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From 9 March 2026, New Zealand will recognise 47 additional skill level 1, 2 and 3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) and an increase to the immigration median wage. These updates form part of the country’s gradual transition from the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to the NOL, which is a new job classification system designed to better reflect New Zealand’s labour market.
Transition to the National Occupation List
The NOL replaces the ANZSCO and is updated annually. First announced in November 2024, the NOL is being introduced in stages due to the scale of the change. For now, ANZSCO continues to be used for most visa categories, while the NOL applies specifically to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
From 9 March 2026, employers will be able to submit Job Checks for the 47 newly recognised NOL occupations at skill levels 1, 2 and 3. This includes a clearer breakdown of newly recognised chef roles, which have been split into more specific occupations based on seniority and skill.
Some of the key occupations include:
Skill Level 1
- Head Chef / Executive Chef
- Chief Sustainability Officer
- Physician Associate
- Virtual Reality (VR) Specialist
- Executive Assistant (CEO / Board Level)
Skill Level 2
- Sous Chef / Chef de Partie
- Environmental Engineering Technician
- Urban Forester
- Accounting / Legal Practice Manager
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Skill Level 3
- Other Chef / Demi Chef de Partie
- Peer Support Worker
- Advanced Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
- Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS)
What employers need to know
Employers hiring for any of the newly recognised skill level 1, 2 and 3 roles must continue to meet AEWV requirements, including:
- Advertising the role for at least 14 days
- Making genuine efforts to recruit suitable New Zealanders
- Ensuring the role meets market pay and employment standards
The update may also benefit some current AEWV holders working in directly related skill level 4 or level 5 roles. If their employer has an approved Job Check for a relevant NOL skill level 1, 2 or 3 occupation (including the newly defined chef roles) and the worker is suitably qualified, they may be able to apply for a new AEWV and extend their maximum continuous stay.
Reclassification of three occupations
The following three occupations will move from skill level 3 to skill level 4:
- Pet groomer
- Nanny
- Kennel hand
All new Job Check applications for these roles must meet skill level 4 requirements, including longer advertising periods, Work and Income engagement, and English language requirements for migrants.
These changes do not affect existing AEWV holders in these roles. Any Job Check submitted on or before 8 March 2026 will continue to be assessed at the original skill level, along with all associated Job Tokens, AEWV applications, and Job Change requests.
Median wage increase
From 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage will increase to NZD $35.00 per hour, based on June 2025 data. While the general median wage requirement for the AEWV was removed in March 2025, several immigration settings remain linked to the median wage and will automatically update, including:
- Green List pay requirements: Some Green List roles require a minimum pay rate to qualify for residence or AEWV settings. When the median wage increases, those minimum pay rates also increase.
- Exemptions from advertising and minimum skills (for roles paid at least 2 times the median wage): If an employer pays at least twice the median wage, they may be exempt from:
- Advertising the role
- Meeting certain minimum skill requirements
Because the median wage is increasing, the 2× threshold also increases. Employers will need to pay more to qualify for these exemptions.
- Maximum five‑year stay rules for some lower‑skilled roles (paid at least 1.5 times the median wage): Some lower‑skilled roles can access a longer maximum continuous stay if they are paid 1.5 times the median wage. When the median wage increases, the 1.5 times threshold increases too, meaning workers will need to be paid more to qualify for the longer stay.
- Income thresholds for supporting partners and dependent children: To support a partner or dependent child on a visa, migrants must earn above certain income levels. These thresholds are tied to the median wage, so they increase automatically when the median wage increases.
Updated partner and dependent income thresholds
- Skill level 1, 2 and 3 partner support threshold increases from $26.85 to $28.00 per hour
- Green List partner support threshold increases from $50.34 to $52.50 per hour
Residence pathway thresholds
Wage thresholds for skilled residence pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Green List, and Transport Work to Residence, will also rise. Some applicants may need to move to a higher pay step to remain eligible. For example, teachers must now be on Step 5 of the pay scale (previously Step 4).
Updates to sponsorship income thresholds for the Parent Category and Parent Boost Visitor Visa will be announced later in 2026.
How Absolute Immigration New Zealand can help
Navigating shifting occupation classifications, wage thresholds and AEWV requirements can be complex, especially during the transition from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List. Absolute Immigration NZ is here to support employers, migrants and advisers through every stage of these changes.
Our licensed advisers can help you:
- Understand how the new NOL skill levels affect your hiring plans, including whether your roles now fall under skill level 1, 2 or 3, or have moved to skill level 4.
- Prepare and submit Job Checks that meet the latest advertising, MSD engagement and pay requirements.
- Assess whether current AEWV workers may benefit from the new NOL settings, including opportunities to extend their maximum continuous stay.
- Review pay rates and employment agreements to ensure they align with the updated immigration median wage and any linked thresholds.
- Plan ahead for residence pathways, including how the new wage settings may affect eligibility under the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List and Transport Work to Residence pathways.
- Provide tailored guidance for families, including updated partner and dependent income thresholds.
As New Zealand continues their phased move to the NOL, we will keep you informed and help you stay compliant, competitive and confident in your workforce planning. Contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
