Resource

Living in Australia & New Zealand

Location & lifestyle

Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is the sixth-largest country globally and the only nation that governs an entire continent. Home to over 28 million people, its major cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are highly diverse and urbanized, while the vast, arid interior is famously known as the Outback. Australia features six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, and two main territories: The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. City or rural, coastal or outback, Australia offers a variety of lifestyle and career opportunities for healthcare professionals. There is a location to suit all preferences. Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for attracting international visitors to Australia, both for leisure and business. https://www.australia.com/en

New Zealand

New Zealand, home to just over 5 million people, is a land of great contrasts and diversity. Active volcanoes, spectacular caves, deep glacier lakes, verdant valleys, dazzling fjords, long sandy beaches, and the spectacular snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on the South Island—all contribute to New Zealand’s scenic beauty. It comprises two main land masses - the North Island and the South Island and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth largest island country by area and lies east of Australia across the Tasman Sea. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington and its most populous city is Auckland. New Zealand ranks as the #1 country in the world for several distinct categories, but most notably was crowned the top destination globally for work-life balance (based on statutory leave, healthcare, and happiness). New Zealand’s official tourism website, with information for international visitors, news and resources for the tourism industry and media. https://www.newzealand.com/au/

A Special Relationship

Australia and New Zealand share one of the world's closest international partnerships, built on deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. They are natural allies with a strong trans-Tasman sense of family. Migration, trade and defence ties, keen competition on the sporting field, and strong people-to-people links have helped shape a close and co-operative relationship. It is estimated that around 670,000 New Zealand citizens live in Australia (close to 15 per cent of New Zealand's population), while there are around 75,000 Australians in New Zealand. Freedom of travel is facilitated through the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangements (TTTA) of 1973, which allow Australians and New Zealanders to visit, live and work in either country without restrictions.

FAQ

Why should a healthcare professional move to Australia?

The majority of healthcare professionals move to Australia for a better work-life balance, higher earning potential, and a less strained healthcare environment. With shorter, more manageable weekly hours and well-defined shift handovers (compared to systems like the UK's NHS) the Australian health system is world-class. Greater emphasis is placed on personal time, outdoor activities, and reducing clinical burnout, while less rigid workplace hierarchies and strong support networks from senior medical staff make workplaces more employee friendly.

Why should a healthcare professional move to New Zealand?

A healthcare professional should move to New Zealand for the exceptional work-life balance and its fast-tracked and affordable residence pathways. The clinical environment, medication protocols, and electronic software closely mirror those of the UK, Ireland, Canada and other Western nations, easing the transition. Critical shortages across medical and allied health fields mean plentiful job openings. Shorter commutes and a culture prioritizing personal time allow clinicians to swap long hours for outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and skiing.

How do I choose between Australia and New Zealand?

Here are the 5 critical points to consider when choosing between living in Australia or New Zealand: 1. Financial Goals Do I want to maximize my savings and career growth, or am I satisfied with a comfortable but more modest income? Australia generally offers 20% to 30% higher wages and lower everyday costs, whereas New Zealand features lower earning potential paired with a higher 15% GST on almost all goods. 2. Climate Preferences Do I prefer hot summers and a beach-centric lifestyle, or do I thrive in a cooler, four-season alpine environment? Australia is famous for its abundance of sunshine, heat, and coastal living, while New Zealand offers a milder, wetter climate with easy access to snow-capped mountains and lakes. 3. Pace of Life Am I looking for the high-energy buzz of large global cities, or do I want a slower, quieter, and less crowded daily routine? Australian hubs like Sydney and Melbourne provide fast-paced metropolitan living with major international events, whereas New Zealand cities prioritize tight-knit communities and a strict work-life balance. 4. Career Specialisation Does my line of work require a massive, diverse market to progress, or does my role fit well within a smaller, generalist economy? Australia’s population of 27 million supports highly specialized corporate and medical fields, while New Zealand's population of 5 million favors broader, community-focused skill sets. 5. Immigration Strategy Do I want to move directly to my forever home, or am I open to using a faster residency pathway in one country to eventually access the other? New Zealand’s Green List can offer a faster track to residency for certain roles, and achieving New Zealand citizenship grants you the legal right to live and work in Australia indefinitely later on.