Highlights: New Zealand Updates Occupation List and Wage Rules from 9 March, 2026
- From 9 March 2026, Immigration New Zealand will recognise 47 additional Skill Level 1–3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) for AEWV applications.
- The immigration median wage has increased to NZD 35.00 per hour, based on June 2025 wage data.
- Three roles, that is, pet groomer, nanny, and kennel hand, have been reclassified from Skill Level 3 to Skill Level 4, changing eligibility requirements for new applicants.
- The partner support income threshold for Skill Level 1–3 roles has increased from NZD 26.85 to NZD 28.00 per hour.
- The Green List partner support threshold has increased from NZD 33.56 to NZD 35.00 per hour, aligning with the updated median wage.
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New Zealand Adds 47 Skilled Occupations and Raises Median Wage from 9 March 2026
Immigration New Zealand has announced significant updates effective 9 March 2026, including the addition of 47 new Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL). These changes apply to Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications and reflect New Zealand’s continued shift from ANZSCO to the updated NOL system, which is designed to better align with the country’s labour market needs.
Alongside the occupation expansion, the immigration median wage has increased to NZD $35.00 per hour, impacting Green List roles, partner sponsorship income thresholds, and certain skilled residence pathways. Three roles pet groomer, nanny, and kennel hand, have also been reclassified to Skill Level 4, introducing stricter requirements for future applicants. These updates may create new opportunities for skilled Indian professionals, while also requiring closer attention to revised wage and eligibility criteria.
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Key Changes to Job Classifications and Salary Thresholds in NZ Explained
Along with the expansion of the National Occupation List, Immigration New Zealand has introduced important changes that will directly affect certain applicants and employers. These updates relate to job reclassifications and the increase in the immigration median wage, both of which may influence eligibility under the AEWV and residence pathways.
Reclassified Occupations
The following roles have moved from Skill Level 3 to Skill Level 4:
- Pet groomer
- Nanny
- Kennel hand
For new applications submitted from 9 March 2026 onwards, this means:
- Applicants must meet Skill Level 4 English language requirements
- Employers must complete Ministry of Social Development (MSD) engagement during the Job Check process
- Workers may have a shorter maximum continuous stay period
- There may be restrictions on supporting partners or dependent children
Applications approved on or before 8 March 2026 will not be affected.
Median Wage Increase and Its Impact
The immigration median wage has increased to NZD $35.00 per hour, and this change affects several visa settings, including:
- Green List salary requirements
- Advertising exemptions for roles paid at least twice the median wage
- Five-year maximum stay rules for certain lower-skilled roles paid at least 1.5 times the median wage
- Income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children
For example, teachers applying under skilled residence pathways may now need to be placed on Step 5 of the pay scale instead of Step 4 to remain eligible.
These updates highlight the importance of reviewing your wage level and occupation classification before submitting a new visa application.
Also, read…
New Zealand to Revise Open Work Visa Policies from April 20 – Check Your Eligibility!
47 Newly Recognised NOL Occupations Eligible for AEWV from 9 March 2026
From 9 March 2026, Immigration New Zealand has added 47 Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) that can be used for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications and Job Checks.
| NOL Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| NOL Skill Level 1 Occupations | |
| 132314 | Chief Remote Officer |
| 132418 | Chief Sustainability Officer |
| 141113 | Head Chef / Executive Chef |
| 223312 | Organic Conservation Specialist |
| 232114 | Building Information Modeller |
| 232416 | Accessible Format Specialist |
| 253115 | Physician Associate |
| 261214 | Virtual Reality (VR) Specialist |
| 261215 | Augmented Reality (AR) Specialist |
| 261331 | Enterprise Architect |
| 511113 | Joinery Manager |
| 511114 | Joinery Project Manager |
| 512112 | Chief of Staff |
| 512113 | Executive Assistant (CEO / Board Level) |
| NOL Skill Level 2 Occupations | |
| 311115 | Wine Laboratory Technician |
| 312914 | CAD Draftsperson |
| 312915 | Biomedical Technician |
| 312916 | Environmental Engineering Technician |
| 312923 | Reinforcing / Structural Steel Detailer |
| 313114 | Digital Imaging Technician |
| 311423 | Environmental Technician |
| 312117 | Energy Assessor |
| 351314 | Chef de Partie |
| 351315 | Sous Chef |
| 362215 | Urban Forester |
| 362412 | Nursery Production Leading Hand |
| 399521 | Videographer |
| 411115 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) |
| 411717 | Aged Care Coordinator |
| 451312 | Embalmer |
| 452221 | Skydiving Instructor (Solo) |
| 452222 | Tandem Skydiving Master / Instructor |
| 512114 | Administrative Professional |
| 512212 | Accounting Practice Manager |
| 512213 | Legal Practice Manager |
| NOL Skill Level 3 Occupations | |
| 272126 | Consumer Advisor |
| 323115 | Launch Technician – Mechanical |
| 351311 | Other Chef |
| 351313 | Demi Chef de Partie |
| 423127 | Peer Support Worker |
| 452416 | Ski Patroller |
| 711316 | Timber Machinist |
| 712925 | Senior Timber Treatment Plant Operator |
| 721115 | Advanced Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator |
| 831123 | Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator |
| 831215 | Meat Boner / Meat Cutter |
| 899924 | Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) |
Note: The NOL is gradually replacing ANZSCO and groups jobs based on similar tasks and skill levels, with Level 1 being the highest skilled.
Also, read…
New Zealand Minimum Wages to hit ~$24/Hour from April 2026. Apply now!
How the NOL Update Creates New Opportunities for AEWV Applicants
The expansion of the National Occupation List (NOL) is more than just a technical change — it directly impacts how employers hire and how migrant workers apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Introduced in November 2024, the NOL is gradually replacing ANZSCO to better reflect New Zealand’s current labour market needs. From 9 March 2026, the newly added occupations officially become usable for AEWV applications and Job Checks.
Here is what this means in practical terms:
- Employers can submit Job Checks for 47 newly recognised Skill Level 1–3 occupations, expanding hiring options under the AEWV pathway.
- Chef roles have been restructured and clearly defined based on skill level and seniority, offering greater clarity for both employers and applicants.
- Mandatory labour market testing still applies, meaning employers must advertise the role for at least 14 days and show genuine efforts to recruit a New Zealand citizen or resident first.
- Current AEWV holders in related Skill Level 4 or 5 roles may benefit, as they could transition into a recognised Skill Level 1–3 role if their employer obtains an approved Job Check.
- Eligible workers may apply for a new AEWV and potentially extend their maximum continuous stay, provided they meet qualification and skill requirements.
Overall, this update signals New Zealand’s continued focus on aligning immigration settings with real workforce demands, creating structured pathways for skilled professionals while maintaining protections for the local labour market.
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FAQs
What is the National Occupation List (NOL) and why is it important for AEWV applicants?
The National Occupation List (NOL) is New Zealand’s updated job classification system that replaces ANZSCO. It groups occupations based on similar tasks and assigns skill levels from 1 to 5, with Level 1 being the highest skilled. The NOL is important because it determines how jobs are assessed for visa eligibility, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). From 9 March 2026, 47 additional Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations are recognised under the NOL. If your job appears on this list, you must use the NOL occupation code when applying for an AEWV or when your employer submits a Job Check.
What changes came into effect on 9 March 2026 for AEWV applicants?
From 9 March 2026, Immigration New Zealand began recognising 47 new Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List for AEWV applications. At the same time, the immigration median wage increased to NZD 35.00 per hour. Three occupations — pet groomer, nanny, and kennel hand — were reclassified from Skill Level 3 to 4. These changes affect eligibility requirements, income thresholds for supporting partners, and certain residence pathways. While the AEWV median wage requirement was removed earlier, several immigration settings remain linked to the updated median wage.
How does the increase in the immigration median wage affect visa applicants?
The immigration median wage has increased to NZD 35.00 per hour, and this adjustment affects several visa categories. Although AEWV applications are no longer tied to a general median wage threshold, other settings remain linked to it. These include Green List pay requirements, income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children, and exemptions from advertising for roles paid at least twice the median wage. Some lower-skilled roles paid at least 1.5 times the median wage are also impacted in terms of maximum stay rules. Applicants should review their salary level carefully before submitting a new visa application.
What does the reclassification of certain occupations mean for new applicants?
Pet groomers, nannies, and kennel hands have moved from Skill Level 3 to Skill Level 4 under the updated NOL. This means new applicants in these roles must now meet Skill Level 4 criteria. These requirements include English language standards and Ministry of Social Development engagement during the Job Check process. The maximum continuous stay may be shorter, and there could be restrictions on supporting partners or dependents. However, applicants whose Job Checks were approved on or before 8 March 2026 are not affected by the reclassification.
Can current AEWV holders benefit from the newly recognised occupations?
Yes, in some cases current AEWV holders may benefit. If a worker is employed in a related Skill Level 4 or 5 role and their employer obtains an approved Job Check for a newly recognised Skill Level 1 to 3 NOL occupation, the worker may be eligible to apply for a new AEWV. If they meet the qualification and skill requirements, this could allow them to extend their maximum continuous stay. Each case depends on whether the new occupation aligns with the worker’s experience and qualifications.
Are employers still required to advertise roles before hiring migrant workers?
Yes, the labour market testing requirement remains in place. Employers must advertise the role for at least 14 days and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit a New Zealand citizen or resident before offering the job to a migrant worker under the AEWV. This rule applies even to newly recognised NOL occupations. The purpose is to ensure that local workers are given priority while still allowing employers to access overseas talent when suitable candidates are not available within New Zealand.
How does the NOL differ from ANZSCO?
The National Occupation List replaces ANZSCO and is designed to better reflect New Zealand’s labour market. While ANZSCO was a joint Australia-New Zealand classification system, the NOL is tailored specifically to New Zealand’s workforce needs. The transition is being implemented gradually, and Immigration New Zealand will continue updating recognised occupations over time. Applicants must use the NOL code for AEWV applications if their occupation is listed under the recognised NOL occupations. For other visa types or occupations not yet transitioned, ANZSCO may still apply.
How does the wage changes impact partner and dependent sponsorship?
The increase in the immigration median wage affects income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children. For example, the partner support threshold for Skill Level 1 to 3 roles has increased to NZD 28.00 per hour, and the Green List partner threshold has risen to NZD 35.00 per hour. This means applicants must now meet higher salary requirements to sponsor family members. It is important for workers to ensure their employment contract meets the updated wage levels before applying for partner or dependent visas.
Do these changes affect skilled residence pathways?
Yes, certain skilled residence pathways linked to wage thresholds are affected. Since the immigration median wage has increased to NZD 35.00 per hour, roles tied to the Green List and Skilled Migrant Category may require higher pay levels to remain eligible. For example, teachers applying under residence pathways may need to be placed on a higher pay step than before. Applicants considering residence should review updated wage requirements carefully to avoid delays or ineligibility.
What should Indian professionals do if their occupation is on the new NOL list?
If your occupation is among the 47 newly recognised Skill Level 1 to 3 roles, this could improve your chances of securing an AEWV. The first step is to confirm the correct NOL code and ensure your qualifications and experience match the occupation’s requirements. You should also verify that your salary meets updated wage thresholds, especially if you plan to sponsor family members. Given the changes to skill levels and income rules, seeking professional guidance can help you submit a well-prepared application and avoid unnecessary complications.