Comparison Between: Australia and New Zealand
Both Australia and New Zealand provide excellent studying facilities, universities, and other attractive options for international students. But both the countries have significantly different cultural experiences and education systems, including job opportunities, living expenses, cost of studying, and more. While both the countries are best in their ways, there are still various factors you should consider that will help you make a more well-informed and better choice from your career's point of view.
Higher Education Systems In Australia and New Zealand
Comparing Australia's and New Zealand's education systems is necessary to understand the facilities both countries have. Here are some major differences between Australian and New Zealand institutions.
Australia
- Public Universities: These types of University are managed by the government. Various research universities fall under public Universities as well.
- Private Universities: These types of University provide short term and religious courses.
- Regional Universities: These Universities are run by a regional group network. The Aim of Regional Universities is to contribute towards the growth of regional economies and communities.
- Institution of Technology: These types of Universities focus on providing technological and practical learning.
- Private Colleges: These institutions have the authority to give Master's and Bachelor's degrees.
- Technical and Further Education (TAFE): TAFE institutions provide vocational courses, work experience and apprenticeships.
New Zealand
- State Owned Universities: These are Public Universities and run by the government. In addition, there are a total of 8 State Owned Universities in New Zealand.
- Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics: These institutions are owned by the New Zealand Government. These Universities offer Vocational Courses, Certificate courses, Practical training and Degree courses.
- Private Training Establishments or PTEs: PTEs are not supported by the New Zealand Government these Universities are primarily funded by private institutions. In addition, these institutions offer courses accredited by the NZQA.
Top Universities In Australia and New Zealand
According to a survey conducted by UniRank there are more than 40 top Universities in Australia for higher education which provide Bachelors, Postgraduate and Masters degrees in various disciplines. In addition, there are more than 8 Universities for higher education in New Zealand which feature in the QS World University Ranking list.
Top 5 Universities in Australia
Here are the top five universities in the Australia with their QS World Rankings in 2022:
| Institutions | QS World University Rankings 2022 |
|---|---|
| Australian National University (ANU) | 27 |
| University of Melbourne | 37 |
| University of Sydney | 38 |
| University of South Wales (UNSW) | 43 |
| Monash University | 58 |
Top 5 Universities in New Zealand
Here are the top five universities in the New Zealand with their QS World Rankings in 2022:
| Institutions | QS World University Rankings 2022 |
|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 85 |
| University of Otago | 194 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 236 |
| University of Canterbury | 258 |
| Massey University | 284 |
Popular Courses To Study In Australia and New Zealand
Both Australia and New Zealand offer a wide range of programs in different disciplines to international students. Here are the top courses to study in Australia and New Zealand:
| Popular Courses in New Zealand | Popular Courses in Australia |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Accountancy |
| Business Studies | Architecture |
| Computer Science and IT | Engineering |
| Architecture | Earth Science |
| Physiology | Agricultural Science |
| Medicine | Computer Science and Information Technology |
| Engineering | Business Management |
| Hospitality | Tourism and Hospitality Management |
Admission Requirements In Australia and New Zealand
The eligibility in both Australia and New Zealand are quite understandable for all the international students. Below mentioned details about the eligibility criteria for both the countries will help you evaluate whether New Zealand or Australia has a better education system.
Australia
- You must have a secondary school qualification certificate which is equivalent to an Australian 12 Year certificate.
- Minimum score or GPA requirements differ from university to university and from course to course.
- You need to submit your GRE and GMAT scores if you wish to study any Master's degrees in Australia.
- CV and Statement of Purpose is mandatory for all Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Australia.
- It is mandatory to submit English proficiency test IELTS and TOEFL scores to study Master's, Bachelor's, Doctorate and Certificate courses in Australia (score varies from course to course)
- In the case of any Master's engineering program, you will need a four-year UG degree in engineering to study in Australia.
New Zealand
- You must have completed your 12th standard from an authorized school with a minimum of 65%.
- English proficiency test scores of TOEFL, IELTS and PTE are mandatory to submit for any Bachelor's or Master's degree program. Scores of the program differ from course to course.
- Students must also submit a Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose and Letter of Reference in order to study any Bachelor's or Master's program in New Zealand.
- For any Doctorate program in New Zealand you must submit a strong research proposal and research experience.
Cost Of Studying In Australia and New Zealand
Here is the average cost of studying in Australia and New Zealand:
| Study Programs | Tuition Fees In Australia Yearly (AUD) | Tuition Fees In New Zealand Yearly (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 30,000 to 40,000 AUD | 10,000 NZD to 32,000 NZD |
| Master's Degree | 20,000 to 50,000 AUD | 26,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD |
Cost Of Living Australia & New Zealand
Apart from tuition fees, one more important thing that you should consider before applying to either Australia or New Zealand for higher education is the average cost of living and daily expenses which includes traveling, wifi, food, accommodation and more.
| Expenses | Cost Of Living Per Month Australia (AUD) | Cost Of Living Per Month New Zealand (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Accommodation | 85 AUD to 440 AUD | 200 NZD to 400 NZD |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | 480 AUD to 1,760 AUD | 180 NZD to 400 NZD |
| Food | 80 AUD to 280 AUD | 30 NZD to 60 NZD |
| Public Transportation | 75 AUD to 105 AUD | 20 NZD to 40 NZD |
| Miscellaneous | 300 AUD to 500 AUD | 200 NZD to 350 NZD |
Scholarships Offered In Australia & New Zealand
Listed below are some scholarships which students can avail each year to study in Australia or New Zealand:
| Australia Scholarships | New Zealand Scholarships |
|---|---|
| Destination Australia Award | Coursework Master Scholarship |
| Research Training Program | New Zealand Excellence Award |
| Australia APEC Women In Research Fellowship | AUT International Excellence Scholarship Award |
| University Scholarship | International Excellence Scholarships |
| International Postgraduate Research Scholarships | New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships |
Student Visa Requirements In Australia & New Zealand
Below are detailed information on student visa requirements for both Australia and New Zealand.
Student Visa for Australia
- Apply for student visa online on Australian Emigration Website.
- You will need a Confirmation of Enrollment letter CoE from your University to attach it in your student visa.
- Your documents should be in digital format for a Subclass 500 student visa.
- Fill your student visa, attach your CoE and country codes.
- The cost of a student visa for Australia is 620 AUD. In addition you have to take a medical test before getting your visa to make sure you are fit to travel.
Documents Required
- Valid Passport
- Health insurance papers
- Confirmation of Enrollment letter
- Proof of finance. You need to show According to show AUD 20,290 for a year in your finances to study in Australia
- Proof of temporary stay
- Birth certificate
- Address proofs
- Education proofs
- Certificate of Qualification
- All previous Bank statements
- IELTS or TOEFL score copy
- Proof of any previous employment
Student Visa for New Zealand
- Apply online for a student visa on the New Zealand immigration website.
- Scan all the documents and attach with the application in pdf format.
- Cost of student visa in New Zealand is 304 NZD
- Submit all the documents, pay the fees and wait for your student visa approval.
Documents Required
- A valid passport
- Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of Accommodation or private stay
- Visa Application Form
- Visa Application Fee
- Finance papers or certificate
- English Language Proficiency test score
- Health Insurance copies
- Character Certificate from your college or school
- Passport-size photographs
Job Opportunities In Australia & New Zealand
Apart from the world class higher education system both Australia and New Zealand have various job opportunities for international students. Students can get experience in various fields and work part time as well while studying. Below are some of the job opportunities both these countries offer.
| Popular Jobs In New Zealand | Average Salary Annually (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Retail sales assistant | 45,000 NZD |
| Finance and Business | 59,457 NZD |
| ICT and electronics | 136,775 NZD |
| Recreation | 41,599 NZD |
| Hospitality and Tourism | 53,000 NZD |
| Teacher/ Education | 66,000 NZD |
| Popular Jobs In Australia | Average Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Medical Services | 101, 490 AUD |
| Hospitality | 75,333 AUD |
| Computer System Design | 113,100 AUD |
| Accounting | 92,588 AUD |
| Engineering | 110, 029 AUD |
| Data Analyst | 85,000 AUD |
PR In Australia and New Zealand
Australia
Getting a permanent residency permit in Australia is a long process. As a part of permanent residence permit the immigration officers will conduct a background check to make sure there is no fraud. If you are applying for a permanent residence permit in Australia it will take some time for your application to get approved but it is a fairly easy process.
New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the popular destinations for immigration purposes. It is quite easy to apply for a permanent residence permit in New Zealand because it is a country with a low population and once you have done your graduation and applied for the jobs which come in the limited resource or skill shortage category it will be easy for you to get a permanent resident permit for New Zealand.
Hopefully, the comparison between Australia and New Zealand about their higher education system and other important facilities will help you make a better and informed decision for your career.