Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) for Australian Student Visa
10 March 2026
Having to choose between studying in Australia vs New Zealand is a crucial step for any international student planning to study abroad. When it comes to Australia vs New Zealand, both countries are known for their excellent education quality, English-speaking environments, and attractive work opportunities after the completion of education.
In 2024-25, Australia welcomed 157,000 people under temporary student visas, while 85,535 international student visas were approved for New Zealand. However, the entire student visa and its working system differ significantly in terms of documentation, financial proof, processing time, and long-term pathways.
Both destinations are excellent choices for international students, as each stands out in its own way. This blog is not about choosing one over the other but about explaining and comparing Australia vs New Zealand student visa requirements for better planning.
When students apply for Australia, a Subclass 500 (student visa) is granted, which allows applicants to study full-time at a registered education institute. The visa is granted according to the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, which makes sure students genuinely intend to study, abide by the law, and return after completion. New Zealand offers fee-paying student visas, which are majorly focused on course relevance, financial stability, and health requirements.
When it comes to visa application volume, Australia is considered more competitive than New Zealand because of more applicants. While New Zealand tends to be more flexible, both allow limited working hours to international students and are valid up until the course duration.
Takeaways:
The table below shows the required documents for Australia vs New Zealand student visas.
| Required Documents | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Offer letter | Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) | Offer of Place |
| Academic certificates | Required | Required |
| Statement of purpose / Genuine Student statement | Genuine Student (GS) is mandatory | Statement of purpose (SOP) is mandatory |
| Financial proof | Required | Required |
| Health insurance | OSHC compulsory | Medical + Insurance |
| Medical & police clearance | Case-based | Mostly mandatory |
Both Australia and New Zealand demand similar documents, but each follows its own eligibility criteria. Australia looks at applicants' academic background, financial capacity, and English proficiency, as well as the Genuine Student requirements. The GS is strictly checked because it helps evaluate students' education goals, future plans, and ties to their home country.
On the other hand, New Zealand focuses on academic progression, the clarity of the statement of purpose (SOP), and financial sustainability when issuing student visas. Australian GS requirements are stricter than New Zealand’s statement of purpose, which makes it important to focus on document details and quality.
Takeaways:
| Financial Documents | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Education loan accepted | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted Banks | Grade A Banks | SBI, Nabil, Standard Chartered |
| Loan sanction letter | Mandatory (detailed) | Mandatory |
| Loan disbursement proof | Sometimes | Often |
| Minimum bank statement period | 6-12 months | 3-6 months |
| Sudden large deposits | Very high evaluations | Moderate evaluation |
| Fixed deposits | Accepted (Source proof) | Accepted (source proof) |
| Sponsor funds | Parent/legal sponsor allowed | Parent/legal sponsor allowed |
Australia’s student visa processing time depends on the country’s risk level, document quality, etc. Hence, manual checks are done for countries under assessment level 3, leading to a longer wait period. New Zealand takes less time to process student visas if the offered documents are complete. The Subclass 500 visa fee is higher compared to fee-paying student visas. Additional expenses like health checkups and biometrics are applicable for both countries
Takeaways:
When international students look to study in Australia vs New Zealand, things like visa approval rate, risk level & rejection reasons come to mind. As of 2026, Australia has a lower student visa approval rate and increased risk level for many countries. New Zealand is relatively stable but still rejects those applicants with a weak SOP or insufficient balance. Some of the most common reasons for rejection among two countries often include unclear study plans, academic gaps, weak financial proof, inconsistent documents, and weak ties to the home country.
Takeaways:
Both countries have their set of rules and regulations when it comes to work rights for international students. Australia allows international students to work up to 48 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during study periods and unlimited hours during breaks. In New Zealand students can only work for 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during holidays. This system is placed in order to help students manage the living expenses but also makes sure they don't entirely rely on it.
Takeaways:
| Required Documents | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work visa | Available | Available |
| Duration | Longer (course-based) | Limited (course-based) |
| PR opportunities | More options | Occupation-specific |
| Job market size | Large | Smaller |
| PR competition | High | High |
Australia is ideal for those students whose entire goal is to have access to many work opportunities, larger PR pathways, and a bigger job market. However, students must also understand that Australia is quite expensive, has a larger competition pool, and higher visa rejection rate.
New Zealand, on the other hand, is a fantastic option when it comes to lower living costs, faster visa processing, and a simpler, less competitive environment. The student visa process is quite straightforward, which makes it very suitable for first-timers and those with moderate financial capacity.
When it comes to Australia vs New Zealand, the choice entirely depends on academic goals, financial budget, and long-term PR plans after graduation. Australia offers a larger job market, post-study options, and broader long-stay pathways but is quite expensive and has stricter visa requirements. New Zealand, on the other hand, has a simpler visa process and lower competition. Ultimately the best pick is the one that aligns perfectly with the students' risk tolerance, career plans, and future migration goals.
Confused about where to study abroad? AusStudies makes it simple. From breaking down visa requirements to comparing top study destinations, we help students understand their options and choose the path that fits their goals best.
