From 11:59PM Sunday 18 April 2021, most visas to enter New Zealand will be eligible to be applied for from Australia. This includes work, student, visitor, and uncapped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS). A border exception is not required.
If a prospective student is in Australia and meets the requirements for Quarantine Free Travel, then they can apply for a student visa to study in New Zealand after the Quarantine Free Travel commenced at 11.59PM Sunday 18 April. They will need to meet the usual immigration requirements. The funds requirement remains $15,000 per annum at this stage (pro-rata for shorter programmes under 36 weeks).
Scenario example: an international student from Japan has been studying secondary school in Australia for the last two years and wishes to undertake tertiary study in New Zealand. They do not require a border exception. They may apply for a student visa from 11.59m Sunday 18 April.
For further questions relating to visa rules or Australia-New Zealand quarantine-free travel, please contact Immigration New Zealand at educationproviders@mbie.govt.nz