The Associations mandate is to provide welfare for the needy in the Irish Community.  The IAWB assists everybody from the young Irish in Australia to the elderly Irish who have no one to care for them.  The IAWB is non political, non sectarian and non judgmental. The IAWBs services are freely available to people in genuine need on a non discriminatory basis.  There is no job description because the IAWB never know what will come through their door. There are needs greater than we can ever imagine.
The IAWB provide a service to meet real needs, to further a strong sense of support across the Irish Australian family and in particular to reach out to many people who would otherwise be left alone and isolated for whatever reason from the mainstream of Irish Australian society.

The work of the IAWB is done to engender that vital sense of belonging and contributes its own special richness to the quality of the lives of all whom it touches a richness that would otherwise be lost.

All contact with the IAWB is treated with the utmost confidentiality, compassion and respect.

In today's society, unfortunately anyone can have financial problems due to various circumstances.

The IAWB offer a limited range of support with financial difficulties, depending on the circumstances, but it is the policy of the IAWB NOT to make cash payments.

To make an appointment to assess your eligibility contact the IAWB office on 02 9300 8019, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You will be assessed according to your needs and the resources available at the Bureau.

Type of assistance available may include.

• Food vouchers or parcels.
• Food hampers at Christmas.
• Household accounts.

The Irish Australian Welfare Bureau Objectives

The Objectives of the Association are:

To provide social advice to Irish immigrants regarding their rights and available services, in order to assist them to make a smooth transition into Australian society.To provide advice and assistance to Irish people in detention, and their families.To offer advice and assistance regarding housing and accommodation.To advise and assist with unemployment issues and employment procedures/rights.To offer assistance and visitations to people in hospitals and Nursing Homes.To assist and advise isolated, widowed or bereaved families.To provide contact and assistance to inmates and families to those in jails, during or on release.To research, enhance and promote Irish culture in Australia and to do this by using the existing framework within the Irish community.To attend and service any other charitable needs of individuals and community groups within the Irish community in Australia.In October 1996, burial plots were purchased at Rookwood Cemetery, to be used for the needy in the Irish Community.  The IAWB now owns 24 burial plots in St. Patrick’s Lawn Cemetery at Rookwood.

To date 27 people are interred there.  These 27 men and women were born in various counties in Ireland and have lived in Australia for many years.

Every November the IAWB organizes the celebration of Mass in the Sacred Heart Chapel in Rookwood for the deceased member s of the Irish Community.  Following Mass the rosary is recited at the gravesides.