New Zealand’s job classification system is altering — and in case you are concerned in an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) utility, both as an employer or a migrant employee, understanding the distinction between ANZSCO and the Nationwide Occupation Checklist (NOL) is now not non-obligatory. Get it improper, and a job verify utility could be declined, delayed, or — worse — depart a employee locked out of an extended keep in New Zealand.
Here’s what it’s worthwhile to know.
What’s ANZSCO, and what’s the NOL?
ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Customary Classification of Occupations, model 1.3) has been the spine of New Zealand’s immigration system for years. It classifies jobs into talent ranges 1 to five, the place stage 1 represents essentially the most extremely expert occupations and stage 5 the least expert. Till just lately, virtually each work visa pathway — together with the AEWV — relied completely on ANZSCO codes to evaluate whether or not a task certified for a visa.
The NOL (Nationwide Occupation Checklist, model 3.0.0) is New Zealand’s new home-grown job classification system, developed particularly for the New Zealand labour market and maintained by Stats NZ. It grew to become New Zealand’s official job classification system in November 2024. Like ANZSCO, it assigns talent ranges from 1 (most expert) to five (least expert) — however the construction, occupations, and titles are sometimes fairly totally different.
The essential level: each techniques are at present in use on the similar time, and realizing which one applies to a particular function — and what implications that has — is now a core a part of offering correct immigration recommendation.
The NOL rollout timeline
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is introducing the NOL regularly:
- November 2024 — The NOL grew to become New Zealand’s official job classification system
- November 2025 — INZ started recognising 87 NOL occupations (talent ranges 1–3) for AEWV functions
- March 2026 — An additional 47 NOL occupations had been added, bringing the whole to 134 NOL roles recognised on the job verify stage (listed at Appendix 20 of the immigration directions)
- 2027 (TBC) — Full integration of NOL into all INZ techniques
At this stage, the NOL is barely used inside the AEWV system. For all different visa classes — together with the Expert Migrant Class residence pathway — ANZSCO codes should nonetheless be used. This dual-system interval is the place most errors happen.
Why this issues: pathways and most steady keep
That is the only most vital factor for each applicant to grasp.
Whether or not a task is assessed as talent stage 1, 2, or 3 — versus talent stage 4 or 5 — determines two essential outcomes:
- How lengthy a employee can keep in New Zealand (their most steady keep)
- Whether or not they can carry relations with them
A talent stage 1–3 function permits for an extended most steady keep and opens the door to bringing a associate and dependent kids. A talent stage 4 or 5 function doesn’t carry the identical entitlements.
This implies a employee in what seems to be the identical job might have very totally different visa situations relying on how that job is assessed — below ANZSCO or below the NOL — and which talent stage it falls into.
As INZ put it of their Might 2026 webinar, candidates are anticipated to know the variations between the 2 techniques and the way that will have an effect on pathways and most steady keep. That is an expectation candidates must fulfil.
Selecting between ANZSCO and NOL on the job verify stage
When an employer submits a job verify for an AEWV, they now have a alternative for sure roles: use the ANZSCO code, or use the NOL code — supplied the occupation seems on the INZ-recognised NOL listing.
To decide on the precise code, you need to verify three issues:
- The duties concerned within the function
- The tasks the worker will carry
- The {qualifications} or work expertise required
Accuracy right here is every little thing. INZ officers will assess whether or not the job description displays a considerable match with the occupation chosen — and they’ll use the Aria system (for NOL) or the usual ANZSCO duties listing for this evaluation. For NOL roles, every occupation additionally hyperlinks to the Tahatu profession navigator, which offers frequent job profiles that officers use as a reference.
Job inflation: an actual and rising threat
Probably the most vital threat areas flagged by INZ is job inflation — the place an employer intentionally or carelessly selects a better talent stage for a task than the job really warrants.
INZ is evident on the implications:
- If a job verify is submitted utilizing a NOL talent stage 1, 2, or 3 code, however INZ assesses the precise function as being talent stage 4 or 5, no further time shall be given to promote the function or have interaction with Work and Earnings.
- As a result of INZ doesn’t at present recognise any NOL talent stage 4 or 5 occupations, a failed evaluation means the employer should begin once more utilizing an ANZSCO code.
- Employers who’re discovered to be constantly inflating job ranges could discover their future job verify functions topic to higher scrutiny.
This has actual price implications — each in time and in utility charges — and doubtlessly critical penalties for the migrant employee who could have been ready on an consequence.
The chef occupation: a sensible instance of how NOL adjustments issues
Probably the most sensible adjustments launched by the NOL issues chef roles. Beforehand, just about all cooks had been labeled below the only ANZSCO code 351311. The NOL splits this into 5 distinct occupations:
| NOL Code | Function | Talent Degree |
| 141113 | Head Chef / Govt Chef | Degree 1 |
| 351315 | Sous Chef | Degree 2 |
| 351314 | Chef de Partie | Degree 2 |
| 351313 | Demi Chef de Partie | Degree 3 |
| 351311 | Different Chef | Degree 3 |
Word that two of those occupations share the identical ANZSCO code (351311). Both could be chosen within the job verify, supplied it precisely displays the precise function being supplied.
For employees beforehand caught on a stage 4 or 5 ANZSCO classification as a “cook dinner,” the NOL doubtlessly opens a pathway to a better talent stage classification — and with it, an extended most steady keep — if their employer obtains a job verify for the suitable NOL function and the employee is suitably certified.
Can INZ change the ANZSCO or NOL code on the job verify stage?
Sure. INZ immigration officers can assess the precise talent stage of a task independently of what the employer has chosen. In apply, this implies they will downgrade a code in the event that they contemplate the function to have been inflated. The INZ webinar confirmed that upgrading a code will not be one thing INZ does — the duty to pick the precise code sits with the employer and their adviser.
If an error is made with the ANZSCO or NOL code on an authorized job verify, it can not merely be corrected on the AEWV utility stage. A brand new job verify utility would usually be required.
Larger talent stage recognition for ANZSCO stage 4 and 5 roles
There are a small variety of ANZSCO stage 4 and 5 roles that may be handled as greater talent stage if the employer genuinely requires the employee to carry at the very least 3 years of straight related work expertise, or a Degree 4 qualification. An instance given by INZ is excavator operator (ANZSCO 721214).
Critically, if these necessities are listed within the job commercial, they should be real necessities — not added merely to inflate the function’s classification. INZ coverage is evident: employers ought to solely listing {qualifications}, abilities, and expertise which are genuinely wanted for the job. And earlier than a migrant employee is obtainable the place, the employer should confirm the employee really meets these acknowledged necessities.
What does this imply for present AEWV holders?
Employees at present holding an AEWV in a talent stage 4 or 5 function ought to communicate to a licensed immigration adviser about whether or not the March 2026 NOL enlargement creates a chance to transition right into a newly recognised talent stage 1–3 function.
To be eligible for an additional AEWV on this foundation, the employee would wish:
- An employer with an authorized job verify for a related NOL talent stage 1–3 occupation
- The employee to be suitably certified for that function (usually both 2+ years of straight related expertise, or a recognised qualification)
This isn’t automated — it requires a brand new job verify and a brand new AEWV utility — however for employees approaching their most steady keep, it could signify a viable pathway to staying in New Zealand for longer.
Key takeaways for employers and candidates
- Each ANZSCO and NOL are at present in use. Don’t assume one replaces the opposite.
- The NOL is barely recognised for AEWV functions at this stage — not for residence pathways.
- 134 NOL roles are actually recognised on the job verify stage (as of March 2026).
- Job inflation carries critical penalties — together with being required to reapply and potential future scrutiny of job checks.
- The NOL considerably adjustments how chef roles are labeled — with 5 distinct occupations now changing one.
- If you’re not sure whether or not a task is best suited to an ANZSCO or NOL code, search recommendation earlier than lodging the job verify.
Get recommendation earlier than you lodge
The ANZSCO/NOL transition is among the extra technically demanding adjustments to the AEWV system lately. The stakes are excessive — for employers who want employees in place shortly, and for migrants whose size of keep, household reunification rights, and residence pathways could all be affected by how their occupation is assessed.
At Immigration Advisers NZ, our licensed immigration advisers keep present with INZ coverage updates — together with attending NZAMI CPD webinars just like the INZ session this Might — so that you just get recommendation grounded within the newest steerage.
Contact us as we speak to debate your state of affairs.
Immigration Advisers NZ is a licensed immigration advisory apply based mostly in Auckland. All recommendation is supplied by or below the supervision of a licensed immigration adviser (IAA). This text is for common info functions solely and doesn’t represent authorized recommendation.
Creator Particulars
Vandana Rai
(LIA 201400900)
Director
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has constructed a repute round her uncommon set of abilities, which might be thought of perfect for her authorized career.
