestyle associated with working the mines in WA.

“It’s an interesting place, and if anything, the days fly by when you’re working,” he says.

“The camp we live in on site is impressive and we are looked after brilliantly. Your food is made for you, washing done for you, sure they even make your bed for you!

“There are over 200 Irish lads working for various contractors on site, so there is plenty of craic. They’ve even shipped in Magners cider for the “Wet Nest” (canteen/pub) to keep the Irish happy,” says Eddie.

Daniel Moynihan, 26, also works for Murphy Pipe And Civil, in office administration. Daniel quit an accountancy job in Cork a year ago to try his luck in WA. Although he admits the 28-day shift can be tough, he is delighted at the opportunity to travel during his time off.

“I left my job in Cork because I couldn’t see any opportunities coming in the future, I had hit a dead end and I was just sick of it,” admits Daniel. “Working in a remote area can be rough at times but I just get on with it and make the best use of my time off. In the past year, I have managed to visit Melbourne, Thailand, Bali and a few other places. My company has sponsored me to stay so I have no reason to go home, it’s a great way to save a lot of money.”

Another Irish man who is doing very well for himself in WA is Fergus O’Neill. Alongside his brother Bartholomew, he is a co-director/co-founder of Catapla Formwork, a thriving formwork business of 52 employees currently working on projects in Cape Preston and Barrow Island in WA’s resource-rich Pilbara region.

“We left home three years ago to find better opportunitues in WA and thankfully, it has worked out well. Business is very good and it is getting busier,” says Fergus.

Hailing from Eyeries, a tiny village on the Beara Peninsula in west Cork, the O’Neill brothers are no strangers to the remote conditions, yet Fergus has been surprised about how well many of his Irish employees have adapted to WA.

“All the lads seem to like the lifestyle,” he says.

“I’ve got very few complaints and I must say I really couldn’t ask for a better bunch of lads. They work hard and then during the time off, they either have a good time in Perth or travel somewhere else, many of them head for holidays in south-east Asia.

“Life in WA is a different world to Sydney and Melbourne, but all the lads love the experience of it. There’s nothing at home for them and they’re getting well rewarded. It’s the perfect opportunity for trades people disillusioned back in Ireland to try something new.”

Niamh Walsh, of Galway, at the farm where she worked in Bodalla, rural Victoria.

It’s 5.30am in Bodalla, New South Wales, almost 400kms from Bondi Beach.

My alarm goes off.

I get up, get dressed and head out the door without a glance in the mirror.

I’m heading to work but it doesn’t matter if I look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.

It’s not like I’ve anyone to impress; unless you count a couple of hundred cows.

Like thousands of others, I’m here earning my second year visa.

Last year, the Australian Department of Immigration (DIAC) issued 14,833 Working Holiday Visas to Irish citizens.

Of these, just under half applied to stay for a second year. The 417 Visa requires 88 days of regional work to qualify for a second year.
unskilled worker shortage

The idea being that fit and capable young people provide a temporary solution to Australia’s ever-increasing shortage of unskilled rural workers.

It’s still dark out as I make my way towards the building where two people are already hard at work. They’ve been up since 4.30am. I rinse out a couple of buckets and collect some milk from the vat for the 20-odd calves that have become my adopted babies in the last few weeks.

Working on a dairy farm is probably one of the easier ways to get your visa extended. While any farm or labouring job completed within Government-designated regional postcodes counts as part of the required 88 days, much of the work out there is a lot tougher than this. I feed each calf individually, letting them suckle two litres from a rubber teat on a bottle. In the process I get covered in poop, pee, saliva or milk; on a good day it’s all four. If I’ve time, I’ll help the two guys finish the milking.

At this late stage of the morning, it generally involves hosing down the walls of the dairy; cleaning the excrements all 150 of the ladies have kindly left during their morning’s work.

Once done, I go back inside and only then do I think about breakfast for myself. It’s not even 8am.

While fruit picking seems to be the most common work undertaken by Irish backpackers, the mundane work for pathetic pay is resulting in more and more people choosing to work on a family farm.

A quick glance at community website Gumtree.com.au will throw up hundreds of adverts from Irish workers looking to secure work that doesn’t involve fruit and a basket. Dairy work may involve 5am starts, seven days a week but regional work certainly has its upsides. It gives you the opportunity to save a large amount of money quickly.

Farm hands can expect to earn anything up to $600 per week on top of their bed and board, while spending opportunities are few and far between in such a rural setting. It’s also the experiences you have and the things you see which are drawing in the workers. Where in Sydney or Melbourne would you have the opportunity to speed through the outback on a quad or a ute? How many of us can say they’ve helped deliver a calf or a lamb?

And it sure beats Bondi Beach for its tanning abilities.

Like most good things, there are, of course, a number of drawbacks to working on a farm. Insurance is the primary concern for most. Workers Compensation generally doesn’t extend to backpackers working for their bed and board or off the books.

Recently, a young man in Victoria was killed by a kick from a dairy cow, so you need to be aware that accidents can occur. Anyone thinking of taking up a job offer should always ensure their own travel insurance covers them should they get injured.

:: Get Insured

Another option is volunteering on an organic farm. Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a scheme involving working on an organic farm in exchange for bed and board. WWOOF workers can purchase a policy for $25 which covers third party liability and personal accident, injury and illness.

However, the liability is limited and is only covered by farms registered with WWOOF Australia.

The very nature of the work is also a natural deterrent. People expecting a regular nine to five, Monday to Friday job can be in for a shock.

Getting up in the middle of the night to birth a difficult heifer is not an uncommon occurrence. Nor is sitting down to have your dinner and realising the cows have broken into the neighbour’s paddock. You have no choice but to put down your knife and fork and run for the ute to get them rounded up before they mix in with the other animals.

All job adverts should also come with the disclaimer ‘No squeamish people need apply’. This is not a job for those with a delicate disposition. You see births, deaths and all the bodily fluids in between. I’ve had a calf die from diarrhoea, watched a cow have its eye removed and helped pull out a calf that was too big to come naturally. It’s not something everyone can stomach but you need to be prepared for everything.

Most backpackers see regional work as a hassle. And in some ways it is.

You’re uprooted from your cosy city life and thrown into a world that most of us would rather not know existed.

Scams have emerged to try to circumvent the rules. Two years ago, DIAC launched a major clampdown on an Irish-run racket where backpackers were charged money to ‘fix’ a second visa without actually doing the regional work. Dozens of young Irish had their applications for a second visa rejected because of ‘inconsistencies’ on their forms.

If you want to stay on, you’re better off just getting on with it. You work long and hard, and no one will thank you. Because these people have been doing this their whole lives.

They were born on the farm, grew up on the farm and many have known nothing else but farm life.

They’ll be here long after you’ve gone; training in the next bunch of backpackers.

It’s a means to an end and an experience that most backpackers come to remember fondly.

:: A quick guide to the Working Holiday Visa

If you’re planning to work in Australia, you will need a visa. The Working Holiday Visa (417) is available to Irish and British passport holders between the ages of 18 and 30.

You can apply for this visa online (see www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/working-holiday.htm) and track its progress. The application fee is currently $270 (or €209).

Once you’re in Australia, you can apply for a further 12 months on your visa.

Some businesses can offer you this visa packaged up with – for instance – insurance, a bank account and Australian sim card but beware, you can wind up paying up to €100 for something that you can easily do yourself for free. While the Department of Immigration website has plenty of information, there are no immigration officers at the Australian Embassy in Dublin so if you want direct information, you can find yourself being referred to London.

Some Ireland-based visa firms run information seminars on moving to Australia. If you’re planning to attend one of these events, make sure organisers have registered migration agents on their staff.

Using a Migration Agent

Many people use migration agents to complete and lodge their applications. The best agents to use are those registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).
MARA is an Australia-based authority, which checks the bona fides of businesses offering migration advice for money. To be registered with MARA you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

In Australia, it is a criminal offence to offer immigration advice without being registered. However, agents outside Australia operate without regulation, so you need to proceed carefully.

In Ireland, the situation is particularly treacherous as there is no regulation at all governing the migration agent industry.

Anyone can set up an attractive website, declare themselves experts and start selling migration advice. Registered agents in Australia have told us that many clients come to them after wasting time and money with agents overseas, especially in Ireland.

How much is too much?

Some migration agents in Ireland charge in excess of €4,000 for a permanent residency application. This is excessive. Shop around for quotes and don’t be afraid to contact migration agents in Australia for a quote. Much can be done online now.