New Zealand Cost & living - Living expenses

The annual living cost for studying MBBS in New Zealand is typically NZD 20,000 to NZD 25,000. This is separate from tuition, which is much higher for the clinical years. Check the latest figures on the university and official pages before budgeting.

Yes, living in New Zealand is considerably more expensive than in India across most everyday expenses, including rent, transport, groceries and dining out. A city-centre one-bedroom rents for around NZD 1,600 to 2,400 a month, against roughly INR 15,000 to 30,000 in India.

International students in New Zealand are generally required to buy medical and travel insurance, which typically costs around NZD 600 to 900 or more per year, and the range varies by provider and university. Public healthcare is for eligible residents, so most international students need approved cover throughout their stay.

Students in New Zealand typically spend around NZD 350 to 600 a month on groceries. Cooking at home keeps costs reasonable, whereas regular restaurant meals add up quickly, with an inexpensive restaurant meal costing roughly NZD 18 to 35. Weekly supermarket discounts can also help.

For a single person, the average monthly cost of living is about $1,064.95 in Australia, citing Numbeo, and about $970.57 in New Zealand. Australia therefore works out roughly $94 a month higher, though actual costs depend on your city and lifestyle.

Judge the specific course, not the country: check curriculum relevance, realistic job openings, and post-study rights, since Australia's Subclass 485 visa and New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa can both run up to 3 years, then budget separately for visa fees, housing, and healthcare cover.

Prioritize Australia for its broader range of master's programs and a post-study work visa of up to 4 years for eligible Indian graduates; choose New Zealand instead if lower tuition and living costs matter more, since its Post-Study Work Visa tops out at 3 years.