A large number of Irish emigrants down under are having a difficult time.
There's been increase in the number of hard-up Irish citizens who have turned to Emigrant groups for support.
The Claddagh Association is a support group based in Perth that helps Irish people in times of crisis,
It's reported a 35 per-cent increase in requests for assistance since last year.
The voluntary group said many of the calls were from young men - with many backpackers coming to Australia unprepared and without work.
Joan Ross is from the Claddagh Association:
