What is ANZSCO?
A common term for many people who wish to apply for a work or resident visa is ANZSCO. Both work and resident visa forms ask for things like the ANZSCO code and ANZSCO occupation. The term ANZSCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. Simply put it is a database of occupations. It classes occupations into groups of occupations and into skill levels.
Each major group of occupations consists of a sub-major group, minor group, unit group, and occupation. The most detailed level of the classification is an occupation. Each occupation has a 6 digit code, e.g. 131112 Sales and Marketing Manager. A set of similar occupations form a unit group, e.g. 1311 Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers.
Each unit group has a description of the purpose of the occupations. Then a summary of the main activities of occupations that form part of that unit group follows. Lastly, it has a detailed list of tasks and responsibilities that generally apply to all or most of the occupations in that unit group.
Occupations and skill levels in ANZSCO
ANZSCO classes occupations into different skill levels. There are 5 different levels, where skill level 1 is the highest level and skill level 5 the lowest. Skill level 1 has Manager and professional roles in certain industries. Managers in Retail and Accommodation as well as professionals in health and social welfare, among others, are skill level 2. The next skill level, skill level 3, is for Technicians and Trade Workers.
Skill level 4 and 5 represent the lower skilled occupations. Level 4 holds carers, clerks, and receptionist as well as some roles in the transport industry and manufacturing. The lowest skill level, skill level 5, is for farm workers, cleaners, forestry workers and some others.
Work experience and qualifications
For each skill level, ANZSCO outlines the level of relevant formal qualification that you need. Some occupations require a higher level of education than others. It also outlines the amount of relevant work experience and/or on-the-job training that may substitute the qualification listed.
Some examples:
- A Mechanical Engineer is a skill level 1 occupation. You need a Bachelor or higher degree or 5 years of relevant work experience.
- A Secretary is a skill level 3 occupation and requires an NZ diploma or three years of work experience.
- A Farm Worker is a skill level 5 occupation. Secondary education and in some cases a short period of on the job training is required.
ANZSCO skill level – It’s not about you!
ANZSCO does not measure the skill level of an individual. It refers to the level of skill that someone needs to competently perform the tasks of an occupation.
Skill level is an attribute of occupations. It is not an attribute of individuals. For example, a person who spreads mortar and lays bricks for a living is a Bricklayer. This is a skill level 3 occupation in ANZSCO. The skill level is always 3. It does not matter if this person is an exceptionally competent or an inexperienced bricklayer.
Assessing a visa application
When Immigration New Zealand looks at a work or resident visa application that is based on a job offer, they will compare the job description of the applicant with the list of tasks and responsibilities listed with the ANZSCO occupation code that was chosen.
If you want to know if your job description matches an ANZSCO occupation, you compare your job against the ANZSCO description of an occupation. You choose the occupations that you think fits best. Then you determine whether you are suitably qualified by training and/or experience to perform that job.
Correlation between ANZSCO and skilled job-based visas
Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO to see if you are eligible for a visa based on their job offer. The skill level of your job becomes a key factor in the assessment of these visa applications.
Essential Skills work visa
For Essential Skills Work Visas, different rules apply for each skill level. Depending on the skill level and the level of remuneration of the job:
- Mid-skill visa: skill level 1, 2, and 3 occupations that meet the mid-skill hourly rate threshold get a 3-year work visa
- Low-skill visa: skill level 4 and 5 occupations get a 1-year work visa
- Low-skill visa: skill level 1, 2 and 3 occupations with an income below the hourly rate threshold get a 1-year work visa
- High-skill visa: all skill levels with an income above the high-skill hourly rate threshold get a 5-year visa
The skill level of your job and the remuneration determine the length of your visa. More importantly, they also determine if you may bring your family or not. People on low-skill visas can’t support the applications of their family. In addition, they can only apply for a new work visa 3 times. After three 1-year work visas, they must leave New Zealand for at least 1 year.
Even people on mid-skill visas can’t always support their children. They must meet (yet another) income threshold.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) resident visa
You need a job (or a job offer) that is “skilled” if you want to apply for an SMC resident visa. This means it must be a skill level 1, 2 or 3 job AND pay at least $25 per hour. Or, you need or skill level 4 or 5 with an hourly rate of $37.50 or more. These rates are current in May 2019. The rates change every November.
Similar rules apply for work experience. This must also be “skilled”. The tasks and responsibilities of your previous job (s) determine if it is skilled. If work experience is not skilled it does not qualify for points.
How can we help
For job-based visa applications, it is important that you know the skill level of your job offer and the most suitable ANZSCO code. It may have serious consequences if you choose the wrong code. Or even worse, if your work experience or the job you are offered is not skilled. This can have a huge effect on what type of visa you may be able to apply for. Or whether you can support your family. And if you qualify for a resident visa now or in the future.
For a detailed assessment and advice on skilled job-based visas, contact us today
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Feija van Bokhoven is the Managing Director of Experienz Immigration as well as a Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA license # 201300693). In this capacity, she has helped numerous clients obtain a visa for New Zealand and helped them fulfill their dream of living in New Zealand.
Hi Feija,
Kia Ora.
I have Twin Masters in Logistics & Supply Chain Management and in International Business from the University of Sydney, qualification level 9. In the Skill List – Supply and Distribution Manager – ANZSCO codes 133611, is there. Now I am in Kuwait and have 7 years experience as supply chain analyst, brand merchandiser, shipping and in other related jobs.
My wife has a Masters degree in Sustainable Food Manufacturing Management , with specialization in Quality, Security, Health and Environment, from Lille Catholic University, France and have 4 years experience. In the Skill List – Food Technologist 234212.
Kindly give us the guidance to obtain PR in New Zealand.
Thanks & Regards
Hi,
I’ve sent you an email.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi – I am support worker in healthcare. My essential skills work visa anzsco code was a residential care officer and I got 3 year visa. Really the Personal Care Assistant code is a better fit for my duties. Can I use the PCA code to apply SKilled Migrant Resident Visa or do I have to stay on RCO code? Thank you for your time.
Hi Mary,
A resident visa application is separate from a work visa application. Immigration assesses a resident visa application based on the information provided in that application. Your job description and your daily duties must be a significant match to the ANZSCO code.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi ,
I done IT level8 I been stuck in India during covid time and came back in NZ last week but my IT employer not support for future my Visa is finishing end of dec ,2022.can I change my field to healthcare. Or skill Level 5 and what are the jobs come in that category. Thanks
Hi Amandeep,
I’m sorry to hear your employer no longer supports you. There are plenty of other IT jobs, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a new job.
If you haven’t completed your study yet, you need to talk to your school and ask if it is possible to change to a health care subject. You will need to apply for a variation of conditions to your student visa. If you have finished your course, you can enroll in a health care course and apply for a student visa. Please be mindful that for courses up to level 7 it is no longer possible to apply for a post-study work visa unless the course is related to an occupation on the Green List. But for all health care occupations on the Green List, you need at least a Bachelor’s Degree. If you are eligible for a post-study work visa (for study started after 9 May 2022), the length of the visa is the same as the length of your course.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi Feija
I just found your website , it’s very helpful.
I am working as admin assistant in a company , basically as a personal assistant of office manager, which is Skill Level: 3 From what I know. Not sure. Having a experience for more than 10 years (sales – Customer service) Back home and NZ.
So, I wonder if I get payed 25.50. Am I eligible to apply for a mid-skilled ? If so, How long does that visa last ?
Thank you in advance
Hi Claud,
I believe you sent an email as well, that I have responded to.
A mid-skill visa is valid for 3 years. You need a skill level 1, 2 or 3 occupation and an hourly rate of $21.68 or above. Admin Assistant is a skill level 4 role, while PA is a skill level 3 role.
Changes to this system are scheduled for the end of this month (July 2020). The changes mean that the skill level of an occupation is no longer relevant, only the hourly rate counts. There will only be low-paid and high-paid roles. High-paid jobs are all jobs that are paid $25.50 or above (this are is indexed every November). An applicant with a high-paid job will receive a 3-year work visa if the application is approved. Immigration New Zealand has not officially confirmed whether the changes will go ahead as scheduled.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi Feija,
Hope you stay safe and doing well.
I have finished my master in MBA and specialized in marketing. Holding a post-study visa now and I got very confused about my future because honestly, I don’t know what kind of job and industry should I look for. Just wanna know must I need to find a marketing job title for my future PR application or do I have any other options?
Thanks for your time.
Hi Roxanne,
My apologies for the delay in replying to you.
If you wish to apply for an employer-assisted visa (either work or resident), you need to prove you are skilled for the job and you can do that via a relevant qualification or sufficient work experience (most likely 5 years). You have a few options:
– If you have sufficient previous work experience in another field (not marketing) that you can prove, you can try to find a job in that field.
– If you don’t or you don’t have enough years of work experience or you can’t prove them, you need to stick to the areas of your qualification(s).
For your MBA your major was Marketing, so you need to find a job in the area of Marketing, for instance, Marketing specialist or Marketing Manager. As you have an MBA, you must also have a Bachelor Degree. If this was in another field, you may also be able to look for jobs in this field. Although, your Bachelor Degree must be recognised in NZ (so a qualification assessment by the NZQA may be required).
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi Feija,
Hope you are doing well.
I am currently doing a level 9 Masters programme in International Business in New Zealand. My first year is about to complete. I work in a call center and I want to know after my study is complete, what kind of job will I need to have in order to apply for PR. Will the call center job qualify and if not, could you kindly help me with some information on what role do I need to have please?
Have a nice day.
Thank you.
Hi Navdeep,
It is really difficult to say what type of job you need to qualify for a resident visa. There are many jobs that qualify. Most call-centre jobs do not qualify. The best option is to have a job that is related to your qualification (either your Bachelor or your Master).
If you want more in-depth information about the job you need, I’m happy to discuss this with you in a Consultation. You can contact me here: http://experienzimmigration.co.nz/contact-us/.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi Feija, would you help me with this question?
I have a job offer for Team Leader ($25.00/h) and I have a qualification level 7. In ANZSCO codes I can’t find any code related to the job titlle as supervisor, team leader. The only one that is similar is Production Manager. Do you think I can apply for Essential Skill Work Visa, mid-skilled with that?
Thank you.
Hi Bruna,
Most Team Leader or Supervisor roles are skill level 4 (low skill). Without seeing a job description and the organizational chart of the company, I cannot tell what skill level your role is. Please be aware that the hourly rate threshold for mid-skill employment goes up to $25.50 per 24 February 2020.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi,
I just completed my masters in Cyber Security, I want to know what ANZSCO level that falls in and what pay rate I must get in order to apply for a PR. Thanks
Hi Ihuoma,
Currently, the minimum pay-rate is $25, but this will go up to $25.50 from 24 February 2020. You also must earn a market rate. This means that if a standard pay-rate for a junior position in your industry pays $31, then your employer can’t pay you just $25.50.
The ANZSCO code depends on the job you find. The job description of the job determines the ANZSCO code not your qualification.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi
I am lincy.currently I am working as a level 3 caregiver at Rayman Health care.I am a registered India nurse.l like to know that according to new migration rule, level 4 caregiving can apply for PR.I can be a level 4 caregiving by doing two papers which provides by careforce,but it clearly mentioned it’s only for pay equality.My question is that if I do this course am I eligible for PR.Please replay me.
Hi Lincy,
It is important to understand that the new exception does not apply for Aged and Disabled Carer (423111). As far as I’m aware Ryman operates rest homes so your role may fall under Aged Carer (Personal Care Worker or Personal Carer). Personal Care Assistant (423313) is also on the exemption list but your occupation may not fit under this code.
To qualify for a resident visa you also need to meet several other requirements such as:
– Be of good health and character
– Sufficient English language proficiency
– Be able to claim at least 160 points (points and bonus points may be awarded for age, job offer, tertiary qualifications, and work experience)
– Have a skilled, full-time, ongoing and sustainable offer of employment that pays at least $25 per hour (soon going up to $25.50).
Based on the information you have provided, I’m not able to tell if you qualify for a resident visa. I’m happy to look at your situation in more detail (a fee applies). You can contact me by filling in the contact form on the website.
Kind regards,
Feija
Can i study and work at the same time in New Zealand thanks
Hi Julius,
In most cases, you may work up to 20 hours per week if you are studying (and on a student visa).
If you are on a work visa, you may study if the study is authorised by your employer as part of your employment or if it’s less than 3 months. Under certain circumstances you may study longer on a work visa (you pay international tuition fees).
On a Working Holiday Visa you may study for up to 6 months.
Kind regards,
Feija
Other than the
Hi,
I am just finishing up a level 3 certificate in carpentry. I have been offered ( uncondtionally)an apprenticeship, in terms of length of visa if approved what category do I fall in? I am an international student.
Thanks
Hi Nick,
It depends a bit on the length of your apprenticeship. A visa will never be longer than the length of your apprenticeship. You, most likely, need to apply for a work visa. The length of the visa may be determined by your pay-rate and the skill level of your job (the type of visa may depend on the length of your apprenticeship).
Kind regards,
Feija