From 9 March 2026, New Zealand will recognise 47 more occupations at skill levels 1–3 for the Accredited Employer Work Visa under its new National Occupation List.
What Is New Zealand’s National Occupation List (NOL)?
Foreign workers planning to move to New Zealand on a work visa face an important change in early 2026. Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that 47 additional occupations will be recognised at skill levels 1–3 under the new National Occupation List (NOL) for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) from 9 March 2026. The update is part of a wider shift away from the old ANZSCO system toward a New Zealand–specific skills framework.
The National Occupation List is New Zealand’s new job classification system. It replaces the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as the main reference for assessing many work visa applications. Announced in November 2024, the NOL is designed to better reflect New Zealand’s own labour market needs instead of relying on a shared Australia–New Zealand framework.
While a number of current applications are still being processed under ANZSCO, the transition to the NOL is speeding up. Over time, most skilled visa policies, including the AEWV, will rely on NOL job titles and skill levels to decide whether a role qualifies and what conditions apply to the visa holder and their family.
47 New Occupations Recognised at Skill Levels 1–3
From 9 March 2026, accredited employers will be able to lodge Job Checks for 47 newly recognised roles at higher skill levels 1–3 under the NOL. These additions cover a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, construction, ICT, healthcare, education, trades and agriculture.
Examples include senior hospitality roles such as Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef and Chef de Partie; construction and engineering positions; ICT and software development roles; healthcare jobs like Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist; teaching roles across primary, secondary and early childhood education; and key trades such as Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter and Diesel Mechanic. Some agricultural and horticulture roles are also being moved into the 1–3 skill band.
Skill level classification matters because it influences visa conditions, partner sponsorship rights, maximum stay periods and eligibility for residence pathways. For many applicants, being recognised at skill level 1–3 instead of 4–5 can open doors to longer stays and more options to bring family members to New Zealand.
Labour Market Test and Job Check Still Required
Even with more occupations recognised at higher skill levels, the AEWV process will still require employers to pass a labour market test. Before hiring a migrant worker, accredited employers must advertise the role for at least 14 days and make genuine efforts to recruit a New Zealander for the position.
Only if the employer can show that no suitable local candidate is available can they proceed with a Job Check and, after approval, support an AEWV application. This requirement remains central to New Zealand’s policy of using migration to fill genuine skill shortages rather than replace local workers.
Not all changes are positive for migrants. Three roles — Pet Groomer, Nanny and Kennel Hand — are being moved from skill level 3 down to skill level 4. New applications in these occupations will now face stricter English, wage and partner sponsorship rules. However, people already holding visas in these roles will not be affected until they apply for a new visa.
Some Jobs Downgraded and Wage Rules Going Up
On top of this, the immigration median wage will increase to NZD $35.00 per hour from 9 March 2026, based on June 2025 data. This new rate will impact Green List pay requirements, high-paid role exemptions, the five-year maximum stay settings and income thresholds for sponsoring partners and dependent children.
Updated partner support income thresholds have also been announced. For skill level 1–3 roles, sponsors must earn at least NZD $28.00 per hour. For skill level 4–5 roles, the bar is much higher at NZD $52.50 per hour. For Green List occupations, the partner support threshold is NZD $35.00 per hour. Residence pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category, will similarly be tied to higher wage benchmarks.
Overall, New Zealand is tightening conditions for lower-skilled jobs while offering clearer and sometimes better options for genuinely skilled roles. Migrants planning to apply in 2026 should prepare early and stay close to the details, as even small changes in job title or pay rate can affect visa outcomes.
What Migrant Workers Should Do Before Applying in 2026
If you are considering New Zealand, start by checking whether your occupation appears on the NOL and at what skill level. Then review the most recent wage thresholds linked to your role and any Green List or residence pathways that may apply. If you hope to bring a partner or children, confirm that your projected income will meet the updated sponsorship requirements.
Finally, coordinate closely with your prospective employer. They must be accredited, pass the Job Check and clearly describe your role according to NOL codes. In New Zealand’s immigration system, details matter — and careful planning before March 2026 can make the difference between a smooth AEWV application and a costly refusal or delay.
