Australia vs Ireland: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?

Key Summary

• Australia ranks higher in university prestige with institutions like the University of Melbourne at 13th globally, while Ireland’s top university, Trinity College Dublin ranks 87th in QS World University Rankings 2025, making Australia stronger for students prioritizing institutional reputation.

• Ireland offers significantly lower education costs with tuition fees ranging €9,000-€40,000 annually and monthly living expenses of €1,000-€1,500, compared to Australia’s AU$14,000-AU$50,000 tuition and AUD 2,800 to AUD 3,000 monthly living costs, providing better affordability for international students.

• Australia provides superior post-graduation earning potential with average salaries of AUD 74,497 after undergraduate and AUD 122,136 after postgraduate studies, exceeding Ireland’s €33,383 and €65,000, respectively, along with longer post-study work visas of 2-6 years versus Ireland’s 1-2 years.

Choosing the best study-abroad destination can be difficult for students, especially if they have to choose between two developed countries that provide equal employment chances to international students. If you need help deciding whether to study in Australia or Ireland, this blog is for you. We understand that the conundrum of Australia vs Ireland might be frustrating, as both nations are among the greatest for pursuing an education. But leave your worries at the door because we are about to dispel your doubts about Australia vs Ireland in this blog. We will analyse these countries to determine which one is a superior study-abroad destination. 

Let’s compare Australia and Ireland in depth. 

Parameters	Australia	Ireland
Area	7.688 Million KM²	84,421 KM²
Currency	AUD (AU$)	Euro (€)
Capital	Canberra	Dublin
Total Higher Education Providers	170	22
Total Indian Students Studying	95,791	4,000
Average Cost of Living	AU$2800 – AU$3000 Per Month	€1,000 – €1,500 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	AU$20,000 – AU$50,000Per Year	€12,000 Per Annum
Popular Job Sectors	Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Healthcare and Medical, Architects, Professional Services – Technical & Scientific Area	Technology, Accounting and Finance, Construction, Creative Design, Web Development, Nursing, and Business Skills.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	40 Hours Per Week	Up To 40 Hours Per Week During Holidays and 20 hours Per Week During the School Year

Top Universities: Australia vs Ireland

Choosing the correct university is critical to the advancement of your career. We have presented a list of top universities in Australia and Ireland in the tables below. Finally, at the end of this section, we will determine which country has the best universities. 

Universities in Australia 

Here are the best universities in Australia:

Top Universities in Australia	QS World University Rankings 2025	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
The University of Melbourne	13	34
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19	71
The University of Sydney	18	54
Australian National University (ANU)	30	62
Monash University	37	44
The University of Queensland	=40	53
The University of Western Australia	77	131
The University of Adelaide	=82	88
University of Technology Sydney	88	133
Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)	=133	192

Universities in Ireland 

Here are the top universities in Ireland: 

Top Universities in the Ireland	QS World University Rankings 2025	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin	87	17
University College Dublin	87	201–250
University of Galway	=273	301–350
University College Cork	=273	301–350
Dublin City University	=421	401–500
University of Limerick	=421
Maynooth University	801-850	401–500

Which Country is Better?

As you can see from the tables provided above, the universities in Australia hold a higher rank than the universities in Ireland. Hence, we will grant a +2 score to Australia in this round of our Australia vs Ireland contest.  

Also Read: Chemical Engineering in Australia: Salary, Jobs, Courses, Companies

Admission Requirements

When selecting whether to pursue a degree in Australia or Ireland, you must carefully consider the requirements in each nation. In this section, we will go over the entrance criteria for universities in each country. 

Admission Requirements For Australia 

The following are the requirements for admission to Australian universities:

• Students must have received at least a 65% on their Class 12 exam.
• Applicants must provide a statement of purpose or personal essay, as well as a letter of recommendation. 
• Students must also provide a curriculum vitae. 
• They must also guarantee that they have a valid visa in order to enter and study in Australia. 
• Applicants must additionally have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, a TOEFL score of 46 (internet-based test), a CAE score of 162, and a PTE Academic score of 42. 
• Students must also obtain Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC).

Admission Requirements For Ireland

The following are the prerequisites for attending Irish universities:

• A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is required, as is a TOEFL iBT score of 90, a PTE score of 36 (UG), a PTE score of 63 (PG), and a Cambridge ESOL score of C1 or C2.
• Applicants must be in possession of a current passport. 
• They must also be able to provide proof of sufficient funds.
• Students must have a medical insurance policy of at least €25,000.
• You must additionally provide specific documents, such as: 

1. Two passport pictures
2. A letter from a college confirming your acceptance
3. Receipt as verification of registration and payment of tuition fees
4. Additional university-specific requirements

Which Country is Better?

Although the admission requirements of both Australia and Ireland are almost similar, the acceptance rate of universities in Ireland is more than that of Australia. Hence, we will reward +2 to Ireland in this round.

Also Read: PhD in Environmental Science in Australia: Everything You Need to Know

Tuition Fees

In this section, we will find out which country has the lowest tuition fees. The country with the lowest educational costs will receive +2 points. Let us now examine tuition fees in Australia and Ireland. 

Tuition Fees in Australia

As per the websites of the universities in Australia, the average tuition fees in the nation are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	AU$15,000 – AU$33,000
Postgraduate	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000
Doctoral	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000

Tuition Fees in Ireland 

As per the websites of the universities in Ireland, the average tuition fees in the country are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€9,000 to €26,000
Postgraduate	€9,000 to €35,000
Doctoral	€9,000 to €40,000

Which Country is Better?

In terms of tuition costs and living expenses, Ireland is less expensive than Australia. The country has competitive tuition rates for overseas students, making it an appealing alternative for those seeking a quality education at a lower cost. Hence, Ireland receives +2 in this section as well.

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Living Expenses

When choosing a study-abroad destination, living expenditures are an important factor to consider. Let us examine the cost of living in Australia and Ireland to find which country has a lower cost of living. 

Cost of Living in Australia

This is what the living expenses look like in Australia as per Numbeo:

Monthly Rent	AU$1,827.31 – AU$3,775.63
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	AU$8,924.80 – AU$11,645.02
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	AU$25
Average Transportation Cost	AU$170.65
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	AU$453.55

Cost of Living in Ireland 

This is what the cost of living in Ireland according to Numbeo looks like:

Monthly Rent	€1,240.15 – €2,483.62
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,454 – €4,765.23
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€100
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€276.21

Which Country is Better?

The overall living expense is lower in Ireland when compared to Australia. Hence, Ireland will receive +2 points in this section of our Australia vs Ireland contest. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Work Permit and PR

Students often study abroad in the hopes of finding work and acquiring permanent residency. Let us compare the simplicity with which a work visa and permanent residency can be obtained in Australia and Ireland. 

Work Permit in Australia

The processing time for a work visa is typically 2-8 months. However, the processing time is determined by the type of visa and the application procedures. TSS visa (Temporary Skill Shortage), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, and Skilled Independent visa are some of the work permits available in Australia. 

Eligibility for Work Permit in Australia

Here are some eligibility criteria for obtaining a work permit in Australia:

• The applicant must have the necessary abilities and three years of work experience. 
• The applicant’s age should be less than 45 years old. 
• In addition, one must meet health and character standards. 

Steps to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia

Here’s how to apply for an employee work visa in Australia:

Step 1: Go to the official website of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).

2nd Step: Fill out the form for the type of visa you want.

Step 3: Determine whether your profession is on the list of skilled occupations for Skilled Visas.

4th Step: Before proceeding with the skills exam for sponsored visas, receive a nomination from an approved work sponsor.

Step 5: Send SkillSelect an Expression of Interest (EOI).

6th Step: You must first obtain an invitation to apply for this visa.

Step 7: Gather all of your paperwork.

8th Step: Apply for a visa within 60 days of receiving the invitation.

Fill out the online visa application.

PR in Australia

The Australian PR process is divided into three stages:

• Skill evaluation in Australia: This evaluation is carried out by a designated skill assessment authority. 
• Australia PR Visa Approval: The DHA thoroughly evaluates your profile after you have provided the relevant documentation. If you meet their special standards, you will be issued a visa. 
• Preparation for Departure: If the candidate is granted an Australian PR visa, he or she must move to Australia by the first entry date specified on the visa grant letter. 

The PR process takes around 6 months to 1 year on average in Australia. 

Work Permit in Ireland 

Let’s see how a work permit is given in Ireland:

Eligibility for a Work Permit in Ireland

Applicants for an Ireland Work Permit must meet the following requirements:

• The candidate should be hired on a temporary basis. They might also get a bid from an Irish company.
• The firm must meet the Labour Markets Needs Test if the candidate is applying for a work visa (other than a Critical Skills Employment visa). 
• This test indicates that the Irish-descent employer was unable to fill the vacant position with a qualified Irish or EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
• To be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, candidates must earn at least €30,000 or €80,000 per year. This is decided by the type of work they seek.
• Applicants for General Work Permits must have a minimum annual salary of €30,000.
• Except for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, the minimum yearly wage must meet the National Minimum Wage.
• The Irish-based company that hires the work visa applicant must employ at least 50% of its personnel from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

Steps to Apply for a Work Permit in Ireland

The first step in applying for a work visa in Ireland is identifying which sort of work permit is required. After determining the type of work permit necessary, the candidate must complete the associated application form. Applicants must be patient while waiting for an update on the status of their work visa in Ireland. 

An Ireland work permit takes around 13 weeks to process. Check the status of your work visa for Ireland on the DBEI website. You can check the status of your visa in Ireland using this website. You can pick up your visa once Ireland’s visa status has been accepted.

PR in Ireland 

If you are eligible for permanent residency in Ireland, your personal circumstances will be considered. If you are a non-EEA national who has been legally residing in Ireland for the past five years and has an employment permit, you are most likely eligible for permanent residence in Ireland.

Which Country is Better?

According to the comparison, obtaining a work permit and permanent residency in Australia is easier than in Ireland. As a result, Australia will receive a +2 in this section of our Australia vs Ireland contest. 

Also Read: Best Universities in Ireland

Average Salaries: Australia vs Ireland

According to Talent.com, the average annual wage after graduation is AU$ 74,497 and AU$ 122,136 after postgraduation in Australia. In Ireland, the average yearly salary after graduation is €33,383, whereas it is €65,000 after postgraduate study. 

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, the average yearly wage in Australia is higher than the average annual salary in Ireland. As a result, Australia will receive +2 points in this section of our Australia vs Ireland contest. 

Also Read: MBA in Ireland

Other Major Elements

Let’s have a look at some of the other major considerations to think about while deciding where to study abroad. These are the crucial elements:

Climate

In terms of climate, Australia is generally referred to as the country of diversity. Due to its different climatic conditions, Australia offers a diverse selection of regions, from tropical rainforests to golden beaches. 

Coming to Ireland, the Atlantic Ocean has a great influence on its climate, therefore warm ocean currents keep temperatures temperate. In the spring and summer (May to July), the average temperature is between 17°C and 20°C. During the fall season (August to October), the temperature ranges between 13°C and 17°C, with September being a moderate month with a sunny and warm atmosphere. The average temperature in winter (November to March) is 7.78°C, with January and February being the coldest months. With the exception of a few cold spells, snow is unusual in Ireland.

Safety

Both Australia and Ireland are regarded as safe foreign student destinations, although it is always prudent to take caution and adhere to local guidelines and suggestions.

Culture for International Students

Ireland and Australia both provide students with distinct activities and sightseeing opportunities. The highlight of Ireland is its rich history, magnificent castles, breathtaking scenery, and thriving cultural traditions. Australia, on the other hand, dazzles with its natural beauty, outdoor experiences, and vibrant city life.

Also Read: MS in Ireland

Conclusion

When the scores of Australia and Ireland are added up, we see that both of them have received a total of 6. As a result, both of them have a tie in this competition.

Keep in mind, however, that deciding between Australia and Ireland is difficult because each offers distinct advantages and cons. It is preferable to first choose a course or area of study before making a decision based on the availability of educational facilities and general financial support in the two nations.

As a result, you will make a more informed decision. Having said that, both Australia and Ireland are excellent study-abroad destinations with bright futures for students who study in these countries. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

FAQs

So, this was all about Australia vs Ireland. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.