Explore Study Options in New Zealand: For Onshore Students in Australia

Is Australia starting to feel like a dead end for you? 

Maybe your 485 visa is expiring soon. Maybe you’ve tried everything, but still can’t find an employer to sponsor you.

You’re not alone. Getting PR in Australia isn’t easy. It takes time, money, and for many, the waiting game feels endless.

But here’s the plot twist:

What if your next step didn’t mean starting over, but simply stepping somewhere new? New Zealand might just be that step.

Now, don’t worry, this guide won't tell you that New Zealand is better than Australia. You came here for a reason. We get that. And we’re not asking you to give that up.

Instead, this guide will show you a smarter strategy.

One where studying in New Zealand can lead to PR, and still leave doors open for Australia.

It’s like creating a shortcut through a different path.

Ready to see how it works?

If your 485 visa is expiring soon, you might be thinking, “I can just apply for a student visa again”. 

Well, that’s not a cost-effective option. To do that, you have to leave Australia, then apply for a student visa from your home country. You can’t apply for it onshore. 

This is due to Australia’s new rules on onshore student visa applications (17 June 2024), which aim to stop “permanent temporariness”—when people move from one temporary visa to another without qualifying for permanent residency.

If you’re over 35 years old, on the other hand, you can’t qualify for a 485 visa anymore.

If you want to continue your education internationally, but have run out of options in Australia, why not consider New Zealand?

Below are some more reasons to consider.

Sources: Changes to AU onshore student visa applications, Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

As of July 2025, an Australian student visa application costs A$2,000.00 (around US$1,303.48). 

A student visa in New Zealand, on the other hand, costs up to NZ$850 (around US$506.70). 

With IDP's offer, you can even get it for free if you qualify.

Learn how to get your NZ student visa for free

Plus, no matter what you’re studying in Australia, you might be able to continue a similar course in New Zealand. You’ll need to check with the education provider there, but many institutions accept credit transfers or prior learning.

Sources: Student visa fees in Australia, NZ student visa

Before: You could only apply for a student visa after getting an unconditional Offer of Place from your New Zealand university (after meeting all entry requirements).

Now: You can apply with a conditional Offer of Place from your university. This means that you can apply for a visa while you're still completing your enrolment requirements, like grades, English test results, or payments.

You don’t have to waste time waiting. You can get your visa application moving while you wrap up your current course or documents in Australia. 

It’s a smart option if your Australian visa is expiring soon and you want to avoid a study gap or travel interruption. The faster you apply, the sooner you can transition smoothly into a New Zealand program that might get you closer to PR.

Apply for your NZ student visa now

Source: apply for an NZ student visa with a conditional Offer of Place

After completing your studies in New Zealand, you can apply for their Post-Study Work Visa.

Unlike Australia, New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa has no age limits. If you hold a Level 7 bachelor's degree, you can be eligble to stay in the country for up to three years. This can give you time to gain employment and experience.

If you have a shorter time before your 485 visa expires, a slight delay can mean going back home and losing your international education and career.

Here comes the student visa in New Zealand as your life jacket. Why? It has fast processing times.

When you’re applying with education providers, your NZ student visa can be processed within 2-5 weeks. 

If you’re aiming for work or permanent residency, New Zealand’s faster processing can also be an advantage. 

Work + PR visas:

• NZ Straight to Residence Visa: 3 months

• AU Subclass 189 (points-based PR): Up to 6 months

• AU Subclass 186 (employer-sponsored PR): Up to 18 months

That said, if time is an important factor in your international education journey, NZ offers great opportunities.

With an NZ student visa, you won’t risk losing your status to stay within Australasia.

You can also fast-track your way to PR, bring your family abroad sooner (if you plan to), and bring your dreams to life faster.

Sources: NZ Straight to Residence Visa, Subclass 189 visa processing times, Subclass 186 processing times

Getting permanent residency (PR) in New Zealand is more straightforward.

Here’s why: 

If you study a Green List course and get a job offer after graduating, you can apply straight for PR. No points test. Your degree and job are enough.

How to Get PR in New Zealand Through the Green List

Tier 1: Straight to Residence (No work experience required):

1. Study a Green List Course

2. Get a Job Offer After Graduation

Your job offer must be:

• For a Tier 1 Green List role

• With an accredited employer

3. Meet the Salary Threshold

• For most roles: you must be paid at least the median wage (NZ$33.56/hour as of February 2025)

Know more about wage rate requirements for visas in New Zealand

4. Apply for the Straight to Residence Visa

Tier 2: Work to Residence (Work for 2 years before applying):

1. Study a course that leads to a Tier 2 Green List job

2. Get a full-time job offer from an accredited employer

3. Work in the role for 2 years, while:

• Maintaining the same job type

• Staying with an accredited employer

• Earning at least the required wage

In Australia, pathways to PR can be more competitive. You must:

• Score at least 65 points (based on age, English test scores, experience, etc.),

• Or get state or employer sponsorship.

But here’s the hard truth:

For some students, a GSM visa or employer sponsorship can be hard to secure. You can miss out on points if your occupation isn’t on the priority list, you're early in your career, you're over 32, or you don’t meet criteria like high English scores or regional study.

That’s where New Zealand can offer a more direct path. 

If you study in a Green List field and get a relevant job offer, you may be able to apply for a Straight to Residence or Work to Residence Visa.

Is living in Australia starting to feel like a scene in Hunger Games?

Don’t lose hope!

You don’t have to move back home to save money. Maybe you just have to move somewhere three hours away (Surprise: It’s New Zealand!). 

By comparison, New Zealand offers a friendlier cost of living, especially in smaller cities. According to Livingcost, a crowdsourced database that compares costs of living around the world, living in Australia is 20% more expensive than in New Zealand.

For example:

• Sydney: About AUD 3,974/month (≈ USD 2,615)

• Christchurch: Around NZD 3,132/month (≈ USD 1,875)

That’s a huge difference, especially if you’re trying to save while you study, or stop crying over grocery store receipts.

Source: Australia vs New Zealand - Cost of Living Comparison

If you become a New Zealand citizen, you can move to Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. You don't need to apply for a new visa.

You will be granted a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa (SCV). This will allow you to live, work, and build a life here for as long as you want.

And here’s the real win:

After living in Australia for four years as an NZ citizen, you can apply directly for Australian citizenship.

So yes, studying in New Zealand now could unlock:

• Permanent residency in NZ

• New Zealand citizenship

• And later on, Australian citizenship too

That’s two countries. Two workforces. Two futures. All from one decision you make today!

Sources: Become an Australian citizen (by conferral)

Got more questions about your opportunities in Australia if you become a resident in New Zealand?

Talk to our migration agents for expert and personalised advice.

So, is New Zealand starting to sound like a great choice? 

Studying in New Zealand can unlock faster, more affordable pathways to permanent residency while keeping your options in Australia open. 

With lower visa costs, simpler PR rules, and quicker processing times, NZ offers the flexibility and future that you may be looking for! 

And here’s the best part: 

If you apply for a student visa in New Zealand with IDP, we will refund 100% of your visa fee once your visa is approved and your enrolment starts. 

If you want to invest in your migration goals while saving on visa fees, now is the best time to do it. 

This offer ends 31 Dec. 2025.

Learn more about this offer.

Ready to apply for your NZ student visa?

Or do you still have any questions? Talk to our IDP counsellors today.