Moving to Australia but can’t decide where? Answer seven quick questions and I’ll suggest the best fit out of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane or the Gold Coast. You don’t need to give an email to see your result.
This quiz needs JavaScript. If it won’t load, the comparison below covers the same ground.
It’s a bit of fun and a starting point, not advice. Jobs and rooms move fast, so ask in the Facebook group for your city before you decide.
The four cities at a glance
| City | Weather | Unit rent a week | Hours ahead of Ireland | Born in Ireland (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Warm summers, mild winters | About $780 | 9 to 11 | 22,399 |
| Melbourne | Four seasons in one day, cooler winters | About $600 | 9 to 11 | 14,742 |
| Perth | Hot, dry summers, rain in winter | About $700 | 7 or 8 | 16,412 |
| Brisbane and the Gold Coast | Hot, wet summers, mild winters | About $660 (Brisbane) | 9 or 10 | 7,654 (Greater Brisbane) |
Rents are Domain’s June 2026 medians for a whole unit, from our cost of living guide. Most new arrivals share, which costs a lot less. Irish-born figures are for each city’s Greater Capital City area.
Where do most Irish people live in Australia?
At the 2021 Census, Greater Sydney had the most people born in Ireland, with 22,399. Greater Perth came next with 16,412, then Greater Melbourne with 14,742 and Greater Brisbane with 7,654. Perth stands out, because it has more Irish-born people than Melbourne, a city more than twice its size.
That census was taken in August 2021, when Australia’s border was closed, so it won’t show the working holiday crowd properly. You’ll find an Irish community in all four cities, and our list of Irish groups in Australia covers them.
How to choose between them
- Sydney suits you if you want the biggest Irish scene and don’t mind paying the most for rent. See the Irish in Sydney guide.
- Melbourne suits you if you like trams, gigs and a cooler winter. See the Irish in Melbourne guide.
- Perth suits you if you want mining or trades work, hot dry summers and a smaller time gap with home. See the moving to Perth guide.
- Brisbane and the Gold Coast suit you if you want sun, beaches and very cheap public transport. See the Brisbane and Gold Coast guide.
FAQ
Which of these cities is cheapest to rent in?
Melbourne, on Domain’s June 2026 figures, at about $600 a week for a whole unit. Most people on a working holiday share, so check our cost of living guide for room prices.
Which city is closest to Irish time?
Perth. It’s 7 hours ahead of Ireland in the Irish summer and 8 in the Irish winter, so a 7pm call from Perth lands at 11am at home in winter.
Why aren’t Adelaide and Darwin in the quiz?
I only included cities with a full Irish guide on this site. Both have Irish Around groups, listed in our Irish groups guide.
Do I need to give my email to see my result?
No. Your result shows straight away. You can join the free email list after it if you’d like.
