Changes to New Zealand’s skills assessment procedure have come into affect, affecting what is now deemed skilled employment. Further changes have been made regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications.

As of 26 November, New Zealand has adopted the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as its basis for defining skills in demand. The list categorises core tasks and qualifications / skill levels on a numerical ranking basis from one to five, one being the highest level of skills and qualifications demanded for a particular job.

Visa applicants will need to ensure that their qualifications and experience are consistent with those stipulated in the ANZSCO guide, and proof of such will need to be well documented. There will also be cases in which a minimum salary earned in the UK will be required in order to be considered in keeping with classification guidelines.  

In order for applicants to score points towards their New Zealand visa, they will, in most cases, need to prove that their qualifications meet level four of the New Zealand Qualification Authority’s Register of Quality Assured Qualifications. However, under certain circumstances, level three qualifications will be recognised, and trade certificates will be assessed under a differentframework.