Green List Occupations in New Zealand: Requirements & Job Roles
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Green List Occupations in New Zealand: Requirements & Job Roles

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Sep 12, 2024 11:53 IST

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. 

Green List Occupations in New Zealand

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.

These roles 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 every 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 

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: 

  • All qualifications listed as eligibility requirements are based on NZQF
  • The Green List provides a fast track to the residence and a work-to-residence pathway.  
  • It takes only a month for green-listed visa applications to be assessed and reviewed in New Zealand. 
  • If the applicants find themselves on the list as per their qualifications, they can apply directly and upon getting a job, apply for the visa. 
  • The spouses of those candidates falling under the green list of occupations in New Zealand will also be given the right to work. 

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. 

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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  

  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) - NZQF Level 8 or, 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Bachelor of Construction - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 133111 

Project Builder 

  • Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7, or  
  • Graduate Diploma - NZQF Level 7, or  
  • Diploma - NZQF Level 6 

ANZSCO 133112 

Quantity Surveyor 

  • A bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Student or Affiliate Membership, of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (with an overseas degree approved by NZIQS) 

ANZSCO 233213 

Surveyor  

  • Bachelor of Surveying - NZQF Level 7 or 
  • Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) - NZQF Level 8 
  • Registered as a Professional Surveyor with New Zealand Institute of Surveyors or 
  • Professional Associate Membership or an Overseas Member of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (with an overseas degree approved by NZIS) 

ANZSCO 232212 

Check: Cost of Studying in New Zealand for International Students 








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 

  • Washington Accord accredited engineering degree, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) - NZQF Level 8. 

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  

  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Civil Engineering of NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Diploma at NZQF Level 6 

ANZSCO 312212 

 
 

Electrical Engineering Technician  

  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Electrical and Electronic Engineering of NZQF Level 8 or, 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering - NZQF Level 7 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 312312 

Electronic Engineering Technician  

  • Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Diploma - NZQF Level 6, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) in Electronic Engineering, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 8 

ANZSCO 312412 

Telecommunications Engineer 

  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) in Network Engineering - NZQF Level 8, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 263311 

Telecommunications Network Engineer  

ANZSCO 263312 

Along with the above-given eligibility requirements, the others might also be accepted for Engineering job roles: 

  • A Washington Accord or Sydney Accord accredited undergraduate degree. 

OR 

  • A qualification of NZQF Level 7 or higher, along with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying the degree and further learnings meeting the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand. 

OR 

  • Registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer by Engineering New Zealand. 

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 

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: 

  • Certification by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers (ACPSEM) in Medicine as a Medical Physicist 
  • Registration or eligibility for registration on the ACPSEM Register of Qualified Medical Physics Specialists 
  • Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, United Kingdom and Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering Medicine, United Kingdom 
  • Certification as a Medical Physicist by the American Board of Radiology in Medical Physics 
  • Certification of Competence in Clinical Medical Physics as a Member of the Canadian College of Physics in Medicine. 

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: 

  • Bachelor of Food Technology (H) in Food Product Technology or Food Process Engineering - NZQF Level 8. 
  • NZQF Level 7 with majors in nutrition, food science, food technology or food engineering. 

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:

Straight to Residence Visa in New Zealand

In order to get a visa that straightaway gives the applicant the benefit of citizenship, then he/she must have an offer in hand or should be working at the moment of application. Also should have a tier 1 job role on the Green List of Occupations. Further details are as follows:

  • Length of stay on this visa is permanent hence no renewals are required.
  • Applicants should be 55 years of age maximum, but those below 55 years would be preferable.
  • The processing time for this visa is 11 months for 90% of the cases.
  • The cost of this visa is around NZD 4,290 which is INR 2,21,724 as of September 25, 2024. 
  • Applicants can also add their dependents who are below the age of 24 and they should be financially dependent on the applicant filing the application.

This visa application can be filed from New Zealand or from outside New Zealand, there are no restrictions. But there must be an offer in hand.

Work to Residence Visa in New Zealand

This is the next best option for those who wish to work in New Zealand on the Green List of Occupations. Those applying for this visa should be working or have a job offer from an employer from the Green List of Occupations in New Zealand. Also, the applicant must have worked in a tier 2 Green List job for at least 2 years. Applicants applying for this visa should note the following pointers:

  • Once this visa is granted, applicants can stay in New Zealand for an indefinite time period. 
  • Applicants should be 55 years of age or younger.
  • The cost of this visa is the same as the cost of the visa mentioned above, that is, NZD 4,290. 
  • When applying the applicants must have an offer in hand or should be working.
  • Applicants must have a full-time job offer o a permanent offer which should last for at least 1 year.
  • Dependents who have separately applied for a study visa or work visa should apply with the applicant applying for this visa only.

At present the applications are closed for this visa, they shall begin accepting applications from September end onwards. 

Check: New Zealand Student Visa Guide 

Green List Occupations New Zealand FAQs 

Q. What is the Green List of occupations in New Zealand?

A. 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.  

Q. How many jobs are listed on the green list of New Zealand?

A. There are 85 jobs listed on the green list of New Zealand across construction, engineering, health & social services, primary industries & science along with ICT, electronics & telecommunications roles.  

Q. What does green list in New Zealand immigration mean?

A. 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.  

Q. How are employers benefitted with green listed job roles in New Zealand?

A. 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.  

Q. Is it important for an employer to be accredited in New Zealand to hire migrant workers?

A. Yes, it's important for an employer to be accredited in order to offer a job to a migrant worker in New Zealand against the green list of occupation. Applicants can find the entire list of accredited employers in New Zealand while searching for a job.

Q. Can those applicants already working in the green list occupations in New Zealand apply for residence?

A. Yes, those applicants who are already working in any of the given occupations in the green list are eligible to apply for residence after 2 years, post working in New Zealand.  

Q. Are there any other job roles besides the ones mentioned above in green list occupations of New Zealand?

A. Yes, apart from the already mentioned job roles in the article above there is one more job role falling under the agriculture sector for Dairy Cattle Farming (job code of ANZSCO 121313). Those who have at least 3 years of experience of working on a commercial farm can apply for this job role.  

Q. Where can applicants apply for a Green List Visa in New Zealand?

A. The Green List Visa applications in New Zealand start from July 4, 2022, more details about where to submit an application are still awaited.  

Q. What is ANZSCO code?

A. The ANZSCO refers to Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations which is basically a unique code number differing on the basis of the occupations listed in the particular country.  

Q. Does the green list of occupations in New Zealand have jobs for lesser skilled labour?

A. No, the green list occupations of New Zealand consist of those job roles that are in high demand, which can be taken up by the highly skilled labour force only. Hence, there are no mid level type of skill set labourers in the list.

Q. Is it guaranteed to get residence if working under the green list visa in New Zealand?

A. As per the the official notification about the green list in New Zealand, those who complete two years of working under the green list will be eligible to apply for residence. 
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Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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