You're sitting in your room in Kathmandu, scrolling through Instagram. Half your friends are posting from Melbourne and Sydney. The other half say New Zealand is "peaceful" and "safe for students."
Your parents keep asking: "Kun desh ramro? Australia ki New Zealand?"
You don't know.
One cousin says Australia has more jobs. Another friend says New Zealand is less stressful. Your agent is pushing both, depending on which university pays them more commission.
And you? You're just confused.
This article won't sell you anything. I've talked to Nepali students in both countries. I know the pressure you feel. I know the visa fear, the money panic, and the family expectations.
Let me help you decide. Honestly.
Quick Comparison: Australia vs New Zealand for Nepali Students
| Factor | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (per year) | AUD 20,000–35,000 (higher) | NZD 18,000–28,000 (lower) |
| Living cost | High (rent is tough) | Moderate (but not cheap) |
| Part-time work hours | 48 hours per fortnight | 20 hours per week |
| Job availability | More options, more competition | Limited, but less pressure |
| PR path | Possible but uncertain | Easier pathway, fewer people |
| Nepali community | Large (support available) | Smaller (less crowded) |
| City options | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth | Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch |
⚠️ These are general figures. Always double-check official sources before deciding.
Australia for Nepali Students – The Reality You Need to Know
What's Good About Australia?
Australia is the dream for many Nepali students. And there are real reasons why.Jobs are available. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have cafes, restaurants, warehouses, cleaning companies. You'll find work. It might not be easy at first, but it's possible. You can earn well. If you work smart and find good part-time jobs, you can cover rent, food, and sometimes even send money home. That matters to Nepali families. Big Nepali community. You'll find momos in Strathfield. You'll find Nepali groceries. You'll find people who speak your language when you're homesick. That emotional safety is real. Better lifestyle if you survive the first year. Once you settle, Australia offers good quality of life. Cities are developed. Public transport works. You feel like you're moving forward.
What's Hard About Australia?
But let me be honest. Australia isn't heaven.It's expensive. Rent in Sydney or Melbourne can eat half your part-time income. You'll share rooms. You'll skip meals sometimes. I've heard students say they regret choosing expensive cities. Competition is real. Thousands of Nepali students are already there. Getting a job, getting PR, even making friends—it all feels competitive. You're not special. You're one among many. Stress is high. You'll work 20+ hours, study full-time, manage rent, fight homesickness. Some students break down. Some develop anxiety. It's not a light journey. Visa pressure never goes away. Rules change. PR points change. You might finish your degree and still not know if you'll stay. That uncertainty eats you inside.
Who Should Choose Australia?
Choose Australia if you're the type who can handle pressure. If you want to earn while you study. If you're okay living in a fast, competitive environment. If you believe in working hard now for a better future later.
But if you already feel tired? If family pressure is crushing you? If you're emotionally fragile right now? Think twice.
New Zealand for Nepali Students – The Quieter Option
What's Good About New Zealand?
New Zealand doesn't shout. It whispers. And some students need that.It's calmer. Life moves slower. Cities are smaller. You won't feel like you're drowning in crowds. Some students say this helps them actually focus on studies. PR path feels clearer. New Zealand has been more welcoming to international students wanting permanent residency. Rules are still complex, but it feels less chaotic than Australia. Lower tuition fees (slightly). It's not a huge difference, but every bit counts when you're borrowing money from relatives. Less competition among Nepali students. You're not fighting 10 other Nepali students for the same dish-washing job. That mental relief is underrated.
What's Hard About New Zealand?
But don't think it's paradise.Fewer job options. Auckland has opportunities. But if you're in a smaller city, part-time jobs are limited. You might earn less than friends in Australia. Smaller Nepali community. You won't find momos on every corner. You might feel lonely. If you need community for emotional survival, New Zealand might feel isolating. Less "brand value" back home. Let's be honest. In Nepal, people are more impressed by Australia than New Zealand. That shouldn't matter, but sometimes it does to families. Limited city choices. It's mostly Auckland or Wellington. Australia gives you more options if you want variety.
Who Should Choose New Zealand?
Choose New Zealand if you value peace over pace. If you want a simpler student life without extreme pressure. If you're okay with a smaller community and fewer job options, but better mental health.
If you're someone who needs space to breathe, New Zealand might save you.
Money Reality: Which Country Feels Safer?
Let's talk money. Because that's what keeps you awake at night.
In Australia, you can earn more. But you'll also spend more. Rent in Sydney or Melbourne is brutal. You'll work long hours just to survive, not to save.
In New Zealand, you might earn less per hour. But living costs (outside Auckland) can feel more manageable. Some students say they stress less about money in New Zealand.
Here's the real question: Do you want to earn big and stress big? Or earn moderate and sleep better?Nepali family mindset matters too. If your parents expect you to send money home every month, Australia gives you better chances. But if they just want you to survive and study peacefully, New Zealand might be kinder.
There's no right answer. Just what fits your situation.
PR & Long-Term Life: Let's Be Honest
Every Nepali student dreams of PR. Let's not pretend otherwise.
But here's the truth nobody tells you clearly: PR is not guaranteed in either country.
Australia changes point systems. New Zealand changes immigration policies. What's true in 2026 might not be true in 2028 when you graduate.
Some students get PR easily. Some wait years. Some give up and go elsewhere.My advice? Don't choose a country only for PR hopes. Choose based on where you can survive the study years without breaking down.
If you get PR later, great. If not, you'll still have a degree, experience, and options. But if you choose the wrong country and suffer for 2-3 years, that damage stays with you.
Have a backup plan. Always.
Which One Should YOU Choose? (Decision Guide)
Choose Australia if:
- You can handle high pressure and competition
- You want more job options and earning potential
- You need a big Nepali community for emotional support
- You're okay living in expensive cities and working long hours
- You're ambitious and willing to sacrifice comfort for opportunity
Choose New Zealand if:
- You value mental peace over fast-paced city life
- You want a clearer (not guaranteed, but less chaotic) PR path
- You don't need a large Nepali community around you
- You prefer smaller cities and simpler lifestyle
- You're emotionally drained already and need a gentler environment
Final Honest Verdict
Here's what I want you to remember.
No country is perfect. Australia will challenge you. New Zealand will limit you. Both will test you in different ways.
The wrong choice hurts more than the hard choice.
If you pick Australia because "everyone is going there" but you can't handle the pressure, you'll suffer. If you pick New Zealand because "it's easier" but you crave big-city energy, you'll feel trapped.
Know yourself first. Then choose the country.
Talk to students already there. Not agents. Not your relatives who've never left Nepal. Talk to real students living the life you're about to start.
Ask them about rent. About loneliness. About part-time work stress. About visa fear. Ask the uncomfortable questions.
And then decide.
You're not choosing a vacation. You're choosing where you'll struggle, grow, and build your future. Make that choice with honesty, not with hype.
Whichever country you choose, I hope you survive the hard days. I hope you find your people. I hope you look back one day and feel proud you made it.
You will. Just choose wisely.
