Safety and quality of life are essential factors to consider when choosing between Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have low crime rates and high quality of life, with Australia ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, while New Zealand is considered one of the most peaceful countries.
Australia could be a better fit if you enjoy a laid-back lifestyle and warm weather. If you prefer outdoor adventure and cooler temperatures, New Zealand may be more your style. Your decisions could be influenced by various things, including the cost of living, weather, house price, income, and quality of life.
According to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand is the second-safest country to live in the world. This index ranks 163 countries based on factors such as crime rates, political stability, and the likelihood of terrorism.
Crime rates
The homicide rate in Australia in 2021 was 0.86 per 100,000, which was lower than New Zealand's 1.0 per 100,000 and 1.3 per 100,000 in the United Kingdom. In comparison to North America in 2021, the United States and Canada had homicide rates of 3.8 and 2.2 per 100,000, respectively.
Unlike other countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Indonesia, Australia does not lie in close proximity to a tectonic plate boundary where large earthquakes can occur. However, communities in Australia can still experience damaging and deadly earthquakes.
New Zealand's rather cool and temperate temperatures can easily hide the harmful effects of the sun. Yet in any season and any weather, the New Zealand sun can burn. Many people say they get more sunburned in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world, even Australia!
Australia is ranked third highest of the fourteen countries in terms of overall victimisation, behind the other two non-European countries, the USA and Canada. In assaults involving force, sexual incidents, burglary and motor vehicle thefts, Australia ranked highest of all countries surveyed.
With only 5.1 million inhabitants, the country's low population density also contributes to its low crime rate, as people tend to be more closely connected and invested in their communities. But don't let the population density fool you – New Zealand is proud of its strong culture of openness and honesty.
Western Australia had one of the highest victimisation rates recorded for this offence across the available states and territories.
1. Iceland. Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is also the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. With a low homicide rate, low level of violent crime, and limited access to small arms, Iceland is truly a peaceful country for its residents and visitors.
New Zealand has been hailed as the fourth safest country in the world for women, according to the February 2018 Global Wealth Migration Review. Australia came in as the safest country in the world for women, with Malta and Iceland also ranking in the top three.
In New Zealand, the average salary is $48,000 per year. In Australia, the average salary is $42,000 per year. This means that, on average, workers in New Zealand earn $6,000 more per year than their counterparts in Australia.
But when the Australian Bureau of Statistics is reporting the average wage across the ditch was A$94,000 - equivalent to $102,500 - last November and Statistics New Zealand says the average weekly earnings equates to an annual wage of $77,844 in the year to December 2022, the pay gap is surely tempting.
It is estimated that around 670,000 New Zealand citizens live in Australia (close to 15 per cent of New Zealand's population), while there are around 70,000 Australians in New Zealand.
Christchurch. Christchurch is not only considered one of the safest places to live in New Zealand—it also ranks among the best all around. Located on the South Island, Christchurch is one of the first choices for expatriates who move to New Zealand.
The crime rate in Australia is much lower than in the United States of America. As Australia ranks 47th while the USA ranks on 30th according to their crime rates. It is so rare for police officers to carry guns due to the low crime rate.
Is Canada Safer Than Australia? Canada and Australia are considered safe countries with low crime rates. However, Canada has a lower crime index and a higher rate of safety for walking alone at night, according to numbeo.com.
1. Canberra – Australia's Capital City. Nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is not only the capital but also Australia's safest city. With a low crime rate and a small-town vibe, Canberra offers an attractive blend of city living and peaceful suburban life.
In 2020 there were 1,093 road deaths in Australia (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 4.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2020.
Australia ranks amongst the highest in the world for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights.
The first one goes like this: The Australian continent consists of three sovereign countries which are Australia (the country) itself, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. It also encompasses portions of the island of New Guinea which are under the jurisdiction of Indonesia, namely Papua and West Papua.