At a glance (October 2026)
- Living costs for a student visa: AUD 29,710 a year in Australia; NZD 20,000 a year in New Zealand.
- Work while studying: 48 hours per fortnight in Australia; 25 hours a week in New Zealand.
- After graduation: Australia’s 485 visa is usually 2 to 3 years; New Zealand’s Post-study work visa is up to 3 years.
- Family: Australia lets you include your partner and children in your student visa application; in New Zealand they apply separately.
International students are often in a dilemma when it comes to which country they should choose to study abroad. This decision must be made according to their personal preference, courses chosen, career path, end goal, countries’ climate, culture, security, tuition fees, living costs and if the end goal is getting permanent residence, the immigration program in that country.
Australia and New Zealand are among the most popular destinations for international students in the last decades. Therefore, we have put together a comparison of these two countries for international students to consider depending on their ultimate goals.
Key points of comparison
This table highlights some key features of the two countries, and details will be discussed further later in this post.
| Australia | New Zealand | |
| Quality of Education | 43 universities and hundreds of education institutes | 8 universities |
| Popular Courses | Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Architecture, Agriculture, Law, Accounting, MBA, Health Care, Information Technology, Computer Science, Media, Education, Commercial Cookery and Hotel Management | Visual communications, Health care, Business, IT, Hotel Management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management |
| Cost of Education | From AUD 7,800 to AUD 42,000 (from school to higher education) | From AUD 11,000 to AUD 37,000 (from school to higher education) |
| Living Expenses | At least AUD 29,710/ year (student visa financial capacity amount) | At least NZD 20,000/ year (student visa funds requirement) |
| Climate and Weather | Hot and Dry | Wet and Lush |
| Student Visas | Can include spouse and dependants.
Students can work 48 hours per fortnight, and unlimited hours in semester break |
Spouse and dependants must apply for separate visas.
Students can work 25 hours/ week, and unlimited hours in semester break, Christmas, and New Year |
| After Graduate visas | Can apply for a Temporary Graduate (485) visa, usually for 2 to 3 years depending on the qualification, with extra time possible after regional study | Can apply for Post study visa for up to 3 years |
| PR Pathway | Various visa pathway for students, long occupation lists | PR pathway for students.
There are fewer occupations on the Green List. |
Cost of Education and Living Expense
Cost of Study (see the funds calculator here)
| School Fees | $7,800 to $30,000 |
| Diplomas/ Certificates | From around $4,000 to $22,000per year |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Fees range from about $20,000 to $45,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science |
| Postgraduate degree | Fees range from about $22,000 to $50,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science. |
| PhDs | Fees are about $18,000 to $42,000 per year for most subjects. |
| English Language courses | Around $300 per week depending on course length |
Living Expense
For student visa purposes, the 12-month living cost amounts (in place since 10 May 2024 and still current in October 2026) are:
- For students or guardians: AUD $29,710
- For partners coming with you: AUD $10,394
- For a child coming with you: AUD $4,449
As can be seen above, although the tuition fees in Australia and New Zealand are almost the same, the living cost in New Zealand is a bit less than that in Australia. Therefore, if you budget is an important factor to you, New Zealand may be a good choice for you.
Student Visa
You can apply for a student visa to study in Australia, and include your spouse and dependant children with your application. With a student visa, you are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your semesters, and unlimited hours during semester breaks. If you are a Master by Research or PhD students, you are allowed to work unlimited hours.
Your spouse can also work up to 48 hours per fortnight. If you are studying a Master’s degree and above, your spouse might be allowed to work full-time in Australia.
In some states and territories, your dependant child may be waived the school fees.
After graduate visas
This is an important factor that international students should look into when deciding which country they should study at. A visa after graduation is a good opportunity for students to look for jobs and obtain work experience in that country. This is also a good time for students to earns more money, and travel to the areas that they were too busy to visit during their study period.
In Australia, international students may be able to apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. Since 1 July 2024, most bachelor and master’s by coursework graduates receive 2 years and master’s by research and PhD graduates receive 3 years, with a second 485 of 1 or 2 more years possible after regional study. Most applicants must be 35 or under.
There are two streams of post graduate visas:
Permanent Residence pathway
Australia has various visa schemes enabling international students to apply for a permanent residence visa after they study and earn experience. International students who study in Australia for at least 2 years will have more advantages to apply for a wide range of visas.
To find out more about PR pathway you graduate, click here .
Phu Vu Minh
Bachelor of Law
Master of Human Resources Management – Curtin University, Perth
Phu is our Education Consultant (QEAC: 8834) and Migration Agent Assistant at VisaEnvoy. She was practising as a lawyer in Vietnam prior to migrating to Australia. She is currently assisting potential overseas students to obtain educational placements. Phu deals with Universities, TAFE and vocational colleges, and English Language schools as well as a range of private schools for primary and secondary students.
With her knowledge in human resource management and experience working in multinational companies, Phu helps international students to develop study plans in Australia to acquire knowledge and skills that meet their needs and objectives. Phu is also fluent in Vietnamese.
To speak with Phu about your study options please book a time here.
Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026
What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You
Australia Stops New International Student Enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)