Visa questions come up every day in the Irish Around Oz groups, and a lot of the advice floating around is out of date or just wrong. So I asked the MARA-registered migration agents our members actually recommend to be in one place, with a discount for the community.
Tell us your situation in the short form below and you’ll be matched with the right expert. It takes two minutes and could save you months of guesswork.
Which visa do I need?
Most Irish people in Australia start on a Working Holiday visa and then need a plan for what comes next. Here are the main visas Irish people ask about in the groups, in plain English, and whether you can do it yourself or should talk to an expert.
| Visa | Who it’s for | Do it yourself? |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday (417) | Irish citizens aged 18 to 35. Up to 12 months, with a second and third year if you do your specified work (88 days, then six months). AUD 840 as of October 2026. | Yes, it’s a simple online application. Our regional work guide covers the extra years. |
| Visitor (eVisitor 651) | Holidays and visiting family. Free for Irish passport holders, up to three months per visit. | Yes, apply online before you fly. |
| Student (500) | Studying a registered course. From AUD 2,500. Since 2 October 2026, Working Holiday visa holders must apply from outside Australia. | Get free help choosing a course here. |
| Employer sponsored (482 Skills in Demand, 186, 494) | An employer sponsors you for a skilled role. 482 is temporary, 494 is a regional visa that can lead to permanent residency, and 186 is permanent. | Talk to an expert. Your employer has paperwork to do too. |
| Skilled migration (189, 190, 491) | Points-tested visas for skilled occupations, with or without a state nominating you. A route to permanent residency. | Talk to an expert. Skills assessments and points are easy to get wrong. |
| Partner (820/801 in Australia, 309/100 outside) | Partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens, married or de facto. | Worth getting advice. It’s one of the dearest visas, so you want it right first time. |
Visa details checked on the Department of Home Affairs website, October 2026. Rules and charges change, so always check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you apply.
Not sure which one fits you? Fill in the form above and you’ll be matched with the right expert, or pick one from the list below.
Below are the registered migration professionals our communities recommend most. These are trusted visa experts who have already helped hundreds of people from our groups across Australia.
Visa Experts Trusted by Our Community
These are experienced migration professionals who have been repeatedly recommended by members of our communities and have helped hundreds of people with Australian visas.
All visa experts listed below are registered Australian migration agents or immigration lawyers.
Arrive Australia Migration Services
Recommended by Irish Around Oz
Part of the Konnecting Group, Arrive Australia helps skilled professionals relocate to Australia and build long term careers.
- Part of the Konnecting Group
- 10+ MARA registered migration agents
- Employer sponsored and skilled migration expertise
- Visa advice plus recruitment support
- Irish owned, first hand emigration experience
Best suited for: Employer sponsored and skilled migration visas
Community benefit: 20% discount on consultation with code: IRISHAROUNDOZ
Contact: [email protected]
Be sure to mention Irish Around Oz when you get in touch.
Migration Unity
Recommended by Irish Around Oz
Trusted consultancy focused on clear, long term visa strategies for people serious about living and working in Australia.
- Employer sponsored visas (482, 186, 494)
- Skilled migration (189, 190, 491)
- Partner and parent visas
- PR and citizenship pathways
- Not suitable for student or standalone WHV
Community benefit: 20% discount on consultation with code: IRISHAROUNDOZ
Contact: Visit their website here
Be sure to mention Irish Around Oz when you get in touch.
Grace Immigration Consulting
Recommended by Irish Around Oz
Boutique migration consultancy offering personalised, transparent visa advice for individuals and employers.
- Dedicated service and support
- Led by an Irish MARA registered migration agent with over 20 years of experience
- Strong trade focused expertise including electrical, diesel, HGV and motor mechanics
- Associate Fellow of the Migration Institute of Australia (AFMIA)
Best suited for: Skilled migration, employer sponsorship, partner and family visas.
Community benefit: 20% discount on consultation with code: IRISHAROUNDOZ
Be sure to mention Irish Around Oz when enquiring.
ALC Lawyers
Recommended by Irish Around Oz
Specialist Australian immigration law firm with a strong focus on employer sponsored visas and long term migration outcomes for individuals and businesses.
- Employer sponsored visas including 482, 186 and 494
- Skilled migration pathways
- Partner and family visas
- Permanent residency and citizenship pathways
- Complex and high risk visa matters
Not suitable for: Student only visas or standalone Working Holiday Visas.
Visit their website here
Be sure to mention Irish Around Oz when you get in touch.
Questions that come up in the groups
Do I need a migration agent?
Not for a Working Holiday visa or an eVisitor. Those are straightforward online applications. For employer sponsorship, skilled, partner or anything with a history of refusals, it’s worth paying for proper advice. Visa charges are generally not refunded if an application is refused, so a mistake can cost you thousands and months of waiting.
What does “registered” mean?
In Australia, anyone giving visa advice for a fee has to be a registered migration agent or an Australian lawyer. You can check an agent on the official register of migration agents. Be wary of anyone in the comments offering visa “help” who isn’t on it.
How much does a consultation cost?
It varies by agent and by how complicated your situation is. Most of the experts on this page give Irish Around Oz members 20% off the consultation with the code IRISHAROUNDOZ. It is listed on each card that offers it.
Which one should I contact?
Fill in the form at the top of the page and you’ll be matched with the right expert for your visa. Or pick one from the list based on the “best suited for” line on each card.
Some of the visa experts on this page pay Irish Around Oz a referral fee. It costs you nothing extra, and you still get the community discount where it is offered. This page is general information, not migration advice.