New Zealand has officially moved away from the long-used Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and adopted a new system known as the National Occupation List (NOL). The new framework came into effect on 3 November 2025, representing a major shift in how Immigration New Zealand (INZ) determines skill levels and evaluates work-visa eligibility.
What the NOL Means for Employers and Applicants
From 3 November onward, the NOL serves as the reference point for all Job Check and Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. It also applies to Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) submissions lodged between September and November 2025 under the temporary transition pathway.
Employers must now select the correct NOL occupation code when submitting job offers or role descriptions. Visa applicants must ensure that their experience and qualifications align with the skill expectations defined under the NOL.
Some visa streams — such as the Skilled Migrant Category and certain Job Check applications — will continue using ANZSCO during a phased transition period until INZ completes the full migration to the new system.
How the NOL Classifies Occupations
The NOL groups occupations into five skill levels, with Level 1 being the most skilled. Each occupation entry outlines:
Typical duties
Required skill level
Relevant qualifications
Expected experience and responsibilities
INZ recommends using the Aria tool on the Statistics New Zealand website to find the correct NOL code and verify eligibility.
Temporary Bridge for Migrants Nearing Maximum Stay
To ease the adjustment period, INZ introduced a short-term SPWV option that ran from 8 September to 2 November 2025. This transitional pathway applied to around 30 newly recognised NOL occupations and allowed eligible AEWV holders to extend their stay in New Zealand by up to two additional years.
Why the Change Matters
According to officials, adopting the NOL is a key part of modernising New Zealand’s immigration framework. The new system is designed to:
Provide clearer, more consistent skill assessments
Streamline visa processing
Better align immigration policy with real labour market needs
INZ advises employers to ensure job descriptions fully match the NOL standards to prevent processing delays. The agency will continue updating the list and expanding recognised occupations over time.
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