One nurse who moved to Australia last year, Andrew Clarke, shifted from Christchurch to Melbourne and said he loves it. He immediately got a $9 an hour pay bump, and is now studying for a post-graduate course while working, with support from his employer and a scholarship.
He said saving money is easier, and he and his fiance have no plans to leave.
"There's a lot of really exciting opportunities over here... experience-wise, it's a really good move. Financially it's just a no-brainer. The conditions for nurses over here are certainly more favourable than [in] New Zealand," Clarke said.