Australia and New Zealand are both destinations chosen by many Vietnamese students due to their quality education system, international environment and post-graduate work opportunities.
However, Visa regulations, overtime and graduate pathways of the two countries are not the sameSo, if your goal is not only to go to school but also to gain experience and aim for a long-term stay, it's important to choose your country and major from the start.
Below are the notable ones according to the current 2026 regulations.
🇦🇺 1. Student visa subclass 500
Student Visa subclass 500 enables international students to study at eligible educational institutions in Australia and to work for the duration of their studies under visa conditions.
💼 Right to work extra
Students holding Student Visa subclass 500 are now allowed to do up to 48 hours every 2 weeks during the course in progress. Some special cases have their own regulations, so students need to check the specific conditions on their visa.
The point to remember is that the limit is calculated according to fortnight (2 weeks) It's not just 24 hours a week.
🎓 After Graduation
One of Australia's attractions is Temporary Graduate Visa – subclass 485.
Depending on qualifications and degree types, graduates may be eligible for different streams of 485 visas. With Post-Higher Education Work stream, the current stay is usually about 2–3 years, depending on qualification.
For some eligible graduates, there may also be an opportunity to apply for Second Post-Higher Education Work stream if meet the regional requirements and visa conditions.
Is it possible to move on to permanent residence?
After study and work, depending on the careers, skills, experience, scores, living areas and recruitment needs, students can consider the direction of skilled visa or business-guaranteed visa.
For example, directions that are often of interest include:
Student 500 → Temporary Graduate 485 → Skilled / Employer Sponsored visa
However, There's no way graduating from Australia is PR - free.. The ability to move forward depends on the conditions of each time and personal profile.
🇳🇿 2. study in New Zealand – student visa
New Zealand has a smaller education system than Australia but still offers a wide range of options from high school, polytechnic/institute to university.
Student Visa allows students to study in New Zealand and can be granted the right to work if the conditions on the visa are met.
💼 Right to work extra – new points to remember
From 3/11/2025, qualified students are allowed to do Maximum 25 hours/week during study timeinstead of the previous 20 hours a week.
Some students may even be allowed to do full-time on holiday according to the school schedule, if the conditions related to the program are met. Therefore, it is necessary to check the exact work conditions on the eVisa/visa letter.
🎓 3. Opportunity to stay in New Zealand after graduation
New Zealand has Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) for international students who complete an eligible academic program.
This visa may allow stay and work Up To 3 Years, depending on degree level and duration of study.
For Equal degree level 7 and aboveQualified students may be eligible for PSWV. With some non-degree qualification level 7 or below, the coursework must be on the qualifying qualification list and the graduate work may have to be related to the major studied.
A remarkable change in 2026
From 16/11/2026, New Zealand is expected to open more Short-term Graduate Work Visa, for a number of qualified graduates, the maximum permissible 6 months open work rights to find work and explore long-term work options.
🏠 4. Settlement opportunities: Australia and New Zealand have no “shortcut”
This is a point that parents and students should pay special attention to.
🇦🇺 With Australia
After graduation, students can learn the skilled or employer-sponsored visa groups if conditions are met.
Routes that may involve visas such as 189, 190, 491 or the business visa guarantee depending on the profile.
But the deciding factor is not just qualifications, but also occupation, skills assessment, experience, scores, English and needs of each program at the time of application.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
New Zealand currently has skills-based residence directions such as:
- Skilled Migrant Category
- Green List – Straight to Residence
- Green List – Work to Residence
- Some pathways are for specific industry groups.
Special, from... 24/08/2026New Zealand will change its Skilled Migrant Category with 2 new pathways, including Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician, in addition to the current scoring pathway.
With Green List, Tier 1 jobs can lead to Straight to Residence, while Tier 2 could lead to Work to Residence if all requirements for occupation, qualifications, practice registration and salary are met.
5. Australia and new zealand quick comparison
Criteria | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
Student visa | Student Visa 500 | Student Visa |
Working part-time while studying | Up to 48 hours/2 weeks | Up to 25 hours/week if eligible |
Do full-time vacation | Depending on visa conditions | Can be allowed if the conditions are met |
After graduation | Temporary Graduate 485 | Post Study Work Visa |
Working time after graduation | Usually 2–3 years with some degrees under PHEW | Up to 3 years customized qualification |
Residence | Skilled/Employer Sponsored and other pathway | SMC/Green List and other pathway |
Job market size | Greater than | Smaller |
Suitable | Many industries, large labor market | People who prioritize smaller environments and clear career orientation |
The numbers and conditions above may vary by course type, qualification, and visa conditions.
UM 6. should choose australia or new zealand?
There are no universal answers for all students.
Australia has advantages in terms of the size of the labor market, the large number of schools/universities and the diverse post-graduate visa system.
New Zealand has advantages In a more compact system, overtime is now up to 25 hours/week and there are quite clear pathways of residence for occupations that meet human resource needs, especially through Green List and Skilled Migrant Category.
👉 So instead of just asking “Is Australia or New Zealand easier to settle in?"Students should ask:
Does the field you plan to study require human resources?
Is that qualification eligible for a post-graduate visa?
How are the job opportunities after graduation?
Are tuition and living expenses suitable for the family?
Is the Graduate Visa Route Suitable for My Personal Goals?
📌 Studying effectively is not only choosing a good country, but choosing the right industry - the right program - the right visa route from the beginning.
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