Ryanair Qualifications
 

According to Ryanair website you need JAA or European ATPL.

Heard they have accepted Australian qualifications in lieu for 737 rated captains with high hours and suitable visa and passport.

Can anyone confirm?

Sounds unlikely, as you are required to hold a JAA licence to fly the aircraft of any Jaa state based operator. You would have to convert your Australian ATPL to a JAA one, which is not cheap - as Redsnail will confirm.

It sounds likely as Ryan have an IAA AOC. In anycase there is a provision in JAR for high houred jet jocks (3000hrs+) to get a validation.

that's correct, but a validation is valid only for 1 year, during this time the captain will have to convert.14 written tests (not sure).
a validation is only valid in the country where the license has been issued.

No, if they have the hours they can get a conversion after passing Air Law, a type rating flight test and an OPC.

Why any airline would want to do that in the current climate of unemployed jet experienced pilots is the question.

still need work authorisation to work in europe. unless an australian is married to an european citizen, not possible to work here. like in the USA.

Not that this has any relavance/direct connection with the question, but I've flown with/on RYR many times and twice I heard Oz/NZ accents coming on the PA.....