Is it Better to Live in Australia or New Zealand?

Posted on January 3, 2025 | Last Updated on January 8, 2025

They usually say “If you want bucks, go to Australia, if you want the quality of life, choose New Zealand”.

But how true is that and why do people constantly compare Australia and New Zealand? In this article, we will delve into the difference between Australia and New Zealand.

Perhaps, there are many more things in common than there are differences between them both.

Let’s start with the similarities. Aussies and Kiwis share many common traits such as culture, equality, outdoor lifestyle and sports.

Living in Australia

Australia has a lot to offer its thousands of immigrants that relocate there each year. From stunning scenery to vibrant cities, various outdoor adventures, pristine beaches, and more!

It is easy to see why many people choose to travel and work in Australia.

Pros of living in Australia

• Strong economy and low unemployment rate
• Strong emphasis on work-life balance
• Warm climate
• Home to top class educational institutions
• More internationally connected
• Vibrant cities with diverse populations
• Stunning natural landscapes and activities to enjoy

Read Also:
Kangaroos – The Symbol of Australia
How To Plan A Trip Abroad: Top 15 Travel Tips

Climate in Australia

Australia experiences a wide range of temperatures and climates, depending on what part of the country you are located in.

Northern Australia experiences tropical weather conditions with a wet and dry season.

Perth, located in Western Australia, experiences hot and dry weather in the summer and milder winters.

The East Coast, which is Australia’s most populated area, also experiences warm temperatures. In summer, Sydney enjoys average temperatures of between 19-26°C (66.2°F-78.8°F).

In winter, you can expect cooler weather and rain. However, there are still many sunny days with average temperatures between 22-24°C (71.6°F-75.2°F) in Sydney.

Read also:
Top 7 Places To Visit In Perth, Australia

Food in Australia

Australia offers many food options as it is influenced by various immigrants and cultures.

Australians are known for enjoying a barbecue. Barbeque facilities can be found in public parks and they are especially popular in the summer months.

Other popular foods include meat pies, consisting of minced meat and gravy, which can be found in almost every shop, bakery, and even pie shops.

Seafood is also a common food option in Australia given its extensive coastline.

And of course for those with a sweet tooth, you must try the iconic chocolate biscuit – Tim Tams!

A variety of outdoor activities are on offer

Australia offers a variety of outdoor activities. From its various stunning beaches and the water activities that come with that to its endless hiking trails and national parks, there is something for everyone.

Australia has many stunning beaches, and with that comes the opportunity for endless water sports activities and stunning coastal trails to enjoy the panoramic views.
Popular beach activities include surfing and snorkelling. Some very popular beaches include Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, Bondi Beach in Sydney, and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast to name a few.

There are also many hiking trails (or bushwalking as it’s commonly known in Australia) on offer, with various types of trails to suit all fitness levels.

Popular trails include the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory, the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk in Sydney, and the Capital City Trail in Melbourne, to name a few.

Fun facts about Australia

Here are some top fun facts that you may not know about Australia

• Australia is both a continent and a country
• 65% of Australia’s population live in New South Wales
• Australia is the only place in the world where Kangaroos exist naturally
• Located off the coast of Queensland, The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and it can be seen from space
• Australia has over sixty wine regions
• Fraser Island, located in Queensland, is the largest sand island in the world

Cons of living in Australia

• High cost of living
• High competition for jobs
• The country feels isolated
• Property is very expensive
• Lifestyle and culture: there’s a lack of various activities in smaller towns
• Private health insurance is expensive
• Travelling between cities is difficult and journeys can be long

Cost of living in Australia

Overall, Australia is considered to have a high cost of living when compared to many other countries. Of course the cost of living varies depending on where you choose to live in Australia, lifestyle and your spending habits.

Where you choose to live can have a significant impact on the cost of rent. For instance, renting a house in popular locations such as Sydney and Melbourne can be much more expensive than renting in Brisbane or Perth for example.

However, shopping around to ensure you get good value on the likes of utilities can also save a lot of money.

No matter where in the world you are located, owning a car incurs extra expenses with the likes of insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs. Australia has a cost-effective public transport system and availing of this instead of having a car can also help to cut down on costs.

Finding work in Australia

Trying to find a job after relocating to a new country can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

Here are some tips to help with your job search:

Updated resume: Firstly, it’s important to have your resume updated and tailored to the resume format that is used in Australia. There are many free templates online where you just have to input your information. Don’t forget to update your resume with your Australian phone number and address.

Job sites: Sometimes it is hard to know where to start when you are seeking a new job, especially when you have just moved countries. A good place to begin is on job search websites.
Popular websites to find jobs in Australia include Indeed, Seed, CareerOne, LinkedIn and CareerJet.

Recruitment agencies: There is also an option to reach out to recruiters working in the industry that you specialise in. They can help speed up the process and notify you of jobs that match your skillset and preferences.

Networking: Another tip is to put yourself out there and network where possible. Whether it be at in-person events or simply online on LinkedIn where you can connect and reach out regarding job opportunities.

What are the benefits of working in Australia?

Working in Australia has many benefits. The job market for working holiday makers is going strong in Australia with plenty of opportunities for 18-30-year-olds in most industries.

The demand is for workers in regional parts of the country allowing travellers to earn good money, save money and apply for a second-year visa afterwards.
Australia is also known as a country for the value it places on work-life balance. Therefore many employers promote flexible working arrangements.

To work in Australia it is important to remember the documents you will require.

These documents include an:

• Australian Tax Filing Number (TFN)
• Australian Bank Account
• An appropriate Visa
• Possible jobs in Australia include fruit picking, ranch work, bar work, office temping and lots more.

Possible jobs in Australia include fruit picking, ranch work, bar work, office temping and lots more.

The easiest way to apply for your Australian working holiday visa is with Visa First. Along with this, we offer an Australian Employment Course to improve your chances of a successful job hunt.

Our Taxsaver Pack will get you an Australian Tax File Number, avoid emergency tax and will help make it easier to claim a tax refund.

Living In New Zealand

Now let’s take a deeper look at living in New Zealand and compare Australia vs New Zealand.

Pros of living in New Zealand

• Goods, services, rent and groceries are all cheaper in New Zealand than Australia
• Life in New Zealand tends to move at a more relaxed pace
• In 2023, New Zealand was ranked as the second safest country in the world. New Zealand has a lower crime rate than Australia. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any snakes!
• Lots of rights for expats
• Top-notch education
• Great food
• Vast, untouched wilderness
• Low cost healthcare

Climate in New Zealand

New Zealand’s climate varies from the north to the south of the country. The far north experiences much warmer temperatures during the summer.

The south experiences cooler temperatures, in the winter months temperatures can reach as low as -10°C (14°F) in inland alpine areas.

Food in New Zealand

If you choose to live in New Zealand you can expect a diverse range of food offerings.

Similar to Australia, New Zealanders also enjoy a BBQ, especially in the summer when the weather is warmer.

If you enjoy seafood you will be delighted to know that New Zealand is home to some of the best seafood worldwide. With over 14,000 kilometres of coastline, it makes sense! Crayfish is a popular choice amongst people living there.

It is also renowned for high-quality lamb which is a firm favourite for people living there. New Zealand is one of the world’s largest exporters of lamb.

And for dessert, pavlova is a common option amongst people in New Zealand.

Outdoor activities on offer in New Zealand

In terms of outdoor activities, both Australia and New Zealand are quite similar in terms of the activities on offer.

New Zealand is also known for its stunning hiking trails and has many world-class hikes to offer.

Kayaking and exploring some of New Zealand’s popular lakes is another popular outdoor activity that many enjoy.

Other outdoor activities to enjoy include wildlife watching at some of New Zealand’s wildlife reserves, where you might even get to see a kiwi (New Zealand’s native flightless bird).

Read also: Top things to do and places to visit in New Zealand during your working holiday

Fun facts about New Zealand

• National reserves make up 30% of New Zealand
• In New Zealand, there are more sheep than humans
• New Zealand has a hill with the longest name in the world, 85 characters long to be exact – Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu!
• ‘Kiwi’ in New Zealand can mean one of three things – a New Zealander is also referred to as ‘kiwi’, a kiwi is also New Zealand’s national bird and can be found all over the country, and of course a kiwi can refer to the fruit!
• New Zealand has three official languages – English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language

Cons of living in New Zealand

• It’s isolated from other countries making travel more expensive
• Imported goods can be expensive
• The public transportation is limited, slow and expensive
• Lots of mosquitos
• Dental treatment can be very expensive
• It has limited career options
• House prices can be very high

Cost of living in New Zealand vs Australia

Again, the cost of rent in New Zealand varies depending on what city or region you choose to locate.

Typically, when compared with Australia, it is less expensive to rent in New Zealand.

When it comes to groceries and food costs, the price range is similar in both countries. In New Zealand, some foods may be more expensive due to the cost of importing. However, with the country’s strong agricultural sector many foods are produced locally and sold at competitive prices.

Parts of New Zealand have an expensive public transport system. For instance, Auckland has one of the most expensive public transport systems in the world.

Finding work in New Zealand

Whether you are seeking work in New Zealand or Australia, the process will be much the same.

However, some common job search sites in New Zealand include Trade Me, Seek, Jora, Indeed and LinkedIn.

What are the benefits of working in New Zealand?

New Zealand operates a pension system of auto-enrolment.
New employees aged between 18 and 65 years are enrolled in the national scheme. However, they can join a qualifying superannuation scheme laid on by their employer instead.

Many New Zealand workplaces offer perks such as life, disability and income insurance. Other perks include help with childcare, work flexibility and gym membership.

New Zealand classifies the balance between family and work-life as extremely important and ensures all worker’s take downtime from busy work schedules.

Status, rank and hierarchies are much less important in New Zealand workplaces than elsewhere.

Managers are respected by the staff in New Zealand and are seen as one of the team.

How can Visa First help?

At Visa First, our team of experts can help you secure your visa so that you can focus your time on preparing to move to Australia or New Zealand.

We will ensure your visa application is submitted successfully, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.

All you have to do is begin your application online, and provide us with the requested documents. From there, we will handle the entire process from start-to-finish.

How to apply for a visa with Visa First?

Australia Working Holiday Visa

No matter if you are visiting Australia for a short-term period or if you are planning to stay for several years, you must have a valid Australian visa.
The Australian Working Holiday Visa is suitable for people aged between 18-30 or aged 18-35 for Irish, French, Danish and Canadian passport holders.

This visa entitles you to live, work, and travel in Australia for 12 months.

Some eligibility requirements include a valid passport from an eligible country that is valid for the duration of your time in Australia, you must meet the age requirements, and you must prove you have enough money to support yourself in Australia (AUD 5,000).

New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

This visa is available to those aged between 18-30, or from 18-35 to nationals of certain countries.

With New Zealand Work Holiday Visa, you will be entitled to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

Citizens of Canada or the UK can stay in New Zealand for up to 23 months on this visa.

Why Visa First?

• We have over 20 years of experience
• Easy and quick online process
• We organise over 10,000 visas each year
• 24/7 Live Chat support

Visa First is a leading international immigration consulting company. For additional information about Australian and New Zealand visas, please contact us at info@visafirst.com.