Kia Ora! Dreaming of bringing your skills to beautiful New Zealand? Whether you’re an IT professional, a healthcare worker, a tradesperson, or in another skilled field, listen up – there’s an important update impacting your potential move!
New Zealand has changed the system it uses to classify jobs for visa purposes. The old list, known as ANZSCO, is being replaced by a new, NZ-specific system called the National Occupation List (NOL).
This isn’t just administrative shuffling; it directly affects how your job is viewed for visa applications and could impact your eligibility. Here’s what you need to know and do in 2025.
What’s Changing?
Think of it like this: New Zealand used to share a job dictionary (ANZSCO) with Australia. Now, NZ has created its own dictionary (the NOL) because its job market is unique and needs a more up-to-date guide. This NOL aims to better reflect the jobs actually available and needed in New Zealand today.
Why This Matters DIRECTLY To New Skilled Worker Visa Applicants?
This change impacts several key things for your potential visa application:
- Your Job’s “Skill Level”: This is crucial. ANZSCO ranked jobs from Skill Level 1 (highest) to 5. The NOL might rank your job differently. A change in skill level directly impacts eligibility for key visas like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa. It can affect visa duration, pathways to residency, and even whether you need an English test.
- Matching Your Experience: You need to ensure your work experience and qualifications align with how your job is described and classified under the new system (even if INZ uses old codes temporarily).
- Happening Alongside Other Reforms: This NOL transition is occurring alongside major recent changes to the AEWV (like removing strict median wage rules and reducing experience requirements for some roles), making it vital to understand the whole picture.
The Current Situation (May 2025) – What You MUST Know NOW?
This is where you need to pay close attention:
- Still in Transition: As of right now (May 2025), Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has NOT fully switched over to using the NOL for all visa processing. They are still officially using the old ANZSCO codes while preparing for the full transition. A confirmed switch-over date is expected sometime in 2025. Do not assume the NOL is fully active for visa applications yet.
- Skill Level Impact is LIVE: Here’s the big news affecting applicants right now. Even though INZ is using ANZSCO codes, they are already treating some ANZSCO Skill Level 4 jobs as Skill Level 3 for AEWV applications, because that’s how they align with the upcoming NOL.
- This could be GOOD NEWS for you! Occupations like Cook, Nanny, Pet Groomer, Kennel Hand, Fitness Instructor, Scaffolder, and Slaughterer are now treated as Skill Level 3 for AEWV.
- Other roles like Aged/Disabled Carers and certain Mobile Plant Operators can also be recognised at a higher skill level if specific experience/qualifications are met.
- Benefit: Being treated as Skill Level 3 can mean longer visa duration (now 3 years for Level 4/5 roles under recent AEWV changes), potentially easier pathways to residence later, and exemption from English language tests for some.
- AEWV is Key: The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main temporary work visa. Remember the recent positive changes (effective March 2025): no mandatory median wage (market rate + minimum wage applies), only 2 years’ experience needed for Skill Level 4/5 roles, and a 3-year visa for those roles.
Your Action Plan – Steps for International Applicants:
Okay, things are changing, but you can navigate this! Here’s your checklist:
- Identify Your Job (Under Both Systems):
- Look up your likely job title and tasks under the old ANZSCO system (use the search tool on the INZ website). Note the 6-digit code and skill level.
- Find your occupation on the new National Occupation List (NOL) on the Stats NZ website. See how it’s classified there.
- Check for Skill Level Upgrades (Crucial!): Visit the INZ website page titled “ANZSCO occupations recognised at a higher skill level”. See if the ANZSCO code for your job is listed there as being treated at Skill Level 3 for the AEWV right now.
- Monitor INZ Updates RELIGIOUSLY: Bookmark the Immigration New Zealand news/updates page. Watch for the official announcement about the date they will fully switch visa processing to the NOL. This is expected in 2025.
- Read Specific Visa Requirements: Don’t rely on general information. Go to the INZ page for the exact visa you plan to apply for (e.g., AEWV, SMC) and read the current eligibility criteria carefully, paying close attention to which occupation list/skill level rules apply today.
- Consider NZ-Licensed Advice: The situation is fluid. If you’re unsure how these changes affect you, getting advice from a Licensed Immigration Adviser who specialises in New Zealand visas is highly recommended. They will have the latest on-the-ground information.
Looking Ahead:
The goal of this shift to the NOL is positive – to create a clearer, fairer system that better reflects job realities in New Zealand and attracts the skills the country needs. While navigating the transition takes effort, being prepared puts you in a stronger position.
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