Despite the belief that jobs are readily available in Australia, many Irish immigrants are having to turn to charity groups to help them survive.

The Claddagh Association, an Irish immigrant support group based in Perth, has seen a 35 percent increase in requests for assistance since last year, the Irish Independent reports.

Many of the calls were from “young lads who are practically homeless,” says the group.

Joan Ross, the president of the organization, said: "The lads might have enough left for a few nights in a hostel, but no other money for food or anything.

"That's the kind of desperation we are faced with at the moment, which is very different to what we have ever seen before."

She added that many newly-arrived unskilled immigrants from Ireland have trouble finding work.

"Some of these backpackers have come to Australia totally unprepared, with not enough cash to last a month."