Netherlands vs. Australia: Which is the Better Study-Abroad Destination?

The Netherlands and Australia are among the most popular study destinations for overseas students. These countries house some of the most prominent and prestigious universities in the world that offer world-class education. It can be really daunting for international students to choose between the Netherlands and Australia for pursuing education, as both of these countries offer a wide array of career opportunities. If you are also confused about whether you should choose the Netherlands or Australia, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will end the Netherlands vs Australia debate for good. We will compare both countries and finally conclude which one is a better study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	Netherlands	Australia
Area	41,850 KM²	7.688 Million KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	AUD (AU$)
Capital	Amsterdam	Canberra
Total Higher Education Providers	145	170
Total Indian Students Studying	55	95,791
Average Cost of Living	€800 – €1000 Per Month	AU$2800 – AU$3000 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€6,000 – €20,000 Per Year	AU$20,000 – AU$50,000Per Year
Popular Job Sectors	IT professional, Engineering jobs, Finance sector, and Healthcare jobs.	Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Healthcare and Medical, Architects, Professional Services – Technical & Scientific Area
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	16 Hours Per Week	40 Hours Per Week

Top Universities: Netherlands vs Australia

We have provided a list of top universities in the Netherlands and Australia in the tables given below. We will assess which country has the best universities, and the nation with the higher-ranked universities will be granted +2 points in this section. 

Universities in the Netherlands 

Have a glance at some of the best universities in the Netherlands:

Top Universities in the Netherlands	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Delft University of Technology	47	70
University of Amsterdam	53	60
Utrecht University	107	66
Eindhoven University of Technology	124	201–250
Leiden University	126	77
University of Groningen	139	75
Wageningen University and Research Centre	151	59
Erasmus University Rotterdam	176	80
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam	207	121
University of Twente	210	251–300
Radboud University	222	139
Maastricht University	256	145
Tilburg University	371	251–300

Universities in Australia

Have a glance at some of the best universities in Australia: 

Top Universities in Australia	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
The University of Melbourne	14	34
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19	71
The University of Sydney	19	54
Australian National University (ANU)	34	62
Monash University	42	44
The University of Queensland	43	53
The University of Western Australia	72	131
The University of Adelaide	89	88
University of Technology Sydney	90	133
Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)	130	192

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that universities in Australia hold a higher rank in comparison to the Netherlands. Hence, we will give a score of +2 to Australia in this round of the Netherlands vs Australia. 

Also Read: Part-Time Job Opportunities In Netherlands

Admission Requirements

Before you make up your mind to pursue education in the Netherlands or Australia, make sure that you fulfil the eligibility criteria for studying in the universities in these countries. In this section, we will find out which country has the easiest admission process. 

Admission Requirements For Netherlands

If you wish to get admission to the universities in the Netherlands, you have to provide the documents given below: 

• Mark sheets of Class 10, 12, and the bachelor’s degree (if applicable),
• GMAT (minimum 550) or GRE (minimum 310 to 330) score,
• TOEFL results (at least 550 for paper-based or 213 for internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score of 6),
• Motivation Letter,
• Proof of funds,
• Results of Dutch language test Staatsexamen NT2 only for enrolment for programs in Dutch,
• The student must score a minimum of 75% in class 12, 
• Two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager (if you have work experience),
• Resume,
• Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities),
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses or architecture programs),
• A copy of your passport, and
• Health insurance.

Admission Requirements For Australia

You need to fulfil the criteria listed below in order to get admission to Australian universities: 

• Students need to have scored at least 65% on their Class 12 exam.
• Applicants also have to provide a statement of purpose and a letter of recommendation. 
• Students must provide a curriculum vitae as well. 
• They also have to guarantee that they possess a valid visa in order to enter and study in Australia. 
• Applicants are required to additionally have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, a TOEFL score of 46 (internet-based test), a CAE score of 162, and a PTE Academic score of 42. 
• They must also obtain Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC).

Which Country is Better?

As we can see from the above comparison, admission to universities in Australia is easier than in the Netherlands. Hence, Australia will receive a score of +2 points in this section of our Netherlands vs Australia. 

Also Read: PhD in the Netherlands

Tuition Fees

In this section, we will discover which country has the lowest cost of education. We will compare the tuition fee structure in the Netherlands and Australia, and the country with the lowest cost of education will be granted +2 points. 

Tuition Fees in the Netherlands

The average yearly tuition fees in the Netherlands as per the website of the universities in the nation are listed in the table given below: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€6,000 – €15,000
Postgraduate	€8,000 – €20,000
Doctoral	€6,000 – €20,000

Tuition Fees in Australia

The cost of studying in Australian universities, as per the average annual tuition fees of the top universities are:

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	AU$15,000 – AU$33,000
Postgraduate	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000
Doctoral	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that the tuition fees in the Netherlands are lower than in Australia. As a result, we will give a +2 score to the Netherlands in this section of our Netherlands vs Australia contest. 

Also Read: List of MBA Scholarships in the Netherlands

Living Expenses

It is important to consider the living expenses of your destination country before you plan to move there. In this section, we will do a comparison between the Netherlands and Australia in terms of living costs. 

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

According to Numbeo’s website, the living expense in the Netherlands is as follows:

Monthly Rent	€967.26 – €1,817.26
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,669.49 – €5,044.22
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€80.95
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€277.51

Cost of Living in Australia

According to the Numbeo’s website, the living expense in Australia is as follows:

Monthly Rent	AU$1,827.31 – AU$3,775.63
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	AU$8,924.80 – AU$11,645.02
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	AU$25
Average Transportation Cost	AU$170.65
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	AU$453.55

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that the overall living cost in the Netherlands is lower than in Australia. Hence, the Netherlands will receive +2 points in this round of our Netherlands vs Australia contest. 

Also Read: Chemical Engineering in Australia: Salary, Jobs, Courses, Companies

Work Permit and PR

Finding employment and receiving permanent residency are among the most important considerations that students have when they are planning to study in a foreign country. Let’s understand the easiness of receiving a work visa and permanent residency in the Netherlands and Australia. 

Work Permit in the Netherlands 

In the Netherlands, a work permit is obtained as follows:

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:

• You are required to possess a valid employment contract with a Dutch employer.
• Your employer is required to demonstrate that the post could not be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.
• In case you are an employee over the age of 23, you need to earn at least the minimum wage. 

Apply for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:

The applicants have to apply for a visa in person at the Dutch mission, embassy, or consulate in their country of residence. You can contact a Dutch mission in another nation in case it is not possible. The work permit processing time for the Netherlands usually ranges between 2 weeks to 90 days. 

PR in the Netherlands

Those non-EEA residents can apply for permanent residency who have lived in the Netherlands for over 5 years. 

Work Permit in Australia

The processing time for a work visa is usually 2-8 months in Australia. However, the type of visa and the application procedures determine the work visa’s processing time. Some of the work visas available in Australia are the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, TSS visa (Temporary Skill Shortage), and Skilled Independent visa. 

Eligibility for Work Permit in Australia

Have a look at some of the eligibility criteria for receiving a work permit in Australia:

• The applicant’s age should not be more than 45 years old. 
• The applicant needs to have the necessary skills and 3 years of work experience. 
• The candidate should also fulfil the health and character standards.

Steps to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia

Here’s how you can apply for an employee work visa in Australia:

1st Step: First of all, visit the official website of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).

2nd Step: Fill out the form for the kind of visa you want.

3rd Step: Now, see whether your profession is on the list of skilled occupations for Skilled Visas.

4th Step: Before you proceed with the skills exam for sponsored visas, obtain a nomination from an approved work sponsor.

5th Step: Send an Expression of Interest (EOI) to SkillSelect. 

6th Step: You must first receive an invitation to apply for this visa.

7th Step: Collect all of your paperwork.

8th Step: Apply for a visa within 60 days of getting the invitation.

PR in Australia

The process of Australian PR is divided into three stages:

• Skill evaluation in Australia: This evaluation is conducted by a designated skill assessment authority. 
• Australia PR Visa Approval: The DHA thoroughly evaluates your profile once you have submitted the relevant documentation. If you fulfil their special standards, you will be granted a visa. 
• Preparation for Departure: If the candidate is issued an Australian PR visa, he or she needs to move to Australia by the first entry date specified on the visa grant letter. 

The PR processing takes about 6 months to 1 year on average in Australia. 

Which Country is Better?

It is apparent from this comparison that obtaining a work permit and permanent residency in Australia is easier than in the Netherlands. As a result, Australia will receive a +2 in this section of our Netherlands vs Australia contest. 

Also Read: PhD in Environmental Science in Australia: Everything You Need to Know

Average Salaries: Netherlands vs Australia

The average annual salary for a graduate is €46,665 in the Netherlands, as per WeAreDevelopers. On the other hand, it is around  €56,870 after postgraduation, according to Glassdoor. As per Talent.com, the average annual salary after graduation is AU$ 74,497 and AU$ 122,136 after postgraduation in Australia.

Which Country is Better?

As apparent from the comparison, Australia offers a high salary. Hence, Australia receives a score of +2 in this round of our Netherlands vs Australia contest.  

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Other Major Elements

Let’s see some of the other main considerations to keep in mind when deciding where to study abroad. These are the crucial elements you should consider:

Climate

The Netherlands experiences a mild maritime climate. The country is known for having chilly summers and warm winters. The nation doesn’t have any dry seasons, and precipitation is seen throughout the year. If we talk about Australia, it is usually called a country of diversity when it comes to climate. As Australia experiences different climatic conditions, it has a diverse selection of regions, from tropical rainforests to golden beaches.

Safety

The Netherlands is renowned for being a very safe country. Serious crimes like murder, narcotics, and other forms of human hostility are exceedingly rare in the country. Just like the Netherlands, Australia is also known for being a very safe country for international students. 

Culture for International Students

The Netherlands is known for its openness to international students. The culture of this country is very diverse, and the Dutch people are very kind. On the other hand, Australia is popular for its vibrant city life, natural beauty, and outdoor experiences. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Conclusion

When the total scores of the Netherlands and Australia are calculated, we find that the Netherlands has received 4 points, while Australia has received 8 points. Hence, Australia has won this contest against the Netherlands.

But keep in mind that both the Netherlands and Australia have their own advantages and disadvantages. Make sure that you choose a degree or field of study before you apply to any country’s universities. You need to assess the facilities for education and financial aid available for the degree of your choice in order to make a better-informed decision. Nonetheless, both the Netherlands and Australia are outstanding study-abroad destinations. 

Also Read: Best Engineering Courses For Future

FAQs

So, this was all about the Netherlands vs Australia. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.