Immigration New Zealand has just announced that from 29 October 2019 certain skill level 4 or 5 occupations that are listed in Appendix 7 of its Operations Manual will be considered as skilled for both the skilled migrant residence category and the essential skills category PROVIDED that the remuneration for the job offer is $25.00 per hour (soon to increase to $25.50).  Please see below for a detailed list of occupations included in this Appendix. Work visa applications for these occupations that are currently underway can now be assessed as skilled and be eligible for a three year work visa.  Here is why this is not as positive a move by Immigration New Zealand as it first may appear:

  1. This list does not appear to address any of the known shortages in dairy, restaurant and hospitality and retail industries.
  2. There is some respite for the carer industry.  However, the ANZSCO codes that have been included in this list do not include any of the aged and disabled carers who work in aged care.
  3. Most of the occupations on this list are likely not to earn $25.50 per hour
  4. In order to qualify for a work visa, the employer must have completed a detailed labour market test.  For some of these occupations such as bookkeeper, it is highly unlikely that an employer will be able to show there are no New Zealanders available to undertake a bookkeeping role at $25.50 per hour.
  5. The instructions do not state what level of experience or qualification will be required for these ANZSCO codes – we would expect that they would require at least a National Certificate level 4 OR three years relevant experience.

If you would like to know how these changes may affect you, contact us for professional advice.

Herewith the full list of ANZSCO codes to be included in the Appendix 7.

  • 421111 Child Care Worker
  • 421112 Family Day Care Worker
  • 421114 Out of School Hours Care Worker
  • 422116 Teachers’ Aide
  • 423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
  • 423413 Refuge Worker
  • 451111 Beauty Therapist
  • 451412 Tour Guide
  • 451612 Travel Consultant
  • 451811 Civil Celebrant
  • 452211 Bungy Jump Master
  • 452212 Fishing Guide
  • 452213 Hunting Guide
  • 452214 Mountain or Glacier Guide
  • 452215 Outdoor Adventure Instructor
  • 452216 Trekking Guide
  • 452217 Whitewater Rafting Guide
  • 452299 Outdoor Adventure Guides nec
  • 551211 Bookkeeper
  • 552111 Bank Worker
  • 552211 Credit or Loans Officer
  • 711211 Industrial Spraypainter
  • 711311 Paper Products Machine Operator
  • 711313 Sawmilling Operator
  • 711611 Sewing Machinist
  • 711711 Footwear Production Machine Operator
  • 711712 Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operator
  • 711713 Knitting Machine Operator
  • 711714 Textile Dyeing and Finishing Machine Operator
  • 711715 Weaving Machine Operator
  • 711716 Yarn Carding and Spinning Machine Operator
  • 711799 Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators nec
  • 712111 Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator  712916 Paper and Pulp Mill Operator
  • 712921 Waste Water or Water Plant Operator
  • 721112 Logging Plant Operator
  • 721913 Paving Plant Operator
    731311 Train Driver
  • 821711 Construction Rigger
  • 423313 Personal Care Assistant
  • 452311 Diving Instructor (Open Water)
  • 591212 Import-Export Clerk
  • 599611 Insurance Investigator
  • 599612 Insurance Loss Adjuster

Vanessa Sharratt

Director and Licensed Immigration Adviser