New Zealand vs Australia - Which one is better for study abroad

Meridean Overseas

Updated On 09 January 2024 & Read Time 10 minutes

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Are you exploring the finest country between New Zealand vs Australia for your higher education abroad? Australia has the best universities, while New Zealand has affordable education, both are unique in their own way.

To decide among one of them, you have to look at their ranking, courses, fees, country's acceptance of international students and scholarships, along with visa acceptance rate and travel options.

Here, in this blog, we have covered everything you need to make a confident decision in Australia versus New Zealand. So, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Overview
Popular Courses in New Zealand vs Australia
Top Universities in New Zealand vs Australia
Cost of Studying in New Zealand vs Australia
Admission Requirements in New Zealand vs Australia
Student Visa in New Zealand vs Australia
Scholarships in New Zealand vs Australia
Jobs in New Zealand vs Australia
Conclusion
FAQs

Popular Courses in New Zealand vs Australia

Starting with our first section on popular courses in Australia vs New Zealand. Several international students in Australia and New Zealand opt for the courses below. Head on to the below details:

Popular Courses in New Zealand	Popular Courses in Australia
Engineering	Accounting
Business Studies	Health Care
Tourism & Hotel Management	Information Technology
IT/Computing	MBA
Visual Communications	Hotel Management

However, students also need to understand that we just have listed the popular courses above. Both these countries are known for higher standards of education, especially practical education. So, if your course is not in the list, don’t worry. Take time, do research and then choose a reputed university that offers that course. You will get the best education along with all the benefits we are going to discuss.

Top Universities in New Zealand vs Australia

Coming to top-notch universities in Australia versus New Zealand. Both countries have QS-ranked universities, mainly popular for their enhanced learning environment. The decision to study at any university varies depending on the degree type and subject. Here are the top ones to think about:

Top Universities in New Zealand	QS World University Rankings 2024	Top Universities in Australia	QS World University Rankings 2024
The University of Auckland	68	The University of Melbourne	14
University of Otago	206	The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19
Massey University	239	The University of Sydney	19
Victoria University of Wellington	241	Australian National University (ANU)	34
University of Waikato	250	Monash University	42
University of Canterbury	256	The University of Queensland	43
Lincoln University	362	The University of Western Australia	72
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	407	The University of Adelaide	89
		University of Technology Sydney	90
		Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)	130

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Cost of Studying in New Zealand vs Australia

Next is the cost of studying in New Zealand vs Australia. Tuition fees vary depending on your level of course. Below is a brief reference for some of the major courses, as well as their associated fee structure.

Costs for UG Courses in New Zealand vs Australia
Particulars	Undergraduate courses in New Zealand	Undergraduate courses in Australia
Average Tuition Fee	BSc: INR 19.82 Lakhs/Year BTech: INR 22.08 Lakhs/Year BBA: INR 16.37 Lakhs/Year	BSc: INR 15.05 Lakhs/Year BTech: INR 20.74 Lakhs/Year BBA: INR 16.80 Lakhs/Year
Average Living Expense	INR 5.90 Lakhs/Year	INR 6.37 Lakhs/Year
Duration	3-4 Years	3-4 Years

Cost of PG Course in New Zealand vs Australia
Particulars	Postgraduate courses in New Zealand	Postgraduate courses in Australia
Average Tuition Fee	MA: INR 9.50 Lakhs/Year MS: INR 25.12 Lakhs/Year MBA: INR 25.89 Lakhs/Year	MA: INR 19.89 Lakhs/Year MS: INR 26.18 Lakhs/Year MBA: INR 90 Lakhs/Year
Average Living Expense	INR 5.90 Lakhs/Year	INR 6.37 Lakhs/Year
Duration	1-2 Years	2 Years

Admission Requirements in New Zealand vs Australia

Now that you have complete knowledge of tuition fees, let’s have a profound overview of admission requirements. Well, admission requirements differ depending on the country, course, and university. However, there is a standard procedure that everyone follows, as seen below:

New Zealand	Australia
Completed Application Form Academic Transcripts Minimum 60% and above in high school Bachelor's Degree (for PG programs) Copy of Passport Personal Statement CV or Resume GMAT/ GRE Scores (for PG programs) English Proficiency Scores (IELTS, TOEFL) 2 LOR PCC (Police clearance certificate)	Completed Application Form Academic Transcripts Minimum 60% and above in high school Bachelor's Degree (for PG programs) Copy of Passport Personal Statement CV or Resume GMAT/ GRE Scores (for PG programs) English Proficiency Scores (IELTS, TOEFL)

Student Visa in New Zealand vs Australia

Understanding student visas is essential, so this section sheds light upon varied requirements to apply for a student visa for New Zealand vs Australia. Take a look at the requirements for both countries one by one.

New Zealand Student Visa Requirements

A New Zealand student visa will cost you roughly Rs 15,000 (in India).
NZ High Commission takes approx. 8-12 weeks for visa procedure, which depends on your history. You should apply for an NZ student visa 3 months prior to the beginning of your studies.
You must finish your studies within the minimum course duration of your acceptance letter. You may apply for a Post-study work visa if you have not received a job offer. Visas are issued for up to 12 months and allow you to work temporarily while looking for a job in your profession.
Sometimes, your spouse or children will be given a guest visa for the same period as your partner or parents. Your spouses on work visas can work full-time in New Zealand, but guest visa people do not have job rights.

Australia Student Visa Requirements

The Australian student visa does not come as a sticker.
This visa's application fee and processing time is AUD 710, including GST.
Spouses only become dependent if you pursue a master's or doctoral degree. Spouses of Master's and PhD students are permitted to work an unrestricted number of hours.
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying in Australia.

Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand vs Australia

Head over to post-study work visa of Australia vs New Zealand. So, let’s have a look at them.

New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa

If you have a job offer related to your qualifications, you may be eligible for a work visa for up to two years. You must give evidence of the relation of your employment offer to your qualification as well as proof of successful completion of a New Zealand certificate that fits the Study to Work qualification standards.

Australia Post-Study Work Visa

Graduates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree may be able to apply for a two-year post-study work visa. Other graduates may be eligible to apply through the graduate employment stream for an 18-month subclass 485 visa.

Scholarships in New Zealand vs Australia

Now that you are well aware of student visas in New Zealand vs Australia, understanding scholarships deeply is highly significant. Studying in Australia or New Zealand can be easier with the help of scholarships because of their rising living expenditures.

Scholarships in Australia
Scholarship	Benefactor	Award/Amount
Carnegie Mellon University scholarship	Carnegie Mellon University	The amount is decided based on financial need and merit.
Melbourne Research Scholarships	The University of Melbourne	100% fee remission and up to $110,000
Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship	Deakin University	Waiver of 50% tuition fee and on-campus accommodation
Brighter Futures Scholarship	Griffith University	From $5,000 (for one year/80 CP of study) up to $40,000 (for a four-year, 320 CP degree)
Rotary Peace Fellowship program	Rotary Peace Center	Covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Monash Research training program	Monash University	A support of $33,000 annually to those undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees.
Australia Awards Scholarships	The University of Sydney	Full tuition fee

Scholarships in New Zealand
Scholarship Name	Benefactor	Award/Amount
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship	University of Auckland	Up to $10,000 towards compulsory tuition fees
Lincoln University International Pathway Merit Scholarship	Lincoln University	Award of $1,546
Wellington Masters by Thesis Scholarship	Victoria University of Wellington	$15,000 tax-free stipend for one year plus tuition fees
Tongarewa Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington	Victoria University of Wellington	$5,000 or $10,000
Orion Master’s Energy Scholarship at the University of Canterbury	University of Canterbury	$16,500
Brownlie Scholarship	University of Canterbury	$3,096.0
New Zealand Excellence Awards	University of Auckland	Value of up to $10,000 towards the first-year tuition fees

Jobs in New Zealand vs Australia

Now that you are entirely aware of all the differences, you must also look for work prospects in both countries for better job employment after your studies. Salary can vary depending on your academics, skills, and degree level. Here is a list of popular job profiles and their average salaries:

New Zealand Prospects
Job Profiles	Average Annual Salary
Auditor	NZ$ 53,816
Art Director	NZ$ 72,860
Building Manager	NZ$ 60,518
Corporate Trainer	NZ$ 69,617
Law Clerk	NZ$ 45,30

Australia Prospects
Job Profiles	Average Annual Salary
Communications Manager	88, 369 AUD
Parts Manager	63,963 AUD
Bus Driver	60,358 AUD
Travel Agent	45,630 AUD
Life Coach	85,000 AUD

Conclusion

To conclude, the answer to “Which is better Australia or New Zealand” involves considering factors like education quality, popular courses, top universities, and cost. New Zealand offers affordability, while Australia boasts top-ranked universities. Visa requirements, post-study work options, and scholarships also play crucial roles. Both countries provide diverse job prospects post-graduation.

We hope this blog offers valuable insights regarding study in New Zealand and study in Australia. However, if you still need clarification regarding New Zealand vs Australia, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance for Australia versus New Zealand. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

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FAQs

Q: Is getting a scholarship to study in New Zealand vs Australia complicated?

A: Securing scholarships in New Zealand vs Australia can be competitive. The availability and difficulty depend on various factors, including the specific scholarship, the field of study, and your academic and extracurricular achievements. You must explore multiple scholarships and meet the eligibility criteria to enhance your chances of success.

Q: Which is better Australia vs New Zealand, for international students?

A: The choice between Australia vs New Zealand depends on personal preferences and academic goals. Australia has top-ranked universities and a diverse range of courses. New Zealand is known for its affordable education and stunning landscapes. You must consider factors like courses, living costs, and lifestyle to make an informed decision.

Q: Is NZ colder than Australia?

A: New Zealand generally has a cooler, temperate climate, particularly in the southern regions. As more prominent and diverse, Australia encompasses hot deserts, tropical areas, and temperate zones. Climate experiences vary based on the specific location within each country.

Q: Which country pays more Australia or New Zealand?

A: Salary levels vary depending on the industry, job sector, and individual qualifications. Australia, a larger economy, often offers higher average salaries than New Zealand. Thus, the cost of living in Australia is also higher. You must consider salary and living expenses to determine your financial situation.

Q: How is their culture Australia vs New Zealand?

A: Australian culture is a vibrant blend of Western Anglo and Aborigine influences, fostering a fun-loving and relaxed atmosphere. New Zealand's allure lies in its captivating natural environment, thrilling experiences, and stunning scenery, attracting students seeking a unique cultural experience.

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