A Kiwi nurse in Australia says saving for travel and buying her first home "is much easier" with pay rates being almost double across the ditch than in Aotearoa.
Cushla McClay made the move in September and told AM that the job she has in Australia is similar to the one in Aotearoa, but the comparison in pay is "quite unmatched".
"Definitely, much more sort of excess money for things like saving for first homes and travel, it's much easier."
The Melbourne-based nurse said the money she is earning in Australia would require her to be in a senior role here.
"If you had a senior manager role in Australia you'd probably still get paid more than New Zealand, it seems to constantly be higher in all areas."
It comes as concerns rise over new citizenship measures in Australia, which will allow Kiwis to become Australian citizens after living there for four years.
The health and education sectors are already facing skill shortages, with fears they could suffer from the announcement.
McClay said the measures will provide Kiwis like her with more security if she did want to stay in Australia longer.
"It might make me consider staying a longer period."
She told AM Kiwi health workers are "filling a lot of the gaps in the Australian health care system".
"There's lots of Kiwi nurses, and there seem to be more and more people I'm hearing about that I know from back home, that are thinking about moving over."
Queenstown-based midwife Wendy Wilkins is one Kiwi who will be making the move across the ditch after 30 years of working in Aotearoa.
"Midwives are actually getting paid less than nurses in New Zealand and we've been fighting for this for many years and trying to get the pay parity."
But Wilkins, who is "tired" of fighting for better pay will move to Australia where the money is better.
"I kind of have to make a call to do what's right for myself and for my family, and for my future."
Wilkins told AM she loves Aotearoa, its midwifery system and her team but said "ultimately that's not going to pay the bills".
The midwife said "at this stage" she plans to work in Australia for three months on temporary contracts and then move home, adding the new citizenship pathway will make it easier for others to stay.
Watch the full interview above.
