- Three Irish ministers are undertaking a multi-city trade mission in Australia and New Zealand as part of the largest St Patrick’s Day global program.
- Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased exports to a record high of €36.75 billion in the last reported year and are on track to achieve €50 billion in exports by 2029.
- Exports increased to more than €483 million to Australia and New Zealand in the same time.
- Export growth to Australia has increased by 58% in the past five years
- Irish firms launching and expanding in Australia include Spectrum.Life, Scopey, LearnUpon, Xpress Health, Doctrine Skincare, and HCI
Irish innovation is thriving in the A/NZ region and continues to play a significant role in this economy. Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland exported more than €483 million to Australia and New Zealand in the latest reporting year. Global exports reached €36.75 billion and are on track to achieve €50 billion by 2029. Three Irish ministers are undertaking a high-level trade mission across major Australian and New Zealand cities, as part of Ireland’s largest St Patrick’s Day global program in the history of the State.
2026 sees Australia and Ireland celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations as James Lawless T.D., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, visits Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, including participating in a Higher Education Roundtable with University of Notre Dame Australia and a visit to Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne
Kevin Moran T.D., Minister of State for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, visits Perth and Brisbane engaging with political, trade and community leaders.
Noel Grealish,T.D, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine visits Auckland, Christchurch, Palmerston North and Wellington celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and New Zealand.
Irish innovation contributing to the Australia/ New Zealand economies spans diverse sectors from digital technologies, financial services, healthcare, agritech, cleantech and consumer retail.
From a fully uncrewed hydrographic survey of a large area within Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef; supporting patients with respiratory therapy in ICU; anti money laundering and fraud prevention, to real time cybersecurity threat response; optimising athlete performance and employee wellbeing; and maximising farm efficiency and productivity are just some of the ways Irish innovation is supporting ANZ businesses.
The Ministerial visits coincide with a series of commercial developments by Irish firms operating in the A/NZ region, including:
• Market entry of global digital mental health and wellbeing provider Spectrum.Life supporting insurers, workplaces and educators with full spectrum digital health, mental health, and wellbeing.
• Launch of Australian and Irish based construction AI platform Scopey Onsite that structures on-site updates into time-stamped, traceable evidence suitable for commercial and contractual review.
• The expansion of global learning management system LearnUpon with AI-native ‘Courseau’ acquisition.
• Launch of HCI’s AI-assisted policy and compliance tool to all Sunnyfield Disability Services' frontline staff.
• Market launch of Doctrine Skincare, using active ingredients at effective, evidence-based levels to deliver real, visible change.
• Expansion of health care recruitment app Xpress Health.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D. said Ireland and Australia have enjoyed a long-standing, deeply valued relationship and that this year carries special significance as we celebrate 80 years of bilateral relations between our two nations, a milestone that highlights the depth and resilience of our connection.
“A key priority of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day program this year is the advancement of economic diplomacy, highlighting the central role that trade, investment, and market diversification play in strengthening our shared prosperity. It is inspiring to witness the continued growth of commercial partnerships between Ireland and Australia, and the new opportunities emerging from these collaborations.”
Enterprise Ireland Director for Australia and New Zealand Lydia Rogers said the demand for Irish innovation is at an all-time high. “In 2024, global exports by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased to a record high of €36.75 billion and are on track to achieve €50 billion in exports by 2029.
“Despite the distance from Ireland, every year we see the deep and enduring trade relationship between Ireland and the Australian and New Zealand region grow even stronger. Over 40 Enterprise Ireland companies are involved in a variety of trade events across the region this week which is testament to that growing relationship.
Approximately 300 Enterprise Ireland–supported companies are exporting here, and 150 to New Zealand, with exports increasing by almost 60% over the past five years. Irish technology and services companies experienced double digit growth last year and we look forward to supporting that continued growth.”
About us:
About Enterprise Ireland: Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government’s agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets. We invest in the most innovative Irish companies through all stages of their growth and connect them to international customers across multiple industries. Our goal is to build successful, long-term business relationships between international companies and Irish partners. With 42 offices worldwide, Enterprise Ireland’s teams of industry experts consult with international businesses to understand and solve their business needs. https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/
Contact details:
Louise Nealon, PR With Purpose, T: 0403 569 177, E: [email protected]
