ANZSCO Skill Levels: What They Mean for Your NZ Visa

ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) is the official framework that classifies every job by skill level. In NZ immigration, your ANZSCO skill level determines:

• Whether your job qualifies as "skilled employment" for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
• How long you can stay on an AEWV and whether you can bring your partner and children
• Whether your occupation appears on the Green List

ANZSCO and the National Occupation List (NOL), October 2026: ANZSCO is gradually being replaced by Stats NZ's National Occupation List (NOL). For now, INZ accepts NOL codes only for AEWV applications and AEWV job checks, and only for the 134 NOL occupations it has recognised (87 from 3 November 2025, 47 more from 9 March 2026). For every other job, and for every other visa including the Skilled Migrant Category, you still use ANZSCO. INZ also recognises some ANZSCO occupations at a higher skill level.

Understanding your ANZSCO level is one of the most important — and most overlooked — steps in planning NZ immigration.

Example: Picking the Right ANZSCO Code

Scenario: Mei is a chef applying for an AEWV. Her duties match ANZSCO 351311 (Chef, Skill Level 2). She checks the INZ list to confirm her code and wage threshold.

Tip: If your job duties fit more than one code, pick the one that best matches your actual work and is recognized by INZ. Don’t inflate your duties.

Common Pitfalls

• Using a code that doesn’t match your real job
• Not checking for recent updates to the occupation list
• Assuming all jobs on the Green List are automatically eligible

The Five ANZSCO Skill Levels

These are indicative — the actual level of each occupation is set by ANZSCO and can sometimes differ from what you'd expect. Always look up the specific ANZSCO code for your occupation.

Why ANZSCO Levels Matter for Each Visa

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — Levels 1, 2, 3 Required

For SMC residence, your employment must be in a Skill Level 1, 2, or 3 occupation. This is a hard requirement — Level 4 and 5 jobs do not count as "skilled employment" for SMC purposes, regardless of your salary.

If your job is ANZSCO Level 4 or 5, you cannot use that employment to score points for SMC skill thresholds. You would need to change to a qualifying occupation or pursue a different residence pathway.

Example:

• Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 2544, Level 2) → qualifies as skilled employment for SMC ✅
• Home Support Worker (ANZSCO 4231, Level 3) → qualifies as skilled employment for SMC ✅
• Retail Sales Assistant (ANZSCO 6210, Level 5) → does NOT qualify ❌

AEWV — Median Wage or Skill Level 1/2/3

For an AEWV, your role must pass a Job Check. A role qualifies if it meets either:

1. Median wage (NZ$35.00/hour) — regardless of skill level, or
2. Skill Level 1, 2, or 3 — regardless of whether it meets median wage (though most skill level 1–3 roles do meet median wage in practice)

For the SMC, a level 1–3 job must also pay at least the SMC wage threshold, NZ$35.00/hour from 9 March 2026. Some level 3 roles, such as junior chef roles, often pay less, so check the pay as well as the skill level. See AEWV wage rules.

Green List — Specific ANZSCO Codes Only

The Green List lists specific ANZSCO codes — not skill levels. Your occupation must match one of those codes exactly. Green List occupations are predominantly Skill Levels 1 and 2, with some Level 3 trades.

How to Find Your ANZSCO Code and Skill Level

Step 1: Use the ANZSCO Search Tool

Go to the ANZSCO occupation search maintained by the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics — the same classification is used by NZ).

Step 2: Search by Job Title

Enter your job title. Note that the classification uses standardised occupation names that may differ from your actual job title. For example:

• "IT Project Manager" = "ICT Project Manager" (ANZSCO 135111, Level 1)
• "Chef de Partie" = "Chef" (ANZSCO 351311, Level 3)
• "Ward Nurse" = "Registered Nurse" (ANZSCO 254423, Level 2)

Step 3: Confirm the Skill Level

Each ANZSCO entry shows:

• The 6-digit ANZSCO code
• The skill level (1–5)
• The indicative qualifications
• The duties of the occupation

Step 4: Cross-Check with INZ

INZ uses ANZSCO to assess applications but also has discretion in edge cases. If your actual job duties don't match the ANZSCO description well, INZ may question the classification. A licensed immigration adviser can advise on how to position your role.

ANZSCO Levels by Occupation Category

Management and Professional (Mostly Levels 1–2)

Trades and Technical (Mostly Level 3)

Community and Personal Service (Mostly Level 4)

*Can be recognised at level 3 with at least 3 years' relevant experience or a level 4 NZQCF qualification. See below.

Sales, Administration and Logistics (Mostly Level 4)

Chef, registered nurse, physiotherapist and storeperson levels were checked against the ANZSCO classification on 7 October 2026. Always confirm your own code before applying.

ANZSCO Occupations INZ Recognises at a Higher Skill Level

Some ANZSCO occupations are officially level 4 or 5, but INZ treats them as a higher level. This matters because a level 1–3 job lets an AEWV holder stay longer and support visas for a partner or children.

For the AEWV only

These count as skill level 3 for an AEWV, but not for the Skilled Migrant Category or other visas:

For the conditional roles, the employer must list the experience or qualification requirement in the job check. Your AEWV uses the skill level set in the job check, even if you personally qualify for a higher one.

Since 9 March 2026, Pet Groomer (361113), Kennel Hand (361115) and Nanny (421113) are no longer recognised at a higher level for new job checks. People who already hold an AEWV for these roles, or whose job check was submitted by 8 March 2026 and approved, are not affected.

For the AEWV, Skilled Migrant Category and other temporary visas

These can be recognised at a higher level for all of these visas if you have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, or a relevant NZQCF qualification (level 4 or higher for skill level 3, or a diploma for skill level 2):

NOL Occupations You Can Use for an AEWV

INZ recognises 134 NOL occupations at skill levels 1–3 for AEWV applications and AEWV job checks: 18 at level 1, 22 at level 2 and 94 at level 3. If your job matches one of them, use the NOL code. If it doesn't, use the ANZSCO code. INZ does not currently recognise any NOL occupation at level 4 or 5.

Watch the chef codes. NOL splits chefs into Head Chef/Executive Chef (141113, level 1), Sous Chef (351315) and Chef de Partie (351314, both level 2), and Demi Chef de Partie (351313) and Other Chef (351311, both level 3). Under ANZSCO, 351311 is "Chef" at level 2, so the same number means a different level depending on which list you use.

If INZ assesses a job check submitted with a NOL code at level 4 or 5, the employer has to apply again using an ANZSCO code, and INZ won't extend the advertising period. Check each occupation's definition in Stats NZ's National Occupation List (Aria tool) before you pick one.

NOL skill level 1

NOL skill level 2

NOL skill level 3

Source: Immigration New Zealand, National Occupation List occupations used for an AEWV and ANZSCO occupations recognised at a higher skill level, checked 7 October 2026.

What If Your ANZSCO Level Isn't Immediately Clear?

Job Title Doesn't Match

If your actual role has a different title from the official ANZSCO name, INZ will look at your actual duties to classify the role. Provide a detailed job description that shows how your duties align with the ANZSCO occupation you're claiming.

Your Role Has Elements of Multiple Levels

Some roles involve duties spanning multiple ANZSCO skill levels. INZ generally classifies based on the predominant duties. A "Supervisor" role that involves both Level 4 supervision and Level 5 direct work might be classified at Level 4 overall.

Your Qualifications Exceed the ANZSCO Level

Having a degree doesn't automatically elevate a Level 4 or 5 job to a higher skill level. The classification is based on the job requirements, not what the worker holds. A qualified engineer working as a store assistant is still in a Level 5 role for immigration purposes.

Disputed Classifications

INZ has final say on skill level assessment. If they disagree with your claim, you may receive a Request for Further Information (RFI) or a decline. See what to do with an RFI and consider adviser input before responding.

Strategic Implications for Planning Your NZ Immigration

If your current role is ANZSCO Level 4 or 5:

• You can still get an AEWV, but the maximum continuous stay is shorter and you generally can't support visas for a partner or dependent children
• Check whether your occupation is recognised at a higher skill level. Several care, trade and machine-operator roles are, often with 3 years' experience
• You cannot use that employment toward SMC points
• Consider whether a career change or upskilling to a Level 3 occupation is realistic — it dramatically broadens your options

If your role is ANZSCO Level 3:

• You qualify for SMC skilled employment if you earn enough points overall
• Check whether your specific occupation appears on the Green List — some Level 3 trades do
• If you're applying for an AEWV, check the NOL list. Some specialised trade and supervisor roles now sit at level 1 or 2

If your role is ANZSCO Level 1 or 2:

• You have access to all major residence pathways
• Check the Green List for whether you qualify for a faster Straight to Residence pathway
• For SMC, focus on accumulating points through qualifications and experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my ANZSCO classification by rewriting my job description?

INZ assesses the actual duties of the role, not just the title or description. Inflating a description to claim a higher skill level is considered misrepresentation and can lead to application decline and a good character finding against you.

My overseas qualification should mean I'm Level 1 — does that help?

Your qualifications are assessed alongside the role. If you hold a degree but work in a Level 4 job, the job is still Level 4. However, your qualifications can earn you points in SMC independently of your job's skill level.

Does the ANZSCO version matter?

Yes. ANZSCO is gradually being replaced by the National Occupation List (NOL). For now, NOL codes can only be used for AEWV applications and job checks, and only for the occupations INZ has recognised. Everything else, including the Skilled Migrant Category, still uses ANZSCO. Check both lists on this page before choosing a code.

Where can I get an official confirmation of my ANZSCO code?

INZ can assess your occupation as part of a visa application. Outside of that, there's no official body that issues ANZSCO classification letters. An immigration adviser can give a professional opinion that carries weight with INZ.

Not sure which code or skill level fits your job? Get matched with a licensed immigration adviser who can check your occupation classification and recommend the best route to residence.