Green List Occupations in New Zealand: Requirements & Job Roles
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New Zealand has opened its borders for international students and skilled workers to bridge unemployment. The Green List of Occupation portal has 200+ jobs listed by the NZ Government. This list includes job roles in different sectors of healthcare, construction, engineering, technology and primary & science-related roles which are vastly vacant in New Zealand. Each job role has a unique job code and specific eligibility requirements which must be taken care of while applying for a visa.
What is Green List Occupation in New Zealand? The NZ government identifies these job roles as being in high demand and essential for the country's economic growth. These demanding fields are facing skill shortages that hinder workflow. The New Zealand Green List Visa is a fast-tracked process that aims to make it easier for skilled migrants to move to NZ.
March 2025 onwards, primary school teacher is added to the green list of New Zealand. Roles under this list will have registration, qualification fulfilment or experience-related requirements, and more details that might be required while applying for the Green List Visa in New Zealand. In this blog, we will cover all relevant information related to the Green List Occupation in New Zealand.
Read more: Post Study Work Permit in New Zealand
- Benefits of Green List in New Zealand
- Green List Occupations List in New Zealand
- Visa Requirements for Green List Occupants in New Zealand
Benefits of Green List in New Zealand
There are numerous benefits for those falling under the green list of occupations in New Zealand, other than just getting a job and residential benefits. These other benefits include:
- Eligibility Based on NZQF Qualifications: All qualifications listed as eligibility requirements are based on NZQF.
- Fast-track to Residence: The Green List provides a fast track to the residence and a work-to-residence pathway.
- Quick Process for Visa: It takes only a month for green-listed visa applications to be assessed and reviewed in New Zealand.
- Spousal work rights: The spouses of those candidates falling under the green list of occupations in New Zealand will also be given the right to work.
Related Blogs:
Green List Occupations List in New Zealand
All 85 job roles have been segregated as per their broad streams, mentioned in the Green List of Occupations for New Zealand. Each job role has a separate code and may or may not differ in terms of eligibility criteria.
Construction Job Roles in New Zealand
The following job roles are offered in the construction sector for those having a background in building-related degrees:
| Construction Roles |
Eligibility to Apply |
Role Code |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Project Manager |
|
ANZSCO 133111 |
| Project Builder |
|
ANZSCO 133112 |
| Quantity Surveyor |
|
ANZSCO 233213 |
| Surveyor |
|
ANZSCO 232212 |
Check: Cost of Studying in New Zealand
Engineering Job Roles in New Zealand
There are over 15+ job roles mentioned for those holding an engineering degree and willing to settle in New Zealand with a job. The following engineers are in the green list of occupations in New Zealand:
| Engineering Roles |
Eligibility to Apply |
Role Code |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer |
|
ANZSCO 233111 |
| Materials Engineer |
ANZSCO 233112 |
|
| Civil Engineer |
ANZSCO 233211 |
|
| Geotechnical Engineer |
ANZSCO 233212 |
|
| Structural Engineer |
ANZSCO 233214 |
|
| Electrical Engineer |
ANZSCO 233311 |
|
| Electronics Engineer |
ANZSCO 233411 |
|
| Environmental Engineer |
ANZSCO 233915 |
|
| Industrial Engineer |
ANZSCO 233511 |
|
| Mechanical Engineer |
ANZSCO 233512 |
|
| Production or Plant Engineer |
ANZSCO 233513 |
|
| Engineering Professionals |
ANZSCO 233999 |
|
| Civil Engineering Technician |
|
ANZSCO 312212 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician |
|
ANZSCO 312312 |
| Electronic Engineering Technician |
|
ANZSCO 312412 |
| Telecommunications Engineer |
|
ANZSCO 263311 |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer |
ANZSCO 263312 |
Check: Top Courses in New Zealand
Health & Social Services Job Roles in New Zealand
This is the most popular job sector with the maximum number of job roles, the following is a brief of the job roles that fall under this sector as per the green list occupations of New Zealand:
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| Health & Social Services Job Roles |
Requirements |
Role Code |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School Teacher |
Registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and either a provisional or full practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 241211 |
| General Practitioner |
Registration within a relevant provisional general, provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand |
ANZSCO 253111 |
| Anaesthetist |
ANZSCO 253211 |
|
| Psychiatrist |
ANZSCO 253411 |
|
| Specialist Physicians nec |
ANZSCO 253399 |
|
| Surgeon (General) |
ANZSCO 253511 |
|
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon |
ANZSCO 253512 |
|
| Neurosurgeon |
ANZSCO 253513 |
|
| Orthopaedic Surgeon |
ANZSCO 253514 |
|
| Vascular Surgeon |
ANZSCO 253521 |
|
| Urologist |
ANZSCO 253518 |
|
| Otorhinolaryngologist |
ANZSCO 253515 |
|
| Dermatologist |
ANZSCO 253911 |
|
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist |
ANZSCO 253913 |
|
| Ophthalmologist |
ANZSCO 253914 |
|
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists |
ANZSCO 253917 |
|
| Radiation Oncologist |
ANZSCO 253918 |
|
| Resident Medical Officer |
ANZSCO 253112 |
|
| Medical Laboratory Scientist |
Registration in the scope of practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 234611 |
| Clinical Psychologist |
Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board |
ANZSCO 272311 |
| Educational Psychologist |
Registration within a relevant scope of practice with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. |
ANZSCO 272312 |
| Organisational Psychologist |
ANZSCO 272313 |
|
| Psychotherapist |
ANZSCO 272314 |
|
| Psychologists |
ANZSCO 272399 |
|
| Physicist (Medical) |
One of the following minimum requirements:
|
ANZSCO 234914 |
| Orthoptist |
Registration from the New Zealand Orthoptics Society Inc. |
ANZSCO 251412 |
| Veterinarian |
Registration from the Veterinary Council of New Zealand |
ANZSCO 234711 |
| Anaesthetic technician |
Registered in the scope of practice as an Anaesthetic Technician by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 311211 |
| Medical diagnostic |
Registration in the scope of practice as a Medical Imaging Technologist with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. |
ANZSCO 251211 |
| Medical laboratory technician |
Registered in the scope of practice as a Medical Laboratory Technician by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 311213 |
| Medical radiation therapist |
Registration in the scope of practice as a Radiation Therapist with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. |
ANZSCO 251212 |
| Occupational therapist |
Registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 252411 |
| Sonographer |
Registered to practice as a Sonographer with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. |
ANZSCO 251214 |
| Podiatrist |
Registered with the New Zealand Podiatry Board. |
ANZSCO 252611 |
| Audiologist |
Registered with the New Zealand Audiological Society. |
ANZSCO 252711 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
Registered to be in practice with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 254412 |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
ANZSCO 254413 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
ANZSCO 254414 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
ANZSCO 254415 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
ANZSCO 254416 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
ANZSCO 254417 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Medical) |
ANZSCO 254418 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
ANZSCO 254421 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
ANZSCO 254422 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) |
ANZSCO 254423 |
|
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
ANZSCO 254424 |
|
| Registered Nurse (paediatrics) |
ANZSCO 254425 |
|
| Registered Nurses |
ANZSCO 254499 |
|
| Midwife |
NZ registration in the relevant scope of practice with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 254111 |
| Secondary school teacher |
Registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a provisional practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and employment must be for a position as a teacher. |
ANZSCO 241411 |
| Early childhood (pre-primary School) teacher |
NZ registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a provisional practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. |
ANZSCO 241111 |
Read: Student’s Spouse Visa in New Zealand
Primary Industries & Science Job Roles in New Zealand
There are just three job roles that fall under this sector as per the green list of occupations in New Zealand:
| Primary Industries & Science Job Roles |
Eligibility Requirements |
Job Code |
|---|---|---|
| Other Spatial Scientist |
Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7 with a major in computer science or geography |
ANZSCO 232214 |
| Environmental Research Scientist |
NZQF Level 8 or higher qualification with a major in Environmental Studies or Environmental Management or Environmental Engineering. |
ANZSCO 234313 |
| Food Technologist |
One of the following:
|
ANZSCO 234212 |
Get More Info About: Part-Time Work Options in New Zealand
ICT, Electronics & Telecommunications Job Roles in New Zealand
The following job roles are a part of this job sector, as per the green list occupations of New Zealand:
| ICT, Electronics & Telecommunications Job Roles |
Employment Requirements |
Job Code |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Information Officer |
Remuneration for the employment must be NZD 57.69 an hour or more, or the equivalent annual salary. |
ANZSCO 135111 |
| ICT Project Manager |
ANZSCO 135112 |
|
| ICT Managers |
ANZSCO 135199 |
|
| Software Engineer |
ANZSCO 261313 |
|
| ICT Security Specialist |
ANZSCO 262112 |
|
| Multimedia Specialist |
Remuneration for the employment must be NSD 45.67 an hour or above, or the equivalent annual salary. |
ANZSCO 261211 |
Read more: Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand
Trade Roles in New Zealand
There are a few job roles offered under the trade roles as proposed in the green list of occupations in New Zealand, they are as follows:
| Trades Roles |
Requirements |
Job Code |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive electrician |
A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of one of the strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4). |
ANZSCO 321111 |
| Diesel motor mechanic (including heavy vehicle inspector) |
A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4). |
ANZSCO 321212 |
| Electrician (general) |
NZ registration as an electrician or a limited certificate as an electrician from the Electrical Workers Registration Board. |
ANZSCO 341111 |
| Plumber (general) |
Registration as either a certifying plumber, tradesman plumber; or journeyman plumber with the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. |
ANZSCO 334111 |
If the applicants are eligible and have worked in any of the above-mentioned jobs, they can go to New Zealand on a work visa and apply for residence. Minimum salary requirements will apply for some jobs and will change with the median wage each year.
Visa Requirements for Green List Occupants in New Zealand
In order to work and stay in New Zealand while having an occupation on the Green List in New Zealand, there are two visas which can be granted. One visa is for a residence visa and the other one is work to a residence visa in New Zealand. Check out the details below:
| Criteria | Straight to Residence Visa | Work to Residence Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Job Requirement | Must be working or have a job offer on Tier 1 Green List | Must be working/have a job offer on Tier 2 Green List |
| Work Experience Needed | Not required | Must have worked 2 years in a Tier 2 Green List job |
| Visa Validity | Permanent (no renewals) | Permanent (after conditions met) |
| Maximum Age Limit | 55 years | 55 years |
| Processing Time | Around 11 months (for 90% of cases) | Similar timeframe (not specifically stated) |
| Visa Fee | NZD 6,450 (~INR 3.21 Lakhs) | NZD 4,290 (~INR 2.13 Lakhs) |
| Application Location | Can apply from inside or outside New Zealand | Can apply from inside or outside New Zealand |
| Dependents | Can include dependents under 24 years (financially dependent) | Dependents must apply together with the main applicant |
| Job Duration Requirement | Must have a job offer | Job offer must be full-time or permanent (at least 1 year) |
Check: New Zealand Student Visa Guide
Candidates looking for assistance with universities in New Zealand can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Readers with queries can get in touch with us in the comments section below.
The Green List provides two pathways for residence – a fast track or work to residence path. There is also a pathway to Eligible migrants working in these occupations or who are paid twice the median wage will have clear pathways to residence. A review is underway of the Skilled Migrant Category.
If an employer wishes to hire a migrant on the Accredited Employer Work visa and the role is on the green list, they need not advertise for a job check. The employer can complete the job check without proof of advertising as long as the minimum requirements for the role match the minimum requirements given in the green list.
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The Green List in New Zealand is a list of occupations that are in high demand in the country. The green list of occupations in New Zealand is a set of 85 occupations that come under the skilled workers list which has been released to fill in the vacant job roles in New Zealand through accredited employers.