Report says New Zealanders are among the most discriminated against in Australia, but how bad is it?

By Zara McDonald, Emily Collin and Amy Campbell. 

We share a long history of camaraderie and our borders are only separated by about 2000 kilometres of water. But perhaps Australia’s familial relationship with the Kiwi’s isn’t as fondly reciprocated as we might have thought.

A recent report on social cohesion commissioned by the Scanlon Foundation and Monash University has found that 50 per cent of New Zealanders living in Australia have experienced discrimination based on skin colour, ethnic origin or religion.

Titled Australia Today, the report surveyed more than 10,000 people, and found that 28 per cent of migrants from New Zealand say their experience of life in Australia is more negative than they had expected. Forty six per cent of New Zealanders say they don’t feel like they belong in Australia, and 17 per cent are generally dissatisfied with life here. Shockingly, the study found this percentage rivals that of asylum seekers.

There is an estimated 600,000 New Zealanders living and working in Australia. They make up approximately ten per cent of all migrants and contribute an estimated $5 billion in tax annually.

Better work and education opportunities rank highly among the reasons many New Zealanders decide to make the move across the Tasman. Young Kiwi’s see Australia as offering better job opportunities, and in most cases, higher salaries. But many students face hardships upon moving here, as they are exempt from receiving HECS-HELP student loans unless they’ve resided in Australia for ten years, and cannot claim an array of concessions.

But is life for young New Zealanders living, working and studying in Melbourne as difficult as the Scanlon Report suggests? Dan Parker is an Architecture student from Nelson, a small coastal city at the top of the south island. He says his experience studying in Australia has been a positive and welcoming one, despite not qualifying for student loans.

“From what I understand, I think Australians going to New Zealand get a better deal. In that respect, it’s a bit unfair. Of course, I’d rather get HECS help but I understood the situation before moving here and I’m fortunate that my parents are well-off enough that they can pay up front. But a lot of other students wouldn’t be that fortunate,” he says.

Lucy Jordan moved to Australia with her boyfriend five years ago. She works as a store manager at an Australian fashion boutique, and says her experience living here has only been positive.

Lucy Jordan, Store Manager at Australian fashion label Alpha60

“It was less expensive for me to get a credit card here than it was in New Zealand,” Lucy admits, “and I earn a lot more here than I did at home. The pros outweigh the cons.”

The Scanlon Foundation’s report suggests most dissatisfaction stems from the fact Australian’s receive full citizenship benefits while living in New Zealand, but New Zealanders don’t receive the same benefits here.