New Zealand vs Australia: Best Country for Indian Students

Australia and New Zealand are two popular island nations. Both countries are on the list of top study destinations worldwide where international students pursue higher studies. Australian universities are famous for STEM courses, particularly in specialised fields like medicine or engineering. On the other hand, studying in New Zealand offers affordable options with smaller class sizes and a focus on personalised learning. Both countries are known for high-quality education and beautiful landscapes. 

This comprehensive guide touches upon each factor and compares the two countries for international students only. Student Guide to Australia and Student Guide for New Zealand touch upon various aspects of living costs, studying costs, the admission process and other areas of importance. This guide also gives an overview of factors influencing a student's choice between Australia and New Zealand.

Australia vs. New Zealand Country Highlights

Factors of Difference	Australia	New Zealand
Area	7,617,932 km sq	270,467 km sq
Capital	Canberra	Wellington
Currency	Australian Dollar (AUD)	New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Population	27,749,000 (as of July 2025)	5,253,309 (as of July 2025)
Total Indian Students Studying in 2024 (MEA, GoI)	1,22,202	7,300
Higher Education Institutions	TAFE | Australian Universities	ITPs | PTEs | New Zealand Universities
Average Cost of Studying (Annual)	UG: AUD 20,000 - AUD 45,000 PG: AUD 22,000 - AUD 50,000 Doctoral: AUD 18,000 - AUD 42,000	UG: NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000 PG: NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000  Doctoral: NZD 6,500 - NZD 9,500
Average Annual Cost of Living	AUD 29,710	NZD 20,000 - NZD 25,000
Part-Time Working Hours While Studying	48 hours per fortnight	20 hours a week
Popular Job Sectors	Education, Healthcare, Construction & Architecture, ICT, etc.	Medicine, Agriculture, Education, Oil & Gas, Finance & Business, Engineering, etc.

Popular Courses in New Zealand vs Australia

The following are the popular courses opted for by international students in both Australia and New Zealand; read on for more details:

Popular Courses in New Zealand

Some popularly opted courses in New Zealand are in Business, Engineering & Technology, Sciences and Arts & Humanities. The following is a list of top courses offered in New Zealand for international students: 

• Engineering
• Business Studies
• IT/Computing
• Tourism & Hotel Management
• Visual Communications

Popular Courses in Australia

Some popular courses offered to study in Australia are in the areas of Business, Technology & Engineering, Science, Arts & Humanities, Social Work and others. Popularly opted courses in Australia by international students are as follows: 

• Accounting
• MBA
• Health Care
• Information Technology
• Education
• Hotel Management

Top Universities in Australia & New Zealand

Students planning to apply to universities in either Australia or New Zealand based on ranking can check out the latest rankings below:

Top Universities in Australia	QS World University Ranking 2026	Top Universities in New Zealand	QS World University Ranking 2026
The University of Melbourne	#19	The University of Auckland	#65
The University of Sydney	#25	University of Otago	#197
The University of New South Wales	#20	University of Waikato	#281
Australian National University	#32	Massey University	#230
Monash University	#36	Victoria University of Wellington	#240
The University of Queensland	#42	University of Canterbury	#261
The University of Western Australia	#77	Lincoln University	#407
The University of Adelaide	#82	Auckland University of Technology	#410

Admission Requirements: Australia vs New Zealand

This section highlights the admission requirements at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in New Zealand and Australia for international students who choose to apply to these countries.

New Zealand Admission Requirements

It is easier to get into diploma courses than degree courses in New Zealand, as the level of competitiveness is different for both these qualifications. Higher education or tertiary education in New Zealand has 10 levels of study. Level 1 is for a certificate, and level 10 is for a PhD.

Here are the levels and their corresponding qualifications -

• Certificates - Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Diplomas - Levels 5 and 6
• Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diplomas / Bachelor's - Level 7
• PG Diploma / PG Certificate / Bachelors Honours Degree - Level 8
• Masters Degree - Level 9
• Research / Doctoral Degree - Level 10

Read: Education System in New Zealand

For each course, Indian students must meet a minimum English language requirement. Generally, getting admission to a degree program is more difficult than getting a diploma. Foundations and Diploma programs are available to students with a score below 60% in higher secondary education. This rule, in turn, does not apply to Indian students due to the study visa risk. Class XII students can opt for a bachelor's degree or a 2-year-long diploma. A two-year diploma is mandatory for all undergraduate students. Admissions would finally depend upon course requirements and minimum aggregate fulfilment of at least 60%. 

Australia Admission Requirements

For UG courses in Australia, almost all universities require 12 years of pre-university education, which makes it easier for Indian students to get admission directly to the course/degree of their choice.

Check: Education System in Australia

In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. In the case of engineering, you will need a four-year UG degree in engineering. To get admission, submitting either GMAT or GRE scores is not always mandatory. Admissions for international students are based on NOOSR guidelines, which discuss the country-wise eligibility of students.

Read: Eligibility Requirement and Application Procedure - Australia

You might not be required to have work experience in management courses at some colleges. Without work experience, you need to enrol in a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program. TOEFL or IELTS may or may not be waived by the university, depending on the course and case.

The cost of studying and living in New Zealand and Australia depends on factors like university, course, and location.

Cost of Studying in New Zealand & Australia

The cost of studying in New Zealand and Australia varies for each course level; the following is a brief reference for some of the top courses and their fee structure.

Costs for UG Courses in New Zealand vs Australia

To understand the fee that is required at the undergraduate level for international students choosing to study in either New Zealand or Australia can be compared from the table below:

Particulars	Undergraduate courses in New Zealand	Undergraduate courses in Australia
Average Tuition Fee	BSc: INR 19.82 Lakhs BTech: INR 22.08 Lakhs BBA: INR 16.37 Lakhs	BSc: INR 15.05 Lakhs BTech: INR 20.74 Lakhs BBA: INR 16.80 Lakhs
Average Living Expense	INR 18.51 Lakhs	INR 16.37 Lakhs
Duration	3-4  Years	3-4  Years
Exams Accepted	IELTS, PTE	IELTS, PTE

(Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Cost of PG Course in New Zealand vs Australia

The following table draws a comparison between various postgraduate courses and their corresponding fees in New Zealand and in Australia for prospective international students. This will help you to know the average cost of studying in Australia and New Zealand.

Particulars	Postgraduate courses in New Zealand	Postgraduate courses in Australia
Average Tuition Fee	MA: INR 9.50 Lakhs MS: INR  25.12 Lakhs MBA: INR 25.89 Lakhs	MA: INR 19.89 Lakhs MS: INR 26.18 Lakhs MBA: INR 90 Lakhs
Average Living Expense	INR 18.51 Lakhs	INR 16.37 Lakhs
Duration	1-2 Years	1-2 Years
Exams Accepted	IELTS, TOEFL	IELTS, TOEFL

(Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Related Blogs:

• Cost of Living in New Zealand
• Cost of Living in Australia

Australia vs New Zealand Student Visas

The most important section of the student visa throws light upon the different requirements for applying for and obtaining a student visa in New Zealand and Australia. Read on for more details.

New Zealand Student Visa Requirements

For NZ student visas, the following rules apply, along with these requirements:

• A student visa will cost you Rs 46,450 (approximately). 
• The average time taken by the New Zealand High Commission for the visa procedure is 12 to 18 weeks, depending on the individual’s background. So, the students must apply for their visas at least three months before their course commencement.
• As an international student, you must complete your course within the minimum duration of your acceptance letter. If you do not yet have a job offer, you may apply for a Post-study work visa. Visas granted are valid for up to 12 months and allow you to work temporarily while looking for a job in your field.
• In most cases, a student's spouse and dependent children will be granted a visitor visa for the same duration as their partner or parents' stay. Spouses of students on work visas can work full-time in NZ. However, students dependent on visitor visas have no work rights.

Australia Student Visa Requirements

For Australian student visas, the following rules apply:

• The Australian student visa is not granted in the form of a sticker.
• It costs AUD 2,000 for Subclass (500) visa to apply for either a UG or a PG program.
• Spouses get dependent only if the student is pursuing a master's degree or a PhD. The spouses of Master's and PhD students can work unlimited hours.
• Student visa holders can work up to 40 hours per fortnight while studying in Australia. 

Post-Study Work Visa in Australia vs New Zealand

This section focuses on the post-study work visas and their corresponding details for New Zealand and Australia. Check out about PSW in NZ vs Aus for more details in the following sections.

PSW Visa in New Zealand

If you are a student with an offer of employment relevant to your qualification, you may be eligible for a work visa for a maximum period of two years. You will need to provide evidence of the relevance of your job offer to your qualification and proof of successful completion of a qualification in New Zealand that meets the Study to Work qualification requirements.

Check: All About Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand

Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

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

Read: Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

Popular Job Sectors in Australia vs New Zealand

International students are usually interested in knowing about job prospects while they study abroad and pursue degrees that could give them jobs in the popular sectors. Since we are talking about NZ vs Aus, let us dig deeper into it. This section will highlight the popular job sectors of New Zealand and Australia, which usually have a high demand for the workforce.

Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand 

The most popular job industries in New Zealand are as follows:

• Education
• Engineering
• Finance/business
• Medicine 
• ICT and electronics
• Recreation
• Hospitality & tourism

For more details, check: Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand

Popular Job Sectors in Australia

The top job sectors in Australia are in the areas of:

• Education
• Medical services
• Hospitality industry
• Computer system design
• Accounting 

Check: Popular Job Sectors in Australia

Note - The Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment does not apply to foreign universities. Students are expected to look for internships and jobs on their own.

PR in New Zealand vs Australia

Applying for permanent residency after studying abroad is usually the next best option for international students upon completing their studies. PR is offered to limited applicants in New Zealand and Australia. More details are elaborated in the respective sections.

PR in New Zealand

Because of the limited population in New Zealand, some skills are in chronically short supply. Once you finish your chosen course in New Zealand and are offered a job marked under the skill shortage category, you can apply for a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa. This visa is offered to those with relevant qualifications, experience, financial stability and strength of character, and under 55 years old while applying.

Read: How to get PR (Permanent Residency) in New Zealand after study?

Getting a permanent residency permit to Australia is possible, but it is a long process. The immigration officials conduct a thorough background check on the candidate to make sure s/he is not fraudulent. Because of the complicated process, the PR permit may take some time to get approved, but it is possible to get Australian citizenship.

Abroad, most universities have a provision for financial aid. You can learn about your university's scholarships through its Financial Aid department. Apart from universities, many scholarships are made available to organizations, funds, etc. Here are a few scholarships for Indian students interested in studying in New Zealand or Australia.

Check: How to get PR in Australia with Student Visa?

New Zealand Scholarships	Australia Scholarships
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarships	Griffith Remarkable Scholarship
University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship	Federation University Future Leader Scholarship Package for Brisbane Campus
Monash International Scholarship For Excellence	Western Sydney International Scholarships – Undergraduate
Massey University Master's Research Scholarship	International Student Scholarship- Bachelor of Business
Massey Business School Promising Student Assistance Bursary	South Asia Excellence Scholarship
Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)- University of Auckland	Western Sydney University - Vice-Chancellor's Academic Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships

Various New Zealand Scholarships for Indian Students are available at the universities or externally funded. Similarly, there are a plethora of Australia Scholarships for International Students, both university and government funded. 

Climate in New Zealand & Australia

It is important to understand the topography to adapt to a country where international students study. The following is a brief on the climatic conditions in both New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand Climate

Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand enjoy a moderate maritime climate and temperatures. The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means summer starts in December, and winter begins in June. New Zealand has moderately high rainfall and many hours of sunshine throughout the country. 

Australia Climate

The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means Australia's summer starts in December, and winter begins in June. Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics, where the average temperatures are mid-20 degrees Celsius. The southern areas are in a temperate zone.

Which One to Choose: Australia or New Zealand?

Applicants looking at admissions in Australia or New Zealand can choose them based on four major factors:

• Globally ranked universities
• Course availability with the preferred curriculum
• Fee for studying in New Zealand or Australia and availability of scholarships
• Accommodation options are available easily on campus, if not, then decent off-campus options.

So, which country is better for international students, Australia or New Zealand? Based on these parameters, applicants can choose which of their shortlisted countries to apply to - Australia or New Zealand. 

Also Read:

• Why choose to study in Australia?
• Top 6 Reasons to Study in New Zealand

If you are looking at admissions abroad, you can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and seek expert guidance for application and admissions.