Comparison Between: Australia and New Zealand

While choosing between study in Australia or New Zealand for higher education to provide excellent studying facilities, universities, and other attractive options for international students. While both 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.

New Zealand may be the best option for students who want to experience a supportive community and a natural environment with compact universities. On the contrary, Australia offers much larger universities located in big, energetic cities like Sydney and Melbourne. But if you would like to have a peaceful and even free zone with picturesque views then New Zealand could be the right place. What’s your preference—big city buzz or serene nature? Each of them has its own advantages which can indeed prepare you for success.

study in australia

Higher Education Systems

Comparing Australia vs New Zealand university and their education systems is necessary to understand the facilities both countries have. Here are some major differences between Australian and New Zealand institutions.

Criteria	Australia	New Zealand
Housing Cost	High: Between $1,000 – $2500 depending on the city where the establishment is located with Sydney and Melbourne being the most expensive.	Moderate: from $800 to $1,600 per month depending on the area, including Auckland and Wellington, which will be more expensive.
Universities	Well-known globally: 40 universities including Group of Eight (Go8) universities: University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and Australian National University.	Smaller, high-quality system: Eight universities, with top-ranked institutions like University of Auckland and the University of Otago. The system focuses on providing quality education services.
Healthcare	Medicare for Some: Overseas students need private health insurance. Some students who come from the United Kingdom and New Zealand have access to Medicare.	Affordable Public Healthcare: All international students must have insurance; however, health care is less expensive than in Australia.
Employment Opportunities	Strong: 2-4-year work visa available after study completion. Jobs in fields like Information technology, medical, engineering or financial sectors, to name a few.	Moderate to Strong: PSW of 1-3 years. Emerging sectors are tourism and hospitality, farming, and technology. However, because of its relatively smaller economy, it has fewer jobs than Australia.

Top Universities

According to a survey conducted by UniRank both the countries have renowned universities that feature in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

Top Universities in Australia	QS World Ranking	Top Universities in New Zealand	QS World Ranking
Australian National University	34	University of Auckland	68
University of Melbourne	14	University of Otago	206
University of Sydney	19	Victoria University of Wellington	241
University of New South Wales	19	University of Canterbury	256
Monash University	42	Massey University	239

study in new zealand

Popular Courses

Study abroad in Australia or New Zealand offers a wide range of programs, but each country is known for different fields of expertise.

Popular Courses	Australia	New Zealand
Engineering & IT	Higher demand in mining, construction, and IT industries; preferred universities are Sydney University and ANU.	Growing opportunities in IT along with earthquake engineering; University of Auckland and University of Canterbury are recommended.
Business & Management	Highly regarded business programs, e.g., Melbourne Business School, with strong job prospects in finance and consulting.	Truly good companies to lead the efficient and sustainable business practices; University of Otago and AUT are the choices.
Healthcare (Nursing, Public Health)	High demand in healthcare sector; popular universities: University of Sydney, Monash University.	Critical need for healthcare workers, especially in rural areas; the University of Otago and the University of Auckland excel.
Environmental Science	Focus on biodiversity and climate challenges; University of Queensland and ANU are leaders.	Major focus towards nature and marine wild life and life form; University of Otago and Lincoln University.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements in Australia vs New Zealand education vary by program and institution but generally follow similar standards.

Job Role	Average Salary in Australia (AUD)	Average Salary in New Zealand (NZD)
IT & Software Development	AUD 85,000- 110.000	NZD 75,000- 100,000
Engineering	AUD 80,000- 120,000	NZD 70,000- 95,000
Healthcare & Nursing	AUD 70,000- 90,000	NZD 60,000-80,000
Business & Finance	AUD 80,000- 120,000	NZD 70,000- 100,000

Cost Of Studying

The average cost of studying in Australia and New Zealand:

Study Programs	Australia (AUD)	New Zealand (NZD)
Bachelor’s Degree	AUD 30,000 to 40,000	NZD 10,000 to 32,000
Master’s Degree	AUD 20,000 to 50,000	NZD 26,000 to 50,000

Cost of Living

Apart from tuition fees, living costs in Australia vs New Zealand for international students includes daily expenses which include traveling, wifi, food, accommodation and more.

Expenses	Australia (AUD)	New Zealand (NZD)
On-Campus Accommodation	AUD 85 to 440	NZD 200 to 400
Off-Campus Accommodation	AUD 480 to 1,760	NZD 180 to 400
Food	AUD 80 to 280	NZD 30 to 60
Public Transportation	AUD 300 to 500	NZD 200 to 350
Miscellaneous	AUD 300 to 500	NZD 200 to 350

Scholarships

Listed below are some scholarships which students can avail of each year to study in Australia or New Zealand for international students:

Australia	New Zealand
Destination Australia Award	Coursework Master Scholarship
Research Training Program	New Zealand Excellence Award
Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship	AUT International Excellence Scholarship
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships	New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships

Student Visa Requirements

Australia	New Zealand
Apply online for visa on Australian Emigration Website	Apply online for visa on New Zealand immigration website.
Cost- AUD 620	Cost- NZD 304
Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) required.	Letter of Acceptance required.
Proof of finances: AUD 20,290 for one year.	Proof of finances for study duration required.

Job Opportunities

Both Australia and New Zealand offer various job opportunities for international students. Below are some of the job opportunities both these countries offer.

Popular Jobs in Australia	Average Salary (AUD)	Popular Jobs in New Zealand	Average Salary (NZD)
Medical Services	AUD 101, 490	ICT and Electronics	NZD 136, 775
Hospitality	AUD 75, 333	Finance and Business	NZD 59, 457
Engineering	AUD 110, 029	Education	NZD 66,000
Computer Systems	AUD 113,100	Hospitality and Tourism	NZD 53,000

PR In Australia and New Zealand

Both countries offer pathways to permanent residency, although the process is different.

Australia	New Zealand
PR process requires background checks and can take time but is well-structured.	PR process is quite easy due to a low population and skill shortages.

Conclusion

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. For more assistance please visit us study abroad consultancy, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like study in USA, study in UK, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in Ireland and many more country.

For more assistance please visit us study abroad consultancy, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like study in USA, study in UK, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in Ireland and many more country.