New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025: What Human Resources Leaders Should Do Now

Why it matters

Starting November 3, 2025, Immigration New Zealand will add 91 new occupations to its New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025 under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program. For HR leaders, this marks both a broader hiring horizon and a sharper compliance requirement.

Understanding the Shift: From ANZSCO to the National Occupation List

Until recently, Immigration New Zealand relied on the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations framework to assess work visa applications. However, beginning in November 2024, the National Occupation List replaced it as the official structure for job classification.

The New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025 divides jobs into five skill levels, with Level 1 representing the most skilled positions and Level 5 the least skilled. Under the updated system:

• Only Level 1 to Level 3 occupations are eligible for the Accredited Employer Work Visa program.

• These positions typically require higher education qualifications or substantial work experience. Examples include civil engineers, software developers, medical technologists, and marketing managers.

This change means that more mid to high-level skilled roles will now qualify for employer sponsorship, giving organizations a broader and more diverse pool of talent.

How the New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025 Impacts HR Strategy

For human resources and global mobility professionals, the New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025 influences more than just visa processing. It shapes how companies plan international recruitment, relocation, and workforce management in New Zealand.

The expansion of eligible roles provides greater flexibility in workforce planning but also requires human resources departments to coordinate more closely with compliance, legal, and business teams to ensure every sponsorship meets Immigration New Zealand standards.

For instance, a U.S.-based tech firm expanding its Asia-Pacific operations could now sponsor roles like data analysts or UX designers under Level 2. Previously, these roles did not qualify, but now they can be filled through accredited sponsorship.

Human Resources Checklist

Here is a practical checklist to help HR leaders prepare for the upcoming National Occupation List changes:

• Review the new eligible occupations: Examine the 91 newly added roles and identify which ones align with your company’s hiring needs in New Zealand.

• Update internal job records: Ensure your job databases and descriptions reflect the correct skill levels (Level 1 to Level 3) to prevent classification errors.

• Coordinate with hiring and business teams: Train your hiring managers on the updated role descriptions, pay scale requirements, and local advertising rules that apply before hiring international employees.

• Check accreditation status: Confirm that your organization’s accreditation under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program is valid and up to date.

• Support existing employees: Evaluate whether your current staff in lower-skilled positions (Level 4 or Level 5) can transition into newly recognized skill levels one to three to extend their stay.

• Update documentation: Review employment contracts, job descriptions, and recruitment records to ensure compliance with the latest Immigration New Zealand requirements.

• Monitor future policy updates: Assign responsibility within your HR or legal team to track further National Occupation List updates and communicate any impact on workforce planning.

Why This Matters for Companies Based in the United States

For companies headquartered in the United States or managing global mobility programs, these updates are especially relevant:

• Broader relocation opportunities: The expansion enables smoother transfers of employees from U.S. offices to New Zealand for projects or leadership roles.

• Access to a wider talent pool: With new mid-level skilled occupations recognized, U.S. firms in industries such as technology, healthcare, and engineering can fill key roles more effectively.

• Simplified global compliance: The National Occupation List provides clearer definitions for job classifications, supporting consistent immigration compliance across international operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025?

   It is New Zealand’s official framework for classifying jobs based on skill levels and qualifications. It replaced the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations in November 2024.

2. What do skill levels one to three mean?

   These are roles that generally require a university degree, technical certification, or significant work experience. For example:

   • Level 1: Managers and professionals (for example, engineers, IT consultants)

   • Level 2: Technicians and associate professionals (for example, construction supervisors)

   • Level 3: Skilled trades or mid-level workers (for example, dental technicians, chefs)

3. Can current visa holders benefit from this update?

   Yes. Employees currently holding visas for lower-skilled positions (Level 4 or Level 5) may be able to transition into newly recognized higher-skilled roles and extend their stay.

4. When do these changes take effect?

   The 91 new occupations will be recognized for Accredited Employer Work Visa applications starting November 3, 2025.

5. How can employers prepare?

6. Employers should review internal job classifications, confirm accreditation status, and update employment documentation according to the National Occupation List framework.

How Waylit Can Help

Waylit helps HR leaders simplify and automate immigration compliance processes. The platform centralizes visa management, tracks deadlines, and ensures documentation accuracy, allowing teams to focus on people rather than paperwork.

In Summary

The New Zealand Skilled Occupation List 2025 expansion gives HR leaders more flexibility to attract and retain global talent. By preparing early and aligning internal systems with the National Occupation List, organizations can seize this opportunity while maintaining compliance.

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