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Australia vs New Zealand: which should you study in?
Both are strong destinations, and the honest answer depends on your budget, your grades and whether you want to stay on after graduating. Here is the side-by-side.
Australia vs New Zealand, line by line
| Metric | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $20,500 | ≈ $14,500 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,500 | ≈ $4,600 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $29,000 | ≈ $22,600 |
| Total per year | ≈ $49,500 | ≈ $37,100 |
| Post-study work | 2 years | 3 years |
| Work while studying | 24 h/week | 20 h/week |
| PR pathway | strong | strong |
| Institutions | 31 | 8 |
| Courses listed | 120 | 24 |
| World rank | #19 | #65 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 72% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 6.3 |
Which one fits you?
Choose Australia if…
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (31 here)
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose New Zealand if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $6,000 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $4,600 a year)
- ✓you want longer post-study work rights (3 years)
The short version
New Zealand is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while New Zealand gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Australia has the stronger pathway.
Australia
Subclass 500 student visa. Financial capacity requirement is AUD 29,710/yr of living costs. The Temporary Graduate visa (485) gives 2 years for bachelor's/coursework master's and 3 for research degrees and PhDs; skilled occupations feed a points-based PR system.
New Zealand
Fee-paying student visa (show NZD 20,000/yr of living funds). The Post-Study Work Visa runs up to 3 years and skilled roles feed a points-based residence system.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in Australia or New Zealand?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — New Zealand works out cheaper. Tuition in Australia starts around $21,500 a year against $4,600 in New Zealand, and living costs run $$20,500 versus $$14,500 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, Australia or New Zealand?
Australia allows 2 year(s) of post-study work and New Zealand allows 3. During term, students can work up to 24 hours a week in Australia and 20 hours in New Zealand.
Which is easier to get into, Australia or New Zealand?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in Australia and 72% in New Zealand, with English requirements of IELTS 6.5 and 6.3 respectively. Entry difficulty varies far more by institution than by country.
Other comparisons
Estimated figures. Tuition, living costs and entry benchmarks on this page are estimates for guidance and comparison. Always confirm exact figures with the institution before you apply.
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