New Zealand's National Occupation List
How the NOL Generally Works
A general overview of the National Occupation List (NOL) — New Zealand's new job-classification system that is gradually replacing ANZSCO for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. This is general information only — not personalised immigration advice. The NOL is being introduced in stages, and the recognised-occupation lists and wage settings change over time; current detail is on immigration.govt.nz, and how a classification applies to a particular role is assessed by a licensed adviser.
General Overview
What the NOL Is
A New Job-Classification System
The NOL is New Zealand's new job-classification system, first announced in November 2024, replacing the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). It is designed to better reflect the New Zealand labour market and is updated each year.
Skill Levels 1 to 5
The NOL groups jobs into occupations and assigns a skill level from 1 (most skilled) to 5 (least skilled). Immigration New Zealand does not currently recognise any NOL skill level 4 or 5 occupations for the AEWV.
A Gradual, Staged Transition
For most visa applications, Immigration New Zealand currently still uses ANZSCO. Because moving fully to the NOL is a significant change, INZ is introducing it in stages — only specific listed NOL occupations can currently be used for an AEWV or job check.
Occupations Recognised for the AEWV
INZ began recognising NOL occupations for the AEWV from 3 November 2025, with further occupations added from 9 March 2026. The current recognised list is published by Immigration New Zealand and updated over time.
ANZSCO Still Applies in Many Cases
If an occupation is not on the recognised NOL list, the relevant ANZSCO code must be used instead. Some legacy documents and employment agreements may still reference ANZSCO during the transition.
Wage Settings Linked to the Median Wage
Although the general median-wage requirement was removed from the AEWV in March 2025, some settings — such as Green List pay, the twice-median advertising and skills exemption, the 1.5-times-median five-year-stay rule, and partner and dependent support thresholds — remain linked to the immigration median wage, which updates annually. Current figures are on immigration.govt.nz.
Using the NOL
How to Find a NOL Occupation
- 1
Check the Recognised Lists
Check whether a role appears on INZ's published list of NOL occupations recognised for the AEWV. If it is not listed, the relevant ANZSCO occupation is used instead.
- 2
Confirm the Occupation Requirements
Use the Aria tool or the National Occupation List on the Statistics New Zealand website to confirm the tasks, responsibilities and qualifications that define a NOL occupation.
- 3
Match the Role Accurately
The job description and pay must clearly match the occupation's responsibilities and skill level. If a level 1–3 application is assessed as level 4 or 5, it cannot proceed under that code.
- 4
Adviser Review
A licensed immigration adviser can confirm whether a NOL or ANZSCO classification applies to a particular role and what that generally means for the visa.
Common Questions
Common Questions About the NOL
No. The NOL is replacing ANZSCO gradually. For most visa applications Immigration New Zealand currently still uses ANZSCO; only specific listed NOL occupations can currently be used for an AEWV. (immigration.govt.nz, as at March 2026 — confirm current detail there.)
The NOL groups jobs into occupations with a skill level from 1 (most skilled) to 5 (least skilled). INZ does not currently recognise NOL skill level 4 or 5 occupations for the AEWV.
If an occupation is not on the recognised NOL list, yes — the relevant ANZSCO code is used. Both systems remain in use during the transition, and some other visa categories still rely on ANZSCO.
The NOL is updated annually, and INZ adds recognised occupations in stages (for example, on 3 November 2025 and 9 March 2026). Always check the current list and dates on immigration.govt.nz.
No. VisaPlex provides general information and an AI-assisted planning workspace. Which classification and skill level apply to a particular role is personalised immigration advice provided by a licensed adviser.
Next Step
Talk Through How the NOL Affects a Role
Tell us about the role or occupation and our licensed adviser will review how the NOL or ANZSCO classification may apply to your situation.