Well, actually there is NOTHING different ka , for me somehow i could saved more with better quality of life in New Zealand - as there are many things you might need to consider.
In New Zealand, the money thing might seem smaller than Australian money - but don't forget that Australia has much higher cost of living when compare to New Zealand so when it come to rest of month or week, I 've found it's all the same.
But for me, when i was in New Zealand I 've found I could find more reasonable paid, taxed job that paid 11.50-12.50/hour -8 hrs a day in the warehouse ( In New Zealand ,they are not crazy about license like in Australia, like - if you contact the job agencies around, you can get a job easily in the warehouse,pubs and others ,no need lots of skill and certificate ja, in Australia you cant get any thing like that.) and my costs at week rate hostel was 110/week (double room,i stayed with my boyfriend( now,my husband) *( i worked on and off as a receptionist there as well so I didnt pay for accomodation some weeks) a the rest of week i could save at least 200-300 bucks or more if i got an extra job from the agencies ( lots of agencies,different kind of jobs, more on call like cleaning or cocktail- party wait) for ppl that okey with the 4-6 beds room would cost them much less for weekly rate ka, down to 70 bucks a week sometimes.
In Australia, you might end up with 6-7 bucks /hour ,no tax or you might be lucky enough to get the tax paid job at 15 bucks/hr.
the expense of living would be more than 200 bucks somehow ( 115-130 bucks/week sharing room apartment, 20-30 bucks for week food)
anyway, it depends on LUCK as well, so we cant tell if you would get a job, or not - that job you get pay good or not
:) here is the risk you need to take,so if you want to get on the road you might need to take it anyway ja.
( sorry, I will get on my laptop tonight and talk in Thai na ja,here i use a family computer so I cant type Thai)