For nurses, Australia generally offers higher salaries, more diverse career opportunities, and better-funded hospitals, while New Zealand provides a strong work-life balance, stunning natural beauty, and a pleasant culture, making the "best" choice dependent on priorities – Australia for career growth and pay, New Zealand for lifestyle. Many NZ nurses migrate to Australia for better pay, but both countries have high demand and excellent healthcare systems, so it's about balancing financial goals with lifestyle preferences.
Australian nurse here. NZ pay rates are really low, and many of their hospitals have hiring freezes. Australia offers better pay and job vacancies but our cost of living is really high. And accommodation is getting harder to get and more expensive. Still, you'd be welcomed.
Job Opportunities and Salaries
Australia has a larger economy and a variety of job opportunities, particularly in sectors like IT, finance, healthcare and construction. The average salary is also generally higher than in New Zealand, and the job market tends to be more competitive and dynamic.
The Australian minimum wage is AUD$21.38 per hour. The New Zealand minimum wage is NZD$21.20 per hour. As of July 2022, the Australian dollar is stronger, putting the Australian minimum wage at NZD$23.48 per hour.
Work-life balance in New Zealand
One of the biggest drawcards for Australians making the move is the lifestyle. Short commutes, access to beaches and mountains, and a culture that values downtime all contribute to a healthier work-life balance.
The weighted average base FTE salary for a nurse is $101,189 p.a., with the Registered Nurse Step 5 pay point being the closest to this, at $100,849 p.a. $125,662 is the average salary for both Senior and Registered Nurses and includes overtime, PDRP allowance and penal rates.
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The average salary for an enrolled nurse in Australia is around $70,000, and $88,000 for a registered nurse – but it will vary from state to state and city to city. Most of all, it varies by experience.
So, when it comes to affordability, New Zealand tends to be slightly easier on the wallet, while Australia makes up for its higher costs with larger job markets and wider post-study opportunities. It's all about finding your balance between budget and ambition.
It used to be that once someone's salary hit six digits, they would be considered highly paid. But there are now about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000. Over the past 10 years, the median wage across New Zealand has risen from about $67,000 – depending how you measure it – to nearly $80,000.
It's generally cheaper to live in New Zealand for everyday consumer goods, groceries, and especially rent (outside major cities), but Australia often offers higher average wages, meaning your money might go further despite higher costs, particularly in cities like Sydney where rent is significantly higher than Auckland. The comparison heavily depends on location, as major Australian cities are much pricier for housing, while New Zealand has higher costs for specific items like dairy, though transport can be cheaper in NZ.
New Zealand
New Zealand offers a welcoming environment for international students and an easier pathway to PR. The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is the main route, where points are awarded for age, work experience, qualifications, and a job offer in New Zealand.
You may apply to become registered as a nurse in New Zealand if you are currently registered with an overseas regulatory authority and meet Nursing Council requirements. If you are a nurse with a current practising certificate in Australia, and you want to apply to register in New Zealand, click here.
Switzerland remains one of the top countries for nurses, offering annual salaries ranging from $90,000 to $99,000. With a world-renowned healthcare system and high living standards, it's an attractive destination.
Long-Term Care Nurse
There is a focus on palliative care. As the U.S. population ages, the number of people needing nursing home care is increasing. Because of this, long-term care nursing is one of the top nursing specialties in demand.
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Norway, a Scandinavian country known as the land of Fjords, has one of the highest standards of living in the world as well as job satisfaction for nurses.
Melbourne scored particularly highly for professional environment and quality of life, meaning there are plenty of nursing jobs in this city, in addition to its being a nice place to live. Adelaide ranked as Australia's second-best city for nurses, also scoring highly for professional environment and quality of life.
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The NSW state award pays the same overtime rates except double the hourly rate is paid after the first two hours. NSW operates a 38-hour ordinary working week, compared to a 40-hour working week for Health New Zealand nursing employees.
4. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) APRNs are highly educated nursing experts who attend specialty programs focused on their practice fields. In many states, APRNs can prescribe medication and practice independently, while in other states, they practice under the oversight of an MD.
Salaries are Higher in Australia
As on 2024, registered nurses in New Zealand are paid between NZ$75,773 and $106.739, depending on seniority. In Australia, the rates differ across states and territories: Tasmania: AU$75,902 - $96,423 (equivalent to NZ$83,900 - $106,000~)